The death of a loved one is always a serious event that will have a profound effect on the deceased’s family. Those family members will need to take significant time and make substantial efforts to bring comfort and stability back into their lives.
One option that family members may want to consider is the pursuit of a wrongful death claim. These personal injury cases allege that another person’s or entity’s negligence was the reason for the death, with a successful claim helping to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, and lost earnings. It can also bring some measure of justice for the family. A Dunwoody wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue these payments. Their goal is to understand how the death has affected a family and strive to hold all negligent parties responsible for their actions.
Why Pursue a Wrongful Death Case?
It is impossible to understate the impact that a sudden death can have on a family. For many, the funeral costs and medical bills that result from the incident are beyond their ability to pay. In addition, the loss of a companion or parental figure far outstretches the economic factors involved.
The goal of a wrongful death case is to secure the compensation needed to bring stability and comfort back to a family. As a result, these cases can demand payments for all economic losses that result from the death, including burial costs. At the same time, a Dunwoody wrongful death attorney works with families to understand the emotional toll that this event has had on their lives. It is important to enter a lawsuit with all these damages identified.
The spouse is entitled to the damages won. If there is no spouse, that entitlement goes to the deceased’s children, then parents, and then to an estate administrator if none of those connections exist.
When is a Wrongful Death Case Appropriate?
Any sudden death is going to be difficult for the surviving family. But just because a person passes away before their time does not automatically mean that another person or entity was responsible.
However, situations do exist where it is possible to connect another person’s actions to a death. This is when a wrongful death lawsuit is appropriate. In fact, state law provides a useful definition of a wrongful death. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-4-1 states that a wrongful death is an incident where the death is the product of another’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful act. Common examples of events that may justify a wrongful death case include:
- Premises liability incidents that occur on another property
- Truck, car, or other motor vehicle collisions
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective products or dangerous drugs
- Food that has been contaminated
- Criminal actions
A Dunwoody wrongful death lawyer can provide more information about the concept of a wrongful death in the eyes of the law. They then investigate to obtain the evidence needed to prove that another’s actions were the sole reason for a loved one’s death.
Reach Out to a Dunwoody Wrongful Death Attorney
Whether a death results from events that occurred on the road, while on someone’s property, at the hospital, or even at home, others may be liable for this sudden tragedy. When another person or entity acted in a way that negligently put someone in harm’s way, and that event resulted in a death, those parties may be liable in a wrongful death claim.
A Dunwoody wrongful death lawyer may be able to help your family regain economic and emotional stability. By pursuing these cases on your behalf, our attorneys can allow you to grieve and begin to pick up the pieces instead of focusing on legal claims. Contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith to schedule a free consultation.
