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Losing a loved one is an unimaginable tragedy, and the pain is even more significant when someone else’s negligence causes their death. Whether it’s a fatal car accident, medical malpractice, or unsafe working conditions, these preventable losses leave surviving family members struggling to pick up the pieces. Beyond the overwhelming grief, families often face significant financial burdens, such as funeral expenses and the loss of income, as well as the emotional toll of coping with their loss. Navigating the legal system during such a difficult time can feel overwhelming.
However, with the help of an experienced Atlanta wrongful death lawyer, families don’t have to go through it alone. The Stoddard Firm is here to help you pursue justice and fair compensation for your loss. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is committed to guiding you through the process, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. At the same time, you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.
Choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At The Stoddard Firm, we take an aggressive approach to advocating for accident victims, ensuring they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve. Our firm is committed to providing personalized legal strategies, thorough case investigations, and relentless representation to maximize compensation for our clients. With years of experience and a proven track record of success, we fight tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable. Your case is our priority, and we won’t rest until you get the results you deserve.
Our firm has built a reputation for achieving significant results for accident victims across Georgia. We are committed to relentless advocacy and securing maximum compensation for our clients.
At our law firm, we understand that no settlement can ever replace the person you’ve lost. Losing a loved one is an unimaginable tragedy, and the pain that follows is often compounded by the knowledge that their death could have been avoided. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim is about more than compensation—it’s about seeking justice and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions. By taking legal action, you can shine a light on negligence and potentially prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. Every case we handle is approached with care, diligence, and compassion, ensuring your family’s voice is heard, and your loved one’s memory is honored. We are here to guide you through this process, offering unwavering support at every step.
Wrongful death claims help families seek justice and compensation for the loss of a loved one caused by negligence or intentional actions. These claims hold responsible parties accountable and provide financial relief during a difficult time. Damages may include lost income, benefits, and compensation for emotional suffering. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Some of the types of damages families may recover include:
Wrongful death claims help families seek justice and compensation when a loved one’s death results from negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. In Georgia, spouses, children, or parents can pursue damages for medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering. These civil cases, separate from criminal charges, must be filed within two years of the death. While no amount can replace a loved one, wrongful death claims provide accountability, support, and financial stability.
Under Georgia law, wrongful death is a legal term used to describe a death caused by the misconduct, negligence, or intentional acts of another party. Specifically, according to Georgia law, a wrongful death occurs when someone’s life is prematurely ended as a result of criminal acts, negligence, or defectively manufactured products. This broad definition encompasses a wide variety of situations where an individual, entity, or company failed to exercise appropriate care, leading to the untimely death of another person.
Wrongful death claims often stem from situations like drunk driving accidents, medical malpractice, and defective products. Drunk driving is a leading cause, where impaired drivers’ negligence leads to preventable fatalities, allowing families to seek legal action. Medical errors, such as surgical mistakes or misdiagnoses, occur when healthcare professionals fail to meet standards of care, resulting in tragic outcomes. Defective products, like faulty car parts or hazardous chemicals, also cause wrongful deaths, holding manufacturers or sellers accountable for unsafe items. Families can pursue compensation in these cases to seek justice for their loss.
The primary purpose of wrongful death lawsuits is to seek damages for the “full value of the life of the decedent,” as stated in Georgia law. This means that surviving family members can pursue financial compensation that reflects both the tangible and intangible losses stemming from their loved one’s death. Tangible losses may include lost wages, benefits, and financial contributions the deceased would have provided. Intangible losses refer to the emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and the unique value the deceased brought to their family’s life.
Wrongful death claims not only provide financial relief but also offer families a sense of justice and closure. By holding negligent parties accountable, these lawsuits can help prevent similar incidents in the future, serving as a deterrent to others who may act recklessly or irresponsibly. Families of victims often work with experienced wrongful death attorneys to navigate the complexities of Georgia’s legal system and build a strong case.
In summary, wrongful death lawsuits under Georgia law empower families to seek justice and compensation when a loved one’s life is tragically cut short due to the wrongful actions of another. Whether caused by criminal acts, negligence, or defective products, these cases ensure responsible parties are held accountable while helping families cope with their loss.
Georgia law outlines specific individuals who are eligible to file a wrongful death claim in the event of a loved one’s death. The surviving spouse of the deceased individual is the first in line to file such a claim. If there is no spouse, the decedent’s surviving children are legally entitled to file the claim. In cases where the decedent did not leave behind a spouse or children, the responsibility falls to the deceased person’s parents. If there are no surviving immediate family members, the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate has the right to pursue the wrongful death claim.
According to Georgia statutes, these provisions prioritize justice for the deceased and their surviving loved ones while preserving a clear familial hierarchy. This process ensures that the claim is brought forth by those most closely connected to the deceased. Georgia’s wrongful death laws aim to provide a structured and fair approach, granting surviving family members the opportunity to seek compensation for their loss. Additionally, the executor or administrator filing on behalf of the estate ensures that justice is still pursued even in the absence of immediate family members.
Under Georgia law, wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of the deceased’s passing, according to Justia’s explanation of Georgia Code Title 9, Chapter 3, Article 2, Section 9-3-33. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from when the right of action accrues. Special circumstances can shorten the two-year time frame to as little as six months or lengthen the time frame long past the standard two-year period. An accident victim must file the lawsuit and serve the defendant within this statute of limitations to preserve the right of compensation. Missing the deadline can result in losing the ability to recover damages no matter how strong the case may be. We can help determine whether an exception to the two year general limit applies to your case.
Even without a statute of limitations, acting quickly is important because it allows for evidence preservation and documentation of witness observations which can significantly strengthen a claim.
Wrongful death is a devastating event that occurs when someone’s life is taken due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of another party. It leaves families grieving the loss of a loved one while also facing the emotional and financial challenges that come in the aftermath. Understanding the causes of wrongful death and the legal options available can help families seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable.
Car accidents are a leading cause of wrongful deaths in Georgia, often caused by negligence like speeding or DUIs. Our Atlanta attorneys hold negligent drivers accountable, investigating every detail to build strong cases. Families deserve answers, compensation, and justice, and we’re here to help.
Workplace accidents are tragically common in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Unsafe conditions, lack of safety equipment, or failure to follow OSHA regulations often contribute to fatal injuries. Construction workers face hazards like falls, electrocution, and machinery accidents, while industrial jobs involving complex equipment carry similar risks.
Our Atlanta wrongful death lawyer investigates workplace accidents to determine if employers failed to provide a safe environment or neglected OSHA standards. Third parties, such as equipment manufacturers, may also share liability. Pursuing a wrongful death claim can hold negligent parties accountable, improve workplace safety, and provide compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and other damages.
Consumers expect products to be safe, but defects can cause severe harm or even death. From faulty brakes to unsafe baby products, these issues often result from design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings. In wrongful death cases, our attorneys identify liable parties and use experts to prove how the defect caused the tragedy. Product liability cases are complex, but experienced legal support helps families secure compensation and push for safer products.
Georgia law recognizes the profound emotional and financial toll that losing a loved one places on surviving family members. A wrongful death can not only leave an emotional void but also cause significant economic hardships for the deceased’s family. To address these challenges, the law provides a framework for compensating families who have lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts. The goal is to help families recover some of what they’ve lost and support them as they navigate life without their loved ones.
Compensation in wrongful death cases generally falls into three main categories:
Navigating complex legal processes while grieving the loss of a loved one is an incredibly overwhelming experience. Hiring a wrongful death attorney provides the support and expertise to handle your claim thoroughly and compassionately. Our team is committed to easing your burden during this difficult time by managing every aspect of your case.
We realize that choosing the proper attorney to represent your family is not a legal choice but a highly personal and emotional one. Your family needs a legal team that knows the law and truly cares about your welfare during one of the most difficult periods in your life. That’s why Atlanta families have trusted our firm.
Here’s what sets us apart:
The Stoddard Firm is here to help. Don’t face legal complexities alone, our experienced and compassionate Atlanta wrongful death lawyer will fight for justice and financial security for your family. Call us today at 470-467-2200 for a free consultation, and let us support you during this difficult time.
A dedicated, ethical advocate who takes on major corporations and global insurers with virtually unlimited resources. Known for high-profile cases featured on Courtroom Viewing Network, this attorney is also a sought-after legal educator, teaching at seminars for top bar associations. Trusted by clients and media alike, they work tirelessly to secure justice and deliver results.
Member of the Atlanta Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Licensed in Georgia since: 2008
Education: University of Georgia School of Law
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I cannot say enough positive things about the Stoddard Firm. The experience exceeded my expectations. They (everyone) were very responsive, persistent, professional, and, most of all, personable. The team was always prepared and on top of everything. Matthew Stoddard is very knowledgeable and will not be backed into a corner! I was extremely impressed with his ability to navigate difficult situations.
The amount of time required for wrongful death claims is variable. Simple cases with liability acknowledged and sufficient insurance coverage can occur within a few months. However, complex cases involving controversies or trials can happen over the years, with processes such as discovery, motions, and potential appeals drawing out the proceedings. Evidence, witness cooperation, and court calendars also play their part. Referring to a skilled wrongful death attorney can ease the process and provide the best result.
In Georgia, relatives can recover damages even when their loved one was partially to blame for the accident, as long as they were less than 50% at fault. Modified comparative negligence deducts fault from compensation. For example, if a loved one was 30% at fault and total damages were $100,000, recovery would be $70,000.
Under state code, Georgia awards wrongful death damages to spouses, children, or parents. Spouses receive at least one-third, with the rest going to children. Without a spouse, children may receive the full amount; without children, parents or other relatives may qualify. Damages consist of financial losses and non-economic damages. In complex situations, a wrongful death attorney can ensure fair distribution.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was revised and approved by Attorney Matthew B. Stoddard, who has more than 16 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Losing a loved one is devastating. We fight for justice and compensation, offering compassionate, experienced wrongful death representation during your toughest times.
Car accidents can change lives in an instant. We fight for your recovery and compensation, ensuring your future is protected after a crash.
Truck accidents often cause severe injuries. We hold negligent drivers and companies accountable, fighting for the justice you deserve.
Injured on someone else’s property? We help you navigate premises liability claims, ensuring negligent owners are held responsible.
Defective products can cause serious harm. We stand with you to hold manufacturers accountable and secure the compensation you need.
Survivors of sexual assault and trafficking deserve justice. We provide compassionate legal support to help you reclaim your life.
Construction sites are dangerous. If you’ve been injured, we fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Motorcycle accidents can be life-altering. We advocate for riders, ensuring negligent drivers are held accountable for your injuries.
Burn injuries cause immense pain and long-term challenges. We fight for your recovery and the compensation needed to rebuild your life.
Injured due to poor security? We hold property owners accountable, ensuring you receive justice for their negligence.
Brain injuries can have lifelong impacts. We fight for your future, securing compensation for medical care, lost wages, and more.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. Fill out the form below, and one of our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys will contact you shortly to discuss your case. Call us 678-RESULTS.
Your information will remain confidential and used solely to contact you about your case.