Our wrongful death attorney can help you get compensation and justice if a loved one was killed due to someone else’s negligence or fault.
It is a devastating experience for families when a loved one dies unnecessarily due to someone’s negligence, regardless of whether the death occurs from a car crash, workplace accident, or another fatal injury. An individual’s death impacts a family in so many different ways.
In addition to the grief related to the loss of life, the loss of companionship, income and more are factors to be taken into account.
Clearly, no amount of money can make up for the death of a loved one; a person’s life has infinite value to their families That said, financial restitution can assist you in managing your future. It can play a critical part in helping you to you move forward. An Atlanta wrongful death attorney can help you determine what type of compensation is appropriate with regard to your case and can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf. It is our goal to help you get the settlement you deserve.
In Georgia, family members are entitled to compensation for both the economic and non-economic costs of a death caused by another person’s actions. Financial awards are often substantial, depending on the individual situation. The Atlanta wrongful death lawyers at The Stoddard Firm offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of what happened and determine the best way to handle your case.
Have you lost someone you love due to the negligent behavior of another person or organization? If so, you are likely under a great deal of pressure — and you are not alone. You may seek help from a wrongful death attorney. Families often feel overwhelmed and bereft when they have lost a loved one due to a shocking accident, car crash, devastating work crisis, or other unanticipated tragedy. Amidst the tears and confusion, there is a sense of unbearable loss and uncertainty about the future. Hopes and dreams are dashed, and family members are left to pick up the pieces.
Even thinking about how to move forward can be soul crushing. No family should be alone while sorting through the devastation caused by the negligence or carelessness of another person or organization. The wrongful death legal process is complex and time consuming, but The Stoddard Firm can help. Our wrongful death attorneys possess decades of experience in supporting families just like yours. We will:
Meet With You: We will sit down with you, at your convenience. This consultation not only allows us to better understand your situation, but also gives you the opportunity to meet us, learn how we can help you and experience the empathetic manner in which we communicate. We understand that you are facing the most devastating time of your life. Our goal is to get you the settlement you need and deserve and to serve as a reliable and calming resource.
Coordinate an Investigation: Once we decide to move forward, our team will fully investigate the situation surrounding the death of your loved one. We conduct interviews with witnesses and review all medical documentation.
Communicate with Insurance Companies: Once we have determined an appropriate settlement (one that compensates you for your loss), we will communicate with the insurance company of the responsible party. We understand the types of damages you can receive. We will manage all interactions so you don’t have to.
File a Lawsuit: If we are unable to settle appropriately with your insurance company, we will spearhead the entire legal process for you. This includes filing all paperwork, conducting additional investigations and litigating aggressively in front of a judge.
We will walk beside you through the complicated legal process of seeking financial compensation in a wrongful death claim. While money will never replace the life of the person you lost, it can help your family cope with everyday expenses and begin to rebuild your future. Our wrongful death attorneys will handle everything; you can focus your attention on grieving your loved one and beginning to heal
Why Choose The Stoddard Firm?
Selecting the right attorney to lead your wrongful death lawsuit is an important decision. It can make a difference in getting the settlement you deserve. The Stoddard Firm is well-positioned to provide you with the legal support you need. Choose us because of our:
In Depth Knowledge: A complete understanding of Georgia wrongful death law is a priority when selecting an attorney. Led by Matthew Stoddard, our team is well-versed in cases like this. The firm is committed to helping those who have been wronged by others; it is ready to leverage its knowledge to help you.
Proven Experience: Our record of success in handling wrongful death cases in and around Atlanta and Decatur is unmatched. You can rest assured that we know how to handle situations like this and are well-prepared for anything that may arise.
Comprehensive Approach: We know that the families we work with are facing intense grief, overwhelming frustration and well-deserved anger. Not only have they lost a loved one, but the incident that took their life could have been avoided. Our hearts go out to you, and we will communicate with the utmost respect and empathy. That said, we will also negotiate and litigate aggressively in order to get you an appropriate settlement.
Excellent Reputation: When you need to engage an attorney to advocate for the loss of life, you want to work with someone whose reputation is stellar. Our reputation as honest, dedicated and hard-working legal professionals is one of which we are incredibly proud. Time and time again our clients reach out to share how satisfied they were with our service. We are grateful they take the time to do this and wish them peace in life as they move forward.
The Stoddard Firm is the complete package. We have committed to helping individuals and families, and we do it well. Our wrongful death lawyers in Atlanta and Decatur are ready and able to help you.
We Can Help Family Members Get the Compensation They Deserve
The death of a loved one who loses their life in an accident caused by the negligence of another person is a devastating experience. It leaves family members shocked. Whether it’s due to a car crash, workplace accident, or fatal injury elsewhere in Atlanta, a wrongful death turns their world upside down and threatens their future; they likely don’t know where to turn. Sadly, wrongful deaths are not uncommon.
In fact, approximately 170,000 people in the United States die every year from unintentional injuries, also called accident-related injuries. These are often preventable and are typically the result of a careless or negligent act. When someone’s behavior leads to another person’s death, surviving family members can seek compensation through wrongful death claimsand related estate-based claims. While these cases are a vital tool for families coping with the loss of a loved one, they are often difficult to handle; they require the skill and experience of a qualified wrongful death attorney.
If your loved one has died as the result of negligence by a person or business, you may have a legal remedy.
Those who may be held responsible include individuals (like someone who recklessly drove a car and caused an accident), employers and even doctors and hospitals. Courts often award financial damages in wrongful death cases, and the wrongful death lawyers at The Stoddard Firm can help you get justice and the compensation you deserve.
We offer a free consultation, so call us today at 470-467-2200 to discuss your case and determine whether you have a legal claim. There are no fees unless and until we win a settlement for you.
Our Attorneys Explain What A Wrongful Death Is
Wrongful death is defined as “the taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons.” It covers cases of:
unintentional actions leading to death—which will be the case with the vast majority of car accidents, and
intentional actions leading to death.
Wrongful death is an area of tort law. These suits are civil actions filed by the family of the person who was wrongly killed, whether or not criminal charges were made and/or successfully prosecuted.
How Much Is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
While there is no way to precisely predict the amount you will recover, wrongful death case settlements can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the unique circumstances of the case. In Georgia, family members are entitled to compensation for both the economic and non-economic costs of a death caused by another person’s actions.
These may include:
Lost benefits and wages the deceased might have earned
Medical expenses related to the deceased’s last illness or injury
Burial and funeral expenses
Pain and suffering the deceased person endured before death
Loss of companionship, care, and other intangible benefits the deceased would have provided.
Our wrongful death attorneys will have a better idea of what your case may be worth once we know the specific facts involved. Call us today to get started at 470-467-2200.
Why Do I Need a Wrongful Death Attorney?
Every life has enormous value, but not every law firm can tell a story illustrating that full value to a jury. Damages in a wrongful death claim are “the full value of the life” of the deceased from the perspective of the deceased person — that is, what the deceased person would have valued their life as having been worth. This calculation includes both (1) the lost economic value of wages and household services that the deceased would have earned and (2) a “non-economic,” intangible value to be determined by the jury based on the evidence. Telling the story of a lost life requires the testimony of expert witness accountants who leverage detailed calculations and accepted formulas to maximize economic value.
You lawyer must also identify friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and other persons – people who have a story to tell about the loss. A highly skilled and experienced Atlanta wrongful death attorney can do all these things and more. In these cases, you don’t want a general services attorney who does tax, real estate, or business law — you want and need an Atlanta wrongful death attorney.
Do I Have to Go to Court?
The best answer to this common question is “maybe.” While many wrongful death cases are settled outside of a courtroom, it is important to approach each one with the mindset that a trial is inevitable. Being prepared for this possibility increases the likelihood of success – whether through settlement or trial. It’s always best to be prepared for a trial, even if a case ultimately settles. So while it may not be likely that you will have to testify in court, be prepared in case you have to. At The Stoddard Firm, we appreciate that even the thought of testifying can be incredibly emotional. We will work with you so you know exactly what to expect and make the process run a smoothly as possible.
How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney Help?
A good wrongful death attorney will be able to help you through the process of filing and completing a wrongful death case. Our attorneys understand how these cases work and know the tactics insurance companies use to avoid having to offer an adequate settlement. An experienced attorney can help you understand how to go about getting the best settlement possible. We’ll work with you to get the financial damages you deserve—and, most importantly, the knowledge that you’ve done all you can to let your loved one rest in peace. These cases are extremely complex and labor-intensive, so many law firms will not have the resources to handle them properly.
The Stoddard Firm has the resources and the wherewithal to give you and your family the level of attention these cases require.
If you’ve lost a loved one, contact an Atlanta wrongful death attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured through someone else’s neglect or negligence, you should first seek medical attention. You should also make sure you contact the authorities. The personal injury attorneys at The Stoddard Firm have years of experience handling injury lawsuits, and we even offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
A wrongful death claim is brought by the deceased heirs. The Stoddard Firm represents the following clients in wrongful death matters:
The surviving spouse
The children of the deceased
The parents of the deceased
The brothers and sisters of the deceased.
Georgia has specific laws about who can bring a legal action in a wrongful death case. Determining who is entitled to bring an action is just one factor to consider when building a case. An Atlanta wrongful death attorney can help determine who has legal standing to file a lawsuit. Family members will also need to file a claim within a certain period following the death of a loved one. This period is known as the statute of limitations; in Georgia, the time period can vary widely depending upon the particular facts that caused the tragedy to unfold.
The important thing for families to remember is that laws vary in Georgia wrongful death cases depending on several factors, including the types of damages being sought and the manner in which the deceased passed away. Survivors don’t need to be well-versed in the wrongful death law in Georgia to file a lawsuit. A qualified Atlanta wrongful death attorney will be able to evaluate a case to answer the many pressing questions survivors might have.
Common Causes that Our Wrongful Death Lawyer Looks for
An Overview
An unintentional fatal injury can happen anywhere, to anyone. For example, there are thousands of vehicle crashes every year in which innocent motorists die because of a drunk or distracted driver. A look at national statistics reveals some of the most common causes of accident-related deaths.
Approximately 40,000 people die in vehicle crashes every year in the United States.
Unintentional poisoning leads to more than 87,000 deaths every year.
Nearly 5,000 workers in the United States suffer fatal work-related injuries.
A highly trained wrongful death lawyer can build a powerful legal case asking for financial compensation for the death of your loved one. To find out more about how The Stoddard Firm can help, call us for a free initial consultation at 470-467-2200.
Death at Work
As noted above, many in the United States die each year while on the job. Unfortunately, many of these deaths are due to negligent actions or inaction. Quite simply, had people or organizations been more responsible, the accident could have been avoided.
Sadly, death can occur in almost any industry or occupation. Sales people can be killed in a car accident; factory workers can be killed by malfunctioning machinery; and even those working in retail can suffer slip and fall accidents and lose their lives. That said, one of the most dangerous industries in which to work is construction.
If you live in the Atlanta area, you know that something always seems to be under construction. Projects are up and running throughout the city and in the suburbs. A significant number of at-work wrongful deaths occur on construction sites. It’s not surprising. This work is dangerous and involves heavy machinery, sharp tools and often working from great heights.
Construction deaths in Atlanta are often caused by unsafe scaffolding, inadequate training, poor communication, lack of protective gear, and improper use of equipment. Much of the responsibility for keeping construction workers safe falls to their employers and manufacturers of the machinery they use. When these individuals and organizations fail to do this, injuries and even death can occur.
Why File a Wrongful Death Claim?
For those mourning the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death case offers the opportunity to recover the costs suffered in the wake of the tragedy. A wrongful death claim can include compensation or benefits for a family’s lost earnings, the loss of care in the home, the loss of companionship, and pain and suffering. In addition, an Atlanta wrongful death attorney can ask for compensation for medical bills, funeral bills, and other end-of-life costs.
An Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney Can Seek Justice
For some families, a wrongful death claim is also about seeking justice. In other circumstances, holding a negligent party responsible makes sure a wronged family does not have to shoulder an incredible financial burden. What is often most important to a grieving family, however, is that a successful lawsuit may prevent a negligent company from repeating its mistakes and seriously injuring or killing someone else.
When a loved one is lost, you have only one shot at justice. The truth is that many law firms either are not properly staffed or are not willing to spend the time and effort necessary to illustrate the full value of the deceased’s life. The Stoddard Firm is different. We maintain an extraordinarily low caseload so we can dedicate extensive time and substantial financial resources to obtain the full compensation our clients deserve.
Differences Between a Wrongful Death and a Personal Injury Claim
One of the major differences between a case of wrongful death and a personal injury case is that personal injury cases are generally filed by the person who was injured, while wrongful death cases can be filed only by the family of the deceased.
As in a personal injury case, wrongful death cases must prove that the party at fault was negligent and that this negligence was the cause of the injury that took place. In many other ways, a case for wrongful death works similarly to a case for personal injury.
One of the other main differences is that, because of the severity of the case, it takes more time and effort to successfully conclude a case for wrongful death than one for personal injury. Some law firms do not have the resources available to pursue a case for wrongful death with the energy these cases generally call for. If you are considering an action for wrongful death, be sure to check whether your attorney has the resources to help you.
Contact Our Atlanta Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Reaching out to us is free. Please give us a call at 470-467-2200 or contact us online so we can answer your questions and discuss the process necessary for a successful suit. It never hurts to have more information. Our wrongful death lawyers are always compassionate and respectful because we understand that you are hurting. We can talk at a time that is convenient for you.
Client Testimonial
”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.” – Nia Chassagne (Google Review)
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
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You’re going about your day, trying to get to work, or back home, or wherever your current destination might be. Maybe you’re checking your email, or thinking through your to-do list. Your commute is so routine that it barely demands any attention.
But then, every so often, you glance over the edge of the platform while waiting for your train, and you realize how easy it would be to slip and...
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Call Our Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorneys for Help
We Are Ready to Begin Work on Your Case Immediately
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or fault, it’s important to move quickly and call the Atlanta wrongful death attorneys at The Stoddard Firm as soon as possible. Time is of the essence, as there is a statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing a wrongful death case that is generally two years from the date of the death.
No family should be alone sorting through the devastation of a wrongful death. The wrongful death attorneys at The Stoddard Firm have decades of experience supporting families like yours. We can guide you through the complicated legal process and help you seek financial compensation. While money will never replace the person you lost, it can help you address everyday expenses and begin to rebuild their future. Our wrongful death lawyers are always compassionate and respectful because we understand that you are hurting. We will meet at your convenience, and reaching out to us is free. Call us today at 470-467-2200
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ 
