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    • Scott Pryor
      Scott Pryor
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      Attorney at Law - Scott is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is listed in the top 1% of trial attorneys in the nation by the Litigator Awards. He is also a member of Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association—Champion Level and sits on the Communications Committee of GTLA, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

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    • James MacLelland
      James MacLelland
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      COO - James has 25 years of experience building productive teams, scalable processes, and profitable businesses.  Immediately prior to joining The Scott Pryor Law Group, as COO of a national law firm, James built and operated one of the largest legal intake teams in the country. Guiding a team of 70 individuals running 24/7 and 365 days a year they successfully marketed, retained, and onboarded over 200 new clients to the firm daily, achieving a pace and capacity of over 50,000 new clients annually. 

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    • Philip Lorenz
      Philip Lorenz
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      Attorney at Law - Philip W. (“Phil”) Lorenz is a seasoned trial attorney, Phil has tried, mediated, or facilitated settlement of tens of millions of dollars in claims and lawsuits over the course of his career.

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    • Paul Dietrick
      Paul Dietrick
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      Attorney at Law - Paul A. Dietrick has practiced civil trial law for over forty years, in State and Federal Courts, and Georgia Appellate Courts. Paul is a zealous guardian of the rights of those injured by the negligence and carelessness of others. Paul’s clients have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.

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    • Jocelyn Galloway
      Jocelyn Galloway
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      Attorney at Law - Jocelyn Galloway is an attorney with over a decade of experience and a legal process innovator who has dedicated her career to protecting the rights of plaintiffs against large corporations.

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    • Angie Hemmings
      Angie Hemmings
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      Client Experience Manager - Angie joined The Scott Pryor Law Group and quickly made her mark on the Firm. Her previous employment on staff at a local church prepared Angie for her current role in client relations and marketing. Meeting prospective clients, checking in regularly with current clients, and staying in touch with former clients are what Angie is passionate about. She wants you to know that you and your family are important to her.

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    • Rhonda Anzaldua
      Rhonda Anzaldua
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      Marketing Manager - Rhonda brings over 20 years of customer service and hospitality experience to the marketing and intake team. She is passionate about providing our clients with an outstanding experience from the very first day, and prides herself in her ability to be straightforward and honest but also able to empathize and offer comfort in the difficult conversations.

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    • Steve Ware
      Steve Ware
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      Senior Case Manager

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    • Meet Everyone
      Meet Everyone
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      Click on "Read More" to meet our full team!

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  • Practice Areas
    When a loved one is killed because of another's negligence, it is important to hold them responsible...
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    Allow us to fight for you after a serious injury has occurred in order to recover compensation and aid in the recovery process.
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    A quick moment in time, a sudden slamming of the brakes, or a loud blare of a horn can be all the time you have to prepare yourself in the event of a car accident.
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    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number one leading...
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    Motorcycle accidents often involve catastrophic injuries, such as a head or spinal cord injury because the driver...
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    To hold a negligent property owner or business responsible for the damage they have caused, contact us today.
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    Bicycle accidents often involve catastrophic or deadly injuries because of the difference in size between a bicycle...
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    Children are our pride and joy, and we do everything we can to protect them. That’s why it is even more devastating...
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    A faulty construction machine that destroys your property, undisclosed side effects in over-the-counter medication, a poorly designed toy...
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    If you have been injured at work, your employer should pay for your medical treatment. While employers and insurance companies...
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    Slips and falls can result in surprisingly serious injuries. Even otherwise healthy people can suffer from severe harm due to a simple fall.
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    Any accident on or near the water—whether on a dock, between two boats, or resulting from a collision with swimmers—could result in...
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  • Results
    $3,800,000
    Bad Faith Case
    $1,200,000
    Car Accident
    $5,400,000
    Fraudulent Conduct
    $4,500,000
    Trucking Accident
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If you have lost a family member due to the negligence of another person or company, you may have the right to file a wrongful death suit on their behalf. While no amount of money can return your loved one, a civil lawsuit can help prevent this from happening to another family. Discussing your legal options with a Columbus personal injury attorney may give you the insight you need into a wrongful death claim.

In some cases, death can leave that person’s family in a difficult situation. Anyone dependent on the decedent’s salary could quickly find themselves in a financial hole. With the assistance of a Columbus wrongful death lawyer, your family may be able to recover the compensation they need to survive.

Wrongful Death in Georgia

Under Georgia law, a “wrongful death” is a death due to a negligent, reckless, criminal, or intentional act. Proving negligence in a Columbus wrongful death case is similar to that in a car crash lawsuit. A plaintiff must show the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff, the defendant breached that duty, and that breach damaged the plaintiff.

Unlike a car crash lawsuit, the decedent cannot bring a lawsuit in their own name. The person with the right to bring a wrongful death suit can vary under Georgia law. The guidance of an experienced Columbus wrongful death attorney might help in identifying the appropriate party to file suit.

Standing to File a Wrongful Death Suit

The person with the standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia varies depending on the circumstances. However, state law applies a formula used to identify the party with standing to file suit. The right to file suit necessarily follows a hierarchy. The right travels down the list of potential family members until it reaches someone with the ability to file a lawsuit.

A surviving spouse always has the strongest claim to file a Georgia wrongful death suit. If the couple had minor children, the surviving spouse retains the right to file suit but must represent each minor child during the proceedings. The right to file goes to surviving children if the decedent has no spouse.

Next on the list are the parents of the deceased person. The surviving parents may only file if there are no surviving spouses or children. If the parents are not alive, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may bring the claim.

Statute of Limitations

Every type of lawsuit in Georgia has a statute of limitations. This statute sets a time limit on the filing of a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is not filed before the time limit expires, the court can dismiss a claim. In other words, missing this deadline could cost you the opportunity to recover compensation from the person responsible for the death of your loved one.

According to Georgia law, the statute of limitations on a wrongful death case is two years from the date of death. Most of the time, the ability to file a lawsuit is lost once two years elapse. However, it is worth noting there are limited exceptions that can extend the 2-year window. For example, the statute of limitations may be tolled temporarily if the decedent’s estate has not been through probate or if there is a pending criminal case related to the same cause of death.

Call a Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney As Soon As Possible

A Columbus wrongful death lawyer might be able to help you recover monetary compensation for the death of your loved one. While this money can never replace a member of your family, the process could prevent a similar result from happening to someone else in the future. When you are ready, reach out to an attorney to learn more about how a wrongful death claim works.

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6185 Crooked Creek Rd NW
Ste. H
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
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FAX: (678) 302-9366