Wrongful Death Lawyer in Peachtree Corners

When a preventable death occurs in Peachtree Corners, families face not only unimaginable grief but also overwhelming financial burdens and complex legal questions. If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s actions, contact the compassionate team at The Scott Pryor Law Group today for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Wrongful Death in Peachtree Corners, GA
• Rights and Legal Process for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia
  • Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
  • Deadlines for Filing: Georgia Statute of Limitations
• Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims
  • Types of Damages Recoverable
  • Punitive Damages: When Are They Applicable?
  • How Compensation Helps Families Heal
• Choosing the Right Wrongful Death Lawyer in Peachtree Corners
  • Criteria for Selecting a Competent Attorney
  • The Importance of Legal Representation in Wrongful Death Cases
• How Our Legal Team Can Assist You

Understanding Wrongful Death in Peachtree Corners, GA

In legal terms, wrongful death occurs when another person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions directly cause someone’s death. These cases give surviving family members a chance to seek justice and financial compensation. While no amount of money can restore your loved one’s life, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help secure your family’s financial future and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Wrongful death cases in Peachtree Corners arise from various circumstances where negligence plays a central role, including: 

• Vehicle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Workplace accidents
• Product defects 
• Premises liability cases

Rights and Legal Process for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia

Filing a successful wrongful death claim requires a thorough understanding of state law.

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

Georgia law establishes a specific hierarchy for determining who can file a wrongful death claim. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, the surviving spouse holds the primary right to file a claim and must demonstrate they’re acting in the best interests of any minor children. The spouse receives priority even when other family members exist.

If the deceased person was unmarried but had children, those children may file the claim. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the decedent’s parents can seek compensation for the full value of their child’s life.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

The process of filing a wrongful death claim begins with gathering essential documentation, including the death certificate, medical records, police reports, and any evidence related to the incident that caused the death.

Next, you must identify all potentially liable parties. This may include individuals, companies, insurance providers, or government entities whose negligence contributed to the fatal incident.

Once liable parties are identified, your lawyer will file the necessary paperwork with the appropriate Georgia court. This includes detailed allegations explaining how the defendant’s negligence caused your loved one’s death and specifying the compensation your family seeks.

Deadlines for Filing: Georgia Statute of Limitations

Generally, you have two years from the date of death to initiate legal proceedings. Missing this deadline typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.

However, certain exceptions can extend this timeframe. If the death resulted from a violent crime or felony traffic violation, the statute of limitations may be extended until a criminal case verdict is reached or six years have elapsed, whichever occurs first. Additionally, when an adult dies without a will, and multiple claimants exist, the deadline may extend up to five years or until estate issues are resolved.

Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims

The compensation you can recover in your claim will depend on the specific nature of your case. Here is what you need to know.

Types of Damages Recoverable

Georgia law allows families to seek compensation for the “full value of the life” lost, which encompasses both economic and intangible losses. This comprehensive approach recognizes that wrongful death affects families in multiple ways, requiring different types of financial support.

Economic losses include measurable financial consequences such as lost income, medical expenses incurred before death, and funeral costs. 

Non-economic losses address intangible harm, such as loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support. 

Punitive Damages: When Are They Applicable?

Punitive damages may apply when defendants exhibited particularly egregious behavior. Examples include drunk driving, extreme recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Under Georgia Code § 51-12-5.1, seventy-five percent of any punitive damages award goes to the state treasury, while twenty-five percent benefits the plaintiff.

How Compensation Helps Families Heal

While money cannot replace your loved one, financial compensation can provide economic stability at a time of grief. The award a family secures can allow them to maintain their home, pay for children’s education, and cover ongoing living expenses. Additionally, holding negligent parties accountable can prevent similar tragedies from affecting other families.

Choosing the Right Wrongful Death Lawyer in Peachtree Corners

Your choice of wrongful death attorney might be one of the most consequential decisions you can make after losing a loved one.

Criteria for Selecting a Competent Attorney

Selecting the right legal representation requires careful evaluation of several key factors, including experience specifically handling wrongful death cases, professional recognition, and the number of years practicing. 

The Importance of Legal Representation in Wrongful Death Cases

Insurance companies’ primary goal is to minimize payouts. They employ teams of adjusters and lawyers who use sophisticated tactics to achieve their aims. Without proper legal representation, families often receive far less compensation than they deserve or may be denied entirely. An experienced wrongful death attorney can protect your family’s rights while offering emotional support throughout the process.

How Our Legal Team Can Assist You

The Scott Pryor Law Group recognizes that every wrongful death case involves unique circumstances requiring a customized legal approach. We will thoroughly investigate your loved one’s death, working with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to build the strongest possible case.

We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss both legal grounds for claims and the process for seeking justice and accountability. Moreover, our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for your family. This arrangement ensures that financial concerns never prevent families from accessing quality legal representation when they need it most.

Our commitment to excellence has earned recognition among the top one percent of trial attorneys nationwide through the Litigator Awards. We have achieved multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for families throughout Georgia, including record-setting recoveries that reflect our dedication to securing maximum compensation.

One client, Mike, shared his experience: “The most important thing during the entire process was that I never had a doubt that Scott was working hard with my best interest in mind. I would recommend Scott to anyone going through a similar situation.”

Contact us today for your free consultation and take the first step toward holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.