The unfortunate tragedy of wrongful death can be extremely overwhelming, and the thought of dealing with a legal procedure almost feels impossible. We understand that feeling, and do everything in our power to make the process of a wrongful death lawsuit as stress-free as possible for our clients. Having the attorney can make all of the difference through this trying time, and we want to make sure that this process and your financial situation are two fewer things that you need to worry about as you focus on recovering.
During a free case examination, you will have the opportunity to discuss your circumstances with a legal professional, and get a better idea of how we will handle such a sensitive and important case. We look forward to speaking with you. Read more below about some of the types of damages we will include in your case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to any type of financial issue directly related to the wrongful death — essentially, anything with a “real” dollar value attached to it. This includes things like medical expenses and burial costs, but it also takes your lost loved one’s income into account. In addition to the costs directly related to the accident and death, we will seek additional damages to account for the loss of income to your household, as well as the loss of any future inheritances, or the cost of services that your loved one used to provide.
Medical Costs
These include any medical expenses that were incurred as a result of the incident that led to the wrongful death. This could include ambulance rides, emergency surgeries, hospital stays, and anything else related.
Funeral Expenses
Funerals in Georgia average between $4,00-7,500, which the loved ones of the deceased must pay for. We will include any expenses related to the funeral or burial in your economic damages.
Loss of Income
If your loved one provided income to your family, then we will calculate the financial impact to your life, and include that in the damages we will seek as well. This includes things like pension, 401K contributions, and any other work-related benefits.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-Economic damages deal with the emotional trauma of losing a loved one, and although these types of issues do not have set dollar amounts, are extremely important in a wrongful death lawsuit. Atlanta judges understand this, and the Georgia legal system does not impose any sort of financial cap on noneconomic damage awards. Below are some examples of non-economic damages:
Loss of Consortium
Consortium refers to the type of emotional support that one partner provides the other. This includes, but is not limited to, things like love, partnership, sexual relations, and support.
Depression and Trauma
Following the wrongful death of a loved one, those left behind will suffer enormous depression and sadness because of the absence of their father, spouse, partner, or child.
How Much Can I Sue For Following a Wrongful Death?
There is no non-economic damage cap for any type of personal injury case in Georgia, meaning that there is no limit to the amount that you may potentially be awarded. Keep in mind that, while there is no legal cap, the jury will not award an unreasonable amount of money given the circumstances.
In addition, the defendant’s ability to pay will greatly impact the amount you actually receive following a completed trial. There are legal tools in place to ensure that you are paid what they are able to, including wage garnishment or tax refund interception, but if the responsible party is unable to pay what you are awarded, you are capped by their capacity.
Contact Us Now
Every wrongful death case is different, and the awards we will seek in your case will be unique to your situation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and use this opportunity to speak with a legal professional familiar with Atlanta wrongful death lawsuits about what to expect.