Have you recently experienced the painful and unexpected death of a family member in Savannah, Georgia? If so, it’s time to call Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers. While money won’t turn back time or completely take away your pain, it can alleviate some of the stress you’re under right now. Our Savannah wrongful death lawyers want to help you demand the monetary justice you deserve.
Since 2012, we have supported grieving families in Savannah and across the state of Georgia. We fiercely defend our clients’ best interests and help them stand up to powerful insurance companies after life-changing accidents. The results: millions of dollars recovered, and thousands of families helped.
Get the support you deserve if you’ve experienced the wrongful death of a loved one by calling our trusted personal injury attorneys. Your initial case evaluation is free.
How Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers Can Help Your Family With a Wrongful Death Claim in Savannah
Someone was careless, and now you’re struggling with the death of a spouse, a child, or a parent. Don’t let them off the hook for the devastation they’ve caused. Call Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, and discover how our Savannah wrongful death attorneys can guide you through this difficult time and lead you to the life-changing financial award you need to move forward with your life.
We’re known and respected Georgia trial attorneys who embrace client-driven legal strategies. We believe that you deserve the best when you’re faced with the worst.
That’s why we’re prepared to handle all aspects of your wrongful death lawsuit so that you can focus on picking up the pieces of your life.
Count on our top-rated legal team to:
- Promptly investigate your loved one’s fatal accident
- Gather and evaluate key pieces of evidence
- Hire expert witnesses to offer testimony in support of your wrongful death action
- Craft a strong legal claim and file it with the local court and/or insurance company within applicable filing deadlines
- Anticipate attempts to blame your family member for their untimely death
- Engage in productive negotiations with the defense and work to secure a settlement that genuinely represents what your wrongful death case is worth
- Counsel you and your family on your rights, answer questions, and help you make tough decisions about how to resolve your wrongful death dispute
- Represent your family at trial in Chatham County, GA, if necessary
We know times are tough right now, and we don’t want to add to the stress you’re under. That’s why we represent families in Savannah on contingency.
You pay nothing unless our wrongful death attorneys in Savannah, GA, win your case.
Reach out to our trusted legal team to discuss your wrongful death case today. There is no charge for your initial case evaluation.
What Is Wrongful Death in Georgia?
Georgia’s wrongful death act, as found in Georgia Code Section 51-4-2, allows certain individuals to bring a legal claim when a person’s death is the result of:
- Negligence
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Intentionally harmful conduct
- Criminal acts
If there is no legal justification for a person’s death, it can be the basis for a successful wrongful death case.
Generally speaking, any traumatic accident or act of violence that results in death can give rise to a wrongful death case, including:
If you suspect that your loved one’s death could have been avoided, don’t hesitate to discuss your situation with our wrongful death lawyers in Savannah.
Who Has the Right To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
Every state has different rules regarding who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in the wake of an unexpected fatality. In Georgia, the right to bring a claim is reserved for specific surviving family members.
In order of priority, these include the victim’s:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent or guardian
If there is no surviving family member, the personal representative of the victim’s estate will have the right to bring a wrongful death action on behalf of any surviving heirs. A Savannah wrongful death attorney can help you understand more about your options.
How Much Is My Savannah Wrongful Death Case Worth?
It depends. Several factors can affect the potential value of a wrongful death claim in Savannah.
- What was the nature of your relationship with the victim?
- Did you rely on the victim for financial support?
- How much support did they contribute?
- Did the victim provide childcare or other contributions to the household?
- How old was the victim?
- What was their life expectancy?
- Did you incur any costs for medical care before their death?
- How much did their funeral cost?
- Did the victim survive their injuries for any period of time before their death?
The more you relied on the victim financially before their passing, the more you can expect to recover through a wrongful death claim after they’re gone.
What Damages Can Be Awarded in a Savannah Wrongful Death Action?
There are technically two different types of claims that can be filed after a person’s death: a wrongful death claim and a survival action.
The wrongful death claim is brought by a surviving family member and seeks compensatory damages for:
- Lost wages, income, and benefits
- The value of household support and services
- Loss of care and companionship
The survival action is brought by the estate to recover compensation that the victim would have been able to recover if they’d survived, as well as other expenses incurred by the estate, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills paid prior to death
- The victim’s pain and suffering prior to their death
Georgia law also permits plaintiffs in wrongful death actions to request punitive damages. Punitive damages are only awarded at trial when there’s clear and convincing evidence of a defendant’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Punitive damages are left to the discretion of the jury.
Fighting for compensation in a wrongful death claim can be an uphill battle. You’ll face resistance from the defense at every turn as they attempt to minimize your recovery. Our Savannah wrongful death attorneys will work hand-in-hand with experts to make sure that you’re able to get the results you deserve.
Can Comparative Negligence Affect a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has a modified comparative negligence statute that applies to most personal injury cases. This includes matters of wrongful death.
Typically, a plaintiff’s shared fault is taken into consideration when assessing damages. In wrongful death cases, the victim’s shared fault becomes relevant. As a result, your loved one’s shared responsibility can have a serious impact on your ability to recover compensation from another party.
Let’s say your spouse was killed in a head-on collision at a busy intersection in Savannah. Your wrongful death lawsuit is worth $2 million. However, your spouse is assigned 10 percent of the blame for the fatal accident. As a result, your wrongful death recovery will be reduced by 10 percent, leaving you with a maximum payout of $1.8 million.
If your loved one’s proportionate fault is equal to or greater than 50 percent, you’ll be prohibited from recovering damages.
Your family member might not be here to tell their side of the story or defend themselves against claims of comparative fault. Our Savannah wrongful death attorneys will be. We will aggressively defend your right to recover damages and challenge any claims of shared fault that might be raised.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Georgia?
You’ll generally have two years from the date of a loved one’s wrongful death to seek damages in a Georgia state court.
Once the statute of limitations expires, you will no longer reserve the right to seek compensation from a negligent motorist, a government agency, a manufacturer, or another liable party.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Savannah Wrongful Death Attorney
You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a loved one’s unexpected death on your own. Contact the top-rated legal team at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, and trust us to help you navigate this difficult time in your life.
Our Savannah wrongful death lawyers have a 95 percent success rate when representing injury victims and families. We’ve helped thousands of clients win millions in monetary awards.
Now, we’re here to be your most passionate advocate, too.
Contact our Savannah, GA, law office to get started. Your initial case evaluation with our team is free.
N/a
