Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney
Pursuing the Just Recovery You Deserve
If your loved one was killed as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may feel as though you have nowhere to turn. However, at the Utley Law Firm, we help individuals hold responsible parties accountable when their careless or reckless actions lead to a preventable death. Whether you lost a loved one as a result of a car accident, assault and battery, medical malpractice, workplace injury, or another type of accident, our legal team is here to help.
We offer compassionate, personalized legal services tailored to your unique situation, along with uncompromising advocacy of your rights. While compensation cannot negate the experience of losing a loved one, it can help you deal with unanticipated damages associated with the accident, such as pain, suffering, loss of companionship, medical bills, and funeral expenses, as well as provide a sense of justice so that you can begin moving forward.
Reach out to our Atlanta wrongful death law firm today at to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death occurs when an individual is killed by the careless, reckless, or intentional actions or inactions of another person, company, or entity. While most wrongful death claims center on negligence, intentional wrongdoing or conduct, including homicide, can result in grounds for a wrongful death claim. Criminal cases and civil lawsuits can both be filed for wrongful death.
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For criminal cases, charges can be brought by the state in the form of first-degree murder, manslaughter, and more. These differ from civil cases, however, which are filed by the victim’s family. Plaintiffs in civil suits who file wrongful death cases carry the burden of proof. This means that they must prove the defendant acted negligently and the negligent acts caused death. The purpose of wrongful death claims is to compensate surviving family members or dependents.
Survivors may receive compensation for a number of things including:
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Lost income due to untimely death
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Dependents and minors who relied upon earnings
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Loss of care
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Punitive damages
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If you are struggling with the financial consequences of losing a loved one due to negligence, obtaining a just settlement or verdict can help you on the road to recovery.
Who Can File Wrongful Death Claims?
Parents, children, spouses, and siblings may all file wrongful death claims if they relied on the victim’s income or care. If there is no directly-related family member, a representative of the victim’s estate may file wrongful death claims in which any compensation received will go to the estate and then to next of kin.
The statute of limitations determines how long survivors of the decedent have before they cannot file lawsuits anymore. In most states, including Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years. This may be extended up to seven years, with limited exceptions regarding estates going through probate.
Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients
At the Utley Law Firm, we understand that there is nothing more difficult than losing a loved one. Knowing that your loved one’s death could have and should have been prevented can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.
When you trust the Utley Law Firm with your case, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to help you navigate the legal process and work to recover the just compensation you are owed. Our team can handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on spending time with your family and healing. Get more information about filing a wrongful death claim today.