Macon Wrongful Death Attorneys Aggressive Legal Representation for Wrongful Death Victims
Losing a loved one can send you on a mental and emotional rollercoaster, but losing them due to someone’s negligence or wrongful actions can worsen the pain.
If you’ve lost a loved one in Macon, Georgia, T. Madden & Associates, P.C. can help. A Macon wrongful death attorney will fully comprehend your situation and offer you the absolute best chance at receiving financial compensation. Our Macon wrongful death law firm consists of attorneys and staff who are ready to lend a helping hand during a trying time.
After losing a loved one, count on T. Madden & Associates, P.C. to be there for you.
What Is Wrongful Death?
“Wrongful death” is a legal term referring to an individual’s death at the hands of another. These deaths often occur due to the other person’s negligent or intentional behavior. Negligence refers to the failure of an individual to exercise the same level of care that a prudent person in the same or similar circumstance would have exercised. Often, wrongful deaths could have been prevented.
A wrongful death claim aims to compensate family members for the losses incurred as a result of the death. While no amount of money can ever replace a loved one, it can help ease some of the financial burdens.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Wrongful death cases can arise in a wide variety of circumstances. Some of these situations include:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Workplace accidents, and
- Product liability.
Because wrongful death claims can arise from so many different accidents, it is best to discuss your potential case with an experienced Macon wrongful death lawsuit legal practitioner.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Georgia’s Wrongful Death Statute § 51-4-2, certain individuals may file a lawsuit and recover for the death of a loved one. These individuals include:
- A surviving spouse,
- Surviving children, or
- Surviving parents.
If there are no surviving spouses, children, or parents, the administrator of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Are Wrongful Death Proceeds Divided Among Recipients?
At times, depending on the case, there is a distinction between who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and who is entitled to receive the proceeds of the settlement.
Surviving spouses, children, and parents are entitled to file and receive settlement proceeds. However, if there is no spouse, child, or parent alive at the time, the decedent’s estate representative files the lawsuit and distributes the proceeds according to the decedent’s will. If the decedent did not have a will at the time of their death, the distribution of compensation happens according to Georgia’s intestacy laws.
Division of wrongful death lawsuit proceeds can be difficult to understand. Fortunately, a Macon wrongful death lawyer can help determine who is entitled to receive compensation, depending on your particular circumstances.
What Types of Damages Are Recoverable for Wrongful Death Claims in Macon
Wrongful death claims seek to compensate family members after the loss of a loved one. These deaths are usually unexpected and can mean hefty financial losses for the decedent’s family.
In Georgia, there are two types of categories of losses after a wrongful death. The first category provides the family with compensation for the “value of the life of the decedent.” This can include:
- Lost wages and benefits,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Loss of companionship and advice.
The second category of damages compensates the decedent’s estate for the financial losses related to the unexpected death. These damages include:
- Medical expenses,
- Funeral and burial expenses, and
- Any other expenses incurred from the decedent’s injury and death.
Damages can be challenging to calculate, and you may be unaware of what you are entitled to recover. A Macon, GA wrongful death lawyer will carefully examine the details of your case to help determine what your case is truly worth. They will then work diligently to help get you the fairest possible outcome.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Georgia
Like most lawsuits, wrongful death claims are subject to a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a law imposing a time constraint on the amount of time an individual has to file a claim. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of the decedent’s death.
Statutes of limitations should never be ignored—they can mean the difference between receiving a fair settlement and zero compensation. While you may still have a chance to file your claim with the court after your time has expired, your case will more than likely be dismissed. This will leave you experiencing a financial burden without the chance for relief.
To help ensure the statute of limitations does not run out before you file your lawsuit, you should undoubtedly discuss your case with a Macon wrongful death lawyer. Having a skilled Macon wrongful death attorney on your side will give you much-needed peace of mind, knowing your case is in the absolute best hands.
Consult with a Qualified Attorney
T. Madden & Associates, P.C. has had the pleasure of providing clients with legal representation all over the state of Georgia. We fully understand the struggles that come after the death of a loved one, and we’re ready to help ease some of the stress. Our Macon wrongful death attorneys have the knowledge and skills to offer you top-quality legal services in an effort to get you the settlement you deserve. We also handle other types of injury cases:
If you’ve lost a loved one to an unfortunate incident, you don’t have to go through it alone. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.