Wrongful Death Attorney Dekalb County GA
Wrongful Death FAQ
If you have recently lost a loved to another party’s negligence, a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA offers would like to hear your story. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch understands the trials and tribulations you and your family may be going through. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch has a long history of recovering compensation for clients while recognizing the value of their loss and assisting in their recovery.
The following are some answers to commonly asked questions. For personalized answers relevant to your claim, please call The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch for a free consultation at (404) 373-7735.
What is wrongful death?
When someone has lost his or her life due to the carelessness of another person or entity, it may be considered wrongful death. Proving this, however, could be complicated, especially without the legal guidance of a wrongful death attorney in Dekalb County GA.
What may justify a wrongful death claim?
The types of wrongful deaths accidents can be considered broad and include an assortment of factors. Wrongful death can take many shape and forms. In general, any death that involves the negligent or careless actions of another person or entity could be considered a wrongful death. Some common examples which a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA provides might oversee include:
- A car accident
- Defective product
- Hazardous substance
- Medical malpractice
- + More
Regardless of what may have caused a wrongful death, you have the choice to discover potential legal options by calling a Dekalb County wrongful death attorney.
Who can file a wrongful death claim?
In general, a wrongful death claim can be filed by immediate family members such as a husband, wife, partner, child, or parent. In certain situations, the aunt, uncle, or grandparent might also be able to pursue legal action. To find out more, please contact a wrongful death attorney in Dekalb County GA.
Is there a deadline to file a claim?
In Georgia, there is a statute of limitations that family members must adhere to. If you miss this period, you will likely not be able to proceed with a claim. To find out whether or not you are eligible, please speak with a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA can provide to residents.
Are wrongful death laws the same in every state?
Each state has different laws that can vary significantly in terms of how long you have to file a claim, what you can recover, or how a wrongful death is determined. In general, your claim will abide by the laws relevant to the state in which the incident happened.
An insurance adjuster contacted me. Should I talk with them?
Following a wrongful death, family members might receive a call from the insurance provider of the negligent party. They may be very courteous, but also insistent that you speak to them and answer a few “basic questions.” It is usually in your best interest to politely decline to any form of statement or interview. You can let them know a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA has to offer will be in touch shortly.
What is the difference between wrongful death and murder?
Wrongful death can also be a murder. However, a murder is dealt with by the prosecutor’s office. This office, the judge, or jury does not consider monetary compensation for the victims. Rather, a Dekalb County wrongful death attorney may pursue damages for the victim’s family by filing a civil suit or wrongful death claim. Even if the person who committed the murder is sentenced to prison, you may still be able to file with a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA residents depend on.
What can I seek damages for?
Without evaluating the details of your case, it’s difficult to put a value on it. However, a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA families count on may seek damages for:
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Reasonable and necessary expenses
- Unpaid medical bills
- Funeral costs
The exact damages that apply to your case will depend on several circumstantial factors. If you have any questions about which damages may apply to your situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer.
What are punitive damages?
Punitive damages are meant to “punish” the negligent party for their careless actions that contributed to a person’s death. These damages are awarded on a case-by-case basis. Punitive damages, when awarded, often tend to be much higher than the compensatory damages awarded. However, not every settlement includes punitive damages.
Do I have a wrongful death claim?
When a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA respects investigates your case, he or she will aim to identify certain elements such as:
- The accident was caused by another person or entity.
- The death was the result of another person’s carelessness.
- As a result, you and your family suffered significant losses, including physical, emotional, and financial.
Is there ever a situation where family does not need to consult with a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA families trust?
Insurance companies are a business and must turn a profit. It is their job to tell victims everything they want to hear in order to payout as little as possible. They might tell you that an attorney is not necessary, that you will lose most of your money, or that you are getting maximum compensation. More often than not, these are empty promises and false statements. By choosing not to have an attorney, you could lose out on the compensation that you and your family deserve. Because you can contact a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA respects for free, you essentially have nothing to miss out on.
Seek Justice with The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch
The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch is the kind of attorney families trust for support, legal guidance, and honesty. With years of experience and a determination to get justice, our law firm is one you can feel confident in hiring. To schedule a consultation with The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, a wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA trusts, please call (404) 373-7735 now.
A compassionate wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA residents trust understands how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. That loss can be even more profound when their death was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party or parties. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch has successfully represented many families in bringing forth wrongful death lawsuits and enabling those families to obtain the financial damages they deserve.
An experienced wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA clients recommend knows that no amount of money will ever make up for the loss of a family’s loved one. However, compensation could still help provide some of the much-needed relief from the financial burdens many victims’ families are left with. This can be especially true if the victim had young children to support and care for.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims
A wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA families depend on knows that under Georgia law, there is a certain time limit in which a victim’s family or estate representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
When you meet with a wrongful death attorney in Dekalb County GA, he or she will likely explain to you that in most cases, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Georgia is two years from the date of death. If the claim is filed after that two-year period, the court will likely dismiss the claim.
A skilled wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA offers is aware that under some circumstances, the two-year statute is put on hold. For instance, if there have been criminal charges filed against the party or parties responsible for the victim’s death, then the statute of limitations is put on hold until after the criminal case has been resolved. Once it has been resolved, the clock begins running on the wrongful death claim time limit.
The law also allows for the statute of limitations to extend for up to five years in the event that the victim’s estate has not been probated. Under these circumstances, it is conceivable that the statute of limitations could be extended for up to seven years after the victim’s death.
Contact a Professional Dekalb County Wrongful Death Attorney
The laws that apply to wrongful death lawsuits can be complex and this is why it is important for the survivors of victims to contact an attorney who is understands those complexities. Attorney Andrew R. Lynch has built a strong reputation of fighting aggressively for his clients to obtain the compensation they deserve. He has consistently been named to Georgia’s Top-Rated Lawyers lists, as well received the AV Preeminent rating — the highest ranking available. Attorney Lynch has also been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the top 100 attorneys in the state of Georgia.
Call a dedicated wrongful death attorney Dekalb County GA trusts at (404) 373-7735 to set up free consultation.