Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Brunswick, GA? You don’t have to handle the fight for compensation alone. If your loved one died because of someone else’s actions, a skilled Brunswick wrongful death lawyer at Mayfield Law, LLC can help. You may deserve compensation for loss of financial support, pain, grief, and loss of your loved one’s company and support.
Grieving families have trusted us to protect their legal rights for years. We have the skills to handle even the most complex compensation claims and a proven track record of success.
If you recently lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, contact our law office in Brunswick, Georgia today at (912)-457-8557.
How Mayfield Law, LLC Can Handle My Family’s Wrongful Death Claim in Brunswick
In the wake of a loved one’s death in Brunswick, Georgia, it can be tough to even consider taking legal action. Many families feel that they’re barely getting by when it comes to their emotional health. Still, you deserve for your family to be financially secure. Fighting to recover compensation from the at-fault party is often the only way to secure justice.
Let our Brunswick wrongful death lawyers at Mayfield Law, LLC, handle that fight. We have an in-depth knowledge of the insurance claims process, and we used to represent insurance companies, so we know how to win.
When you hire our experienced trial lawyers, you’ll have a trusted team to:
- Investigate and collect any evidence to support your claim
- Determine who is responsible for your damages
- Put a dollar value on your claim
- Hire experts to strengthen your case and increase its value
- Negotiate for every dollar you deserve
- Take your case to trial if the insurance offer isn’t acceptable
Our Brunswick personal injury attorneys are always available to discuss your case and options. Call today to get started.
Overview of Georgia’s Wrongful Death Laws
A wrongful death in Georgia is a death that is caused by another party’s crime, negligence, or property that has been defectively manufactured.
If the victim had survived their injuries, they would have been entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. Instead, their survivors retain the right to sue for damages after the death.
Georgia Recognizes Several Types of Wrongful Death Claims
In Georgia, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. However, surviving family members — such as the spouse and children — are entitled to seek compensation through the wrongful death claim. Additionally, the victim’s estate can pursue compensation on behalf of both the decedent and their estate.
For instance, if the victim survived for some time after the injury, the estate can seek compensation for the losses incurred between the date of injury and the date of death.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Georgia?
1,801 people lost their lives in fatal motor vehicle accidents across the state of Georgia in 2023. 209 Georgia workers died on the job in 2022. Slips and falls are the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in Georgia.
What Are the Leading Causes of Wrongful Death in Brunswick?
Any type of traumatic event can result in the wrongful death of another if it’s serious enough.
Some common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- ATV accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Animal attacks
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dangerous property conditions and premises liability
- Defective products
- Assault
- Medical malpractice, including birth injuries
We can assess the cause of your loved one’s death and hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.
How Much Compensation Is My Brunswick Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Compensation in a wrongful death claim should be based on the “full value of the life of the decedent, as shown by the evidence.” In reality, you can never fully be compensated for the traumatic loss of a family member. For many families, recovering compensation is the only way to get any justice.
When our lawyers undertake the difficult task of determining your case value, we’ll evaluate the following:
- The circumstances of your loved one’s death
- The nature of the at-fault party’s actions
- Your loved one’s age and life expectancy at the time of death
- The identity and ages of surviving family members
- Your family’s financial losses
- The value of household services performed by the victim
- How your family’s life has changed due to the tragic loss
- Your loved one’s earning capacity at the time of death
Insurance companies don’t really want to hear the details in wrongful death cases. They may already be pushing your family to take a standard settlement. Know that there’s no such thing. You deserve an advocate who will evaluate the unique ways your family has changed due to your loss – and who will fight for every penny.
What Types of Damages Can My Family Receive if My Brunswick Wrongful Death Claim is Successful?
Surviving families in Georgia can seek compensation for their financial and personal losses, which in legal terms means economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your family may be entitled to compensation for:
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Loss of consortium or loss of a spouse’s company and support
- Loss of parental guidance, support, and instruction
- The value of lost household services and childcare
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Funeral costs and burial expenses
- Medical expenses
In rare cases, punitive damages are awarded if a defendant acted intentionally or maliciously.
The estate can also seek compensation for the victim’s pain, suffering, and trauma. Any expenses incurred by the victim’s estate, including medical costs, estate administration fees, and other expenses, should also be included in any settlement or verdict.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Georgia?
Like most injury law firms, our team at Mayfield Law, LLC represents clients on a contingency fee basis. You’ll agree to pay a percentage of the compensation we recover in your case. You’ll never pay attorneys’ fees if we fail to recover compensation for your family.
How Can Georgia Shared Fault Laws Impact My Family’s Right to Recover Damages If My Loved One Was Partly Responsible?
Insurance companies often blame victims for their own injuries. If they can prove your loved one was at least 50% liable for the accident that caused their death, your family will lose their right to damages under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law.
If the insurance company can prove your loved one shared some blame but less than 50%, your settlement or verdict will be reduced accordingly.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
Most wrongful death cases are based on negligence. The surviving family must prove that someone’s negligence caused the victim’s death.
More specifically, you must prove:
- The at-fault party owed your loved one a duty of care.
- They breached their duty in some way.
- The breach directly caused your loved one’s death.
- The victim and your family have suffered damages as a result.
Different legal theories may apply, depending on the facts. In all cases, proving liability can be challenging because the victim isn’t here to tell their side of the story. Count on our Brunswick wrongful death attorneys to locate the evidence you need while you focus on your family’s recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
You’ll have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit. After the two-year statute of limitations expires, you forfeit your right to damages entirely.
Exceptions to the rule do exist. You may have extra time if the defendant is also facing criminal charges. You could have even less time if the defendant is a government agency.
Contact a Skilled Brunswick Wrongful Death Lawyer to Arrange a Free Consultation Today
You’re probably feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and downright angry. You can count on our Brunswick wrongful death lawyers to handle the legal aspects. If you’ve lost a loved one, contact Mayfield Law, LLC to learn about your legal options today. Your first consultation is free.