When a person is killed in the state of Georgia, either during the commission of a crime or as the result of an accident, surviving family members have a right to seek damages in civil court. Typically, the lawsuit may be brought by the surviving parents or children of the deceased, or the personal representatives of the person’s estate.
When a lawsuit is filed, the surviving family members may receive a variety of damages. There are two types of wrongful death claims in the state. The first is used to establish the value of the person’s life. A claim of this type may include monetary damages for lost wages and benefits, including what the person may have earned had they not died, and loss of companionship, care or other tangible benefits.
The second type of claim is for financial losses that were incurred as a result of the death. These damages may include the medical expenses that were incurred by the deceased prior to death as related to the crime or accident, funeral and burial expenses, and the pain suffered by the person before they died.
If a family member has been killed in Atlanta as a result of the accident or criminal activity, you have rights to compensation for financial loss. An experienced attorney in the city can assist you in determining the type of claim or claims you should file and how much compensation you may be entitled to.