404.The.Baer (404.843.2237)
Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyers
The sudden loss of a loved one due to someone else’s mistake or neglect is devastating. In Georgia, families who face this tragedy may have a viable wrongful death claim. These claims can arise from car accidents, trucking accidents, medical errors, workplace incidents, or other situations where negligence caused a death.
Georgia’s wrongful death laws are designed to help families recover financially and hold responsible parties accountable. Understanding your options and the legal process can help you make informed decisions during an incredibly difficult time.
If you or a family member has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, call attorney Bryan Baer at The Baer Law Firm today at 404.THE.BAER (404.843.2237) or complete our contact form. We are here to answer your questions regarding your wrongful death claim and provide honest advice during a free consultation.
Our office is located at 1819 Peachtree Rd Ste 401, Atlanta, GA 30309, close to the intersection of Interstates 85 & 75. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in wrongful death and personal injury law, Bryan Baer has earned recognition as a top-rated attorney and has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for Georgia families who have lost loved ones due to negligence. His proven track record includes substantial settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death cases involving medical malpractice, trucking accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian incidents and other tragic circumstances.
Recent Review:
“Bryan and his whole team are the most dedicated and caring people! They are more than lawyers, they became family and fought as hard for my child as I would have! If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need an attorney who will fight for you and have your best interest at heart they should be your first and only call. They walked us through the whole process and have excellent communication and follow up. I could never repay them for all they did for my child.” – Verified review from Vanessa on Google
Why You Should Hire The Baer Law Firm for Your Georgia Wrongful Death Claim
Bryan Baer is the founder of The Baer Law Firm and a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved settlements or verdicts exceeding $1 million. Rated 10.0 “Superb” on Avvo®, Bryan has consistently been recognized for his excellence in advocacy, earning a place among Georgia’s Super Lawyers® every year from 2015 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only the top attorneys in the state.
Before that, Bryan was honored as one of Georgia’s Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ from 2010 to 2014 and was included on the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list in 2014. He has also been named a National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyer annually from 2014 to 2024 and recognized among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators from 2017 to 2024.
Bryan’s achievements extend beyond the courtroom. He has been listed among Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite (2013 and 2017) and recognized as one of the “10 Best Attorneys in Client Satisfaction” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for multiple years. A respected voice in the legal community, Bryan frequently speaks at continuing legal education (CLE) events and professional seminars, where he shares practical insights on claims and persuasive advocacy.
What Qualifies as Wrongful Death in Georgia
Georgia law defines wrongful death as a death caused by the negligent, reckless, intentional, or criminal acts of another person or entity. The death must result from circumstances that would have allowed the deceased person to file a personal injury lawsuit if they had survived.
Common causes of wrongful death claims in Georgia include:
- Medical malpractice, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and anesthesia mistakes
- Motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk, distracted, or reckless drivers
- Workplace accidents due to unsafe practices by someone other than the direct employer
- Defective products that cause fatal injuries
- Premises liability incidents, involving unreasonably dangerous conditions on property or inadequate security
The key factor is proving that another party’s actions or failure to act directly caused the death. This requires showing negligence, which means the responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care that a prudent person would have used in similar circumstances.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia
Georgia has specific rules about who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. The law prioritizes family members in a particular order:
First Priority: Surviving Spouse and Children
If the deceased person was married, the surviving spouse has the primary right to file the claim. When there are children, in most cases, the spouse has the power to bring the claim but the children share in the recovery. . If the deceased was unmarried but had children, the children have power to bring the claim.
Second Priority: Parents
If there is no surviving spouse or children, the deceased person’s parents have power to bring the wrongful death claim.
Third Priority: Siblings of the deceased.
In addition to a claim of wrongful death which is brought by the family, the Administrator or Executor of the deceased estate (who may or may not be a family member) has the power to bring a claim for all the harms and losses the deceased suffered from the time of the injury through death. These damages include medical bills incurred between the date of injury and death, conscious pain and suffering experienced, fright shock and horror of occurrence, as well as funeral experiences. . Only one wrongful death lawsuit can be filed per death, so family members must coordinate their efforts. If family members disagree, the court may need to resolve the dispute.
Damages Available in Georgia Wrongful Death Cases
Georgia allows families to recover two main types of damages in wrongful death cases: the full value of life and estate damages.
- Full Value of Life This represents the value of the deceased person’s life from the standpoint of the deceased, i.e. how much did the deceased value their life.. It includes both economic and non-economic losses:
- The economic portion covers lost earnings, benefits, and services the deceased would have provided over the course of their remaining life but for the negligence causing untimely death. This calculation considers the person’s age, health, earning capacity, and work-life expectancy,
- The non-economic portion recognizes the intrinsic and intangible value of life and the time taken from a person. It would take into account missed weddings, births of children and grandchildren, lost time with loved ones, lost guidance, and other intangible benefits the deceased provided to their family. There’s no cap on these damages in Georgia.
- Estate Damages: The deceased person’s estate, through the Administrator or Executor can also recover damages for the pain and suffering experienced between the injury and death, medical expenses, and funeral costs. These damages belong to the estate and are distributed according to the will or intestacy laws.
Hiring a Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney Matters
Wrongful death cases in Georgia involve complex legal and procedural requirements that are difficult navigate without experienced legal help.. An experienced wrongful death attorney at Baer Law Firm will handle the law for you while you focus on grieving and healing. They will effectively and efficiently evaluate the case, gather and preserve evidence, work with expert witnesses, and fight for maximum compensation. Our wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover money for your family. This arrangement makes legal representation accessible when families are already facing financial hardship.
Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Georgia Now
No amount of money can replace your loved one or ease the pain of your loss. However, aggressive pursuit of a wrongful death case can provide financial security for your family’s future and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. If you’ve lost a family member due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to explore your legal options. Georgia’s time limits for filing wrongful death claims are strictand evidence can disappear over time. Contact an experienced Georgia wrongful death attorney at The Baer Law Firm to discuss your case and learn about your rights. Your family deserves justice and the financial support needed to move forward. Taking legal action won’t bring back your loved one, but it can help prevent similar tragedies and provide the resources your family needs during this difficult time. Contact The Baer Law Firm today at 404.THE.BAER (404.843.2237).
