Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Augusta, Georgia? Was another person or company responsible for what happened? Your family may have the right to pursue compensation. Call Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys at (912) 737-6146 to schedule a free consultation with an Augusta wrongful death lawyer to learn more.
Our legal team has 40 years of combined experience representing injured clients and families in Georgia. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to take on any case and defendant. Reach out to us today to discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys.
Why Choose Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys After a Wrongful Death in Augusta?
Wrongful death claims offer a path for accountability when negligence takes a life. If you lose a loved one due to another’s carelessness, an Augusta personal injury lawyer can help you take action.
Families across Augusta, GA, turn to Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys because we offer:
- 40 years of combined legal experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims
- A track record of success recovering verdicts and settlements for injured clients, often in excess of policy limits
- The resources to investigate serious accidents and pursue claims against corporations, insurers, and negligent individuals
- Top-rated client support, backed by hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google
- Representation on a contingency fee basis
We believe every life matters. We believe a wrongful death demands justice. Contact Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation with an Augusta wrongful death attorney.
What Is a Wrongful Death Under Georgia Law?
Georgia law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when a loved one’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. If the deceased person could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived the incident, a wrongful death claim may be available.
Wrongful death cases often arise from acts of negligence, such as car or truck accidents. However, they can also involve intentional wrongdoing or strict liability claims (e.g., assault or product defects).
Every wrongful death case is unique. To determine whether you have a valid claim, you should contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Augusta to review your options under Georgia law.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law defines who has the legal authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a loved one’s death.
Generally, the following individuals may bring a wrongful death claim:
- The surviving spouse
- Children of the deceased (if there is no surviving spouse)
- Parents of the deceased (if no spouse or children)
In certain circumstances, the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate may file a claim on behalf of the estate and surviving family members.
A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you understand Georgia’s filing priority rules and whether you have a right to initiate legal action.
How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth in Augusta?
Georgia law allows families to pursue damages for the “full value of the life” of the deceased person.
Several factors may influence the value of a wrongful death claim, including:
- The age and health of the decedent
- Their life expectancy
- Their earning capacity and employment history
- The financial support they provided to their family
- The role they played in their household and family life
- The loss of companionship, care, and guidance experienced by surviving relatives
In wrongful death cases, attorneys often work with economists, financial experts, and other professionals to assess the long-term financial and personal impact of a loved one’s death. While no amount of money can replace a family member, a successful wrongful death claim can help provide financial stability and accountability after a devastating loss.
What Damages Are Available in a Georgia Wrongful Death Case?
Georgia wrongful death claims may include several categories of damages intended to address the losses suffered by surviving family members.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, recoverable economic and non-economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses related to the deceased person’s final injury or illness
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the deceased person’s expected income and financial support
- Loss of household services and contributions
- Loss of companionship and personal relationships
- Loss of guidance, care, and parental support for surviving children
- Emotional suffering and mental anguish experienced by family members
Georgia law may also allow the decedent’s estate to sue for certain damages incurred before death, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering. An experienced Augusta personal injury attorney can help identify every potential category of damages available in your case and work to ensure your family’s losses are fully accounted for.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Augusta?
Most personal injury lawyers handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront attorney’s fees to start your case. Also, you do not pay hourly legal fees during the process. Your attorney advances all filing fees, expert fees, and case costs. Additionally, you only pay attorney’s fees if your legal team recovers compensation for you.
If the case does not result in an award, you generally do not owe attorney’s fees. If the case does result in an award, you owe a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict as payment for representation.
This fee structure allows individuals to pursue justice without incurring additional financial demands. Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys offers contingency fees in all wrongful death cases. We also provide free case reviews to help you understand your rights.
Can Your Family Recover Damages if Your Loved One Was Partially at Fault?
Under Georgia’s comparative fault system, a wrongful death claim may still proceed if the deceased person was less than 50% responsible for the fatal accident. However, any damages awarded will usually be reduced according to their percentage of fault.
For example, if your loved one is found to be 50% or more responsible, Georgia law generally prevents you from recovering damages. However, suppose your loved one was only 30% responsible. In this case, your damages would typically be reduced by 30%.
Insurance companies often rely on this rule when defending wrongful death claims. In many cases, they attempt to shift blame onto the deceased person in order to reduce or deny liability. An experienced wrongful death attorney can challenge these arguments and establish what actually happened, protecting your right to full compensation.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Augusta
Fatal accidents can occur in many different settings. However, most wrongful deaths are preventable and stem from some form of negligence.
Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Augusta include:
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Workplace and construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Premises liability incidents
- Criminal acts and violence
Any accident where another party’s negligence contributed to a fatality may qualify for a wrongful death lawsuit. Importantly, you can recover compensation from every party that shares liability for the death, from individual defendants to employers and corporations. Contact an experienced attorney for help determining if you have a wrongful death claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
In most cases, the statute of limitations in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. If a lawsuit is not filed within this timeframe, the court may dismiss your claim, and your family could lose the ability to pursue justice through the civil system.
There are limited circumstances where the deadline may be paused or extended—for example, the statute of limitations may be adjusted if:
- A criminal investigation is related to the death
- The estate has not yet been established
- The case involves certain complex legal issues
That’s why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Delaying action can make it more difficult to investigate the case and protect your family’s rights. Waiting too long can completely undermine your rights.
Contact Our Augusta Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Pursuing a wrongful death claim may not be the first thing on your mind during such a difficult time. However, this can be an important step toward accountability and closure. At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, we help families throughout Augusta and across Georgia navigate the wrongful death process.
Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences a family can face. While no lawsuit can undo that loss, holding the responsible party accountable can help bring answers and a sense of justice. If you believe negligence or misconduct played a role in your loved one’s death, our firm can help you speak up.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential consultation with an Augusta wrongful death attorney.
