There are numerous personal injury statutes in Georgia that allow those harmed by an individual or a business to take the responsible party to civil court. Property damage losses and injuries can lead to personal injury lawsuits. Such lawsuits protect individuals from suffering major losses due to the wrongdoing of others.
If negligence or bad behavior on the part of one party leads to someone dying, there could be a wrongful death lawsuit later. Wrongful death lawsuits allow those who have lost a loved one to go to court in pursuit of compensation.
Who has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim in Georgia?
Family members have the strongest rights. An individual needs to have a provable legal relationship with the deceased or their estate if they hope to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Georgia state law, the closest surviving family members of someone who dies in a crash will have the option of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Spouses or children are often the plaintiffs in such claims. Parents can bring claims on behalf of children and unmarried adults who die. However, the law also allows the representative of someone’s estate to pursue a lawsuit when there aren’t close family members to bring a claim.
When successful, wrongful death lawsuits result in the courts agreeing that a business or person caused someone’s death and awarding financial compensation for the harm caused. The proceeds from the claim can help support family members and cover someone’s final obligations. Learning more about wrongful death lawsuits can help those grieving a recent loss in Georgia find appropriate closure.