Wrongful death is defined as a death caused by a wrongful act that, had the victim lived, he or she would have had a personal injury claim against the responsible party. A wrongful death action can serve more than just the gain of monetary compensation such as:

• Seeking justice and holding the responsible party accountable;
• Deter similar harmful conduct in the future; and
• Obtain necessary funds to pay medical bills, funeral expenses and help make up for lost wages and benefits provided by your deceased loved one.

A wrongful death claim involves a situation where someone has died as a result of injuries, usually from an accident. A wrongful death stems from the negligence or intentional wrongful act of another. These are civil cases that aim to compensate you for the emotional and financial harm inflicted on you and your family. Wrongful death claims can originate from:

• Traffic accidents – At-fault drivers who are caught driving under the influence or driving distracted may be held liable in wrongful death claims. Traffic accidents such as bicycle accidents, truck accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents and electrical scooter accidents all often lead to fatality. 
• Defective products – Tools, safety products and poorly designed or manufactured products can all cause serious injury or death.
• Medical malpractice – When mistakes are made by medical professionals, you may be entitled to compensation. Hospitals may also be responsible if their policies and procedures don’t protect their patients. 
• Occupational hazards – Many jobs require risk but it is the businesses’ responsibility to manage these risks with the proper equipment and safety procedures.

In Georgia, any person who believes he or she may be a survivor or beneficiary entitled to compensation because of a wrongful death has the right to consider starting the investigation of a potential claim. Please call attorney Lynda L. Parks for a free consultation today.