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Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyers

Wrongful Death Attorneys in Columbus, GA, Who Know How to Win

The people we love make our lives meaningful. The loss of a loved one leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. But we have to go on and make the best of things, knowing that's what our loved one would have wanted for us.

A Columbus wrongful death lawsuit helps you seek justice for your loved one so your family can continue with your life. At Butler Prather LLP, we'll gather any evidence we need to hold the wrongdoer accountable for your loss and are prepared to represent you before a jury.

Contact our Georgia wrongful death lawyers at (706) 322-1990 to schedule your complimentary consultation today—we'll take the necessary steps to maximize your recovery.

Are You in Need of a Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer?

When your loved one is taken away from you due to the careless and harmful actions of another person, it worsens the loss and makes it almost unbearable to think about.

While there is nothing in the world that could make up for what you have lost, the people responsible for the harm must be held accountable for their reckless behavior.

Butler Prather LLP will file a claim or lawsuit that reflects the full extent of your loss.

Why Choose Us Over Other Wrongful Death Law Firms in Columbus?

For over 35 years, Butler Prather LLP has been helping people in Columbus. We've taken on some of the most powerful interests in the nation to get the compensation our clients deserve. In fact, we win record-breaking cases.

Butler Prather LLP | Wrongful Death Lawyers in Columbus, GA

  • Free consultation
  • Won over $1 billion for our client
  • Won cases in more than 30 states
  • Won 10 verdicts over $100 million
  • Won more than 60 verdicts and settlements over $10 million
  • Won more than 175 verdicts and settlements over $1 million
  • Recognized by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research

What Is a Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to someone else's negligence or intentional act. For society to function properly, people need to take certain precautions. Everyone has a duty of care to avoid behavior that could foreseeably harm others. The intoxicated driver who gets behind the wheel of a car, a landlord who refuses to fix a broken stairway, and a nursing home that hires a staff member with a history of abuse are all examples of people who have violated their duty of care.

When people don’t look out for each other, bad things happen. Cruel and careless behavior has devastating consequences. A Columbus wrongful death claim results from the reckless, criminal, negligent, or intentional actions of another party. If the party that harmed your loved one disregarded the safety of others, you have the right to seek compensation.

Examples of wrongful death include:

Types of Wrongful Death Compensation Available in Georgia

It’s impossible to place a monetary value on human life, but a wrongful death claim can help you get the assistance you need at this difficult time. Victims are allowed to seek three types of compensation in a wrongful death claim: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. There are no caps on economic and non-economic damages in Georgia.

Economic damages refer to compensation for tangible monetary losses resulting from your loved one's death, such as burial costs and loss of future income. Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses, including the loss of love, companionship, and emotional support.

In Georgia, punitive damages penalize defendants whose actions have demonstrated willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or the entire want of care. These damages are meant to set an example and discourage others from committing similar acts in the future.

For most types of wrongful death claims, the state and Georgia place a $250,000 cap on punitive damages, and a portion of these proceeds go directly to the state. But this cap is waved, and plaintiffs are allowed to seek unlimited punitive damages in the following circumstances:

How Your Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

It's extremely difficult to lose a loved one under any circumstance, and you may not know where to turn for help if their death occurred at the hands of another. You will always be treated with respect and compassion by the lawyers at Butler Prather LLP and our entire staff.

A wrongful death claim is a civil legal action. The person who killed your loved one may be facing criminal charges, but this isn’t necessary for you to collect a settlement or a legal wrongful death judgment in court.

There are several ways we assist families of victims of wrongful death, including:

  • Filing claims and lawsuits
  • Answering your legal questions
  • Determining who’s eligible to receive compensation
  • Making sure necessary paperwork is filed on time
  • Investigating the death to establish liability
  • Preserving and collecting evidence
  • Determining when a lawsuit can be filed

Our Wrongful Death Case Process

The Georgia Wrongful Death Act allows families to seek compensation for the loss of a loved one. This claim is a legal action brought by surviving family members to recover damages from the party responsible for your loss.

Under Georgia Code Section 51-4, specific family members have the right to file a wrongful death suit. The law prioritizes the deceased's spouse, followed by children, and then parents if no spouse or children exist. When no immediate family is available, the deceased's estate representative can file the claim.

The wrongful death attorneys at Butler Prather LLP will guide you through the legal process, handling all the legal requirements so you can focus on taking care of your family. We'll negotiate settlement offers seeking fair compensation, and if the other side refuses to make a serious offer, we won't hesitate to take your case to trial.

Investigating a Wrongful Death

Your Columbus personal injury lawyer will conduct an investigation to determine if there is enough evidence to file a wrongful death claim.

No matter what event caused your loved one’s death, the investigators at Butler Prather LLP will leave no stone unturned to find out what really happened.

We will get to the accident as quickly as possible to begin our investigation. Our attorneys will file an injunction to prevent anyone from tampering with evidence. We will subpoena all the necessary documents to determine who is liable for your loved one’s death. Our investigation will include the following types of information:

  • Accident scene photographs
  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Expert witnesses
  • Coroner reports
  • Internal company documents
  • Surveillance camera video
  • Physical and forensic evidence

Who Is Liable for Your Loved One’s Death?

When our investigation is complete, our attorneys will file a claim against anyone whose negligence contributed to your loved one’s death. Liable parties may include:

  • Trucking and delivery companies
  • Negligent drivers
  • Private contractors
  • Mechanics
  • Employers
  • Public officials
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Manufacturers of defective auto parts
  • Doctors, medical professionals, and hospital staff

Damages Available in a Columbus Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If someone you love was wrongfully taken away, a family and a community have lost something that can never be replaced. The victim’s survivors have the right to seek compensation for their loss. This includes all the tangible and intangible things that your loved one contributed to the lives of everyone around them.

A Columbus wrongful death claim filed by your attorney will cover the following types of damages:

  • Loss of companionship
  • Financial damages
  • Loss of future earnings and benefits
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of consortium
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of household services and assistance
  • Loss of care, companionship, guidance, and love
  • Medical expenses related to the illness or injury that caused your loved one’s death

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases in Georgia?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is typically two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline could cause you to lose the right to collect the damages you deserve. If a criminal case is involved, the statute of limitations might be paused until the case is resolved.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation Today

Since 1988, Butler Prather LLP has been dedicated to aiding injured people and grieving families. Our Columbus attorneys have helped thousands of people get the resources they need to recover and care for their families after the death of a loved one.

We never stop fighting for our clients, and everyone in our office is compassionate and happy to listen. We treat all our clients with the utmost respect and are always available to address any of your questions or concerns.

The Columbus wrongful death lawyers at Butler Prather LLP prepare every case for trial before a jury. If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, we are always ready to take them to court. No firm in Georgia can match our 30-year record of success.

Call Butler Prather LLP at (706) 322-1990 to discuss your case. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on healing.

Results From Our Wrongful Death Cases

Civil Rights / § 1983 / Police Brutality / Wrongful Death

Wallace/Westray v. City of Cumming, James David Swansey, Earl Singletary, Robert Rickett, County of Forsyth, Randal Thompson, Richard Holcomb, and Ron McDowell, United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Surviving parents and administratrix of the estate of William Wade Wallace brought federal § 1983 action against the city of Cumming, Forsyth County, police officers, and deputies who were involved in the brutal beating and killing of the decedent after a police chase in Forsyth County, Georgia.

Pharmaceutical Product Liability / Wrongful Death

Kaufman v. Janssen Pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. A wrongful death case was brought for the death of a doctor's wife who died in her sleep after taking one extra tablet of Hismanal, an antihistamine developed and marketed by Janssen and Johnson & Johnson. The medical examiner who did an autopsy determined the cause of death to be a fatal cardiac arrhythmia caused by Hismanal, a drug prescribed for allergies and runny noses.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

"Very Professional […] Successful Settlement" - Anonymous (5-Star FindLaw Review)

Mr. Butler represented my wife and me in a very professional (and successful) manner. Even after the successful settlement, his firm stayed with us to ensure that we were properly advised on the best use of our assets. His experience, professionalism, and honesty were much appreciated. We recommend him highly.

"Gave Me and My Family Peace of Mind" - Kathy Thrasher (5-Star Google Review)

Mr. Jim Butler and his colleagues worked diligently on my behalf. Their ability to navigate our situation gave me and my family peace of mind that our case was in competent hands. Everyone was thorough, available, and compassionate as they guided and assisted me through this difficult time.

Wrongful Death FAQs

How Is a Wrongful Death Claim Different Than a Criminal Trial?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by the family of the deceased seeking compensation for the loss of a loved one. This is a separate legal action from a criminal case. The burden of proof is much higher in criminal cases.

Who Can Bring Forth a Wrongful Death Claim in Columbus, Georgia?

Georgia law determines the order of priority in wrongful death cases—first, by the victim's spouse; then, by the children if there is no surviving spouse; and finally, by the victim's parents if there is no surviving spouse or children.

What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered on a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

Survivors may seek damages to cover the full value of the life of the decedent, including compensation for funeral and burial costs, medical treatment related to the injury or illness that led to death, and loss of financial support, care, emotional support, and companionship.

What Is Loss of Consortium in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Loss of consortium refers specifically to a spouse's claim for damages resulting from the loss of love, affection, companionship, support, and intimate relations.

Will I Have to Go to Court to Receive Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Not necessarily. Butler Prather LLP will negotiate to get you a settlement that is in line with the damages you have suffered. However, we are always prepared to take your case to trial, and we have an impressive track record when it comes to prevailing in court.

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Columbus Office:
105 13th Street
Columbus, GA 31901

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2766
Columbus, GA 31902

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Columbus Personal Injury Attorneys

I was in a complex premises liability case involving a multinational corporations. Mr. Butler & his associates were always three steps ahead of these defendants. When they say they are "exceptional trial lawyers," this is not just a slogan but it is a way of life.”
- Zack Hendon