Savannah, GA Wrongful Death Attorney

An unexpected tragedy, such as a death arising from another’s negligence, can present a significant emotional and financial toll on the surviving family members. If you recently lost a loved one in a Savannah accident and believe someone else may be responsible, you need the help of an attorney. Contact your personal representatives at Butler Prather LLP to discuss your wrongful death case in a free initial consultation.

We work to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and seek fair compensation for the harms you suffered. Some reasons why you can count on us are:

Our legal team has 30 years experience and have represented clients in over 30 states.
We have a proven track record for success, earning several $100 million settlements on behalf of our clients.
We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, which allows us to be selective about the kinds of cases we accept, dedicating our full attention to our client’s needs.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Under Georgia law, a wrongful death occurs when a person loses his or her life as the result of the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another. In other words, grounds for a wrongful death claim might exist when a decedent of the deceased person would have had grounds for a personal injury claim, had he or she lived. A wrongful death may occur in many different ways, including:

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Premises liability accidents
Workplace accidents
Medical malpractice
Incidents arising from inadequate security (e.g., violent crime)
Swimming pool accidents
Burn injuries

Who Is Liable for a Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death cases function much like personal injury claims with regard to liability. To collect damages in a wrongful death claim, a surviving family member of the deceased must be able to show through a wrongful death lawsuit:

The defendant owed the decedent a duty of care.
He or she violated that duty of care by committing negligence.
The defendant’s negligence was the proximal cause of the decedent’s passing.
The surviving family members suffered tangible or intangible harms as a result.

Damages Available in Georgia Wrongful Death Claims

A Georgia wrongful death claim serves two important purposes. The first is to compensate the surviving family members for the full value if the life of the decedent. This claim benefits the remaining members of the family and includes any monetary value assigned to the financial and intangible aspects of a decedent’s life, such as:

Any loss in wages, income, and benefits, including what the decedent may have earned had he or she lived.
The loss of care, companionship, or guidance the surviving family members suffer as the result of the loss.
Punitive damages, medical bills, and funeral expenses

The second claim serves to compensate surviving family members for the losses directly related to the death of their loved one. Examples include medical expenses associated with the final illness or injury, funeral and burial expenses, and the pain and suffering experienced by the decedent before he or she passed.

Why You Need a Lawyer

Wrongful death claims involve significant damages. As such, they often require the assistance of a Savannah personal injury lawyer to litigate and settle them. Insurance companies will use a variety of tactics to attempt to reduce the settlement offer to a grieving family, even during a vulnerable time. The Savannah wrongful death attorneys at Butler Prather LLP hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and demand fair and full compensation for your family’s losses. We know that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, but monetary compensation gives many families the financial security they need to move forward.

Your Free Consultation

If you recently lost a loved one in an accident and think someone else is responsible, you need a Savannah wrongful death lawyer who will represent your rights. Contact us today to schedule a review of your legal options.