Wrongful death cases are extremely difficult for the surviving families. A loss can leave loved ones emotionally distressed and financially threatened. These cases require a compassionate, skilled, and strong attorney to properly protect and inform survivors. The attorney must be able to balance empathy with the strong investigative and evidence-gathering skills needed to be able to demonstrate to the insurance company and/or defense attorneys the true value of the life lost – from both an economic and emotional standpoint.
From a legal perspective, a wrongful death is caused by the intentional, reckless or negligent act of a person, company or institution. Many incidents qualify as a “wrongful death” under the law, and the victim's family may be entitled to seek justice on their loved one's behalf. In Georgia, the victim's family may recover damages for the full value of the life of the victim, for the pain and suffering experienced by the victim prior to their death, and for funeral and burial expenses.