Wrongful Death
Georgia treats wrongful death as two separate claims, and families frequently pursue only one of them.
The full value of the life
The wrongful death claim itself belongs to the surviving family and measures the full value of the deceased person's life, both economic and intangible, without deducting for their living expenses.
The estate claim
A separate claim brought by the estate covers medical expenses before death, funeral and burial costs, and conscious pain and suffering. These are distinct recoveries and are frequently overlooked.
Who may bring the claim
Georgia sets an order of priority: the surviving spouse first, then children, then parents, then the estate. A surviving spouse must share with the children, subject to a statutory minimum.
Deadlines and complications
The limitations period can be paused while an estate is being administered, and criminal proceedings can affect timing. These interactions are technical, and waiting to ask is how families lose claims.
Not sure whether you have a case?
A review costs nothing and takes about fifteen minutes.