An unexpected death in the family is nothing short of devastating. The initial shock can be overwhelming and the long grieving process that follows is hard on families. If your loved one passed away due to someone else’s negligence you likely have a wrongful death case on your hands, so you’ll likely be dealing with loss and the law simultaneously.
The pain caused by the untimely death of a loved one can also be far more acute when you know their death could have been avoided had the negligent party simply not done what they did.
If you find yourself with a wrongful death case on your hands, you should strongly consider seeking out a wrongful death attorney that is going to be sympathetic, patient and ready to tackle the case. A supportive lawyer can handle all the negotiations and court-related headaches while you grieve your loss.
Stages of Grief
There are generally five stages of grief after a loss:
1) Denial
2) Anger
3) Bargaining
4) Depression
5) Acceptance
Grieving can be an arduous, long process, and it can make simultaneously negotiating with the insurance company difficult. Unfortunately, your wrongful death case will likely to be subject to a statute of limitations. There are many benefits to taking swift action in wrongful death and personal injury cases, even if it’s emotionally hard to tackle these issues so soon after a loss.
It is hard to think clearly and make decisions in any stage of grieving, so which one is the right time for you to contact a lawyer? The only answer is, whenever you are ready. Just keep in mind that there’s a two-year statute of limitations for most wrongful death claims in Georgia.
Many families contact lawyers in the stage of anger. They believe that the person who caused their loved one’s death should face consequences, and rightfully so. Compensation can never bring a loved one back, but it can help ensure your family doesn’t suffer financial hardship as a result of their loss.
Most Common Wrongful Death Cases
If you have recently experienced a loss but are not sure if you have a wrongful death case on your hands, the Dressie Law Firm’s wrongful death attorneys can help. Some of the most common types of wrongful death are caused by:
● Car and semi-truck accidents
● Defective products
Wrongful Death Caused by Negligent Driving
Wrongful death cases stemming from car and trucking accidents are the most common. They often involve an alcohol impaired driver. According to the CDC, 29 people die every day in the United States in an accident caused by drunk driver.
Accidents with semi-trucks also result in higher rates of injuries and deaths for people in commuter vehicles. Out of the 4,119 deaths that occurred due to truck accidents in 2019, more than 60 percent of them were drivers in cars, and 15 percent were motorcyclists, bicycles or pedestrians.
Wrongful Death Caused by Work Fatalities
Deaths in the workplace is something companies try to avoid, but negligence, hazards and failure to provide appropriate working conditions can lead to fatal accidents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 5,000 people died from a work-related accident in 2019. Many of those deaths were caused by work-related hazards or occupational illnesses.
Trying to deal with the workplace death of a loved one by yourself through the workers’ comp process can be difficult. Having a lawyer on your side may help you better negotiate and fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Wrongful Death Caused by Medical Malpractice
Some studies suggest medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Thousands of medical negligence and malpractice cases are filed every year, but very few plaintiffs win what they deserve because proving negligence or malpractice is tough. Doctors and insurance companies have deep pockets.
If you have a loved one that has died due to a medical mistake and you believe it was either negligent or malpractice, speak to a lawyer as soon as you can.
Wrongful Death Cause by Premises Negligence
If a slip and fall or other property-related death could have been avoided with proper maintenance and repairs, or better safety measures like gates and cautionary signs, the owner of the property could be liable.
Premises liability deaths can happen anywhere, from private pools to department stores. If you think your loved one’s death could have been prevented and was caused by lack of attention in a business or on someone’s private property, a premises liability lawyer may be able to help.
Get Help with a Wrongful Death Case in Atlanta
At the Dressie Law Firm, we understand that loss is a very sensitive subject to discuss. We know that it takes time to grieve, but we also want to make sure your family gets the help it needs when faced with a wrongful death.
When you are ready, we will fight to win your family the compensation you need to maintain your quality of life and rebuild. Justice can be served. Call the Dressie Law Firm today at 770-756-6333 to speak with an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer.