Wrongful Death

Though heart disease, cancer, and other serious medical conditions get their share of media attention, many people are surprised to learn that accidents are one of the top causes of death in the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked unintentional injury at Number 3 for 2017, and these incidents fall within the Top 5 causes of death almost every year. Surviving family members suffer tremendously when a loved one passes under such unexpected, tragic circumstances.

Fortunately, Georgia law does provide you with rights when a loved one dies. An Atlanta wrongful death lawyer can provide the details, but you may find it helpful to review some background information about these claims.

Overview of Wrongful Death Claims in Georgia: Though the CDC refers to these incidents as “unintentional injury,” accidental fatalities typically occur because of negligence. In this way, these cases are similar to a personal injury claim. You must prove that your loved one died as a direct result of someone’s failure to exercise reasonable care. Examples of cases based upon negligence include:

• Car, truck, motorcycle, and other motor vehicle collisions;
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents;
• Slip and fall incidents on property;
• Medical malpractice;
• Defective products; and,
• Many more.

Under Georgia’s statute on wrongful death claims, the victim’s surviving spouse has standing to bring a suit against the responsible party. A personal representative acting for the decedent’s estate may also file a claim if there aren’t other close relatives.

Monetary Damages for Surviving Family Members: There are two types of compensation you can seek through a wrongful death claim:

1. One category involves damages related to the value of the deceased person’s life, such as lost wages and financial support. There are also lost the contributions of care, comfort, support, education, guidance, and consortium.
2. Damages based upon financial losses incurred for medical expenses, burial, funeral, and related costs.

Potential Limitations on Wrongful Death Claims: You should note that there are some restrictions that may affect your rights. First, Georgia’s statute of limitations is two years, you must file a lawsuit in civil court within this time frame. The clock starts to run on the date of the accident or other event that caused the death of the victim. If you don’t initiate litigation before the statute expires, you’re forever barred from recovering compensation.

In addition, Georgia follows the rule of comparative fault that focuses on the victim’s actions. If the decedent was at fault in the fatal accident, the amount of compensation may be reduced by the percentage of blame attributable to the victim.

Talk to an Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney About Your Rights

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the losses you suffer. Wrongful death claims involve complex areas of Georgia law, however, so it’s wise to seek legal help from an experienced attorney. For more information, please contact the Law Offices of Julie A. Rice to set up a no-cost consultation at our Atlanta, GA offices.

Your life is turned upside down when a loved one dies in an accident, with long-lasting financial and emotional implications even beyond your initial grief. Though you may know that you can seek compensation under Georgia’s statute on wrongful death claims, the laws and formulas for calculating your damages can be complex. Without skilled legal representation, your rights and your family’s future are at risk.

An Atlanta wrongful death lawyer can provide specific information and help you navigate the claims process. Plus, you can read on for some important information about compensation in these cases.

How Wrongful Death Claims Work in Georgia: A wrongful death case is similar to other types of personal injury claims in that they’re often accidental and caused by someone else’s negligence. To recover damages, you must show that the responsible party didn’t exercise reasonable care and this breach of duty led to the fatal accident. Examples of negligence in a wrongful death case include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes;
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents;
• Medical malpractice;
• Nursing home neglect and abuse; and,
• Defective products.

Types of Monetary Damages in Wrongful Death Cases: Your potential compensation in a wrongful death claim comes in two forms, the first of which focuses on the losses suffered by survivors. You and your family miss out on the decedent’s financial contributions, including wages, pensions, and other sources of income. Plus, you lose the contributions that are more subjective in nature, such as loss of guidance, love, education, and compassion.

The second type of damages relates to the losses suffered by the decedent and his or her estate. These include costs for medical treatment, funeral, burial, and related expenses. 

Legal Limitations That Affect Calculation of Damages: You should note that there are laws in Georgia that may impact your rights and/or the calculation of damages you can recover. First, the state has a two-year statute of limitations. You must file a lawsuit in court within this time frame to obtain compensation in a wrongful death case, though there may be an extension while the decedent’s estate is moving through the probate process.

Plus, Georgia applies the rule of comparative fault in wrongful death claims. This statute puts the focus on the victim’s actions in a personal injury case, and can potentially reduce your compensation. The key is the extent to which the decedent’s conduct contributed to his or her death, and the percentage of blame attributable to these acts. This percentage is applied to reduce the total amount of compensation. If that percentage is 50 percent or higher, you cannot recover any monetary damages.

An Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney Can Explain Damages in More Detail

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s careless or reckless acts, it’s important to protect your future by pursuing your rights in a wrongful death claim. Because compensation and damages issues can be complicated, you should rely on an experienced lawyer to represent your interests. To set up a free, no-obligations consultation regarding your circumstances, please contact the Law Offices of Julie A. Rice in Atlanta, GA.

When you think of birth injuries, it’s common to assume that the infant was the victim. People tend to overlook that there are two individuals involved in the process, since the mother seems less vulnerable that a tiny fetus. However, she is also at risk of birth injury – at times due to medical mistakes by the providers treating her from prenatal stages through to labor, delivery, and aftercare. One of the most common risks for the mother is perineal tears, which affects around 85 percent of women according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Because of the potentially long-term effects and complications of perineal tears, it’s wise to consult with an Atlanta, GA birth injuries lawyer about your rights.

Types of Perineal Tears: Experts at the Mayo Clinic describe four degrees of perineal tears that may occur during delivery:

• A first degree tear is the least serious the most common form of perineal tear. You may feel some minor pain or stinging, especially during urination. The wound will likely not require stitches, and will heal with at-home care within 2-3 weeks.
• Second degree perineal tear could extend deeper into the vagina and usually require sutures. Recovery time is slightly longer, at times up to one month.
• A third degree perineal tear is a deeper and longer wound, extending into the anus. A physician may decide to repair immediately after delivery, in an operating room while you’re under anesthesia. The pain and discomfort can last up to several months.
• The most severe form of this birth injury is the fourth degree perineal tear that affects much of the anus and extends into the rectum. Again, immediate surgery is usually required to repair the wound. In some cases, more specialized care is necessary.

Complications Following Serious Perineal Tear Injuries: Beyond the obvious physical pain, which can be excruciating with third and fourth degree injuries, there can be short- and long-term complications. Incontinence, leakage, and painful intercourse are common. However, the consequences are much more serious and enduring when the perineal tear was caused by negligence. A health care provider may use excessive force during delivery, fail to properly use forceps or vacuum extractor, or cause injuries through a botched episiotomy.

In addition, an NIH publication notes that there can be psychological trauma from a perineal tear. The healing process can disrupt nursing, inhibiting the mother’s ability to form a bond with the newborn. Because of limitations on sexual activity, this type of injury can also affect her relationship with her partner.

Trust an Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyer to Protect Your Rights

Though it’s understandable that you want to focus on caring for your newborn, it’s also important to realize that your health and rights as a mother are crucial. As such, after you receive proper medical care for a perineal tear, you should consider reaching out to an experienced birth injury attorney. To learn more about your rights and remedies after a birth injury, please contact the Atlanta, GA office of Julie A. Rice to set up a free consultation.