Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney

Have you lost a loved one through wrongful death?

After losing a loved one to wrongful death, families must make many important legal and financial decisions. Unfortunately, these are people who are also dealing with grief and devastating loss. Many are too overwhelmed by emotion to make such decisions on their own.

Ralph Scoccimaro is a family man and a compassionate attorney. He often helps bereaved families prepare for the future without their loved one. Scoccimaro Law Group has helped families seek just compensation after a wrongful death. Ralph and his staff will work diligently to understand your family’s immediate needs, and your needs for the future.

Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney

Scoccimaro Law Group knows that money can’t erase the pain you feel. You and your family must have resources to live and move forward. You have suffered a terrible loss. You don’t want to lose your home and lifestyle as well.

We seek compensation for past and future losses associated with wrongful death, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and the income and benefits the deceased would have earned. We will fight to see that you receive adequate compensation, so you won’t have to.

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death are:

Scoccimaro Law Group will thoroughly investigate the personal injury accident to determine who is liable for your losses. We will hold these parties accountable for their negligence.

Scoccimaro Law Group – a Supportive Georgia Law Firm Working For Your Family’s Future.

Georgia Wrongful Death FAQs

What if a person dies before bringing a personal injury lawsuit?

If a person injured in an accident subsequently dies because of those injuries, that person’s heirs may recover money through a lawsuit. Georgia has a law permitting an action when someone causes the wrongful death of another. If a person with a personal injury claim dies from unrelated causes, the claim survives in most cases and may be brought by the executor or personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.

What if an unborn baby dies?

Many states require that a child be born alive in order for its death to be the subject of a wrongful death action, however, Georgia allows a cause of action for the wrongful death of a fetus if the unborn child is killed as a result of another party’s negligence, malpractice, unsafe product or criminal wrongdoing.

When someone dies, what is the difference between the civil and criminal cases that can be brought regarding the death?

A criminal case arises when the law enforcement seeks to punish an individual for an act that has been classified as a crime. A civil case, on the other hand, usually has to do with a dispute over the rights and duties that individuals and organizations legally owe to each other. The burden of proof is higher in a criminal case, and the penalty imposed is a criminal sanction such as imprisonment. In a civil case, the defendant will typically have a monetary judgment entered against him/her.

Are punitive damages recoverable in wrongful death actions?

In Georgia, a plaintiff may not recover punitive damages in a wrongful death action unless certain conditions have been met, such as: the intent and/or behavior of the plaintiff and whether the victim lived for a period of time following the action that caused the death. Why not discuss your case with us so we can determine if your case meets the criteria for punitive damages?

Are all state laws the same regarding wrongful deaths?

No, there are many differences among different state wrongful death laws. Determining the state in which you can (and should) bring a wrongful death action is a very important decision, because some states do not allow certain types of damage awards and/or may have different statutes of limitation that establish the timeframe within which you must file suit. This is why you should contact an attorney as soon as possible following the death of your loved one.

Can I bring a wrongful death action if the deceased never held a job?

Yes, even if the decedent never held a job, he/she may have contributed in some other way to the family. A good example of such a case is an action for the wrongful death of a stay-at-home husband or wife who contributes services, guidance and nurturing of the family. These contributions are quantifiable as “pecuniary losses” in a wrongful death action.

Can someone sue for the pain and suffering of a deceased loved one?

Yes, in addition to the wrongful death, a decedent’s family may recover damages for the pain and suffering that the decedent endured prior to death.

Can I bring a wrongful death action based on the death of a child or an elderly person?

Yes, you can recover damages in a wrongful death cause of action for the death of either a child or an elderly person. For a variety of reasons, however, the damage awards for both classes of decedent are usually modest.