An Advocate for Your Family

With twenty-six years of experience, we understand the complexities of wrongful death cases and have intimate knowledge of wrongful death laws in Georgia and the Atlanta legal system.

Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing their financial responsibilities, so it’s important to know what they’re doing. They’ll try and find ways of reducing potential settlements or compensation by using tactics like delaying responses on claims for as long possible before settling them without providing any real help in clearing up issues with your injuries (or those who caused them). This can result from biased investigations where negligent parties’ interests take priority over yours–so you need someone fighting alongside YOU!

As your advocate, we take the time to thoroughly understand the facts and circumstances of your case, collecting evidence to build a strong compelling case. We focus on getting the maximum compensation from insurance companies or other responsible parties. This has resulted in millions for families who have lost loved ones.

The Millar Law Firm has successfully resolved wrongful death claims involving:

  • Motorists killed by negligent tractor trailer drivers
  • Interstate highway crashes and accidents on I-85, I-75, I-20, and I-16
  • Automobile passengers killed by negligent drivers
  • Drivers killed by careless, inattentive, reckless, or drunk drivers
  • Pedestrians killed by negligent drivers
  • Construction site- and job site-related deaths
  • Customers assaulted and killed due to a business owner’s failure to provide adequate security
  • Police brutality, including shootings, beatings, and other types of excessive force or misconduct

The Wrongful Death Claim Process

We strive to reduce as much as possible the stress of pursuing a wrongful death claim. The process can be lengthy, but we are equipped with the resources to accomplish every one of these steps necessary to reach a just conclusion.

  1. Initial Consultation
  2. Investigation
  3. Application of Georgia Law
  4. Negotiation with Insurance Company(ies)
  5. Advocacy on your Behalf

The process starts with an in-depth consultation, where we endeavor to learn all the specific facts and circumstances of your case. With this information we are able to provide the best advice and advocacy possible. This consultation is risk free and at no cost to you, regardless of whether legal action is pursued.

We take care of the next steps. We conduct our own investigation, which includes collecting the police report and all other evidence, including any reconstruction or reports from scientific experts that may be needed. We locate and interview any witnesses and connect with the negligent party’s insurance company so you don’t have to.

Applying our vast experience and knowledge of all of the laws in Georgia that are related to wrongful death, we use the particular facts and circumstances of your case to negotiate with the insurance company. We intend to settle the case with the best possible outcome for you and your family.

If no reasonable settlement can be reached, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit against the insurance company and other responsible parties in court. While progress may at times seem slow and be frustrating, we continue to relentlessly advocate for your rights through the entire process.

Timeline for Receiving Compensation

The Millar Law Firm is dedicated to getting the best possible outcome for you and your family as quickly as possible. However, each case is different and therefore the timeline for results will vary from case to case.

Georgia Law Concerning Wrongful Death

Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated deals with tort law. Wrongful death is outlined in Chapter 4 of the title. Wrongful death under homicide “includes all cases in which the death of a human being results from an act of violence (crime), from criminal or other negligent behavior, or from property which has been inadequately  manufactured, whether or not as the result of negligence” (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1). For it to be considered a wrongful death, a negligent act must be responsible for the loss of the persons life.

An example of wrongful death may include a business failing to provide proper lighting and security in a parking lot leading to an attack on a customer resulting in the customer’s death. A distracted driver striking a pedestrian, leading to that person’s death, is another example.

Important Laws Regarding Wrongful Death Lawsuits

It is important to note that Georgia has a two year statute of limitations on wrongful death claims. This means that you must either file a wrongful death lawsuit or settle the claim with the insurance company within two years of the negligent act or omission that caused death.

Persons Who Can Recover Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim

Under Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-4-2, either the surviving spouse or—if there is no surviving spouse—the children (either as an adult or as a minor through a guardian ad litem), may recover in a wrongful death action. Any money recovered shall be divided equally among the surviving spouse—if one exists—and any children. If the surviving spouse or one of the children dies during the proceeding, their share will either be dispersed equally among the other claimants in the lawsuit or—if none exist—among that person’s heirs.

No money recovered from a wrongful death lawsuit is subject to the debts of the decedent’s estate. Children born out of wedlock may also recover in a wrongful death claim.

Georgia recognizes two types of wrongful death claim:

  • A claim to assert the “full value of the life of the deceased,” which covers the surviving spouse and or any surviving children and is meant to compensate the value of the deceased person’s life.
  • A claim either by or on behalf of the estate of the deceased person, meant to both establish and recover the expenses of the wrongful death.

One frequently asked question is whether a boyfriend or girlfriend can recover for the wrongful death of a significant other? Unfortunately, in Georgia a boyfriend or girlfriend cannot recover for the wrongful death of their significant other.

Persons Responsible for Paying the Compensation in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The two biggest entities responsible for compensating in a wrongful death claim are businesses and insurance companies. Businesses are often found responsible if they fail to provide appropriate security on their premises. Insurance companies most of the time represent the negligent party and are responsible for covering the compensation owed in a wrongful death claim.

Financial Impact

The financial losses endured by someone who has lost a loved one can be extensive. They may include the value of future wages your loved one would have earned had they continued to work. The family—spouse and/or children—may recover damages to compensate for pain and suffering, medical and other bills associated with the untimely death of your loved one, and funeral and burial costs.

When an inheritance has been received by family members, they may wonder whether that will impact their ability to recover in a wrongful death claim. It does not, for inheritance is separate from the compensation in a wrongful death claim.

Common Wrongful Death Situations

The variety of circumstances which could result in a wrongful death is limitless. Some of the most common such situations include:

  • Fatal car accidents, including those caused by drunk drivers
  • Work-related deaths
  • Medical malpractice
  • Death by pharmaceuticals
  • Defective automobiles and products
  • Criminal activity

Take Action By Hiring an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer

Protect the Future — Not only can a wrongful death claim help insulate you and your family from the financial losses of the untimely death of a loved one, but wrongful death cases help make the world a safer place by discouraging negligence.

Emotional Heartache Should Not Be Financial — The loss of a loved one is the hardest thing many people experience in life. Financial losses should not be an additional burden.

We Care — The Millar Law Firm truly cares, for we are an abiding member of and enjoy taking part in our Atlanta community. Such care involves helping individual families recover from devastating losses.

Please feel free to call The Millar Law Firm to set up your free no-risk consultation today!