When someone loses their life because of another party’s negligence or carelessness, their family is left to face not just grief, but medical bills, funeral expenses, and a huge hole in their hearts. This takes a huge emotional and financial toll on the surviving family members, making it difficult to navigate the legal steps that come after a wrongful death.
We at Thompson Law believe that surviving family members of someone who passed away due to someone’s negligence don’t deserve to face these incredibly dark times alone. Our Columbus wrongful death lawyers are ready to carry some of the weight for you by pursuing justice and getting fair compensation for you, so that you can take the time to grieve properly.
Want to better understand your legal options after the unjust death of a loved one? Give us a call and schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with our team today.
Wrongful death cases can be difficult to navigate. They’re emotionally charged, complex, and can be overwhelming if you don’t know the next steps to take in the legal process.
But with our team of experienced, compassionate Columbus wrongful death lawyers on your side, you won’t need to worry about the legal stuff. We’ll step in to take on the legal burden for you and defend your rights on your behalf. We understand the sensitivities needed to take on wrongful death cases, and we’ll do everything we can to honor your loved one’s memory in and outside of court. We’ll work on getting the compensation you deserve while you grieve and heal.
Here are just some of the things we can assist with to support your family through every step of the legal process:
When you choose us to represent your family in a wrongful death case, you don’t need to pay us any fees upfront. You only pay us if we win your case through a small contingency fee. That means you don’t have to worry about the financial burden of pursuing legal action until after you get the compensation you deserve.
Learn more about how we can help strengthen your wrongful death claim by booking a FREE CONSULTATION today.
When looking for a legal team to represent you after a tragic loss, it’s important to choose one that knows how to handle the unique complexities of your family’s story. Here are some things to look for in a wrongful death attorney:
Our Columbus wrongful death lawyers tick off every box on this checklist. Over the decades, we’ve won over $1.9 billion for our clients, many of them families of wrongful death victims.
Allow us to focus on the legal fight so that you can pour your energy into healing and emotional restoration for the whole family. Book a FREE CONSULTATION with our lawyers today and get the legal and emotional support you need in these trying times.
We don’t treat wrongful death cases as run-of-the-mill lawsuits. They are more than just legal claims. They are stories of real families grieving the loss of someone they loved. Our lawyers treat your case with the respect and compassion it deserves, all while aggressively fighting for your family’s rights to compensation. We’re ready to be with you through these difficult times and advocate for your legal rights so that you can grieve peacefully and without additional stress.
Wrongful deaths come in many forms, each type with its own unique legal complexities that our lawyers know how to handle gracefully and respectfully. Here are just some of the types our wrongful death attorneys in Columbus know how to handle:
We provide Wrongful Death victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring you get fair value for your claim. Our Columbus Wrongful Death lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence for injured victims so that you recover the money that you deserve.
A wrongful death occurs when a victim dies as a direct result of the negligent and reckless actions of another party. Under Georgia Code § 51-4-1, families can file a claim against the wrongful death of a loved one and seek compensation that reflects the “full value of the life of the decedent,” including personal injury expenses that the person would have had a valid claim for had they survived.
The surviving immediate family members of someone who has died a wrongful death can come forth with a lawsuit and get compensated for the loss. These typically include the deceased’s:
The key to having a strong, solid wrongful death claim is proving negligence and liability on the party responsible for the death of your loved one. Our Columbus wrongful death attorneys can help you prove this negligence and establish fault in another party in four steps:
Money can’t replace the presence of your loved one, but it can help as you pave the path toward peace and emotional recovery. When you bring forth a wrongful death lawsuit, you and your family may be entitled to a wide array of compensatory damages, including economic and non-economic losses. Here are some of them:
These are just some of the many types of damages you may obtain after the death of a loved one. But each case is unique, and depending on the circumstances of your loved one’s passing, you can seek more damages from the negligent party in court.
Our Columbus wrongful death lawyers can help you estimate the value of your case and ensure you walk away with that amount. Get a FREE CASE REVIEW to calculate your claim’s true, full value.
It’s natural for bereaved families who are still grieving the loss of someone dear to them to feel overwhelmed about how quickly everything in their world is changing. But after a loved one’s passing, it’s essential to be mindful of what to do next to protect your rights and strengthen any legal claims you make in the future. Here’s what you should do after a wrongful death in the family:
And of course, consult with a wrongful death lawyer as soon as you can, as early legal guidance makes a world of difference when building a strong case. Our team of Columbus wrongful death lawyers can guide you through every step you should take after your loved one passes away unjustly. Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION today!
In Columbus, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death is the same as that of a personal injury case. That means you can file a wrongful death lawsuit up to two years after the death of your loved one.
If you miss this deadline, you lose your rights to seek compensation for your loss. To make sure you’re on top of all important legal deadlines for filing a claim, work with our Columbus wrongful death lawyers. We’ll make sure to file all the legal paperwork on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about deadlines while you grieve.
You might think it will never happen to you, but wrongful deaths can strike without warning and be closer to home than you realize. The numbers don’t lie. Here are some of the key statistics about the prevalence of common types of wrongful death cases in Georgia.
There was a total of 1,797 car accidents that led to deaths in Georgia in 2022. Around 507 of them were caused by drunk driving, making it a huge risk in the state. Just a year later, the number of drivers involved in fatal road collisions jumped up to 2,261 drivers. A huge majority of them were adults, but 183 of them were under 21 years old.
Fortunately, Georgia ranks as the fourth state in the country with the lowest medical malpractice rates. On average, Georgia sees an average of 805 adverse action reports related to medical malpractice per year, which is relatively lower compared to other states. The number of these cases has also dropped by 15% from 2013 to 2023.
While these may be good numbers for the state, it’s important to remember that medical errors can happen anywhere at any time. It’s still best to be prepared and know what your legal rights are should a loved one pass away because of the negligence of healthcare professionals.
There were 192 fatal work injuries reported in Georgia in 2023, 69 of which were transportation accidents on the road. Other common causes of these workplace deaths include contact incidents, violent acts, and slips and falls. The construction sector was found to have the highest number of deaths in that tally.
The Columbus Division of Police plays a massive role in investigating and collecting evidence for wrongful death cases in the city. They can help secure the scene of the accident, file police reports, and conduct interviews with witnesses to get their statements on what happened.
Bereaved families who pursue legal action benefit significantly from this later on, so it’s always best to communicate with local law enforcement about your case.
Need to go to the nearest police station and get in touch with the Columbus Division of Police about your case? Here are the department’s three local precincts:
In Columbus, probate, the process of validating a deceased person’s will, is handled by the Muscogee County Probate Court if the deceased person was domiciled in the county at the time of their death. They handle the reading of wills, the administration of estates, the appointment of guardians if the deceased left behind a minor child.
If the decedent has a valid, drafted will, the executor (named in the will) will handle the distribution of the decedent’s property. If there wasn’t a will left behind, the court will appoint a representative who can do it instead.
In either situation, the representative identifies the decedent’s properties and assets, then use them to pay off any debts the deceased had left behind. Then, they distribute the remaining assets among the heirs and other beneficiaries according to the will. They’re also responsible for creating an inventory of all these assets and submitting it for approval to the court. After that, the probate process is officially closed.
It’s never easy to navigate the grief that comes after losing a loved one. And when their passing was because of someone else’s negligence, finding peace and acceptance becomes even more difficult.
But you don’t have to face the aftermath of this loss alone. Our compassionate Columbus wrongful death lawyers can help you get the justice and compensation your family deserves after losing someone important to you. With our knowledge of Georgia’s wrongful death laws and how to prove negligence against the party responsible for your loss, we can help you move forward and honor your loved one’s name.
Your family’s future matters. Take the first step toward closure and healing by hiring our legal team to represent you. Book a FREE CONSULTATION with us today!
The length of every wrongful death case varies depending on its complexity and whether liability is clear. Cases typically last several months to a year, but those extremely complex and have questionable liability could take multiple years to resolve.
Most wrongful death attorneys don’t charge retainer fees or an hourly rate. Instead, they take a cut of your final settlement or court-awarded damages. This is called a contingency fee, and it allows you not to worry about legal expenses until your case is won.
The court ensures that compensation from a wrongful death suit is distributed fairly among the deceased person’s surviving relatives, like their spouse, children, and other relatives and dependents. The amount each heir receives depends on how financially dependent they were on the victim. For example, the deceased’s children typically get more of the compensation than their surviving siblings or parents.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.