Claiming Compensation for a Wrongful Death
Like every other state in the country, Georgia also has its own wrongful death statute. The statute was formulated at the time of the Civil War and is considered to be one of the best in the country. When it comes to the value of a human life lost due to a tragic circumstance or due to negligence, and then the one who is responsible for the act should face its consequences.
The wrongful death statute of the state legislates in favor of compensating for the economic damages following a loss of life including the value of services, lifetime income and living expenses. An impartial jury decides such a wrongful death claim.
As a resident of Atlanta, in Georgia, you can file for a wrongful death claim after seeking the advice of an experienced Atlanta wrongful death lawyer. A surviving spouse and the minor child of the deceased are entitled to receive the compensation and the share of the child in such a case can go up to $15,000. The amount can be held by the natural guardian irrespective of posting a bond. If the child’s share is more than $15,000, the guardian needs be qualified by a probate court and a bond issued to substantiate the same.
If the deceased does not have a spouse and an issue, a wrongful death claim can be made by the parents of the former. If they are divorced or are not living together any more, then the trial court can order the equal allocation of the claim between the two of them.
The defendant may also be ordered by the court to pay for the medical and funeral expenses initially borne by the family of the deceased. It is always difficult to lose a loved one and the pain and suffering cannot be mitigated by the compensatory packages. However, the defendant can always be made to pay for their actions.
In order to understand the meaning of complicated law terms concerning wrongful death claims, you can always browse a legal directory.