[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/damages-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/damages-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/","headline":"What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?","name":"What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?","description":"Nothing is harder than the loss of a loved one, especially when their death was caused by someone else\u2019s wrongful actions. As you and your family grieve, a lawsuit is probably the last thing you want to deal with. That said, the law does provide an avenue for you to seek justice and accountability. At&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/damages-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2023-06-17","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/#Person","name":"Jeb Butler","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Butler Kahn","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","width":210,"height":93}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/crying-husband.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/crying-husband.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/damages-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4","name":"Wrongful Death Lawyer in Georgia","description":"Wrongful death cases are serious cases.  Serious cases need serious lawyers.  We specialize in wrongful death and serious injury cases, and have built our reputation by accepting only a small number of cases for representation, then delivering outstanding results for the families and people that we represent.  \n\nWe help people and families by delivering top-quality legal work.  If you're looking for a huge law firm with hundreds of cases per lawyer, you should look somewhere else.  If you're looking for a personal injury law firm that handles a smaller number of serious cases and provides personalized attention, call us.\n\n\u2757DISCLAIMER\u2757\n\nWe are not your lawyer. All content provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Any verdicts, settlements or other case results discussed are not guaranteed and must be evaluated on their own merits.\n\nButler Kahn: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAtlanta, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Y3fCFkRVAn7jzGD16\n\nLawrenceville, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PaShwcicz5DQDFsD6\n\nRoswell, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uTVtgfq3RspJ5QQbA\n\nJonesboro, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Jr2umQB8o32QaaRK6\n\nFREE GUIDES\nWhat To Do After a Car Accident: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-car-accident-lawyers\/what-to-do-after-an-accident\/\nShould I Hire an Accident Lawyer: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-car-accident-lawyers\/when-needed\/\nGeorgia Wrongful Death Statute Explained: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/georgia-wrongful-death-statute-explained\/\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGoogle: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wskrUaLUzj4\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wskrUaLUzj4\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wskrUaLUzj4\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wskrUaLUzj4\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wskrUaLUzj4\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-06-05T17:49:20+00:00","duration":"PT6M20S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wskrUaLUzj4","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":792}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wskrUaLUzj4#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":7}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY","name":"Trucking Trial: Economist on Value of Life","description":"As Mrs. Hatfield and her family drove down Interstate 16 in a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis, a tractor-trailer merged into their lane struck the car in the rear. The car was forced off the road, then it rolled over. Tragically, Ford Motor Company had manufactured the car with a defectively weak roof. When the roof hit the ground, the portion over Mrs. Hatfield caved in and struck her in the head, forcing her head forward and down. The collapsing roof broke her neck, leaving Mrs. Hatfield paralyzed from the neck down. On behalf of Mrs. Hatfield and her husband, we filed suit against the trucking company and Ford Motor Company. We took the case all the way through trial, completing a 2.5-week trial on October 2. When the jury announced that it had reached a verdict, but before the jury could announce what the verdict was, Ford made an offer to settle the case. The Hatfield family accepted. The amount of the settlement is confidential at Ford's request.\n\nFor more about trucking and tractor-trailer accident cases, visit https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-truck-accident-attorneys\/\n\n\u2757DISCLAIMER\u2757\n\nWe are not your lawyer. All content provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Any verdicts, settlements or other case results discussed are not guaranteed and must be evaluated on their own merits.\n\nButler Kahn: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAtlanta, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Y3fCFkRVAn7jzGD16\n\nLawrenceville, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PaShwcicz5DQDFsD6\n\nRoswell, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uTVtgfq3RspJ5QQbA\n\nJonesboro, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Jr2umQB8o32QaaRK6\n\nFREE GUIDES\nWhat To Do After a Car Accident: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-car-accident-lawyers\/what-to-do-after-an-accident\/\nShould I Hire an Accident Lawyer: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-car-accident-lawyers\/when-needed\/\nGeorgia Wrongful Death Statute Explained: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/georgia-wrongful-death-statute-explained\/\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGoogle: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/95LamXBpTdY\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/95LamXBpTdY\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/95LamXBpTdY\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/95LamXBpTdY\/sddefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2015-05-04T22:35:00+00:00","duration":"PT2M","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/95LamXBpTdY","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":401}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95LamXBpTdY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":1}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc","name":"Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia","description":"What kind of compensation is available in a wrongful death case in Georgia? Learn the answer here...\n\nFor more information about wrongful death cases, please visit: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-wrongful-death-lawyers\n\nJeb Butler: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/our-team\/jeb-butler\n\n******************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/pD4WCo13mZg\n******************************************************\n__________________________________________\nWe Have Four Locations to Serve You  \nAtlanta, GA \nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe \nAtlanta, GA 30324 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/ \n--------\nLawrenceville, GA \nButler Kahn\n154 Stone Mountain Street, Suite 250\nLawrenceville, GA 30045 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/lawrenceville-...\n-------- \nRoswell, GA \nButler Kahn\n1255 Canton Street, Suite E \nRoswell, GA 30075 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/roswell-injury...\n-------- \nJonesboro, GA \nButler Kahn\n21 Lee Street, Suite 250 \nJonesboro, GA 30236 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/jonesboro-inju...\n------- \n\u25ba What kind of compensation is available in a wrongful death case in Georgia? Well, it's a trick question because when someone dies in Georgia through the fault of someone else, then you bring two types of claims. A wrongful death claim, and at the same time an estate claim, and the types of compensation available are different as to each. The compensation in a wrongful death claim is for the \"full value of the life\" of the person who died. That has two parts. The first part is the tangible, and that's just how much money the person who died would have made in his or her lifetime. The second and more important part is the intangible. That's the value of things like time with family, time with friends, your faith, those things that we actually live life for.\n\u25ba The other type of claim is an estate claim, and the compensation available in the estate claim is a little bit different. That includes pain and suffering, if any before death, medical bills, if any before death, and where appropriate, punitive damages.\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFACEBOOK LINK: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTWITTER LINK: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nINSTAGRAM LINK: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLINKEDIN LINK: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGOOGLE REVIEWS: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFACEBOOK REVIEWS: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/\n\nCheck out our previous video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/_7ApyxN_KR4","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/68KwnHGWboc\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/68KwnHGWboc\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/68KwnHGWboc\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/68KwnHGWboc\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/68KwnHGWboc\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2023-05-11T16:41:59+00:00","duration":"PT1M18S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/68KwnHGWboc","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":53}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=68KwnHGWboc#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":1}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0","name":"LAWYER: Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Case?","description":"People often wonder who will get paid after a wrongful death claim has been filed. In this video, we discuss how the money recovered from wrongful death claims are distributed among the deceased person\u2019s loved ones and family. We also discuss how wrongful death claims differ from estate claims and how the funds are distributed for each.  \n\nFor more information on wrongful death cases, visit https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-wrongful-death-lawyers\/ \n\n\u2757DISCLAIMER\u2757\n\nWe are not your lawyer. All content provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Any verdicts, settlements or other case results discussed are not guaranteed and must be evaluated on their own merits.\n\nButler Kahn: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAtlanta, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Y3fCFkRVAn7jzGD16\n\nLawrenceville, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PaShwcicz5DQDFsD6\n\nRoswell, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uTVtgfq3RspJ5QQbA\n\nJonesboro, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Jr2umQB8o32QaaRK6\n\nFREE GUIDES\nWhat To Do After a Car Accident: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-car-accident-lawyers\/what-to-do-after-an-accident\/\nShould I Hire an Accident Lawyer: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-car-accident-lawyers\/when-needed\/\nGeorgia Wrongful Death Statute Explained: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/georgia-wrongful-death-statute-explained\/\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGoogle: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/h-LGWYIzTM0\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/h-LGWYIzTM0\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/h-LGWYIzTM0\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/h-LGWYIzTM0\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/h-LGWYIzTM0\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2021-03-11T19:10:16+00:00","duration":"PT2M36S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h-LGWYIzTM0","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":878}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h-LGWYIzTM0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":8}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk","name":"LAWYER: How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?","description":"There is a deadline by which a wrongful death case must be filed. Lawyers call that deadline the \"statute of limitations.\" It refers to the deadline by which a plaintiff's claim must be filed with the court. \n\nUnder Georgia law, there are different statutes of limitation (i.e., different deadlines) for different kinds of cases. The general statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years from the date of the injury. In this video, we discuss that rule and the statute of limitations for loss of consortium claims.  \n\nThis rule applies in most types of cases that we handle. It applies in personal injury cases and in wrongful death cases. It applies in tractor-trailer accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents. It applies in shooting cases, sexual assault cases, and product liability cases. \n\nFor more about who we are and what we do, visit https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\n\u2757DISCLAIMER\u2757\n\nWe are not your lawyer. All content provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Any verdicts, settlements or other case results discussed are not guaranteed and must be evaluated on their own merits.\n\nButler Kahn: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAtlanta, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Y3fCFkRVAn7jzGD16\n\nLawrenceville, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PaShwcicz5DQDFsD6\n\nRoswell, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uTVtgfq3RspJ5QQbA\n\nJonesboro, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Jr2umQB8o32QaaRK6\n\nFREE GUIDES\nWhat To Do After a Car Accident: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-car-accident-lawyers\/what-to-do-after-an-accident\/\nShould I Hire an Accident Lawyer: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-car-accident-lawyers\/when-needed\/\nGeorgia Wrongful Death Statute Explained: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/georgia-wrongful-death-statute-explained\/\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGoogle: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/By8EXEu2-wk\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/By8EXEu2-wk\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/By8EXEu2-wk\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/By8EXEu2-wk\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/By8EXEu2-wk\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2020-11-17T16:19:15+00:00","duration":"PT1M40S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/By8EXEu2-wk","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":414}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=By8EXEu2-wk#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":3}]}],"about":["Wrongful Death"],"wordCount":1108,"articleBody":"Nothing is harder than the loss of a loved one, especially when their death was caused by someone else\u2019s wrongful actions. As you and your family grieve, a lawsuit is probably the last thing you want to deal with. That said, the law does provide an avenue for you to seek justice and accountability.At Butler Kahn, we understand how painful a wrongful death can be for surviving family and friends. Though we cannot undo what has been done, we are very proud to provide the\u00a0compassionate legal representation\u00a0you deserve. If you have lost a loved one in a wrongful death, contact us today for a free consultation.What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?It goes without saying that no amount of money can ever truly compensate for a lost life. Even so, the law seeks to provide surviving family members with some consolation and a measure of justice when another\u2019s wrongful actions lead to the loss of a loved one.To that end, Georgia law allows family members to file suit seeking compensation for \u201cthe full value of the life of the decedent.\u201d This value is measured \u201cfrom the decedent\u2019s perspective,\u201d not from the perspective of surviving family members.\u00a0Brock v. Wedincamp, 253 Ga. App. 275, 281-82 (2002). Because of the subjective and perhaps even impossible nature of this inquiry, it is left up to the \u201cenlightened conscience\u201d of the jury to come up with an appropriate number.\u00a0Chrysler Group, LLC v. Walden, 339 Ga. App. 733, 750 (2016).In calculating this value, the jury weighs both \u201ctangible\u201d and \u201cintangible\u201d aspects of the decedent\u2019s life. Tangible aspects will include things that can be reduced to dollars and cents \u2014 for example, the income they would have received if still alive. Intangible aspects will include things that simply cannot be boiled down to a hard number \u2014 for example, the value of the decedent\u2019s family ties and friendships.Because the jury is given so much latitude when coming up with a final number, it is very important to have an attorney who can convey the full significance of the loss in the unique context of the decedent\u2019s life. In other words, it is essential to recruit an attorney who is both skilled at communicating with juries and who can truly empathize with your loss.To learn more about how damages are calculated in wrongful death cases, follow this\u00a0link\u00a0for an economist\u2019s explanation of tangible and intangible losses in a case handled by Butler Kahn.Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?In Georgia, only\u00a0certain family members\u00a0are allowed to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit after a loved one\u2019s death. In order of priority, these family members are:Spouse \u2013If the decedent was married, their surviving spouse is first in line.Children \u2013If there is no spouse, surviving children are second in line.Spouse and Children \u2013If the decedent is survived by both a spouse and children, the surviving spouse files suit and acts as the\u00a0representative of the children.Parents \u2013If there is no surviving spouse or children, the decedent\u2019s parents may file suit. Further, parents are nearly always first in line to bring a wrongful death claim for the\u00a0death of a minor child.Who Receives the Compensation in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?Compensation recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit is\u00a0distributed to surviving family members. In general, whoever is entitled to file suit is also entitled to compensation. For example, if surviving children file suit, the recovery will be distributed proportionately among them.Similarly, if the surviving spouse files suit while simultaneously acting as the representative of surviving children, the recovery is distributed proportionately between the spouse and children. However, the spouse\u2019s share\u00a0can never be less than one-third\u00a0of the total recovery. If the decedent was divorced, their ex-spouses cannot share in the recovery.Finally, if the decedent had children who died before them, the heirs of those children do not receive a portion of the recovery. In other words, grandchildren cannot recover for the wrongful death of their grandparents.To learn more about how compensation is distributed in wrongful death cases in Georgia, follow this\u00a0link\u00a0for a video presentation by Jeb Butler of Butler Kahn.Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action: What Is the Difference?Note that a wrongful death action is not the same as a\u00a0survival action. A wrongful death case is brought by surviving family members. By contrast, a survival action is brought by the decedent\u2019s personal representative on behalf of their estate.Survival actions may compensate for things like the decedent\u2019s medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and funeral\/burial costs. Any money recovered in a survival action is distributed according to the decedent\u2019s last will and testament. If there is no will, it is distributed according to\u00a0state laws of intestate succession.Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?Yes, this deadline is set by a law known as the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the standard deadline in wrongful death cases is\u00a0two years from the date of the death. However, this deadline can sometimes be shortened or extended.For example, if the party responsible for the death is a government entity, the deadline can be significantly shortened. Depending on what government entity is at fault \u2014 federal, state, county, or city \u2014 you could have as little as six months to file your case.On the other hand, if the death occurred as the result of a crime or some other violation of Georgia law, the statute of limitations might be \u201ctolled.\u201d In other words, the two-year clock will only start its countdown once the at-fault party\u2019s prosecution for their violation is finished. However, the extension cannot exceed six years.No matter what deadline governs your case, missing it almost always eliminates your right to seek compensation in court. Therefore, it is essential that you have your case reviewed by an experienced wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Call us today.To learn more about Georgia\u2019s wrongful death statute of limitations, follow this\u00a0link\u00a0for a video presentation by Jeb Butler of Butler Kahn.Contact a Georgia Wrongful Death LawyerIf you are reading this page because a loved one has been killed in an accident, we are truly sorry for your loss. We hope the information on this page has been helpful. If you\u2019d like to talk with us about your situation, call us or contact us online. There is no charge to talk about your case with our experienced Georgia wrongful death lawyers."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/damages-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]