[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/types-wrongful-death-cases-georgia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/types-wrongful-death-cases-georgia\/","headline":"Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Georgia","name":"Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Georgia","description":"If someone loses their life due to a preventable accident that was someone else\u2019s fault or another party\u2019s intentional act in Georgia, surviving family members could seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Georgia’s wrongful death law establishes the legal requirements for bringing a wrongful death claim in Georgia, including who can file the claim,… Continue reading Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Georgia<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2019-01-30","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/matt-kahn\/#Person","name":"Matt Kahn","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/matt-kahn\/","identifier":25,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e04949bdf1f2184cdeab337bb39535a4c17c4beb3ad3cd47e5524b20b38274a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e04949bdf1f2184cdeab337bb39535a4c17c4beb3ad3cd47e5524b20b38274a9?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\/2019\/01\/crying-wife.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/crying-wife.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/types-wrongful-death-cases-georgia\/","about":["Bicycle Accident","Boating Accident","Car Accident","Crime Victims","Medical Malpractice","Pedestrian","Personal Injury","Truck Accident","Wrongful Death"],"wordCount":1068,"articleBody":"If someone loses their life due to a preventable accident that was someone else\u2019s fault or another party\u2019s intentional act in Georgia, surviving family members could seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Georgia’s wrongful death law establishes the legal requirements for bringing a wrongful death claim in Georgia, including who can file the claim, what types of damages can be recovered, and the statute of limitations. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else\u2019s wrongful actions, we at Butler Kahn are very sorry for your loss, and our heart goes out to you during this difficult time. We hope the information on this page provides useful information to you and your family as you consider your legal options for seeking a measure of justice for your deceased family member.What Are the Leading Causes of Wrongful Death?According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages 1-44 in the United States. Two of the leading causes of unintentional injury leading to death, according to the agency\u2019s data, include:Motor vehicle accidents \u2013 40,698 for one recent year, or 12.4 deaths per 100,000 populationUnintentional falls \u2013 42,114 for one recent year, or 12.8 deaths per 100,000 populationOverall, the leading causes of unintentional injuries and death in the U.S. include:Motor vehicle accidents \u2013 Crashes are a common cause of unintentional injury and death. They can be caused by various factors, including distracted driving, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, for example.Falls \u2013 Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury, particularly among older adults. They can occur in the home, the workplace, or other public spaces.Poisoning \u2013 Poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death, particularly from drug overdoses. It can also be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or gases.Drowning \u2013 Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death, particularly among children and young adults. Property owners could be liable for a drowning death if they failed to secure the pool, for example.Fires and burns \u2013 Fires and burns are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death. They could be caused by a motor vehicle accident, defective product, explosion, or other causes.Crime \u2013 Criminal activity results in a growing number of deaths in the United States. In some cases, a property owner or business operator could be held liable for failing to provide adequate security.Defective products \u2013 Companies that design, manufacture, and sell dangerously defective products could be liable when the product takes the life of someone using it or near where it is in use.Suffocation \u2013 Suffocation is a serious issue for infants and young children. Defective children\u2019s products are a common cause of suffocation.Pedestrian accidents \u2013 Pedestrian accidents can occur when a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian while walking on the street, sidewalk, parking lot, crosswalk, or elsewhere.Bicycle accidents \u2013 Bicycle accidents frequently occur when a negligent driver hits a bicyclist or when the cyclist loses control of the bike.Sports and recreational activities \u2013 Sports and recreational activities are particularly prevalent among children and young adults. Fatal injuries can occur when swimming, biking, and playing contact sports.Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?Georgia law does not allow just anyone to file a wrongful death action. The right to take action is limited to particular individuals, including:The surviving spouse of the deceased\u00a0The surviving children\u00a0The surviving parents\u00a0The personal representative of the deceased person’s estateIf you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it\u2019s crucial to remember that the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Georgia is two years from the date of the person\u2019s death. If you fail to file within this time frame, the court will likely dismiss your case. The statute of limitations might be different in certain circumstances, such as if a government entity caused the death or if the person who died was a minor. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to talk to an experienced wrongful death attorney to make sure your claim isn\u2019t time-barred.What Compensation Can Be Recovered Through a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?Surviving family members could be eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault party for:Final medical expenses\u00a0Pain and suffering before deathFuneral and burial expenses\u00a0Loss of income and benefitsLoss of companionship and support\u00a0Punitive damages\u00a0How Are Proceeds Distributed in a Wrongful Death Case?In Georgia, the proceeds from a wrongful death lawsuit will be distributed to the surviving family members according to the state’s laws on inheritance and distribution. That means the proceeds are distributed to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person in that order. If the deceased person did not have a spouse, children, or parents, the proceeds would go to the estate and be distributed according to the will or the state’s laws of intestate succession.What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Action and a Survival Action?Wrongful death and survival actions can be brought if someone is killed in an accident or due to an intentional act, but they are separate legal claims that serve different purposes. The surviving family members could bring a wrongful death action if their loved one was killed due to another person or party\u2019s negligent or intentional conduct. Wrongful death actions are designed to compensate surviving family members for the losses they suffer due to the person\u2019s death, like the loss of income and companionship. A survival action is a legal action brought on behalf of the deceased person’s estate by the personal representative. It is designed to compensate the estate for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and loss of future earnings. In some states, you can combine wrongful death and survival actions into one lawsuit, but in Georgia, they are two separate legal actions.Contact a Georgia Wrongful Death LawyerIf you are reading this page because you lost a loved one in an accident, we at Butler Kahn are truly sorry for your loss. We hope the information on this page has been helpful, and if you\u2019d like to talk with us about your situation, call us or contact us online. There is no charge to speak with one of our experienced and compassionate Georgia wrongful death lawyers about your case."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Georgia","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/types-wrongful-death-cases-georgia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]