Seeking Compensation with a Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing a loved one is a traumatic event; losing a loved one because of the negligence or harmful actions of another individual can amplify the pain and draw out the grieving process immeasurably. Wrongful death suits allow survivors of the deceased to receive the necessary and just compensation for the losses—physical, emotional, financial, and otherwise—that the death of their loved one has caused. When you speak with a wrongful death attorney in Roswell, GA, it will help to know some of the basic facts about wrongful death law.

What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?

If an individual was killed because of the careless or harmful actions of another person or company, whether that be a pharmaceutical company, a car company, and so on, the surviving family members can make a case for wrongful death. The plaintiffs must prove that their loved one died as a direct result of the actions (or omissions) of the responsible party and that the death has caused financial, emotional, and psychological losses for the survivors.

What Kind of Compensation Do We Receive?

There are three types of compensation, or “damages,” to use the legal term, which survivors of the deceased may be entitled to. The first is economic compensation. If the deceased was a financial provider, you are entitled to the contributions he or she would have made if he or she had lived. This would include the loss of benefits, expected earnings, inheritance, as well as the medical and funeral costs. Then there are the non-economic damages that refer to the more emotional, psychological losses that the survivors experience. Such compensation could cover the results of the emotional distress and suffering of the survivors, the loss of protection, companionship, and care from the deceased, and even the loss of intimate relations for a spouse. The last type of compensation is for punitive damages, which are meant to punish the perpetrator for their actions. Some defendants, including most government officials and agencies, are immune to this kind of damages. If you’re unsure what compensation your family is entitled to, speak with a wrongful death attorney in Roswell, GA, for more guidance and clarification.