Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer

Did you lose a loved one in a tragic accident in Columbus, GA? If you suspect someone else was to blame, our lawyer at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help you fight for justice.

An experienced Columbus wrongful death lawyer can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, loss of financial support, pain, suffering, grief, and more.

Our lawyer has over 26 years of experience fighting for grieving families like yours–and we’ve already recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured victims of truck accidents, Columbus motorcycle accidents, construction accidents in Columbus, product liabilities, car accidents, and more.

We’re here to help your family, too. Just contact our law offices in Columbus, Georgia at (706) 940-4030 to schedule a free consultation today. 

How Can Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Help Your Family After a Fatal Accident in Columbus, GA?

How Can Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Help Your Family After a Fatal Accident in Columbus, GA?

Death is shockingly final even when you’ve had time to process the situation. When your loss is sudden and preventable, the shock can paralyze you. Many survivors simply don’t know what to do after losing a loved one.

If someone else was to blame, our Columbus personal injury lawyer can fight for fair compensation. Money can’t fix everything. However, recovering fair compensation can give you room to breathe and grieve without financial stress.

At Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm, our lawyer has been recognized with an AV-Preeminent rating for our quality legal services.

Our compassionate attorney is ready to help by:

  • Investigating to determine who is responsible for your loved one’s death
  • Calculating the true value of your damages
  • Rejecting any lowball insurance settlements 
  • Defending against any blame-shifting insurance tactics
  • Hiring experts who can strengthen your claim
  • Negotiating for the maximum compensation your family deserves

The aftermath of your loved one’s death will impact your family dramatically. Call our Columbus personal injury attorney to learn more about how we can help you fight to recover compensation to make things a little easier.

How Common Are Deadly Accidents in Georgia?

Thousands of Georgia residents die in senseless and preventable accidents every year.

Statewide, 1,797 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2021. In Muscogee County alone, 26 people were killed in car crashes that year. 18 fatal bicycle accidents were reported across the state of Georgia in 2021.

Across Georgia, 187 fatal workplace injuries were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021. Thousands of lives have been lost over the years due to fall injuries, medical malpractice, and intentional violence.

What is a Wrongful Death Case?

Wrongful Death - Mark Casto wrongful death lawyers in Columbus near you.

Some accidents cause injuries that are so serious that the victim cannot survive. In those cases, the victim’s death prevents them from filing a personal injury lawsuit to hold the at-fault parties accountable. The right to sue for damages doesn’t disappear with the victim’s death. Instead, it transfers to surviving family members. 

Wrongful death cases are civil matters. Most of the time, these cases involve fatal accidents. When someone is found responsible for wrongful death, they’re liable for financial compensation.

However, it’s possible that the defendant could also face criminal charges. Even if criminal charges are pending, you still have the right to sue for financial compensation in civil court.

Overview of Georgia’s Wrongful Death Laws

In Georgia, a “wrongful death” is a death that occurs because of a crime, negligent act of another, or defectively manufactured property.

Any number of scenarios can give you the right to file a wrongful death claim, such as:

  • Your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver
  • A doctor made a mistake that caused your loved one’s death
  • Your loved one died due to a defective work tool

Under Georgia law, however, not just anyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit. 

The action for wrongful death must be filed by:

  • A surviving spouse
  • Children of the decedent, including both minor children and adults
  • Parents of the victim, if the victim was unmarried and had no children

If there is no spouse, child, or parent to take legal action, the deceased person’s estate has the right to sue for damages. If the case is successful, compensation is distributed to the victim’s heirs according to their will or Georgia’s intestate laws. 

What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Columbus, Georgia?

At Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm, we handle all types of wrongful death claims in Columbus, including those involving:

You could have a valid wrongful death claim anytime your loved one died due to someone else’s actions. To discuss your case in detail, call our wrongful death lawyer in Columbus to schedule a free case review today.

What is My Columbus Wrongful Death Case Worth?

No amount of money can turn back the clock and bring your loved one back. That said, recovering compensation can give your family a sense of justice. It can also protect your future financial stability.

Before taking any insurance deal, it’s important to speak with a lawyer about your case value.

While many different factors will affect the value of your wrongful death claim, the value of your case will depend primarily on:

  • The circumstances of your loved one’s death
  • Your loved one’s age and life expectancy prior to the fatal injury
  • The identities of surviving dependents, including spouses and children
  • Your loved one’s prior earnings record and anticipated future earnings
  • The pain, suffering, and trauma your loved one endured prior to death
  • The trauma your family has experienced due to the loss
  • How your loved one contributed to the family and household

Our wrongful death attorney in Columbus will work closely with your family to fully understand how this loss has changed your lives.

What Types of Compensation Should I Expect if My Columbus Wrongful Death Claim Succeeds?

In any personal injury or wrongful death case, your family can recover compensation for economic and non-economic losses if your case is successful. Georgia law allows you to seek compensation for “the full value of the life of the decedent”.

More specifically, in a wrongful death case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses incurred between the date of injury and death
  • Loss of future financial support
  • Loss of the reasonable value of household services performed by the decedent
  • Funeral costs and burial expenses
  • Expenses incurred in administering the decedent’s estate
  • Loss of parental guidance, instruction, and support
  • Loss of consortium, or loss of companionship and comfort
  • Your loved one’s pain and suffering prior to death
  • Emotional distress
  • Punitive damages in cases involving malicious acts, intentional wrongdoing, or especially shocking acts

If your loved one’s death was work-related, your family may also be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits.

Regardless of the circumstances, you can count on our Columbus wrongful death attorney to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact our legal team today to schedule a free consultation to get started.

How Can Georgia’s Shared Fault Laws Impact My Family’s Right to Compensation for Wrongful Death?

Insurance companies are profit-driven entities. They’re motivated to find ways to reduce the compensation awards they pay out. Comparative fault is one of their most valuable tools.

Georgia follows modified comparative negligence laws. If your loved one was less than 50% responsible for their own death, your compensation is reduced by their share of fault. Once their share of fault reaches 50%, you can’t recover any compensation at all.

Your loved one isn’t here to tell their side of the story. Our lawyers can search for evidence to prove the insurance company wrong. 

If your loved one is being blamed, your compensation is at risk–but it’s not a done deal until the insurance company proves it. Contact Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to get the legal assistance you deserve.

How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After the Loss of a Loved One in Georgia? 

Most wrongful death claims involve accidents. Negligence is the reason most accidents happen.

To recover compensation, you must establish:

  • A legal duty of care
  • A breach of duty occurred
  • The breach caused your loved one’s death
  • The damages your family has suffered

Our lawyer handles negligence claims every day. We have the resources to help your family search for evidence to build the strongest claim possible.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in Georgia?

You only have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to take legal action. Once the statute of limitations runs out, you lose your right to pursue compensation from the responsible party.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

We know that grief is overwhelming. At Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm, we’re here to help you recover compensation that can make life a little easier. Contact us today at (706) 940-4030 to schedule a free consultation with a Columbus wrongful death lawyer who will fight for you.

Our personal injury law firm in Columbus, GA also provides:

Local Emergency Rooms Near You

  • Northside Medical Center: Emergency Room – 100 Frist Ct, Columbus, GA 31909
  • Midtown Medical Center West Campus Hospital – 616 19th St, Columbus, GA 31901
  • Midtown Medical Center Emergency Room – 710 Center St, Columbus, GA 31901