Bergen and Bergen, P.C., represent the victims of wrongful death in Georgia.
Wrongful death claims are a unique subset of personal injury law, because the injury the firm asserts on behalf of the client is the loss of the contributions of the person who was killed.
Wrongful death claims do not seek to evaluate death or an individual’s life as a whole—there is no character trial in a wrongful death case. The case aims to provide recompense for the people who lost the benefits of a loved one because of the negligence of another party. The value of the life in a wrongful death claim is the true value of the life to the person bringing the claim.
The victims who have standing to bring a wrongful death case in Georgia must be married, related, or legally tied to the deceased:
- The surviving spouse, who must share awards with surviving children
- Surviving children, if no spouse exists
- The parents of the deceased, if no spouse or children exist
- The administrator of the estate, but only on behalf of the next of kin
Bergen and Bergen works with families who are processing grief, shock, and sadness in order to create new hope. The firm recognizes the tragedy of wrongful death and remains a source of solace for grieving clients who are prepared to file a claim.
How wrongful death claims unfold
Some of the aspects of a wrongful death case are overwhelming for surviving family members. The attorneys hope to provide a professional and focused environment wherein clients may take steps toward healing by securing the future as much as possible when another party is responsible for a death.
Bergen and Bergen works with expert witnesses, accident reconstruction professionals, medical professionals, and others to provide strong proof of negligence.
There are important timing issues with these types of cases. Trucking accidents, for instance, require immediate action, because of rules that govern how long trucking companies must keep records. Cases that involve municipal entities allow only a short window to file a claim.
This amount of time may pass quickly for someone who is racked with grief. Please call the office immediately after the death of a loved one, so that the attorneys may begin a solid, effective case.