Wrongful Death Lawyers in Macon

Georgia measures the full value of the life

Georgia law, under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1, values a wrongful death claim as the full value of the life of the person who died. Unlike most states, Georgia does not deduct what the person would have spent on their own needs, and it measures the loss from the point of view of the one who died. The value combines an economic component, the income and services the person would have provided, with an intangible component, the relationships, experiences, and everyday moments that made up the life. We prove that full value with the help of economists and other experts so a life is not reduced to a spreadsheet.

Who may bring the claim

Georgia establishes a priority under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. The surviving spouse holds the first right and brings the claim for the couple's children, and the spouse's share cannot drop below one third no matter the number of children. If there is no spouse, the right passes to the children, then to the parents, and finally to the estate's personal representative. We help families understand who holds the claim so it is filed correctly and every family member's interest is protected.

The estate's survival claim

In addition to the wrongful death claim, the estate can bring a survival claim for what the deceased suffered directly: the medical bills for the final injury, funeral and burial costs, and the conscious pain and suffering endured before death. This claim belongs to the estate's representative and is separate from the full value of the life. We pursue both together so no recoverable loss is left behind.

The deadline and the factors that can move it

A Georgia wrongful death claim is generally governed by a two-year deadline, but that period can be paused or extended by a related criminal prosecution and by the time needed to appoint a representative of the estate. Because those rules turn on the specific facts, an early review is essential to calculate and protect the deadline. If the other side disputes fault, Georgia's rule barring recovery at fifty percent fault can also apply, and we build the case to establish their responsibility.

Serving grieving families across Middle Georgia

Wrongful death claims are handled from our Macon office at 544 Mulberry St, Suite 314, and we represent families across Bibb, Houston, Monroe, Jones, Crawford, Peach, and Twiggs counties. We serve families in Macon, Warner Robins, Centerville, Perry, Forsyth, Gray, Milledgeville, Fort Valley, Byron, Gordon, and Thomaston.

Speak with a Macon wrongful death attorney

If you have lost someone to another's negligence, we will explain your rights with patience and without pressure. Call (478) 449-0037 for a free, confidential consultation. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no attorney fee unless we recover for your family.

Common questions

Why does Georgia allow two separate claims?

Because the family's loss and the deceased's own loss are treated as different rights. The wrongful death claim recovers the full value of the life for the surviving family, while the estate's survival claim recovers what the deceased suffered directly, including final medical bills, funeral costs, and pre-death pain and suffering. Both come from the same event and we pursue both.

There is a criminal case against the person responsible. Should we wait?

No. The criminal case can punish the wrongdoer but does not compensate your family, and it is separate from your civil claim. A prosecution can affect the civil deadline, but waiting can cost evidence. We coordinate with the criminal matter while protecting your family's civil rights.

How is the full value of a life proven?

A jury weighs both what the person would have earned and provided and the intangible worth of their relationships and experiences, valued from the perspective of the one who died. We present evidence of both, with financial and other experts, so the recovery reflects the whole person rather than a narrow number.