Compensation for the Loss of a Loved One
Experienced Representation in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If your family member was killed in an accident due to the negligence of others, the law firm of Smart & Harris will vigorously pursue damages for your loss. You have our condolences and our promise to help in any way we can.
Our law firm has handled dozens of wrongful death lawsuits for clients in Savannah and surrounding counties of Georgia, as well as bordering counties of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, compassionate support and proven representation.
A Death That Never Should Have Happened
Our attorneys have secured negotiated settlements and jury verdicts for all types of wrongful death claims — fatal trucking accidents and auto accidents, motorcyclists and pedestrians killed by cars, construction and work-related deaths, medical negligence, and defective products or machinery.
Trial lawyer Don Smart brings 35 years of experience to your case. He personally visits the scene of the accidents, traces witnesses to get their statements, and brings in experts as necessary to help prove liability of the companies or individuals who were at fault.
Wrongful Death and Survivorship Claims
Mr. Smart will meet with family members to explain the legal process, starting with who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Georgia law, the claim is brought by the deceased's spouse or by the children if there is no surviving spouse. If the person had no living spouse or kids, the executor of the estate can bring suit on behalf of the next of kin. When a minor child is killed, the parents or the child's estate are entitled to sue for compensation.
Georgia's statute provides damages for the "full value of the life of the decedent." This includes not only lost income, but compensation for lost services and family contributions (parenting or child care, household chores, companionship and advice, marital relations, etc.) Our challenge is to illustrate every way in which the person is missed, both economically and emotionally, so that the jury or insurance company can determine appropriate compensation.
The deceased's estate can also bring a survival action if death occurred hours, days or months after the accident. It covers costs of unpaid medical bills, the person's conscious pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages if the death resulted from gross negligence or intentional behavior.
Free Consultation
Call our Savannah office at 912-201-2332 to determine what rights you may have for the wrongful death of your loved one, or contact us online.