As stated previously, in Georgia wrongful death cases, looking inward from the decedent’s point of view is the best way to determine the value of a claim. Some Duluth wrongful death claims settle before a trial ever takes place, while in other instances, the case must go to trial. When the case goes to trial, the jury will determine what, if any, damages to award.
When determining the amount of damages to award in a Georgia wrongful death case, jury members usually consider various factors and evidence, including:
- The people, places, activities, and events that brought meaning to that particular individual’s life
- Photographs, stories, and videos from surviving loved ones who may be witnesses in court at the time of the jury trial and may testify on the witness stand
After considering the evidence, the jury may come up with an amount of damages to award as part of the wrongful death and estate claims. In terms of the estate claim, the jury can award monetary compensation for all of the pain and suffering that the accident victim endured from the time of the accident up until the time that they passed away.
In addition, the jury may award the deceased individual’s estate compensation for all of the expenses that were associated with the funeral. The estate might also receive compensation for all of the medical treatment and medical procedure bills that the decedent incurred between the time of the accident and the time they died.
Finally, the decedent’s estate may be awarded monetary compensation for shock, terror, and fear experienced between the time of the accident and the time the decedent passed away (such as post-impact fright when the deceased realized that they had suffered a fatal injury and imminent death was unavoidable).
To know what damages are available in your specific case, you should seek an evaluation by a wrongful death attorney in Duluth as soon as possible.
