When a wrongful death claim succeeds in Georgia, the settlement or verdict must be distributed according to specific legal rules. Georgia law establishes a clear hierarchy for who receives compensation and in what order, with surviving spouses and children typically receiving priority over other family members under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2.
Wrongful death settlements in Georgia serve two distinct purposes: compensating the deceased’s estate for tangible losses like medical bills and funeral expenses, and providing damages to surviving family members for their loss of companionship, support, and the full value of the deceased’s life. These two components are distributed differently, making it essential for families to understand how Georgia courts and insurance companies divide settlement proceeds. The state’s wrongful death statute creates a unique system where the settlement beneficiaries are determined by family structure rather than the deceased’s will, meaning even close family members may receive nothing if they fall outside the statute’s defined categories.
Who Can Receive Wrongful Death Settlement Proceeds in Georgia
Georgia law establishes a strict order of priority for wrongful death beneficiaries. The deceased’s will does not control distribution because wrongful death damages belong to surviving family members by statute, not to the estate. Only specific family members can receive compensation, and their eligibility depends entirely on who survives the deceased at the time of death.
The surviving spouse receives first priority under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. If the deceased left a spouse but no children, the spouse receives the entire settlement. If both a spouse and children survive, they share the proceeds equally, though the spouse must receive at least one-third of the total settlement regardless of how many children exist. When calculating this one-third minimum, Georgia courts divide the settlement into equal shares among all beneficiaries first, then adjust the distribution if the spouse’s share falls below one-third.
If no spouse survives but children do, the children divide the entire settlement equally among themselves. This applies to biological children, legally adopted children, and in some cases children born after the parent’s death. If no spouse or children survive, the deceased’s parents become the beneficiaries and split the settlement equally. Only if no spouse, children, or parents survive can the administrator of the estate bring a wrongful death claim, in which case the settlement becomes part of the estate and passes according to Georgia’s intestacy laws under O.C.G.A. § 53-2-1.
How Georgia Distinguishes Between Wrongful Death and Estate Claims
Georgia separates wrongful death compensation into two distinct legal claims with different purposes and beneficiaries. Understanding this distinction matters because it determines who receives specific types of damages and how courts calculate the total settlement value.
The Wrongful Death Claim
The wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their losses under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. This claim belongs exclusively to the beneficiaries defined by statute and measures the full value of the deceased’s life from the perspective of those left behind.
Damages in a wrongful death claim include the value of the deceased’s life, which encompasses both economic contributions like lost wages, benefits, and services, and intangible losses such as companionship, guidance, and protection. Georgia law permits juries to consider the deceased’s earning capacity, life expectancy, health, habits, and the relationship quality with surviving family members when calculating this value.
The Estate’s Survival Claim
The estate’s survival claim under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-5 compensates the deceased’s estate for losses the deceased personally suffered before death. The estate’s administrator or executor brings this claim, and any recovery becomes part of the estate subject to creditor claims and eventual distribution through probate.
Survival action damages include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost wages from injury to death, pain and suffering the deceased experienced while alive, and property damage. These damages belong to the estate first, meaning creditors can make claims against them before any distribution to heirs occurs.
The Legal Distribution Process for Wrongful Death Settlements
Settlement distribution follows a structured process governed by Georgia law and court oversight. When multiple beneficiaries exist, courts ensure each receives their proper share according to the statutory formula.
Determining Eligible Beneficiaries
The attorney and court first identify all surviving beneficiaries who qualify under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. This requires verifying family relationships through birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and sometimes DNA testing if paternity questions arise.
Georgia courts must confirm each child’s legal status because stepchildren without legal adoption do not qualify as beneficiaries, even if the deceased raised them. Similarly, former spouses receive nothing unless they remarried the deceased before death, and parents only qualify if no spouse or children survive.
Calculating Individual Shares
Once beneficiaries are identified, the distribution calculation begins. For spouse and children cases, the settlement divides into equal parts based on the total number of beneficiaries, then adjusts if the spouse’s share falls below one-third of the total.
For example, if a wrongful death settlement totals $900,000 and the deceased left a spouse and two children, the initial division creates three equal shares of $300,000 each. Since $300,000 equals one-third of the total, each beneficiary receives their calculated share. However, if the deceased left a spouse and five children, the initial division creates six shares of $150,000 each, giving the spouse only $150,000 or one-sixth of the total. Georgia law then adjusts the distribution so the spouse receives $300,000 (one-third of $900,000), and the five children split the remaining $600,000, receiving $120,000 each.
Court Approval and Disbursement
When settlements involve minor children, Georgia courts must approve the distribution to protect the children’s interests under O.C.G.A. § 29-3-1. The court reviews the settlement amount, determines whether it fairly compensates the child’s loss, and establishes how the child’s share will be managed until they reach age eighteen.
Minor children’s settlement shares typically go into restricted accounts, conservatorships, or structured settlements that provide periodic payments rather than lump sums. Parents cannot access these funds for their own use, though courts may approve withdrawals for the child’s education, medical care, or other direct needs with proper documentation.
Distribution When Minor Children Are Beneficiaries
Settlements involving minor children require additional legal safeguards because Georgia law prohibits minors from directly receiving large sums. Courts intervene to ensure the money remains available for the child’s benefit throughout their minority.
Establishing Protected Accounts
The court typically orders the child’s settlement share placed in a blocked or restricted bank account that requires court approval for any withdrawal. These accounts earn interest while preventing parents, guardians, or other adults from accessing the funds without judicial oversight.
Some families choose structured settlements that pay the child’s share in installments over time, providing regular income rather than a single lump sum at age eighteen. Structured settlements offer tax advantages because the periodic payments grow tax-free, potentially providing more total value than a lump sum invested in taxable accounts.
Guardian Ad Litem Appointment
Georgia courts often appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the minor child’s interests during settlement negotiations and distribution proceedings. This independent attorney reviews the proposed settlement, investigates whether it adequately compensates the child’s losses, and recommends approval or rejection to the court.
The guardian ad litem’s fees come from the settlement proceeds, reducing the total amount available for distribution. However, their involvement protects children from inadequate settlements that undervalue their loss of parental support, guidance, and companionship over their remaining childhood years.
Tax Implications of Wrongful Death Settlements in Georgia
Understanding the tax treatment of wrongful death proceeds helps families plan financially and avoid unexpected tax bills. Federal and Georgia tax law generally favors wrongful death beneficiaries, though specific circumstances can create taxable income.
Federal Tax Treatment
The Internal Revenue Code excludes wrongful death settlements from gross income under IRC § 104(a)(2), meaning beneficiaries typically pay no federal income tax on their shares. This exclusion covers both economic damages like lost wages and non-economic damages like loss of companionship.
Punitive damages constitute an exception. If a wrongful death settlement includes punitive damages intended to punish the defendant rather than compensate the family, those amounts are taxable as ordinary income. Georgia allows punitive damages in wrongful death cases involving clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct, malice, fraud, or reckless disregard under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, so families should track which portion of their settlement represents punitive awards.
Investment Income and Interest
While the settlement itself is not taxable, any interest or investment income earned on settlement proceeds after distribution is taxable. If a beneficiary places their $200,000 settlement share in an investment account that earns $8,000 in dividends and capital gains the following year, they must report that $8,000 as taxable income.
Similarly, structured settlements that include interest components may generate taxable income depending on how the settlement agreement is structured. Properly drafted structured settlements can defer taxation until payments are received, and some structures provide completely tax-free growth if they meet IRS requirements.
Common Distribution Disputes and How Courts Resolve Them
Wrongful death settlements sometimes generate disputes among family members, especially in blended families or situations where relationships were complicated before the death. Georgia courts resolve these conflicts by strictly applying statutory distribution rules rather than considering family preferences or perceived fairness.
Paternity Challenges
When unmarried parents are involved, questions about paternity can arise if the deceased man had children with multiple women or if there is doubt about whether he is the biological father. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22 presumes a man is the father if he was married to the mother at conception or birth, if genetic testing confirms paternity, or if he legally acknowledged the child.
If a child’s paternity is disputed, the court may order DNA testing using available biological samples. If testing confirms the child is the deceased’s biological offspring, that child shares equally in the settlement with other verified children. Delayed paternity determinations can hold up entire settlement distributions until all beneficiaries are confirmed.
Stepchildren and Non-Biological Children
Stepchildren without formal adoption have no rights to wrongful death proceeds in Georgia, regardless of how long the deceased raised them or how strong their relationship was. Only legal adoption creates the parent-child relationship necessary for wrongful death beneficiary status.
Families often find this rule harsh when a stepparent provided primary financial and emotional support for years. However, Georgia courts cannot deviate from the statutory beneficiary definitions in O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, meaning stepchildren receive nothing unless the deceased legally adopted them before death.
Beneficiary Misconduct
Georgia law does not explicitly disqualify beneficiaries who contributed to the deceased’s death or who had poor relationships with the deceased. Even a spouse who was separated or in the process of divorcing the deceased remains the legal beneficiary if the divorce was not finalized before death.
Some states permit courts to reduce or eliminate shares for beneficiaries who abandoned the deceased or caused their death, but Georgia’s wrongful death statute contains no such provisions. The statutory distribution formula controls regardless of individual circumstances, family dynamics, or perceived fairness.
How Legal Fees and Expenses Affect Distribution
Attorney fees and case expenses reduce the net settlement amount before distribution to beneficiaries. Understanding how these costs are calculated and paid helps families anticipate their actual recovery amounts.
Contingency Fee Agreements
Most wrongful death attorneys work on contingency, meaning they receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict rather than charging hourly fees. Georgia permits contingency fees but requires they be reasonable under Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5.
Typical wrongful death contingency fees range from 33% to 40% of the gross recovery, with higher percentages applying to cases that go to trial rather than settling during negotiations. If a case settles for $1,000,000 with a 33% contingency fee, the attorney receives $330,000, leaving $670,000 for distribution to beneficiaries and payment of expenses.
Case Expenses and Costs
Separate from attorney fees, wrongful death cases generate expenses including court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, medical record retrieval fees, investigation expenses, and trial costs. These expenses can range from a few thousand dollars for straightforward cases to over $100,000 for complex cases requiring extensive expert testimony.
Expense reimbursement typically comes off the top of the settlement before calculating the contingency fee, though some attorneys agree to deduct expenses after applying the contingency percentage. The fee agreement should clearly specify how expenses are handled because the calculation method significantly affects the net amount beneficiaries receive.
Settlement Approval Timeline and Process
Understanding the settlement approval timeline helps families plan financially and know when they can expect to receive their shares. The process involves several stages, particularly when minor children are beneficiaries.
Initial Settlement Negotiations
Settlement negotiations typically begin after the defendant’s liability becomes clear and the full extent of damages is documented. This process can take several months to over a year depending on case complexity, the defendant’s willingness to negotiate, and whether liability is disputed.
Once the parties agree on a settlement amount, they execute a settlement agreement that specifies the total recovery, how it will be divided between wrongful death and estate claims if applicable, and the payment timeline. Most settlements require the defendant or their insurance company to fund the settlement within 30 to 60 days of the agreement’s execution.
Petition for Court Approval
If minor children are beneficiaries, the attorney files a petition with the Superior Court requesting approval of the settlement and the proposed distribution plan. This petition includes the settlement agreement, a breakdown of how funds will be distributed, evidence of the child’s losses, and recommendations for managing the minor’s share.
The court schedules a hearing, usually within 30 to 60 days of filing. The guardian ad litem reviews the settlement, conducts an independent investigation, and submits their recommendation. At the hearing, the judge questions the attorney about the settlement’s adequacy, reviews how the minor’s share will be protected, and determines whether approval serves the child’s best interests.
Distribution and Account Setup
After court approval, the settlement funds are disbursed according to the court’s order. Adult beneficiaries typically receive their shares via direct payment or wire transfer within days of the settlement funding. Minor beneficiaries’ shares go into court-ordered restricted accounts or structured settlements.
Setting up restricted accounts requires opening blocked accounts at financial institutions that understand court-supervised accounts and will honor the court’s restrictions. This process adds another one to two weeks before the minor’s funds are fully secured and earning interest.
Wrongful Death Settlement Distribution in Blended Families
Blended families present unique distribution challenges when biological children from different relationships must share settlement proceeds. Georgia’s statutory formula applies regardless of family complexity, but understanding how it works in these situations prevents confusion and conflict.
The surviving spouse shares equally with all children, including the deceased’s children from previous relationships and any children from the current marriage. The law does not distinguish between biological children, giving each child an equal share regardless of their relationship to the surviving spouse.
For example, if the deceased man left a current wife, two children from a previous marriage, and one child with his current wife, the settlement divides among four beneficiaries. The wife receives one-third as her statutory minimum, and the three children split the remaining two-thirds equally, each receiving 22.2% of the total settlement. The deceased’s children from his previous marriage receive their shares directly and the deceased’s former spouse has no claim to any portion of the settlement.
When children are minors, their biological parent or legal guardian manages their settlement share according to court restrictions, even if that guardian is the deceased’s former spouse. This arrangement sometimes creates tension with the surviving spouse, but Georgia courts cannot alter the statutory distribution formula based on family preferences or dynamics.
The Role of Estate Claims in Overall Distribution
Estate claims for survival damages operate under different distribution rules than wrongful death claims, and these differences significantly affect who ultimately receives money and in what amounts.
Survival action proceeds belong to the deceased’s estate, meaning they pass through probate according to the deceased’s will if one exists, or according to Georgia’s intestacy laws under O.C.G.A. § 53-2-1 if no will exists. Before distribution to heirs, the estate must pay the deceased’s debts, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and other creditor claims.
This creditor payment requirement means survival action damages may not reach family members at all if the deceased carried substantial debt. Medical bills from the injury that caused death, outstanding credit card balances, mortgage arrears, and other debts get paid first from estate assets, including survival action settlements.
In contrast, wrongful death claim proceeds go directly to statutory beneficiaries and are not subject to the deceased’s creditors. Even if the deceased owed significant debts, creditors cannot claim any portion of wrongful death damages because those damages legally belong to surviving family members, not to the estate.
Structured Settlements vs. Lump Sum Distribution
Beneficiaries sometimes have the option to receive their settlement share as a lump sum or through a structured settlement that pays periodic installments over time. Each approach offers distinct advantages depending on the beneficiary’s financial situation and needs.
Lump Sum Benefits
Receiving the entire settlement share at once provides immediate access to funds for pressing needs like paying off the deceased’s mortgage, covering education expenses, or investing for long-term growth. Lump sum recipients have complete control over how and when they use their money, allowing flexibility to address unexpected expenses or opportunities.
However, lump sums require financial discipline because once the money is spent, no additional payments arrive. Beneficiaries without investment experience or those facing pressure from relatives may spend their settlements quickly, leaving them without long-term financial security. Additionally, lump sum settlements that are invested generate taxable income on the investment earnings, whereas some structured settlements can provide tax-free growth.
Structured Settlement Advantages
Structured settlements pay the beneficiary’s share in periodic installments, either monthly, annually, or according to a customized schedule designed to meet specific needs. These payments are guaranteed by highly rated insurance companies and continue regardless of market conditions, providing stable, predictable income.
Structured settlements offer significant tax advantages because the periodic payments can include tax-free interest accumulation if properly structured. A $500,000 lump sum settlement invested at 4% generates taxable interest income each year, but a $500,000 structured settlement might pay $700,000 over 20 years with the growth completely tax-free.
How Georgia Courts Protect Minor Beneficiaries’ Settlement Shares
Georgia law prioritizes protecting minor children’s settlement shares through mandatory court supervision and restrictions on how funds can be used before the child reaches adulthood.
Courts require detailed accounting of how any withdrawn funds benefit the child directly. Parents seeking to use a child’s settlement money for the child’s private school tuition, medical treatment not covered by insurance, or special needs equipment must petition the court with documentation proving the expense is necessary and benefits the child specifically.
The court denies requests to use children’s settlement funds for general household expenses, family vacations, or items that primarily benefit adults. Even if a single parent struggles financially after losing their spouse, they cannot access their children’s settlement shares to pay the mortgage, buy groceries, or cover utility bills because these expenses benefit the household generally rather than the child specifically.
When the child turns eighteen, they gain unrestricted access to their settlement share including all accumulated interest. The court releases the funds, and the now-adult child can use the money however they choose without oversight or approval.
Distribution When There Are No Surviving Immediate Family Members
When a person dies without a surviving spouse, children, or parents, Georgia’s wrongful death distribution rules shift significantly. Instead of distributing proceeds to statutory beneficiaries, the administrator of the deceased’s estate brings the wrongful death claim, and any recovery becomes part of the estate.
In this situation, the wrongful death settlement passes through probate like other estate assets. If the deceased left a will, the settlement distributes according to the will’s terms, meaning siblings, extended family members, or even non-relatives named in the will can receive portions of the settlement.
If no will exists, Georgia’s intestacy laws under O.C.G.A. Title 53 determine distribution. The deceased’s siblings share the settlement equally if no spouse, children, or parents survive. If no siblings survive, the settlement passes to more distant relatives in order of kinship until an heir is found.
Estate distributions are subject to creditor claims, so unlike wrongful death claims that go directly to protected beneficiaries, settlements that pass through the estate may be consumed entirely by debts before reaching family members. Medical providers, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and other creditors must be paid in full from estate assets before any distribution to heirs occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Settlement Distribution in Georgia
Can the deceased’s will change who receives wrongful death settlement money?
No, the deceased’s will has no effect on wrongful death settlement distribution in Georgia. The wrongful death statute O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2 establishes a mandatory beneficiary hierarchy that supersedes any will provisions because wrongful death damages legally belong to surviving family members, not to the deceased’s estate. The statute designates the surviving spouse and children as primary beneficiaries, with parents next in line if no spouse or children survive, regardless of what the deceased’s will states about distributing assets.
However, survival action damages for expenses like medical bills and funeral costs do belong to the estate and pass according to the will or intestacy laws after creditors are paid. Only wrongful death damages follow the statutory distribution formula without regard to the deceased’s testamentary wishes, while estate claims for the deceased’s own losses can be influenced by will provisions.
What happens if the surviving spouse was separated from the deceased?
A separated spouse who was not legally divorced at the time of death remains the legal beneficiary under Georgia’s wrongful death statute. Separation alone does not terminate spousal rights to wrongful death proceeds, even if the couple had been separated for years or filed for divorce but not finalized it. Only a final divorce decree entered before the death removes a spouse’s beneficiary status.
This rule applies regardless of fault for the separation or whether the deceased was in a new relationship. Georgia courts strictly apply the statutory beneficiary definitions without considering marital harmony, separation duration, or pending divorce proceedings unless the divorce was legally final before death occurred.
How are wrongful death settlements divided when multiple children from different relationships exist?
All children who meet the legal definition of children under Georgia law share equally in the wrongful death settlement regardless of their relationship to the surviving spouse or whether they are full siblings, half siblings, or from different relationships. The statute makes no distinction between children based on their parentage, giving each child an identical share of the portion allocated to children after the surviving spouse receives at least one-third.
For example, if three children survive along with the deceased’s current spouse, the spouse receives one-third of the settlement and each child receives 22.2% of the total. It does not matter if two children are from the deceased’s previous marriage and one is from the current marriage, or if all three are from different relationships; each child’s share is calculated identically.
Can creditors take money from wrongful death settlements in Georgia?
Creditors cannot claim wrongful death settlement proceeds that go directly to statutory beneficiaries under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2 because those damages belong to surviving family members, not to the deceased’s estate. Even if the deceased owed substantial debts at death, creditors cannot garnish, attach, or claim any portion of the spouse’s or children’s wrongful death settlement shares.
However, survival action damages for the deceased’s medical expenses, funeral costs, and other losses before death become estate assets subject to creditor claims before distribution to heirs. If the deceased’s estate owes debts, creditors must be paid from estate assets including survival action settlements before any money reaches family members through inheritance.
What happens to a beneficiary’s share if they die before the settlement is distributed?
If a wrongful death beneficiary dies after the deceased but before the settlement is distributed, that beneficiary’s share becomes part of their own estate and passes according to their will or state intestacy laws. The settlement share does not automatically transfer to other wrongful death beneficiaries or revert to the original estate.
For example, if a wife survives her husband’s wrongful death but dies before the settlement is finalized, her one-third share passes through her estate to her own heirs, who may or may not be the deceased husband’s children. This situation can create complex distribution scenarios in blended families where the surviving spouse’s heirs differ from the deceased’s children, making prompt settlement resolution important to avoid additional legal complications.
How long does it take to receive wrongful death settlement money after approval?
Adult beneficiaries typically receive their settlement shares within 30 to 60 days after all parties sign the settlement agreement, or after court approval if minors are involved. The timeline depends on how quickly the defendant or their insurance company funds the settlement and whether the settlement requires court approval.
When minor children are beneficiaries, the process takes longer because it includes filing a petition for court approval, appointing a guardian ad litem, conducting a hearing, and establishing restricted accounts or structured settlements. From settlement agreement to final distribution, cases involving minors typically take 60 to 120 days, with more complex cases requiring additional time for account setup and court order compliance.
Do wrongful death beneficiaries have to pay taxes on settlement money?
Generally no. Wrongful death settlements are excluded from federal taxable income under IRC § 104(a)(2), and Georgia does not impose state income tax on wrongful death proceeds. Beneficiaries receive their settlement shares without owing income tax on the amounts recovered for economic damages like lost wages or non-economic damages like loss of companionship.
The only exception involves punitive damages, which are taxable as ordinary income at both federal and state levels. If a wrongful death settlement includes punitive damages awarded to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct, beneficiaries must report their share of the punitive award as taxable income. Additionally, while the settlement itself is not taxable, any investment income or interest earned on the settlement after distribution is subject to taxation.
Can a wrongful death beneficiary refuse their share of the settlement?
Yes, a beneficiary can disclaim their share of a wrongful death settlement, though this is rare. A formal disclaimer must follow Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 53-12-271, requiring a written document filed within nine months of the deceased’s death and meeting specific legal requirements including irrevocability and lack of consideration.
When a beneficiary disclaims their share, the disclaimed portion typically does not pass to other wrongful death beneficiaries but instead becomes part of the deceased’s estate, subject to estate distribution rules and creditor claims. Disclaimers are sometimes used for estate planning or Medicaid eligibility purposes, but they require careful legal consideration because once filed, they cannot be revoked.
What role does a personal representative or executor play in wrongful death distribution?
The personal representative or executor of the deceased’s estate has no control over wrongful death settlement distribution because those proceeds go directly to statutory beneficiaries without passing through the estate. However, the personal representative does bring any survival action claims for the estate’s losses and manages those proceeds according to probate law.
The personal representative’s primary roles include identifying all potential beneficiaries, ensuring proper documentation of family relationships, coordinating with the wrongful death attorney, and if minor children are beneficiaries, working with the court to establish protective accounts or structures. They may also provide information to the attorney about the deceased’s financial contributions to dependents, helping establish the value of the wrongful death claim.
How are funeral expenses paid from a wrongful death settlement?
Funeral and burial expenses are part of the estate’s survival action claim under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-5, not the wrongful death claim itself. These expenses are recovered as estate damages, meaning they belong to the estate first and are typically used to reimburse whoever paid the funeral costs before any remaining estate funds distribute to heirs.
If a family member paid funeral expenses out of pocket, they can seek reimbursement from the estate’s recovery of survival damages. However, if the funeral expenses exceed the survival action recovery and the estate has insufficient assets, wrongful death beneficiaries are not legally required to use their wrongful death proceeds to cover funeral costs since those damages belong to them individually under the wrongful death statute.
Conclusion
Wrongful death settlement distribution in Georgia follows a clear statutory framework that prioritizes surviving spouses and children, with detailed rules governing how settlements divide among multiple beneficiaries and special protections for minors. Understanding O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2’s beneficiary hierarchy, the distinction between wrongful death and estate claims, and the mandatory court approval process for settlements involving children helps families navigate this difficult process and ensure proper distribution of compensation.
If you are dealing with a wrongful death claim in Georgia and need guidance on settlement distribution, beneficiary rights, or court approval processes, Life Justice Law Group provides experienced legal representation to protect your family’s interests. Contact our wrongful death attorneys at (480) 378-8088 for a free consultation to discuss your case and understand your rights under Georgia law.