Strong Legal Help From Attorneys Who Care

Chattanooga Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Northwest Georgia And Southeast Tennessee

At Harriss and Hartman Law Firm, P.C., our lawyers understand the difficult circumstances you are going through after losing a loved one as a result of a fatal accident. Such a situation is emotionally devastating. Besides dealing with your grief, you may have concerns about finances and how to pay for medical and funeral expenses.

If the loved one is a parent to minor children, then, understandably, there will be concerns about who will take care of the kids. If the deceased is a spouse, there may be significant wage loss issues. Our attorneys can help you through this difficult time. They will provide you with the legal advice, counsel and legal representation you need. While they can’t bring the loved one back, our lawyers can provide assistance in filing a wrongful death lawsuit and will do what they can to reduce further suffering.

With more than 100 combined years of legal experience, our Chattanooga wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to providing personalized quality service, whether you are in Chattanooga in Tennessee, Rossville in Georgia or the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free consultation at 706-406-1649 or complete our contact form.

What Is A Wrongful Death Claim?

The law allows parents, spouses and children to receive compensation for the death of a loved one. Usually, our attorneys bring such lawsuits against the individual or business at fault. They also frequently name insurance companies as parties in such suits because of applicable motor vehicle or property insurance policies.

In a wrongful death lawsuit in Tennessee or Georgia, you can recover for:

Lost wages and other income
Loss of companionship, comfort and advice
Pain and suffering
Other expenses

Our Chattanooga wrongful death lawyers have the experience, knowledge and resources to demonstrate negligence and prove who is responsible for paying compensation. They work to discover all applicable insurance policies and aim to hold insurance carriers to the terms within those policies.

Our lawyers will give your case their personal attention from the moment you arrive at our office until it is resolved, whether through settlement, trial or appeal.

How Are Personal Injury Lawsuits Different From Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

These two types of lawsuits serve a similar purpose. In both cases, they are seeking compensation for harm suffered as the result of another party’s negligence or intentional acts. They differ in three key areas:

The degree of harm suffered. When injuries are nonfatal, a plaintiff may pursue a personal injury claim. If the victim dies from their injuries under the same or similar circumstances, a wrongful death action is appropriate.
Who serves as the plaintiff. A deceased person obviously cannot bring a claim on their own behalf, so someone else must do so. Each state sets its own laws on who is eligible to bring a wrongful death claim (discussed in more detail below).
The types of financial compensation sought. Both types of lawsuits can seek compensation for things like medical bills and lost wages. However, wrongful death lawsuits allow plaintiffs to sue for funeral and burial expenses, loss of lifetime earnings and other costs associated with the death of a loved one.

Our attorneys are highly skilled in both personal injury and wrongful death claims. They can answer any questions you may have about your rights or the legal process.

Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim In Georgia And Tennessee?

In Georgia, a surviving spouse can bring a wrongful death action. A child can do this when there is no surviving spouse, and a parent can bring an action when there is no surviving spouse or child. If there is no surviving spouse, child or parent, then the administrator or executor of the deceased person may bring an action for wrongful death and hold the amount recovered for the benefit of the deceased person’s next of kin.

In Tennessee, only certain persons can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These include the deceased person’s spouse; child or next of kin if there is no surviving spouse; parent, in some cases; or personal representative.

What Are Common Causes Of Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death can occur in various circumstances, often resulting from someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior. Among the common causes of wrongful death are:

Our experienced Chattanooga wrongful death lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and hold the responsible parties accountable. They will work tirelessly to ensure that you take informed legal action by pursuing fair compensation to help you move forward.

Do Georgia And Tennessee Put A Cap On Wrongful Death Damages?

In Georgia, there is no cap on wrongful death damages, allowing families to recover the full extent of their losses. In Tennessee, the cap on noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, is $750,000. However, there is no cap on economic damages, such as funeral expenses, medical expenses and lost wages.

How Long Do You Have To File A Wrongful Death Claim In Georgia And Tennessee?

Every state imposes a statute of limitations (SOL) on legal claims, after which plaintiffs are barred from taking legal action. In Georgia, plaintiffs must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the victim’s death. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations is just one year after death.

There may be individual exceptions that lengthen or shorten the SOL, so it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as reasonably possible to preserve your legal options and ensure you don’t miss your window of opportunity.

Why Hire A Chattanooga Wrongful Death Attorney From Harriss and Hartman Law Firm, P.C.?

You have plenty of options when it comes to finding an attorney. Here are just some of the factors that make our firm the right choice for your wrongful death claim:

Experience: Our team of attorneys has more than a century of combined legal experience.
Care and compassion: You are likely amid one of the most difficult challenges you’ve ever faced. Our attorneys understand the practical and emotional struggles you are experiencing, and they will do everything they can to alleviate your suffering and help you seek justice and compensation.
A strong track record of client service: We consistently receive positive feedback for our work on behalf of clients, some of which is highlighted on our testimonials page.
Strong local ties: With offices in Rossville and Chattanooga, our team serves clients throughout the surrounding areas of both Georgia and Tennessee. We have deep roots in these communities and always strive to do right by our friends and neighbors.

Want to learn whether we are the right firm for you? We make it easy to explore your legal options by offering free, no-obligation consultations.

Representing Clients Throughout Northwest Georgia And Southeast Tennessee

Contact Harriss and Hartman Law Firm, P.C., for a free initial consultation by calling 706-406-1649. We will not charge you any fee unless our team recovers compensation for you.