A loved one’s passing can cause profound grief. In cases where a death was unexpected and preventable, the emotional reactions of surviving family members may be especially intense.
Families can sometimes pursue wrongful death lawsuits if negligence or illegal behavior led to someone’s death. Ensuring that grief does not interfere with that legal process is critical for those in need of closure and support after a tragedy.
The right to sue isn’t indefinite
Civil litigation is possible after qualifying tragedies. If enough evidence supports the claim that an individual or business is directly responsible for an individual’s death because of negligence or intentional misconduct, a lawsuit could be possible.
The party at fault for the passing may need to compensate the surviving family members for the economic and non-economic consequences of the tragedy. Successful lawsuits can give families a sense of vindication, as the party at fault faces consequences. It can also alleviate the financial pressure that follows a tragic passing.
Unfortunately, people mired in grief may fail to consider their legal options. By the time their intense emotional reactions subside, they may no longer have the right to file a lawsuit. Georgia typically upholds a strict two-year statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
Families usually only have two years from the date of a person’s passing to begin the legal process. They typically need to discuss the situation and start taking steps to pursue justice well before that two-year statute of limitations expires.
Reviewing the cause of a recent tragedy could help families evaluate their options. An attorney can help people determine if they have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit and can help manage the legal process of holding the party at fault accountable.