Answers for Families Facing a Wrongful Death Loss

A Fulton County wrongful death lawyer can explain whether a civil claim may apply after a death caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful act. Whether a claim exists depends on the facts of each case. This page explains the basics in plain language. It also covers how a free, confidential first consultation with Slam Dunk Attorney works.

What a Fulton County Wrongful Death Claim Is and Who It Is For

A wrongful death claim is a civil case. It may be brought after a person dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful act.

Georgia’s wrongful death law covers deaths that result from a crime or from criminal or other negligence. Georgia’s wrongful death provisions are found in Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, and how they apply depends on the facts of each case, so consult a lawyer about your situation.

This page covers deaths in Fulton County and across metro Atlanta and Georgia. Slam Dunk Attorney is based in Duluth, Georgia. This page does not describe a Fulton County office. For families searching for a Fulton County wrongful death lawyer, the firm’s Duluth base is the starting point.

It is written for families. That includes surviving spouses, adult children, parents, and other relatives who are grieving. Many people in this position are unsure whether a claim may apply. Whether one applies depends on the facts. A lawyer should review the specifics of your situation.

Incidents Slam Dunk Attorney Handles That Can Lead to Wrongful Death Claims

Slam Dunk Attorney handles several incident types that can, in some cases, lead to a death claim. Each one depends on its own facts. The hazards below are possibilities, not findings about any crash or fall.

• Car accidents: Distraction, speeding, and impaired driving are hazards that may be relevant.
• Truck accidents: Large trucks can have blind spots and longer stopping distances.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders have less physical protection than people in enclosed vehicles.
• Georgia’s pedestrian due-care statute generally requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, and how it applies depends on the facts of each case. Whether it applies to a given crash depends on the facts.
• Premises liability and slip and fall: Fulton County code enforcement standards may be relevant to unrepaired hazards or poor maintenance on some properties.
• Negligent security: Inadequate security where a crime was reasonably foreseeable may be relevant. Georgia’s negligent security rules have specific requirements.
• Nursing home abuse: Care facility failures may be relevant. Georgia may provide certain claims tied to long-term care facility rights, and whether a claim exists depends on the facts.

Dog bite cases are outside this page. For local rules on dangerous or vicious animals, see DeKalb County animal ordinances. If your loss happened in a care facility, the nursing home abuse topic above is the closer fit.

Who May File and What Damages May Be Considered

Georgia law names who may bring a wrongful death action, and the answer depends on the family’s circumstances. A surviving spouse may bring the claim for the death of a spouse or parent. If there is no surviving spouse, a child or children may be able to bring it, depending on the facts, under Georgia’s wrongful death statute (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2; Keais v. Kelley (2026)).

When no one is entitled to bring the action under those sections, an administrator or executor may bring it for the next of kin. Whether an administrator or executor may bring a wrongful death claim depends on the facts of each case, so consult a lawyer about your situation.

The statute describes the recovery as “the full value of the life of the decedent, as shown by the evidence.” Other provisions allow recovery of funeral, medical, and other necessary expenses in some cases. Whether any category applies depends on the facts. No amount or result is predicted here.

Georgia’s apportionment law may reduce damages by a plaintiff’s share of fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33; Quynn v. Hulsey, 310 Ga. 473 (2020)). Georgia’s apportionment statute (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) may limit recovery where a plaintiff shares fault, and how it applies depends on the facts of each case. Exceptions may apply, and the result depends on the facts.

Deadlines are a common concern. Georgia’s general two-year rule for injury actions appears in the Georgia injury limitations statute (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), but exceptions exist and how it applies depends on the facts, so consult a lawyer about your own situation. Wrongful death timing can follow different rules, and exceptions may apply. Please consult a lawyer about your own timeline rather than relying on a general rule.

How the Free Consultation Works: Step by Step

The free first consultation is a confidential conversation. It helps you decide what to do next.

1. Reach out. Use the contact page. Share the date, the place, the type of incident, and your relationship to the person who died.
2. Talk with the lawyer. Peter F. Jaraysi reviews the basic facts. He explains whether the matter may fit the firm’s practice areas. No outcome is promised.
3. Share documents you have. Examples include police or incident reports, medical or facility records, and the death certificate. These are records of the incident and care. Share only what you’re comfortable sharing.
4. Learn the next steps. The lawyer may explain possible timelines. He may also explain what a written fee agreement covers if you choose to proceed.

Scheduling depends on availability. Whether a claim exists depends on the facts of your case.

Fees, Costs, and What the Free Consultation Includes

Slam Dunk Attorney offers a free first consultation that is confidential, with no obligation to continue.

Fee and cost terms are set out in the written fee agreement. Review that agreement before you decide. Ask questions about anything in it.

The consultation is a conversation, not a valuation. The firm does not estimate what a claim is worth.

About Slam Dunk Attorney and Our Team

Slam Dunk Attorney is a personal injury practice based in Duluth, Georgia. It serves people across metro Atlanta and Georgia. The practice covers the incident types listed above.

Peter F. Jaraysi is the responsible lawyer for this practice. Our team includes support staff, such as assistants and office staff. “Our team” refers to the firm and its staff.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Peter F. Jaraysi is the responsible lawyer. Contact Slam Dunk Attorney through the contact page. No outcome is promised, and each case depends on its facts.

Common Questions About Fulton County Wrongful Death Claims