Wrongful Death Compensation – Damages You Can Recover in Georgia

Understanding Georgia’s “Full Value of the Life” Standard

Georgia law uses a unique standard to calculate wrongful death compensation: the “full value of the life” of the deceased. This includes both:

• Economic value: The money the person would have earned over their lifetime, including wages, benefits, and services they would have provided.
  
• Non-economic value: The intangible elements of a life well lived—time with family, personal enjoyment, guidance, and companionship.
  
  

It’s not measured from the survivors’ point of view—it’s about what the person lost by not being able to live out their life. That distinction matters, and it’s one reason why wrongful death compensation in Georgia can vary so widely.

What Financial Losses Are Considered Economic Damages?

The economic component of wrongful death compensation can include:

• Lost future income based on the person’s expected career path, age, and life expectancy
  
• Loss of employment benefits, including health insurance and retirement contributions
  
• Loss of household services, like parenting, caregiving, or home maintenance
  
  

In many cases, we bring in financial experts to model earnings projections, adjusted for inflation, taxes, and work-life expectancy—because juries and insurers need concrete numbers to understand the financial impact of the loss.

Recognizing the Intangible: Non-Economic Losses

You can’t put a price tag on love, but the law asks juries to try. The non-economic part of wrongful death compensation accounts for:

• Lost companionship
  
• Missed life experiences
  
• Emotional value of the person’s presence
  
  

Georgia doesn’t assign these values in a vacuum—jurors hear about who the person was, what they meant to their family, and what they were looking forward to in life. This is where human stories matter as much as financial spreadsheets.

Conscious Pain and Suffering: Claims Through the Estate

Separate from the wrongful death claim itself, the estate can also pursue a survival action—a legal term for damages tied to the time between the injury and the person’s death. If the person suffered before passing, compensation can include:

• Pain and suffering experienced before death
  
• Medical bills related to the fatal injury
  
• Funeral and burial expenses
  
  

Even a short period of conscious suffering may result in meaningful damages. We use medical records and expert testimony to establish this aspect of the case when appropriate.

Can You Recover Punitive Damages in a Georgia Wrongful Death Claim?

Generally, Georgia does not allow punitive damages within the wrongful death claim itself. However, punitive damages may be pursued through the estate if the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional—such as in a fatal DUI crash. In those cases, the estate’s survival action can include a punitive claim designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

How Is Wrongful Death Compensation Distributed Among Family?

The money recovered from a wrongful death claim is distributed based on Georgia’s legal hierarchy:

• The “full value of life” damages go directly to family beneficiaries—spouse, children, parents—as outlined in state law.
  
• Any estate-based recovery (like pain and suffering, funeral costs, or punitive damages) goes to the estate and is then distributed according to the will or Georgia’s intestacy laws.
  
  

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to receive a portion of a settlement, we recommend reading our guide on Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia.

What Affects the Value of a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

No two cases are the same, and the potential value depends on:

• The age, health, and earning potential of the deceased
  
• Their role in the household (e.g., primary earner, caregiver)
  
• The circumstances of the death—juries may award more in egregious cases
  
• The available insurance coverage and the strength of liability evidence
  
  

You might be wondering, “What’s the average wrongful death settlement in Georgia?” The truth is, there is no meaningful average. A young parent with a six-figure salary will have a very different case from an elderly retiree. That’s why every case deserves a thorough, personalized evaluation.

Our Strategy for Maximizing Compensation

At Ugwonali Law Group, we don’t treat these cases as numbers on a page. We work closely with economic experts, physicians, and—most importantly—your family to document:

• Lost earnings, retirement benefits, and financial impact
  
• The full picture of who your loved one was—through stories, photos, and family statements
  
• The pain and suffering experienced before death, when applicable
  
  

Our mission is to honor your loved one’s life by fighting for full, fair compensation—and holding the responsible party accountable.