Reviewed by David Dozier, Managing Partner of Dozier Law Firm · Licensed in Georgia since 1998 · Last updated October 30, 2026
Savannah Wrongful Death Lawyers Who Stand With Coastal Georgia Families
When someone you love dies because of another person’s negligence, your family is left with grief, unanswered questions, and often serious financial strain. Georgia law allows families to hold the responsible parties accountable and to recover the full value of the life that was taken. Our job is to take on the legal fight so you can take care of each other. Dozier Law represents families across Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, and Liberty counties from our Savannah office at 7302 Abercorn Street. Our firm has helped Georgia families since 1966, and our results include a $2,025,000 wrongful death recovery. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee, so your family pays nothing unless we recover money. Free, confidential consultation: call our Savannah office at 912-239-4395.
Fatal Accidents We Handle in the Savannah Area
- Car crashes on I-16, I-95, the Truman Parkway, Abercorn Street, and US-80
- Tractor-trailer crashes involving port and freight traffic
- Motorcycle crashes, including on the road to Tybee Island
- Pedestrian and bicycle deaths downtown and in growing suburbs like Pooler and Richmond Hill
- Medical malpractice, including diagnostic, surgical, and birth-related errors
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- Negligent security at apartments, hotels, parking lots, and businesses
- Boating and drowning incidents and defective products
Two Kinds of Claims After a Death in Georgia
The Wrongful Death Claim
This claim belongs to the family. The surviving spouse brings it first and shares any recovery with the children, receiving at least one-third (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2). If there is no spouse, the children bring it, then the parents. If none of them survive, the estate’s representative may bring it for the next of kin. Damages are measured by the “full value of the life of the decedent,” including both the income and support they would have provided and the intangible value of their life.
The Estate Claim
This claim belongs to the estate and covers medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and the conscious pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death. It is brought by the administrator or executor of the estate, and any recovery passes through the estate. We often pursue both claims together so that nothing is left on the table.
Deadlines That Matter
Most Georgia wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of death (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Some situations can extend that deadline, while claims against a city, county, or state agency require written notice much sooner. Because key evidence such as video footage, phone records, and vehicle data can be lost, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as your family is ready.
What to Expect When You Call Us
- A compassionate, confidential conversation about what happened, at our office or by phone
- An honest explanation of who can bring the claim and what it may be worth
- A thorough investigation, including police reports, records, witness interviews, and expert analysis
- Help opening the estate, if needed, so the estate claim can move forward
- Firm negotiation with insurers and preparation for trial in Chatham County or wherever the case belongs
Why Families Choose Dozier Law
- 60 years of experience representing Georgia families
- Seven-figure results, including a $2,025,000 wrongful death recovery
- A local Savannah office on Abercorn Street
- No fee unless we win, with case costs advanced by the firm
Families in Middle Georgia can contact our Macon wrongful death lawyers.
Savannah Wrongful Death FAQs
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia?
The surviving spouse has the first right to file, sharing the recovery with the children. If there is no spouse, the children may file, then the parents, and then the estate’s representative.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and an estate claim?
The wrongful death claim belongs to the family and recovers the full value of the person’s life. The estate claim recovers medical and funeral expenses and the pain and suffering the person experienced before death.
How long do we have to file in Georgia?
Generally two years from the date of death. Some circumstances can extend that deadline, and claims against government entities require much earlier notice.
Does a criminal case affect our civil claim?
A wrongful death claim is a separate civil case. Your family can pursue it whether or not criminal charges are filed and regardless of the outcome of a criminal case.
How much does a Savannah wrongful death lawyer cost?
Dozier Law works on a contingency fee. There is no upfront cost, and your family pays no attorney’s fee unless we recover money.
Talk to a Savannah Wrongful Death Lawyer
If your family lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence in Savannah or anywhere on the Georgia coast, call our Savannah office at 912-239-4395 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. This page provides general information about Georgia wrongful death law and is not legal advice. Every case is different, so please contact an attorney about your situation.
