Skip to main content

Georgia law

Wrongful Death Laws in Georgia.

Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act allows the surviving spouse, then children, then parents, to recover the full value of the decedent’s life. Actions must generally be brought within 2 years of the death. Georgia separates the wrongful-death claim from the estate’s survival claim for the decedent’s pain and suffering and funeral expenses.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

Guided help

Ask about a wrongful death deadline, right, or next step.

Keep the question grounded in Georgia. FlowLawyers can route you to the statute section, legal aid, attorney search, or a guided workflow when one fits.

Use only the minimum facts needed. This is not legal advice.

Fast paths

The law sections below preserve the citations and source links. Use guided help when you need to move from reading the rule to choosing what to do next.

State law

Statute of Limitations

2 years from date of deathO.C.G.A. § 9-3-33

Georgia wrongful-death actions must generally be filed within 2 years of the date of death.

State law

Key Georgia Statutes

Georgia Wrongful Death ActO.C.G.A. §§ 51-4-1 et seq.

Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act governs who may bring the action and allows recovery of the full value of the decedent’s life, measured from the decedent’s perspective.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.

More in Georgia

Other state law topics.

Personal Injury Laws·Criminal Defense Laws·Family Laws·Immigration Laws·Employment Laws·Bankruptcy Laws·Medical Malpractice Laws·Workers' Compensation Laws·Product Liability Laws·Long-Term Disability & ERISA Laws·Estate Planning Laws·Probate Laws·Real Estate Laws·Landlord & Tenant Laws·Business Laws·Intellectual Property Laws·Tax Laws·Elder Laws·Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Laws·Civil Rights Laws·Domestic Violence Laws·Veterans Legal Services Laws·Healthcare & Benefits Laws·Construction Defect Laws·Insurance Disputes Laws·Premises Liability Laws·Commercial Litigation Laws·Environmental Laws·Securities & Finance Laws·Municipal Laws·Administrative Laws