Atlanta, GA personal injury attorney Natalie Woodward talks about the damages that may be awarded in a wrongful death case. She explains that in a wrongful death case, damages are determined based on the unique perspective of the deceased regarding the value of their own life. Georgia is notable for considering wrongful death damages in this distinct manner. Damages typically include two components: the estate claim, which covers funeral expenses and estate liabilities, and the wrongful death claim, which reflects the deceased’s self-assessed value of their life.

Georgia applies the standard of the “enlightened conscience of the jury” to establish an appropriate amount for wrongful death damages. In practice, this means that the jury determines what they believe fairly represents how the individual valued their own life, resulting in verdicts that can vary widely depending on the jury’s interpretation.

She notes that different cases—such as the wrongful death of elderly individuals deprived of their final years or young mothers lost in childbirth—require distinct evaluations of the person’s life value. Drawing on her experience handling cases ranging from the death of children to individuals in their 90s, she emphasizes the importance of presenting a holistic view of the deceased. By helping the jury understand the full scope of the individual’s life, her goal is to convey who they were and what was lost when their life was tragically cut short.