The sudden death of a loved one is a heartbreaking event for family members to suffer through. We fall into a period of grieving and recovery, trying to process what has happened and face the future without someone we held dear. If the death of this family member was the result of negligent action by another party, however, it can be exponentially more difficult to cope with and find closure. These instances of wrongful deaths in Ohio occur as the result of motor vehicle accidents, incidents of medical malpractice, and more.
The idea of dealing with legal issues at the same time as a loss in the family, may almost be sickening. However, the unexpected departure of a loved one can leave you and your family not only with deep sadness, but also facing challenges such as funeral costs, loss of wages and support, and medical bills that are beyond what you can manage alone. Although no amount of compensation can make up for your loss, it is prudent to consider bringing a wrongful death claim to help alleviate the burden.
Damages That You Can Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim
According to Ohio wrongful death laws, immediate family members of the victim have the right to sue the liable party for the emotional and economic losses caused by the death of their loved one. In most cases, however, only one family member is required to serve as a representative for all the beneficiaries. The family representative serves as the plaintiff in the wrongful death case and may be entitled to receive compensation for:
- Loss of earning capacity and financial support;
- Loss of the deceased’s services;
- Loss of care, companionship, guidance, and consortium;
- Loss of future inheritance; and
- Emotional suffering of the surviving family members.
Survival Claims Brought On Behalf Of The Deceased
In addition to seeking damages for a wrongful death, in some cases, family members may also bring up a lawsuit called a survival claim on the behalf of the deceased. Claims such as these can account for any pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before they died.
Seeking Legal Help after the Fatal Accident of a Loved One
At Ohio Car Accident Lawyers , we can help you with any personal injury claims, including ones related to wrongful death and survival claims. We exclusively dedicate all our energies to personal injury law and understand how traumatic dealing with legal issues can be when your world has quickly and dramatically changed. In this time of pain and confusion, we will stand by your side and make sure that the liable party is held accountable for the pain and grief you are suffering.
Our team of attorneys will go beyond merely providing legal counsel. We will do our best to ensure that you and your family understand exactly how the laws apply to your case, what to expect as we move forward, and know all the available options to you during the proceedings. We understand that legal proceedings are the last thing you want to be thinking about during your grieving process. Our car accident lawyers will do everything they can to ease the proceedings and remove the stress so that you can focus on your family.
Learn More About Wrongful Death Actions Today
A wrongful death can leave you grasping for answers. To help answer these questions, we invite you to download a free copy of “Losing Someone You Love: An Ohio Family’s Guide To Wrongful Death”, written by attorney David Chester, or request one be mailed to you. Afterwards, contact one of our wrongful death attorneys by calling 800-218-4243 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. With 19 office locations covering Ohio, including our headquarters in Akron, we are able to help clients throughout the state.
