Wrongful Death Lawyer Cleveland
The death of a loved one can leave many unanswered questions and throw your life into turmoil. Along with the grief, stress, and heartache of your loss, you and your family may suffer a significant financial burden. Medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of day-to-day support with household chores and childcare responsibilities can add up quickly.
If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused your loss, you might be able to bring a wrongful death claim and hold that person, people, or company accountable, providing you with some closure as well as financial compensation for the losses you have incurred.
Many types of accidents and situations can give rise to wrongful death claims, including:
- Vehicular accidents (auto collisions, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more)
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Animal attacks
An experienced attorney can help determine whether or not a lawsuit is appropriate in your specific situation.
Our Cleveland Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help You Assess Damages
In a successful wrongful death claim, the deceased’s family or estate typically receives compensation for his or her medical expenses and funeral costs, but other damages may also be recoverable. Examples include:
- Loss of economic support, which compensates the family for the loss of the decedent’s earnings;
- Loss of services to compensate for the value of housework, yard work, child care, and other contributions the decedent provided;
- Loss of consortium to provide compensation for the loss of the decedent’s care, companionship, advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, and society;
- Loss of the inheritance that the decedent’s spouse or children might have received if he or she had lived; and
- Compensation for mental anguish and emotional distress the surviving family members suffer as a result of the decedent’s untimely passing.
The court will distribute any compensation awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit to the survivors in accordance with Ohio’s inheritance laws and other considerations.
Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Although the time after a loved one’s death can be stressful and emotionally challenging, it is crucial that you seek expert legal advice as quickly as possible because Ohio law limits the time you have to bring your claim. Generally, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible can give you the best chances of preserving evidence, conducting a thorough investigation, and ultimately bringing a successful wrongful death claim against the parties responsible for your loss.
We know this is an overwhelming and painful time for you and your family. We will compassionately work with you to pursue the best possible outcome, and will passionately fight to help you and your family get justice.
When the tragic and unexpected death of a loved one occurs, you owe it to yourself and your family to investigate any wrongdoing and hold said wrongdoers accountable. Let the qualified professionals at Obral, Silk & Pal, LLC put more than 60 years of combined legal experience to work for you.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
If a member of your family has died due to the intentional wrongdoing or unintentional negligence of another, there’s no doubt that your life has been turned upside down. Beyond depression and regret, you may also be facing financial turmoil. If you plan to file a wrongful death claim against the liable party, it is important that you take every step to strengthen your case, because the outcome of this claim could have a major impact on your future.
Having a Cleveland wrongful death attorney in your corner to oversee your case can relieve a lot of the stress on you and your loved ones. Sometimes, a seemingly simple case can devolve into a complex legal battle. Your accident lawyer can handle all of the paperwork, gather evidence, and consult with experts to strengthen your case. Your attorney can also litigate your case if necessary.
Below are a few ways in which a wrongful death lawyer can assist with your claim:
- Estimate Your Potential Recovery: It is common practice for insurance companies to offer a low settlement early on in the hopes that the family will just accept the money. This settlement offer could fall short of the expenses that you have incurred and may still incur in the future. Your attorney will be able to investigate your case thoroughly, collect evidence, review your medical bills, and consider other accident-related expenses to estimate what your potential recovery should be. Your attorney can then advise whether the settlement being offered is fair.
- Collect Important Evidence: Having comprehensive evidence is vital to a successful outcome in a wrongful death case. The insurance company will look for gaps in your evidence and use them to dispute your claim so they can reduce, or even deny, your settlement. Useful evidence includes eyewitness statements, expert witness depositions, photographs of the deceased’s injuries, medical records, pay stubs and tax records that reflect loss of financial support, and receipts for accident-related expenses. Such proof can help prove causation, liability, and damages. Your attorney will review your case and fill any gaps in evidence to strengthen your claim.
- Help You Avoid Common Mistakes: When bringing a wrongful death claim, you have to be careful about what you say and do. The wrong words and actions could lead to a dispute of liability and hurt the outcome of your claim. An experienced attorney can help you avoid detrimental mistakes. Your attorney can also handle all correspondence with the insurer to make sure you don’t say anything that could harm your case.
Free Consultation with a Cleveland Wrongful Death Lawyer
Our wrongful death attorneys have the knowledge and experience to guide you through every stage of the claims process. When you are ready to speak with a member of our team, call 216-529-9377.
