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 monetary and emotional 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 to your specific situation.
What Type of Recovery Is Available for Wrongful Death?
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 be recoverable, such as:
- 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 death.
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.
Time Limits on Wrongful Death Claims
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 wrongdoers accountable. Let the qualified professionals at Obral, Silk & Associates, LLC put their more than 60 years of combined legal experience to work for you.
Call now for a free consultation.
