Wrongful Death in Ohio
No legal claim can replace a lost family member. But a wrongful death claim in Ohio can hold those responsible accountable, secure your family's financial future, and provide a measure of justice. We connect grieving families with compassionate attorneys who handle these cases with care.
What you should know
Under Ohio Revised Code 2125.01, a personal representative of the deceased's estate brings the wrongful death claim. Beneficiaries include the surviving spouse, children, and parents. Damages compensate for loss of support, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. Survivorship claims for the deceased's pre-death pain and suffering are separate.
What typically causes them
- Fatal car and truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Workplace fatalities
- Drunk driving collisions
- Nursing home negligence
Injuries we see
- Loss of life
- Pre-death suffering of the deceased
- Profound emotional and financial impact on the family
Steps to take after a wrongful death
- 1
Open an estate and appoint a personal representative
- 2
Preserve evidence — vehicles, medical records, scene
- 3
Get autopsy and medical records
- 4
Don't speak with the at-fault party's insurance
- 5
Speak with a wrongful death attorney quickly — evidence fades
Wrongful death is a statutory claim brought by the personal representative for the benefit of statutory beneficiaries. It is separate from a survivorship action for pre-death pain and suffering.
Loss of financial support, loss of services, loss of consortium and companionship, mental anguish, funeral and burial expenses. Punitive damages may apply in egregious cases.
2 years from the date of death (R.C. 2125.02). Different from the survivorship claim's deadline.
Don't let an Ohio wrongful death ruin your future.
The clock is ticking on Ohio's 2-year statute of limitations. Get a free, no-obligation case review now.