My Loved One was the Victim of a Wrongful Death, What can I do?
Grappling with the overwhelming emotion and troubling aftermath that comes with the accidental death of a relative is unimaginable. Filing a wrongful death suit on behalf of a loved one does not diminish the emotional stress placed on one relative’s but can relieve the financial burden.
How Long Do I have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death laws in the state of Ohio define a statute of limitations two-years from the date of the accident. Acting in a swift manner to meet this deadline is vital to your case.
What is a Wrongful Death and Who can File?
Wrongful death is more than just an accident. Ohio defines a wrongful death as any death caused by another participants negligence or improper conduct. In this case, there are only a few individuals with the authority to pursue a wrongful death action, they include:
- Children of the deceased
- Parents of the deceased
- Spouse of the deceased
- Grandparents or other living relatives bound through marriage
If any or all these parties have been directly affected by the accident in some form, they may be entitled to compensation.
What Sorts of Compensation can be Claimed?
Your amount of compensation will vary as each case is different from the last and the next. You may be entitled to more than just the accumulated damages due to the loss, such as loss of companionship, pain and suffering, or even punitive damages if the behavior of the negligent party shows a reckless disregard for the life of another human.
Other factors may include:
- The age of your loved on at the time of death.
- The amount of financial support your loved one provided
- Funeral or other medical costs
- If available, insurance coverage.
In any circumstance, acting swiftly is a priority to understanding, investigating, and building your case. Call us today for a free wrongful death consultation.
