The accidental or wrongful death of a loved one is already among the most difficult experiences a person will ever face in their lifetime. Realizing that the fatal injury could have been prevented only adds to your devastation.
While there is nothing that can truly make up for this great loss, a wrongful death lawsuit can allow surviving family members to hold the liable party accountable. In many wrongful death cases, the family was dependent upon the deceased for income, care, comfort, guidance, and so much more.
A Dayton wrongful death lawyer from Groth & Associates can draw on 100-plus years of combined experience to seek compensation for your losses. Meet with our personal injury lawyers in Dayton today to learn more.
Understanding Wrongful Death Law in Dayton, Ohio
Under Ohio’s wrongful death statute, a wrongful death is defined as “the death of a person caused by a wrongful act, neglect, or default.” Wrongful death law in Ohio is closely related to personal injury law. A wrongful death lawyer in Dayton can explain the intricacies of the law and help you file a strong claim.
The law recognizes that, if the injured party had survived, they would have been eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party to seek financial compensation for losses. However, since the injury was fatal and the deceased cannot file a claim, the law allows another person to step into the deceased’s shoes to file a lawsuit.
The party that files the wrongful death lawsuit can also seek additional compensation for losses sustained by the surviving family members, like loss of the deceased’s care and companionship. To be clear, a wrongful death claim allows a party to seek compensation for the deceased’s losses, as well as for certain types of losses sustained by the deceased’s surviving family.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Dayton, call (419) 930-3030
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help You
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is devastating, and the legal aftermath can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, our wrongful death attorneys in Dayton can help your family pursue justice and compensation that reflects the impact of your tragic loss.
Having skilled legal guidance at every stage of the legal process will ensure that your claim is built properly and handled with care. A wrongful death attorney can help you by:
- Investigating the cause of death by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with experts
- Identifying liable parties
- Securing medical records, accident reports, surveillance footage, and other important pieces of evidence
- Handling communications with insurers
- Assessing your economic and non-economic losses
- Ensuring that all documents are filed correctly and on time
- Advocating for you in court, fighting for the justice and your much-deserved compensation
- Protecting your rights and ensuring that you are treated with dignity
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Our team has a great deal of experience handling wrongful death cases like yours. We’ve investigated many types of fatal accidents and can use our skills and resources to file a strong, well-supported claim on your behalf.
You can count on our Dayton wrongful death lawyers to thoroughly investigate and file a compelling claim after any of the following fatal incidents:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Nursing home abuse incidents
- Train accidents
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Some states permit a surviving relative of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It is essential to know that Ohio law requires the person who files the suit to be the personal representative of the deceased’s estate.
That personal representative can also be known as the executor of the estate. While that party must be the person who actually files the wrongful death lawsuit, damages are paid to surviving family members. The personal representative of the deceased’s estate is seeking compensation for the losses of the deceased and their family.
In some cases, the personal representative or executor may be a surviving spouse or another relative. A Dayton wrongful death lawyer can provide more information on this process and help you file a successful lawsuit.
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Damages a Dayton Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Pursue for You
Surviving family members may be able to obtain multiple forms of compensatory damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. Depending on your unique situation, our wrongful death lawyers in Dayton may pursue any of the following forms of compensation for you:
- Medical and hospital bills for the deceased
- The deceased’s pain and suffering after the injury and prior to death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of the deceased’s financial support
- Loss of the deceased’s care, guidance, and companionship
- Loss of the deceased’s parenting and household services
- Pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family members as a result of losing the deceased
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Dayton, Ohio
The statute of limitations in a Dayton wrongful death lawsuit is two years. As such, you will have two years from the date of the deceased’s death to ensure that a wrongful death lawsuit is filed. It is important to be clear that the clock on the statute of limitations will begin ticking on the date of death as opposed to the date of the accident.
Sometimes these dates are the same, but in many wrongful death cases, the deceased survives for a certain amount of time before succumbing to injuries. Hire a skilled wrongful death attorney from Dayton, OH, to ensure your lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced and Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorney
Wrongful death cases can be extremely difficult to face. However, it is important for family members to take steps to seek the compensation they need while holding the liable parties accountable for the harm they caused.
At Groth & Associates, we have extensive experience representing clients in a wide variety of injury cases, and we know how important it is to have an experienced and compassionate attorney on your side after a wrongful death. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our dedicated team and begin getting the compassionate assistance you deserve.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form