Our Athens wrongful death lawyers know that no amount of money will replace someone stolen from your life. We want you to have as much space as you need to grieve after a loved one’s tragic accident. At the same time, we want to give you the tools you need to get justice for your family’s sudden loss.
Our personal injury lawyers in Athens continually fight on behalf of Buckeyes in need. We’ve won over $700 million on behalf of our clients. Let us do the same for you. You can book a free wrongful death case consultation with our staff today.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Athens?
Ohio only allows a person’s executor, also referred to as a person’s personal representative, to file a wrongful death claim on the deceased’s behalf. A person may elect their personal representative prior to their death. The election process isn’t complicated. All someone has to do is name another person their executor in their will.
Upon a person’s death, their personal representative will take on a range of responsibilities for the deceased’s estate. If the personal representative believes that the deceased died due to someone else’s avoidable negligence, that representative may file a wrongful death claim in their name.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’re someone’s personal representative, don’t panic. You can work with our wrongful death attorneys in Athens to read through the deceased’s final will and testament. If the deceased didn’t elect a personal representative, we can prepare you for the process the state will use to assign the role to an appropriate party.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Athens, call 614-481-6000
Who Benefits from an Athens Wrongful Death Claim?
While only a personal representative may file a wrongful death claim in Ohio, family members can benefit from their lawsuit.
Specifically, the deceased’s parents, spouse, and children, along with other relevant dependents, may receive compensation based on the settlement a representative takes away from a wrongful death claim.
Athens Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 614-481-6000
When Should You Contact an Athens Wrongful Death Lawyer?
We recommend contacting a wrongful death attorney in Athens sooner rather than later. The faster we take on your case, the faster you can get the support you need to compensate for any loss of income or financial stress a loved one’s death introduced to your life.
Moreover, our influence over your case can limit the bad faith behavior you have to deal with when working with insurance companies. We can call out an insurance company’s attempts to take advantage of your grief, especially if a company’s representatives approach you asking for statements about a loved one’s accident.
If you decide to move forward with representation, make sure you get in touch with a team member before Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations expires. The statute of limitations gives you no more than two years to act on a loved one’s behalf.
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How Can You Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim?
There are two different ways to recover damages after a loved one’s wrongful death. If the person responsible for a loved one’s death has a relevant insurance policy, you can file an insurance claim. You can alternatively pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent party.
Either way, you must prove that a liable party:
- Owed your loved one a duty of care
- Violated that duty through avoidable and preventable negligence
- Directly caused the accident that caused your loved one’s death
- Caused you and your family notable economic losses as a result of their negligence
Our team uses a wide range of evidence to make these points. You can count on us to pursue an investigation into your losses while you prioritize your family’s mental and emotional well-being. We’ll keep you updated as our investigators bring together the witness statements, electronic data, video footage, and expert testimony needed to build your case.
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What Damages Can You Include in a Request for Wrongful Death Support?
If you choose to file a wrongful death claim in a deceased loved one’s name, you stand to recover damages based on a loved one’s economic and non-economic losses. These losses exceed what you might receive when filing an insurance claim, as insurance companies rarely allow survivors to recover based on their economic losses.
What losses can you specifically include in your claim? That depends on how a person’s death impacts your financial well-being. Our Athens, OH, wrongful death attorneys have helped survivors like you ask for compensation for:
- Premortem medical care
- Hospice treatments
- Emergency medical care, including ambulance fees
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost income or financial support
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral expenses
If you want to include any of these losses in your request for support, make sure you have evidence tying the losses to your loved one’s deadly accident. Our attorneys can make these connections on your behalf.
How Can You Fight for Wrongful Death Compensation?
You have the right to bring a request for wrongful death damages to court and, subsequently, to trial. However, you don’t have to go to trial to get the financial support you deserve. If a liable party acknowledges their role in your loved one’s fatal accident, you can secure damages in private settlement negotiations.
Unfortunately, our team knows how difficult it can be to look the person responsible for a loved one’s death in the face. We can manage these conversations on your behalf or forgo them entirely, depending on your preferences.
Your Wrongful Death Case Consultation Comes Free of Charge
Ohio’s civil statutes afford grieving families the right to take legal action against parties responsible for a loved one’s death. You can connect with our wrongful death attorneys in Athens, OH, today to discuss the logistics of a loved one’s personal injury case.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to bring a case for compensation forward in civil court. If you’re ready to learn more, you can read about our case results or contact our staff to book a free case assessment.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
