The death of a loved one changes everything in your life. It’s easy to get lost in grief and then suddenly find yourself dealing with bills you don’t know how to pay. Our Dayton wrongful death lawyers don’t want you to get blindsided by financial woes. That’s why we offer you representation after a loved one’s passing.
Our representation can help you secure the financial aid you need to pay your bills and get justice for a loved one’s death. Cooper Elliott has over 30 years of experience helping families like yours take wrongful death claims to civil court. You can count on our Dayton personal injury lawyers to see your case through.
Wrongful Death Claims Benefit Families
No one tells you how expensive dealing with a loved one’s death can become. Not only are you grieving, but you’re also paying for premortem medical services and a funeral. In some cases, you may also lose a significant stream of income. It’s not fair that you have to shoulder that financial stress on top of your grief.
That’s why wrongful death claims benefit families. A wrongful death claim can help you recover the financial aid you need to pay your bills, but only if you fill a specific role in the deceased’s life. Ohio specifically allows spouses, children, and parents to financially recover from a loved one’s death.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s passing, these parties may also have the right to file survival claims. You can learn more about the difference between survival claims and wrongful death claims when you meet with our team for a consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Dayton, call 614-481-6000
Personal Representatives and Your Wrongful Death Claim
Spouses, parents, and children do not have an inherent right to bring a person’s wrongful death claim forward. Ohio only allows a personal representative or executor to act on behalf of the deceased.
The deceased may have elected a personal representative while they were alive. If so, family members can find the name of that representative in the deceased’s will. However, if the deceased did not elect a representative, the responsibility to do so falls onto Ohio’s probate courts.
Fortunately, most probate courts recognize that family members, friends, and attorneys can best fill the role of personal representative. You can discuss electing a personal representative with a Dayton wrongful death attorney if needed.
Dayton Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 614-481-6000
Let a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Dayton Build Your Claim
You don’t have to file a wrongful death claim without support. Our wrongful death attorneys in Dayton can oversee the legal aspects of your recovery while you grieve. Our decades of legal experience can make navigating the complexities of the civil system easier.
To build your claim, our team can:
Start With a Foundation of Evidence
You cannot hold someone responsible for a loved one’s death without evidence of their negligence. Unfortunately, it can be uncomfortable to go to the scene of a loved one’s accident or even directly interact with the person responsible for their death. Our team is here to offer you a degree of distance while preserving your right to legal action.
We can work with experienced investigators to gather the following:
- Video footage of the accident
- Photos from before and after the accident
- Statements from witnesses
- Statements from medical professionals, emergency responders, and other expert witnesses
- Electronic data
- Physical debris
- Environmental damage
We can then analyze this data to craft the narrative of your loved one’s accident. So long as we meet – or exceed – Ohio’s burden of proof, we can move your loved one’s case forward.
Outline Your Right to Financially Recover
The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to help you financially recover from the loss of a loved one. However, you need to know what support you qualify for before you file your claim. Our attorneys can calculate the value of your possible damages by accounting for the economic and non-economic losses you sustained due to a loved one’s passing.
These losses can often include the following:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Loss of income
- Lost wages while grieving
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
- Premortem medical bills
- Property damage and restoration
During a free consultation with our staff, you can discuss the calculations we use to establish the value of your wrongful death case’s non-economic losses. We strive to keep these conversations as transparent and straightforward as possible.
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Understanding Your Case’s Statute of Limitations
You don’t have forever to file a personal injury claim for someone you lost. Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations controls your right to recover financially. This statute gives you no more than two years to act on your losses.
However, the state does allow for some exceptions. If a deceased person’s personal representative is seriously injured and unable to represent the deceased, then tolling laws may come into effect. Tolling laws allow families to file a wrongful death claim even after the case’s statute of limitations expires.
Tolling laws may also apply if a family doesn’t realize they can file a claim on behalf of a deceased loved one.
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We Support Families After Tragic Accidents
You need someone who will listen to you about the tragedy of a loved one’s death. Cooper Elliott is here and on your side. We always take our clients’ concerns seriously. Our dedication to truth and compassion allows us to draft empathetic claims for families in need.
Are you ready to get justice for a loved one’s wrongful death? Contact our firm today. Your first case consultation comes free of charge and obligation.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
