If you lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence or intentional actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Springfield can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the responsible party to secure the money you need to cover your losses and aid in your healing process.
At Cooper Elliott, we bring over 100 years of combined experience to your case. We will leverage our extensive knowledge in wrongful death cases to help ensure a favorable outcome. Our team of Springfield personal injury lawyers has a strong track record of winning big for the families of wrongful death victims. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Ohio, only the personal representative of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. However, while only the named representative can file, the money recovered through a successful claim can be distributed among multiple family members.
If the deceased left a will, the personal representative is most likely designated in this document. However, if there is no will, the probate court will appoint a representative to settle the deceased’s estate.
If the deceased was married, their surviving spouse will likely be appointed as the personal representative. If there is no surviving spouse, the court will appoint the next of kin. If there is no suitable next of kin to serve as the personal representative, the court will appoint another party it deems suitable for the task.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Springfield, call 614-481-6000
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Springfield Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
When you hire the legal team at Cooper Elliott, you won’t need to worry about expensive legal fees you can’t afford. Our Springfield wrongful death attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we successfully obtain compensation for your losses. We do not require you to pay to retain our services or bill you for our time.
Instead, we charge a single fee, collected at the conclusion of your case, if we secure money for your losses. This fee is a fixed percentage of the payout from the liable party and is deducted directly from the money recovered, ensuring you never pay anything upfront. Charging this way enables us to assist all families affected by wrongful death, regardless of their financial situation.
We are dedicated to ensuring that hiring legal representation does not add to your financial difficulties. When pursuing damages after a wrongful death, securing legal assistance can be critical. Don’t let financial concerns prevent you from hiring experienced legal support.
Springfield Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 614-481-6000
Damages You May Be Eligible to Claim After a Wrongful Death in Springfield
There are many types of damages family members can receive through a wrongful death case in Ohio. Securing compensation from the responsible party is crucial for covering these costs and helping you through this difficult time.
To help ensure you recover the full compensation to which you are entitled, it’s essential to identify all available compensatory damages and determine whether you qualify for punitive damages as well.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse families for all losses resulting from the wrongful death of their loved one. These include economic damages that directly affect your financial situation, such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Lost income the deceased would likely have earned in their lifetime
- Property damage
In addition to economic damages, you may also be eligible for non-economic damages that affect your quality of life, including:
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney serving Springfield can assist you in securing compensation for these related expenses and more.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in your case if the responsible party acted with intent to cause harm or demonstrated gross negligence. In contrast to compensatory damages, punitive damages are not intended to compensate family members for their losses.
The primary goal when awarding punitive damages is to penalize the at-fault party for the role they played in causing the wrongful death.
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Be Mindful of the Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When seeking compensation through a lawsuit following the death of a loved one, it’s vital to understand the filing deadline for your case. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years. This means you will have two years from the date of death to file the necessary paperwork for your lawsuit or risk losing your right to pursue compensation.
Consulting an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible after the loss is the best way to protect your rights and ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines. Your lawyer will identify any exceptions that may apply and ensure your documents are accurately completed and filed on time.
Hiring a wrongful death lawyer in Springfield shortly after the death of your loved one will help enable them to build a strong case on your behalf. The sooner we can get to work, the more effectively we can collect key pieces of evidence to help establish liability and damages. Additionally, we can take witness statements while their memories of the event are still clear.
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Discover How Our Experienced Wrongful Death Attorneys in Springfield Can Assist You
After the wrongful death of a loved one, enlisting the help of an experienced attorney is one of the best ways to improve your odds of receiving the compensation you need and deserve. At Cooper Elliott, we have successfully recovered over $700 million for our clients. Let us put our extensive experience and knowledge of personal injury law to work to support you in your case.
Check out our case results to discover how we have assisted families dealing with similar losses. Then, get in touch by calling or completing our online contact form to learn how we can help you during a free consultation today.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form