If you’ve recently suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in Columbus, OH, Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC is here to help. Losing a loved one in an unexpected accident is always traumatic. Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, loss of financial support, and more. An experienced Columbus wrongful death lawyer can help you fight for the maximum compensation your family deserves.
Grieving families like yours have trusted our team since we founded our law firm in 2010. Collectively, we have over 71 years of experience in personal injury law. We know how to make a difference in your family’s case.
We’ve already recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Contact our law offices in Columbus, Ohio, or call (614) 587-8423 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC Can Help With Your Columbus Wrongful Death Claim
Losing a loved one is never easy. Knowing that someone else was responsible for your tragic loss only adds to the pain. After all, you’ll know that your loved one’s death was preventable.
Money can’t take away that pain. However, it can ease your financial burden–now and for years to come. Our Columbus personal injury attorneys at Mani, Ellis and Layne, PLLC are prepared to help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
Our lawyers have earned an AV-Preeminent rating for our top-quality legal services. We’ve also been listed by Super Lawyers. These are just a few of the noteworthy accolades our trusted personal injury attorneys have received.
Some of the ways we can help with your case include:
- Conducting an investigation into your loved one’s death
- Shielding you from unfair insurance scare tactics
- Putting together your insurance demand package
- Handling all legal documents and communications with the insurance company
- Calculating the true value of your claim, using expert witnesses as necessary
- Aggressively negotiating with the insurance company for a full settlement
Our Columbus personal injury lawyers are also prepared to fight for your family at trial if necessary. To learn more about our legal services and how we can help you win fair compensation, call us today.
What Is Wrongful Death in Ohio?
Under Ohio wrongful death laws, “wrongful death” is a death caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person or entity.
When someone has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, that right doesn’t disappear because their injuries are fatal. Instead, the victim’s surviving loved ones gain the right to seek justice. If you can prove that your loved one died because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you can seek compensation from those responsible.
Wrongful death cases are handled in civil court. You can seek financial compensation even if the at-fault party didn’t commit a crime. You may also be entitled to compensation even if the at-fault party was charged with a crime and acquitted of criminal charges.
Do you have questions about your legal options after the loss of a loved one? Contact us today to learn more about your right to financial compensation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Ohio?
Under Ohio law, certain parties are presumed to have suffered losses due to the death of an individual.
Parties who automatically have the right to file a lawsuit include:
- Surviving spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Any other family member who can prove they have suffered a direct loss due to the decedent’s death
Note that the decedent’s personal representative actually files the lawsuit for damages. Any compensation that is recovered is distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries.
What Types of Damages Are Available if My Wrongful Death Case Is Successful?
If your case is successful, you can seek compensation for certain economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of the reasonable value of household services performed by the decedent
- Loss of prospective inheritance
- Your family’s pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of “society,” meaning loss of consortium, companionship, care, assistance, and protection
- Loss of a parent’s instruction, guidance, and training
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
In Ohio, the personal representative of a decedent’s estate can also file a survival action. The point of a survival action is to provide compensation that would have been available had the victim survived their injuries.
Examples of the types of damages that may be available in a survival action include:
- Medical expenses incurred between the date of injury and the date of death
- The victim’s lost income during that period
- The victim’s own pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in cases involving gross misconduct or intentional wrongdoing
A survival action may be brought any time the victim remains alive for a period of time after suffering injuries–even if that time was relatively short.
How Much Is My Columbus Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Before taking legal action, many families want to know how much their case is worth.
Many factors will play a role in valuing your wrongful death claim, including:
- The victim’s age at the time of death
- How the victim contributed to the family financially
- How the victim contributed in terms of household services, child care, and more
- The victim’s prior earnings
- Whether the victim’s earnings were likely to increase with time
- The victim’s medical bills and other costs incurred prior to death
- The relationship between the victim and the plaintiffs
- How the victim’s death has impacted your family’s emotional wellbeing
Don’t give the insurance companies the chance to minimize your case value. Call our trusted legal team at Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC for a free case evaluation today. We’ll document your damages, bring in respected experts, and work closely with your family to determine the fair value of your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio?
You shouldn’t have to worry about legal costs during this difficult time. That’s why our team at Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC works on a contingency fee basis.
When you hire us, you’ll never have any upfront costs. Your attorney’s fees are based on a percentage of the compensation we recover in your case. That way, you can hire a trustworthy, top-rated attorney without worrying about financial risk.
What Happens to My Right to Compensation if My Loved One Is Blamed for Their Own Death in Ohio?
Shared fault is often an issue in wrongful death cases.
Under Ohio’s comparative negligence laws, a victim can recover compensation if they are less than 51% responsible. If the insurance company can prove your loved one was at least 51% liable for their own death, you cannot recover compensation for wrongful death.
Remember that the at-fault parties must show proof that your loved one was partly to blame. Our lawyers know how to protect you from unfair allegations of shared fault, so give us a call to learn more about how we can fight for you.
What Causes Most Deadly Accidents in Columbus, Ohio?
Some of the most common causes of fatal accidents in Ohio include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Prescription drug errors
- Drug overdoses, including opioid overdoses
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Negligent security and premises liability
- Intentional assault and criminal homicide
Regardless of the circumstances, our Columbus wrongful death attorneys can help you determine whether you have a valid case. If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, contact us today to get started.
How Do I Prove My Family Deserves Compensation After a Fatal Accident in Ohio?
As with any personal injury case, you must prove that someone else was responsible for your loss before you can recover damages. Because most wrongful death cases involve accidents, that typically means proving negligence.
Negligence means:
- Someone owed your loved one a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty
- The breach directly caused your loved one’s death
- You suffered damages as a result
Different legal theories may be involved depending on the circumstances. For example, if you lost a loved one due to medical malpractice or dangerous property conditions, there are different things you’ll have to prove.
Our lawyers have decades of experience handling complicated claims for compensation. We’ll conduct a full investigation and locate any available evidence that can prove your case. Give us a call today to learn more about your right to take legal action.
How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in Ohio?
In wrongful death cases, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit. If you don’t file your wrongful death claim within two years, you’ll lose your right to sue for damages.
Note that exceptions do exist to the statute of limitations, but only rarely. Contact our law firm as soon as possible to preserve your legal right to take action.
Contact a Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Are you struggling after the unexpected death of a loved one in Columbus? Recovering compensation from the responsible parties can make a world of difference in your life. Call an experienced Columbus wrongful death lawyer at Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC to learn more about your legal options today.
