Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, made even worse when their death is caused by the negligent or intentional acts of another. We want you to know that we are here for you and your family, to fight for justice on your loved one’s behalf and closure for you and your family. Our wrongful death lawyers in Toledo are passionate about holding those responsible for their actions and securing the financial compensation needed to help you and your family deal with the unexpected loss of your loved one.
Slater & Zurz has helped injured victims and their families for over 30 years. We have the knowledge, resources, and dedication it takes to successfully handle wrongful death and other personal injury matters. Our firm has earned a reputation as one of Ohio’s premier law firms because we give every case the attention and commitment it deserves and treat every client as if they were a family member. We take their unjust situation personally and fight aggressively to right the wrong they have experienced.
To learn more about pursuing wrongful death damages in Ohio, we welcome you to reach out to our firm. We will thoughtfully listen to your story, explain your rights, and discuss the legal options available to you, helping you make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Wrongful Death in Ohio
Under Ohio law, when a victim dies due to someone else’s negligent or intentional actions, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate can seek wrongful death damages. The personal representative is an individual appointed as such in a will or trust or by the probate court and represents the interests of the family members entitled to financial compensation. There are generally two types of wrongful death; death caused by intentional wrongdoing and death caused by negligence. Wrongful death cases can involve a wide range of circumstances. Some of the more common causes of wrongful death include:
Car Accidents
Auto accidents are the leading cause of wrongful death actions. Wrongful deaths often occur due to drunk driving, reckless driving, distracted driving, driver fatigue, and hazardous road conditions. Other motor vehicle-related fatalities involve truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
When a loved one becomes a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, it can have fatal consequences. Traumatic brain injuries, malnutrition, dehydration, infections, and medication errors can all lead to the wrongful death of a loved one.
Medical Malpractice
When medical professionals fail to provide adequate care, their actions or inaction can lead to death. Medication errors, failure to treat, surgical errors, birth injuries, and anesthesia errors are common situations that lead to medical malpractice and wrongful death case. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals are individuals often found responsible for wrongful deaths.
Construction and Other Workplace Accidents
When a victim dies due to exposure to toxic chemicals, an equipment malfunction, explosions, fires, or a slip and fall accident, their loved ones may have the right to seek damages in a wrongful death action. At-fault parties may include employers, building owners, and equipment manufacturers.
Product Liability
Death can occur due to poorly designed, manufactured, or marketed products. Designers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of the defective product may be liable for damages.
Premises Liability
When a property owner fails to maintain their property in a way as to prevent injury to others and their actions or inaction lead to an individual’s death, they may be held liable for wrongful death damages. These cases frequently involve slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, pool, and drowning accidents, elevator accidents, and balcony, stair, and walkway collapse.
Seeking Damages in an Ohio Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The grief and frustration following a loved one’s wrongful death can be immeasurable. While a loved one can never be replaced, Ohio law offers closure to the deceased victim’s family members. Wrongful death claims brought by the decedent’s estate are civil suits independent of any criminal prosecution the responsible party may face. Depending on the unique circumstances of your wrongful death suit, damages that may be available to you and your family include:
- Medical expenses incurred before your loved one’s death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s income
- Lost benefits, such as health insurance and retirement
- Loss of your prospective inheritance
- Lost companionship
- Loss of consortium (intimate relationship between spouses)
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
Although rarely awarded in Ohio wrongful death cases, punitive damages are not meant to compensate the plaintiffs. Instead, they are intended to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar actions in the future. Punitive damages are only awarded in situations where the responsible party blatantly disregards human life or whose actions were particularly egregious or abhorrent.
Our Toledo Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help
You can obtain compensation for your losses when you lose a loved one due to a negligent act or intentional wrongdoing. Our team of wrongful death attorneys in Toledo, Ohio, can help you and your family members secure your rightful compensation and ensure justice is adequately served.
We understand you are experiencing an overwhelming period of grief. Knowing your loved one’s death would not have happened if not for the actions or inaction of the responsible party or parties is likely leaving you angry and frustrated. But our attorneys are here to offer you our skilled legal representation and heartfelt support. We will be here for you and your family during the entire legal process and will continue to help you in any way we can – even after your case has been resolved.
We know you will understandably have many questions during the process. That is why we consistently strive to make ourselves available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. Our attorneys take every case personally and utilize our knowledge and resources to secure the outcomes our clients need and deserve.
Our team will carefully investigate the incident that led to your loved one’s death and quickly and accurately identify all responsible parties. We will compile evidence proving liability and showing the full nature and extent of your and your family’s losses, ensuring we secure maximum financial compensation. Although our attorneys consistently obtain full and fair damages on behalf of our clients before trial, we will not hesitate to advocate expertly for justice in the courtroom if needed. When experience and commitment matter, you need the Slater & Zurz legal team on your side.
Experienced Wrongful Death Attorneys in Toledo, Ohio
No family should ever lose their loved one as a result of someone’s careless, negligent, or intentional actions. However, if this has happened to you, know that the dedicated and compassionate Slater & Zurz LLP legal team is here to help you through this difficult time. Our Toledo personal injury lawyers will fully investigate the circumstances that caused your loved one’s death and advocate relentlessly on your behalf to secure compensation for the parties responsible.
We understand that financial compensation does not make up for the loss of your loved one. Although knowing the parties responsible for your loved one’s unjust death are held accountable for their actions may bring you and your family some much-needed closure. If you suffered the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s actions or inaction, we recommend speaking with our attorneys right away. There is absolutely no obligation, and your initial consultation is FREE. You can reach us by calling (419) 658-7171 or contacting us online.