Cincinnati Wrongful Death Lawyer

When a loved one dies in an accident or from medical malpractice, it often stems from another person or entity's negligent or intentional actions. Surviving family members should seek legal representation to find out if they may recover compensation to help them deal with the financial and emotional effects of their loss.

The Cincinnati wrongful death attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy have the experience and skill to build a strong case to maximize your chances of receiving compensation.

While we understand that compensation cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, it can keep your family financially stable while you try to move forward.

Your initial consultation with our seasoned attorneys is free and our clients are not charged attorney's fees or other legal costs unless we succeed in recovering compensation.

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What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death claims can arise from many types of accidents or catastrophic situations, such as:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Birth injuries
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Defective medications
• Defective medical devices
• Accidents at work
• Construction accidents

To have a valid wrongful death claim, your attorney must establish that negligence caused your loved one's death. The legal definition of negligence is when a person or entity did not exercise reasonable care in their actions, which caused someone to die or suffer an injury.

For example, if someone dies in a traffic accident, you can hold an at-fault distracted or intoxicated driver responsible for their negligence. In the case of a defective product, you can hold the manufacturer or distributor responsible for creating a dangerous product or and not warning consumers.

Our Cincinnati wrongful death lawyers know the laws governing wrongful death in Ohio in detail. We can construct a compelling case that provides strong reasons why your loved one's death was caused by negligence.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To For Wrongful Death

The unexpected death of a loved one has far-reaching effects on the family members left behind. While the emotional damage is the first thing that often comes to mind, surviving family members also lose future financial contributions and must cover the loved one's final expenses.

That is why there are forms of compensation that may be available to surviving family members, such as:

• Lost financial support
• Lost income from the time of the injury until death
• Future retirement savings
• Lost insurance benefits
• Medical expenses
• Final expenses, such as funeral payments
• Pain and suffering
• Lost emotional support

If the negligence that caused your loved one's death was particularly egregious, you may be able to recover punitive damages. This compensation deters other people from engaging in the same kind of negligence.

Calculating the compensation you and your family deserve requires a skilled wrongful death attorney in the area who has access to various experts, from psychologists to financial analysts.

Our legal team has access to these experts, and we have a track record of recovering compensation for families who lost loved ones due to someone else's reckless or intentional actions.

Proving Negligence in a Cincinnati Wrongful Death Case

Our Cincinnati wrongful death attorneys will prove negligence by demonstrating these key elements:

1. Duty of Care: The at-fault party has a responsibility to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to others. For example, truck drivers must operate their vehicles safely.
2. Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet this standard of care. This might involve speeding, medical malpractice, or drunk driving.
3. Causation: The defendant's actions or omissions directly caused the victim's fatal injury. We'll show that the death was a foreseeable consequence of their negligence.
4. Damages: Your Cincinnati wrongful death lawyer will calculate the financial losses suffered by the surviving family members.

Ohio's Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits

In Ohio, plaintiffs must file most wrongful death lawsuits within two years of the incident. Missing the statute of limitations can jeopardize your claim. Contact our Cincinnati wrongful death attorneys to protect your rights and pursue justice for your loved one.

The Cost of a Wrongful Death Case in Cincinnati, OH

Here are some common expenses that surviving family members may face after the wrongful death of a loved one:

• Funeral and Burial Costs: Funeral and burial expenses in Cincinnati can vary widely, but they typically range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. These costs include services, caskets, urns, and other related expenses.
• Medical Bills: If your loved one suffered injuries before passing away, they may have incurred significant medical bills for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and therapy.
• Loss of Earnings: When the deceased was the primary breadwinner, their loss can lead to significant financial hardship for the surviving family. A wrongful death claim may seek compensation for lost wages and future earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: A wrongful death claim may seek compensation for surviving family members’ profound pain and suffering, as well as mental anguish.

While these are some of the primary costs of a wrongful death case, the specific expenses will depend on your case. This is why you need to talk to an experienced wrongful death attorney. They can fully explain the benefits of pursuing legal action.

Beneficiaries of a Wrongful Death Settlement in Cincinnati, Ohio

In a wrongful death case in Ohio, specific individuals may be entitled to compensation through a settlement or verdict.

These beneficiaries typically include:

• Spouse: The surviving spouse of the deceased is often the primary beneficiary.
• Children: Surviving children, regardless of age, may be eligible to receive compensation for the loss of parental guidance, support, and companionship.
• Parents: If the deceased had no surviving spouse or children, their parents may be eligible to recover damages.
• Dependent Family Members: In some cases, other dependent family members, such as siblings or other relatives, may be eligible for compensation.

If you have questions about who may receive compensation in a wrongful death case, please contact our law firm.

Reach Out to a Compassionate Cincinnati Wrongful Death Attorney for Help

Losing a loved one in an accident or other situation caused by someone else's negligence is always tragic. Families have a difficult time accepting the fact that their loved one is gone forever because of a situation that was preventable.

Families who have been through this horrible experience deserve compensation for the many damages they have suffered.

The Cincinnati personal injury lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy will aggressively pursue all of the compensation you deserve. If we cannot obtain fair compensation through negotiations, we have the resources and skills to take your case to court to achieve justice.

We offer an absolutely free, no-obligation consultation with our attorneys to review your claim and discuss your legal rights. Call (513) 224-5461 today.

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