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Losing a loved one because of someone else’s carelessness is heartbreaking and overwhelming. During this difficult time, having a trusted Ohio wrongful death attorney by your side can make all the difference. For over 20 years, The Goldwater Law Firm has helped families nationwide find justice through our partnerships with Ohio personal injury attorneys. Together, we help families hold negligent individuals, companies, and institutions accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
We know you’re facing unimaginable pain, stress, and uncertainty. Our team will listen to your story with compassion, connect you with a law firm partner in Ohio, and help you take the next step toward financial stability and closure. Call us now to get started.
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Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases in Ohio
Wrongful deaths often occur suddenly and without warning, leaving families shocked and searching for answers. Many of these tragedies stem from preventable accidents caused by negligence, carelessness, or corporate misconduct.
Our partners handle wrongful death cases across Ohio involving motor vehicle accidents, such as car, motorcycle, truck, and pedestrian crashes. These cases often result from distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence — actions that put innocent lives at risk. In each instance, a negligent driver or company may be held accountable through a wrongful death claim.
Tragically, mass tort cases, including defective products, dangerous drugs, or exposure to hazardous materials, can also result in the death of a victim. When corporations prioritize profit over safety, the results can be devastating.
At The Goldwater Law Firm, we connect grieving families with experienced co-counsels who can investigate what happened, identify liable parties, and fight for the financial recovery their loved one’s memory deserves.
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The Goldwater Law Firm’s Commitment to Helping Families Through Trusted Legal Partnerships
When tragedy strikes, choosing the right team to stand beside your family can make all the difference. For more than 20 years, The Goldwater Law Firm has formed strategic partnerships with some of the most successful and respected law firms in the country. Through these partnerships, our team introduces families to Ohio wrongful death lawyers who have the skill, compassion, and resources to handle even the most complex cases.
We know that behind every wrongful death claim is a grieving family facing the hardest days of their lives. We treat every client with the dignity and respect they deserve while working tirelessly to pursue justice in their loved one’s memory. If you work with one of our Ohio partners, our co-counsel will handle every part of your case, including:
- Investigating the cause of death and identifying liable parties
- Gathering and preserving crucial evidence such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements
- Working with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and financial experts to build a compelling case
- Filing all required legal documents and negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing your family in court if the case proceeds to trial
With our national reach, deep network of resources, and unwavering commitment to families, The Goldwater Law Firm stands ready to help you find answers, accountability, and peace of mind.
Lost a Loved One Due to Negligence? Find Out Your Legal Options.
The Road to Justice After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death
Filing a wrongful death claim in Ohio is about more than money — it’s about finding justice, securing your family’s future, and holding negligent parties accountable. In the aftermath of your loss, you need an Ohio wrongful death attorney who understands both the emotional weight and legal complexity of these cases.
To recover compensation, lawyers must demonstrate that another party’s negligence directly caused your loved one’s death. This involves showing that:
- The at-fault party owed your loved one a duty of care.
- They breached that duty through careless or reckless behavior; and
- That breach resulted in fatal injuries and measurable losses for surviving family members.
Examples may include a distracted driver causing a deadly collision, a trucking company that failed to maintain safe vehicles, or a manufacturer that sold a defective product.
Potential Compensation for Surviving Family Members
Ohio law allows families to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, reflecting the full extent of the tragedy’s impact. These could include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs related to the fatal injury or illness
- Loss of the deceased’s future income, benefits, and household contributions
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and guidance
- Mental anguish and emotional pain suffered by surviving family members
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse
While no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, these damages play an important role in helping families rebuild their lives and find a sense of closure. To recover them, our co-counsel will guide your family through the legal process—negotiating for a fair settlement and, if necessary, presenting your case in court.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02(A)(1), only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This individual—often named in a will or appointed by a probate court—acts on behalf of the surviving family members who suffered losses from the death.
The law presumes that the surviving spouse, children (including adopted children), and parents of the deceased have suffered damages. Other next of kin may also qualify in certain cases. If your family has not yet appointed a personal representative, one of our law firm partners in Ohio can assist you in guiding the process so that your claim is filed correctly.
There is no “average” settlement amount because every wrongful death case depends on unique factors such as:
- The decedent’s age, occupation, and future earning potential
- The degree of negligence or misconduct involved
- The emotional and financial impact on surviving family members
- The strength of the evidence linking the defendant’s actions to the death
A wrongful death attorney can review the full scope of your losses, often with help from financial experts and economists, to pursue the maximum compensation your family may qualify for.
The length of a wrongful death case in Ohio varies. Some cases settle within a matter of months, while others—especially those involving corporate defendants, disputed liability, or multiple parties—can take a year or longer to resolve. The process typically involves:
- Investigation and evidence gathering, which can include reviewing reports, medical records, and witness statements.
- Filing the lawsuit.
- Negotiation and settlement talks.
- Trial preparation and litigation, if necessary.
Your attorney will keep you updated on the timeline, manage communication with insurers and defense lawyers, and push for a resolution that honors your loved one’s memory and your family’s needs.
Ohio follows the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2315.33. This means your family can still recover damages as long as the deceased was less than 50% at fault for the incident.
However, the total amount of compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to your loved one. Your co-counsel will carefully investigate the evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and challenge any unfair fault assignments to protect your family’s financial recovery.
No. Our law firm partners work on a contingency-fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to start your case. You pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation through a settlement or verdict. This approach ensures every family—regardless of their financial situation—has access to justice after a tragic loss.
In Ohio, wrongful death and survival actions are related but distinct claims.
- A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family members for their emotional and financial losses after a loved one’s death.
- A survival action (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.21) seeks compensation for the decedent’s own damages—such as pain, suffering, and medical bills—sustained between the injury and their death. These damages are paid to the decedent’s estate, not directly to family members.
In many cases, both types of claims are filed together to ensure complete financial recovery for all losses caused by the negligent party.
Get Help From an Ohio Wrongful Death Attorney Today
The loss of a loved one changes everything. While nothing can undo what happened, taking legal action can help protect your family’s future and hold negligent parties accountable. Through our partnerships with respected Ohio wrongful death attorneys, we connect families with experienced co-counsels who understand how to navigate these complex cases and fight for meaningful results.
Your family deserves a team that will stand beside you with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Let us help you take the next step forward — with trusted guidance and no upfront costs. Contact The Goldwater Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen, to help, and to ensure your loved one’s story is never forgotten.