Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer

Have you lost a loved one due to the negligence or reckless conduct of another individual? A Columbus wrongful death lawyer at The Fitch Law Firm LLC can help your family pursue the monetary damages you need to cover your economic and non-economic losses after a wrongful death.

Nothing can lessen the pain of losing a loved one. However, receiving the compensation you need and deserve can help you and your family get back on your feet. If you have questions about a possible wrongful death lawsuit, our Columbus personal injury lawyers are prepared to help you find answers. Our team offers free consultations and compassionate representation for families who have lost loved ones.

How Our Columbus Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help With Your Lawsuit

When you work with us to file a wrongful death claim, The Fitch Law Firm LLC will fight to help you obtain a settlement or verdict that is fair and just based on the facts of your loved one’s death.

Our Columbus wrongful death lawyers will worry about your financial future and the complex legal matters associated with a wrongful death lawsuit, so you and your family can focus on healing and moving on with your lives.

We Seek Compensatory Damages for Wrongful Death Survivors

Most damages recoverable in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit are compensatory damages. They compensate family members for their losses, including:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Any remaining medical expenses
• Loss of income from the deceased
• Loss of inheritance and other financial benefits
• Loss of services previously performed by the lost loved one
• Loss of companionship, parental guidance, and other intangible losses
• The mental anguish of the surviving family members

How Much Is Your Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

There are many factors the courts may consider when determining the amount of wrongful death damages to award. These include:

• The amount of money earned by the deceased
• The loss of companionship
• The savings of the deceased
• The degree to which the survivors were financially and/or physically dependent on the deceased
• Medical and funeral costs incurred

If you lost a loved one as the result of someone else’s negligence, it is a good idea to find a law firm with both the experience and the resources necessary to handle your case on your behalf. Our wrongful death lawyers in Columbus are here to help you get the compensation you deserve based on the details of what happened and the evidence available in your loved one’s accident case.

We Have Recovered Millions for Wrongful Death Claimants in Ohio

We are proud of the results we have achieved for grieving families. Some of these outcomes include:

• $5 million for a fatal truck accident
• $5 million for a fatal construction accident
• $1.55 million for a medical malpractice incident

These outcomes reflect our commitment to our clients’ success. Our personal injury attorneys can fight hard for a fair outcome in your case.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire Our Columbus Wrongful Death Attorneys?

One of the most common reasons accident victims fail to secure legal counsel is concern about the cost of hiring an attorney. People often confuse wrongful death attorneys with other lawyers who charge a large fee up front along with a high hourly rate. However, the truth is that our wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. That means:

• Our legal team will only collect a fee if you recover compensation from the liable party.
• This fee will be in the form of a fixed percentage of the compensation you receive.
• If we are unable to secure compensation on your behalf, we will not be paid for our services.
• Using a contingency-fee agreement makes our services more affordable and accessible to anyone in Columbus who wants our help.

We Encourage You to Consider Prompt Legal Action in Your Wrongful Death Case

Ohio has a statute of limitations on all civil lawsuits. These laws dictate how long you have to file your case. Your filing period depends on what type of case you are filing, when your loved one passed away, and other factors.

By promptly connecting with our legal team, you give us time to evaluate your situation and file your lawsuit in accordance with the state’s deadline. We can also start gathering time-sensitive evidence, such as video surveillance footage and witness testimony. Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC today for a free consultation to begin.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Columbus?

When a person dies in a wrongful death accident, those who were dependent on (or a beneficiary of) the deceased may be entitled to monetary damages. However, not all family members can bring this type of claim or lawsuit in a civil court under Ohio law.

Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02 requires the person bringing this action to either be designated as the personal representative in the individual’s will or appointed by the probate court during probation of the estate. Often, this personal representative may be a family member who will also recover compensation through the claim, but this is not always true.

Who Receives Benefits in an Ohio Wrongful Death Legal Action?

Just because you cannot file the case yourself does not mean you cannot receive compensation. Those who generally qualify to receive monetary damages through a wrongful death case include:

• A surviving spouse
• Any surviving children, minor or adult
• The deceased individual’s parents

The distribution of damages after a settlement or trial depends on the individual’s will or the intestate laws that apply. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, our wrongful death attorneys understand how devastating the loss of a loved one can be and the impact it can have on your life, including the financial toll it can take on your family. That is why we are here to help you recover damages.

What Is Considered Wrongful Death in Ohio?

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another person. In general, if the victim could have pursued damages if they survived their injuries, qualifying family members can go after compensation through a wrongful death action.

Wrongful death cases can result from:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Construction accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Dangerous drugs and medical devices
• Pharmaceutical errors

Ohio law determines any restraints, limitations on recovery, or other requirements. The legal professionals at The Fitch Law Firm LLC in Columbus, Ohio, know how to develop support for this type of lawsuit and have handled wrongful death suits throughout the state.

Who Is Liable in a Wrongful Death Case?

One of the first things you must determine before you can recover compensation in a wrongful death case is who is at fault for your damages. Determining fault can often be quite challenging. There are many elements you must establish to prove that another party is liable for the accident that caused your loved one’s death. For example:

• You must show a duty of care. That means the liable party had a responsibility to protect others through cautious behavior. This could mean, for instance, that a driver on North High Street must obey the signs and lights posted there.
• You must show breach of duty. In other words, the at-fault party failed to show reasonable behavior. This could mean making a right turn when they did not have the right of way.
• You must show causation. Our fatal accident lawyers can collect evidence that connects the negligent party’s illegal turn to the resulting crash and prove that the accident would not have happened (or would have been less serious) if they obeyed the law.
• You must establish your damages. We can also gather evidence that proves all of the losses you suffered, including the fact that your loved one’s fatal injuries were a direct result of the driver’s recklessness.

Our wrongful death attorneys in Columbus know exactly what to look for when attempting to prove fault. Our legal team can investigate your case with the dual intention of gathering evidence and proving liability.

What Should You Do After Losing a Loved One in Columbus, Ohio?

You may have many questions about your next steps following your loved one’s passing. Our Columbus wrongful death law firm wants to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. To do this, we ask that you:

• Document your out-of-pocket expenses
• Leave communications to your wrongful death lawyer in Columbus
• Limit your social media use
• Consider the benefits of partnering with our wrongful death team

Document Wrongful Death Expenses

We want to recover every dollar you are owed. It would help if you keep all information related to your losses, including invoices, estimates, billing statements, and receipts. This helps us calculate your losses and negotiate a settlement with the liable insurance company.

That said, it is our job to collect evidence, not yours. We can still help you build your case, even if you no longer have (or never had) all of these materials.

Leave Communications to Your Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer

Even if the insurance company knows you have legal aid, the claims adjuster might still attempt to contact you directly. They may overwhelm you with questions, options, and other matters. You could also get confused parsing through complicated legal jargon. The Fitch Law Firm LLC can protect you by:

• Managing all phone calls, texts, and emails from the liable party’s insurer
• Presenting your case in the best possible light
• Helping you make informed decisions
• Evaluating settlement offers and informing you if any of them are truly fair

You are in a vulnerable position after losing a loved one. You deserve to focus on your health, well-being, and family. Our Columbus law firm can manage everything your case requires during this difficult time.

Limit Your Social Media Use After a Wrongful Death

Sharing information online about your case could come back to haunt you. For instance, if the claims adjuster sees anything related to your damages or fault, they could use this information to dispute your case.

To protect your rights, we encourage you to limit what you share on your social media pages. It is better to wait until after your case is resolved to resume posting on your social media accounts.

Consider the Benefits of Partnering With Our Wrongful Death Team

You do not have to manage the legal process alone. With our team’s help, you can leave your case’s obligations to us. The Fitch Law Firm LLC can evaluate your losses, file your claim, and negotiate a settlement. Our trial-ready lawyers can also litigate your case if the insurer refuses to settle. We are available to provide legal advice to clients 24/7.

These are just some considerations after losing a loved one in Columbus, Ohio. During your free case evaluation, we can explain what other measures could benefit your situation.

Contact a Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer at The Fitch Law Firm LLC

At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we work closely with our clients to ensure they feel comfortable about how we are handling their cases and to let them know we are fighting for their rights. We have a long history of helping the loved ones of wrongful death victims get back on their feet after an accident.

Call us to speak with our compassionate team about your case for free. Our Columbus wrongful death lawyers can even travel to see you if you are unable to come to us.