The unexpected death of a family member is a tragic experience, and when their death resulted from another party’s negligence, you’re likely to have many difficult legal questions that only an experienced Perrysburg wrongful death lawyer can answer. When a loved one dies because of negligence or misconduct, whether it’s a car accident on I-75 or an accident at work, the team at Gervelis Law Firm can help you make sense of your legal options.
The attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Perrysburg and throughout Wood County. When one party’s negligence harms another, this can form grounds for a personal injury case, but when the injury is fatal, this can lead to a wrongful death claim. Our team will explain Ohio’s wrongful death laws as they apply to your situation and provide compassionate legal support throughout your case.
Some of the most common causes of wrongful death cases in Perrysburg include motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, workplace accidents, and acts of violence. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 1,077 fatal vehicle crashes statewide in 2024. Falls are a leading cause of accidental deaths in the home and in the workplace each year in the US, and fatal acts of violence can lead to criminal cases as well as wrongful death claims from victims’ families.
Our firm will review the details of your wrongful death case, determine whether you have grounds to claim compensation from another party, and guide you through the process of claiming compensation for your damages. Money cannot replace your lost family member, but the proceeds from a successful wrongful death case can help your family manage the financial effects of this loss, provide a sense of closure, and help you adjust to new circumstances.
A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case. In any personal injury case, the plaintiff must identify the defendant who caused the injury, prove exactly how they caused it, and then show the full scope of their resulting damages. This same basic framework applies to a wrongful death case, but Ohio’s wrongful death laws dictate who may file these claims and the damages available.
While a standard personal injury case aims to secure compensation for the victim, a wrongful death suit aims to secure compensation for the victim’s family. It’s possible to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages, and you will need a skilled attorney’s help to prove the full extent of these damages. Various factors may influence the total potential value of a wrongful death claim in Perrysburg.
Some civil claims for damages in Ohio are resolved through settlement negotiations. The settlement process allows the parties to avoid protracted litigation and have more control over the outcome, but this is not always a viable option for resolving wrongful death cases. Some will need to be litigated, and the Gervelis Law Firm prepares every case we accept for litigation so we are ready to handle this eventuality.
Ultimately, you are likely to have many complex questions in the aftermath of a family member’s wrongful death in Perrysburg. A skilled local attorney can help you understand the process for holding the at-fault party accountable, but you have limited time to file this case. Reach out to Gervelis Law Firm as soon as possible to learn how we can assist you with your wrongful death claim in Perrysburg.
A: To prove negligence in a wrongful death case, you must show that the defendant had a duty of care that they failed to meet, and in so doing caused the victim’s death. The evidence you will need will depend on the nature of the fatal incident in question. For example, proving fault for a fatal car crash could require police reports, witness statements, vehicle computer data, and cell phone records.
A: The penalties for causing a wrongful death in Perrysburg could include more than just liability for the family’s civil damages. If the defendant broke the law, such as by driving under the influence or committing an act of intentional violence, the state is likely to file criminal charges against them. Penalties for criminal offenses in Ohio increase dramatically when the defendant has caused a fatal injury.
A: The compensation you can claim in a wrongful death case can include economic losses like funeral expenses, lost financial support that the victim can no longer provide, and damages to their estate, such as the cost of their final medical treatment. The victim’s family may also recover compensation for their mental anguish and emotional suffering. Your Perrysburg wrongful death attorney can estimate the full potential value of your case.
A: In Ohio, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate is eligible to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the victim’s family. This person is usually designated by the deceased’s estate plan, or the probate court may appoint a personal representative to act as plaintiff on behalf of the estate’s beneficiaries.
A: You should hire a wrongful death lawyer in Perrysburg to have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. Any wrongful death claim will be emotionally challenging for the family, and you are likely to face many unexpected complications as your case unfolds. Working with a skilled local attorney greatly improves your chances of holding a defendant accountable and recovering appropriate compensation for your family’s damages.
Contact Gervelis Law Firm to discuss your case with a trusted Ohio
with a trusted Ohio personal injury attorney.
The attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm have the skills and experience you need on your side to approach a wrongful death case with confidence. Our team has assisted many clients with difficult wrongful death cases, and we’re ready to leverage this experience on your family’s behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Perrysburg wrongful death lawyer and learn more about our legal services.