Ohio Wrongful Death Attorneys
A loved one's unexpected death can leave your family with financial strain and overwhelming grief. If someone else is at fault for your loved one's death, you may be eligible to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Legally Reviewed by:
Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.
Last Updated:
- April 28, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Is Wrongful Death?
- Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
- How Can Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Help?
- Our Ohio Wrongful Death Attorneys
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Ohio?
- What Compensation Can You Receive in a Wrongful Death Case?
- How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out?
- Contact an Experienced Attorney at Gervelis Law Firm Today
At Gervelis Law Firm, we fight for wrongful death victims and their families every day. Our Ohio wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your rights and seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Ohio law defines wrongful death as a person’s death caused by someone else’s wrongful act or negligence. A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the victim’s surviving close family members.
Many scenarios can lead to a wrongful death case, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents, such as car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
- Medical malpractice, such as surgical errors or misdiagnoses
- Birth injuries
- Construction accidents and other workplace incidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
The only party who may file a wrongful death claim in Ohio is the personal representative of the victim’s estate. The personal representative files the claim for the victim’s surviving family members. Family members who are typically eligible to receive wrongful death compensation include:
- Spouse: The victim’s husband or wife may recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
- Children: The victim’s biological or adopted children are entitled to compensation.
- Parents: The victim’s biological or adoptive parents may recover damages. If the parent abandoned their minor child, who is also the wrongful death victim, they may be ineligible for compensation.
- Next of kin: Any next of kin other than the victim’s spouse, children, or parents may seek compensation if they suffered damages.
How Can Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Help?
Your family deserves fair compensation and a sense of justice after your loved one’s untimely death. Our firm can help you seek exactly that. We’ve spent decades fighting for Ohio families and are ready to put that experience to work for you.
You have enough on your plate during this challenging time. We want to ease some of your burden. Our Ohio wrongful death lawyers can handle all the legal details, including:
- Determining who’s at fault for your loved one’s death
- Gathering evidence for a strong claim
- Calculating your family’s damages
- Negotiating a settlement with at-fault parties or insurance companies
- Representing you in court if negotiations are unsuccessful
We have deep knowledge of Ohio’s wrongful death laws and how they might affect your claim. When you turn to our attorneys, we’ll take the time to truly understand who your loved one was and how their death has affected you. We’ll pursue the maximum compensation available for your losses while you focus on grieving and moving forward.
Our Ohio Wrongful Death Attorneys
Our team includes three accomplished personal injury attorneys who share a passion for supporting bereaved families.
Mark Gervelis
Founding attorney Mark S. Gervelis is a civil trial lawyer certified by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). He’s a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the nation’s most prestigious groups of trial lawyers. Mark was recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2016.
David Tschantz
Attorney David Michael Tschantz joined our firm in 2011 and focuses his practice on car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Dave, a lifelong Ohio resident, is active in several local professional organizations, including the Mahoning Trumbull County Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Scanlon-Bell Inn of Court in Akron. He was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2014 to 2016.
Stephanie Mehle
Attorney Stephanie M. Mehle joined our firm in 2015. She’s an active member of the Mahoning County Bar Association and the Mahoning and Trumbull County Academy of Trial Lawyers. Stephanie received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law and graduated cum laude.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Ohio?
Ohio’s wrongful death statute of limitations is two years. That means you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim.
Medical malpractice claims have a different filing deadline. If medical malpractice caused your loved one’s death, you must file a claim within one year.
Another common exception to the deadline is the discovery rule. If you didn’t find out that someone else is at fault for the death until a later date, the countdown on the two-year clock may not begin until then.
If you miss your case’s statute of limitations, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Acting quickly also gives our attorneys more time to build a strong case before key evidence starts to fade.
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Wrongful Death Case?
The damages you’re eligible to receive may depend on your relationship to the deceased. Common types of compensation available in wrongful death cases include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses for the care the victim received before their death
- Loss of financial support from the victim
- Loss of services from the victim, such as childcare, elder care, or housework
- Loss of the victim’s companionship, care, protection, advice, guidance, and education
- Loss of prospective inheritance
- Mental anguish, such as grief
How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out?
Each eligible family member will receive an amount proportional to their damages. For example, a surviving spouse or minor child may receive a larger portion of the settlement than the victim’s parents.
After both parties sign a settlement agreement, the insurance company will send the funds to our legal team. We’ll deduct our fees and any money owed to third parties before distributing the remaining funds to the family members.
You may receive your wrongful death compensation as either a lump sum settlement or a structured settlement. With a lump sum settlement, you’ll receive all of the funds at once. With a structured settlement, the funds will be broken down into smaller, regular payments over a period of time.
Contact an Experienced Attorney at Gervelis Law Firm Today
We’re here for you after your family’s tragic loss. If you believe someone else is responsible for your loved one’s death, we want to pursue justice, closure, and compensation for your family.
Our Ohio wrongful death attorneys are ready to explore your legal options and start building a strong claim against the at-fault party. Contact Gervelis Law Firm online or call 866-792-2728 today for a free consultation.
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From our main office in Canfield and offices conveniently located throughout the state, we are uniquely positioned to provide aggressive, experienced and effective legal representation for individuals and families throughout Ohio. Find out how an experienced car accident lawyer can help you with your case. Contact our law firm today.
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