Wrongful Death
The sudden and unexpected death of a loved one can leave entire families devastated and searching for answers. While no amount of money can ever replace the spouse, parent, or child who died, Kentucky and Ohio law do allow the immediate family members of those killed to seek compensation for many of the financial hardships they incur.
Eligible beneficiaries or dependents of a person who was killed because of another party’s negligence or wrongful actions should seek legal representation as soon as possible, as there is a very short period of time in which you are allowed to file these types of lawsuits. Insurance companies often attempt to settle these cases for far less than what the families of victims are entitled to, but an experienced attorney can give you the best chance of recovering all of the compensation you are entitled to.
Cincinnati Wrongful Death Lawyer
If your loved one was killed as the result of another party’s negligence or wrongful acts, Steiden Law Offices can be your voice in court. We can investigate your case and handle of all the necessary paperwork so you and your family can grieve without worrying about legal deadlines.
Our firm serves clients in Hamilton County in Ohio as well as Boone County and Kenton County in Kentucky. Call today to schedule a free, confidential discussion to have our personal injury attorneys review your case and see how we can help.
Kentucky and Ohio Wrongful Death Information Center
- Is there a time limit for filing this type of lawsuit?
- What kinds of cases typically result in these claims?
- What types of compensation can be recovered in these lawsuits?
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Ohio and Kentucky
The rules regarding time limits and which family members can file these types of lawsuits are different in Ohio and Kentucky.
Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02 limits the window for filing a wrongful death claim to two years, although there may be exceptions if there was fraud relating to information about the person’s death. In Ohio, the following people may be entitled to compensation in these types of actions:
- Surviving Spouse
- Surviving Children
- Surviving Parents (NOTE: Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02(A)(1) states that parents who abandoned minor children who are decedents are ineligible)
In Kentucky, family members and personal representatives have only one year to file these types of lawsuits. Under Kentucky Revised Statute § 411.130, surviving family members are awarded damages in the following order:
- Surviving Spouse, No Surviving Children — Whole award to spouse
- Surviving Spouse and Surviving Children — One-half of award to spouse, one-half to children
- Surviving Children, No Surviving Spouse — Whole award to children
- No Surviving Spouse, No Surviving Children — Award equally distributed to surviving parents of the deceased (NOTE: If deceased was adopted, award equally distributed to surviving adoptive parents)
- No Surviving Spouse, No Surviving Children, No Surviving Parents — Award becomes part of deceased’s estate
Types of Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio Wrongful Death Cases
These types of lawsuits can arise from a variety of accidents that include, but are not limited to:
- Airplane crashes
- Assaults or murders
- Automobile accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boat accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dangerous drugs or medical devices
- Defective products
- Motorcycle accidents
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Pedestrian accidents
- Pharmaceutical errors
- Premises liability
- Truck accidents
Kentucky and Ohio Damages for Wrongful Death
Some of the types of compensation that the family members of the deceased may be entitled to can include:
- Any pain and suffering the victim experienced before death
- Direct expenses, such as medical bills and funeral costs
- Loss of support from reasonably expected earning capacity
- Loss of advice
- Loss of assistance
- Loss of attention
- Loss of care
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of counsel
- Loss of education
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of instruction
- Loss of prospective inheritance
- Loss of protection
- Loss of services
- Loss of society
- Loss of training
- Mental anguish
- Punitive damages
Find a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Cincinnati
If you and your family recently lost somebody you love because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, Steiden Law Offices will work to hold that party accountable. We work tirelessly to get justice for the families of people killed in tragic accidents and criminal attacks.
Our firm understands the tremendously difficult time that families are going through in the aftermath of a loved one’s death. Our compassionate attorneys will let you know how we can help during a free consultation when you call.
