No family should have to bear the financial burden of a preventable death. When someone you love dies because of another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default, Ohio law gives your family the right to pursue accountability and compensation through a wrongful death claim. The wrongful death attorneys at Steuer, Escovar & Coleman Co. LPA — headquartered right here in Lakewood, OH — combine compassion with aggressive advocacy to protect your family’s rights during the most difficult time in your life. Call (216) 771-8121 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Your Family Needs a Wrongful Death Attorney
The aftermath of a wrongful death is overwhelming. While you are grieving, insurance companies are already working to minimize their exposure. A wrongful death attorney protects your family by:
- Investigating the circumstances of the death and identifying all responsible parties
- Preserving critical evidence before it is lost, altered, or destroyed
- Navigating the probate process to appoint a personal representative if needed
- Calculating the full scope of your family’s financial and emotional losses
- Negotiating with insurance companies who will try to settle for as little as possible
- Taking the case to court when a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Ensuring all claims are filed within Ohio’s strict two-year statute of limitations
Our firm has over 120 combined years of legal experience and has carefully built relationships with local insurance, medical, and legal professionals over decades of practice in Northeast Ohio. We pursue every case with the full resources of our firm. Learn more about our attorneys →
What Ohio Law Entitles Your Family To
Ohio’s wrongful death statute (ORC Chapter 2125) allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to bring a civil action for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, parents, and other next of kin. Recoverable damages include:
- Lost future income the deceased would have earned over their lifetime
- Lost companionship, care, guidance, assistance, protection, counsel, and consortium
- Mental anguish suffered by surviving family members
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses incurred between the injury and death
- Reduction in prospective inheritance caused by the untimely death
- Punitive damages when the death was caused by outrageous, malicious, or intentionally reckless conduct
Our attorneys fight to make sure you receive every dollar to which you are entitled. Each case is evaluated individually, and we tailor our strategy to the specific facts and losses involved.
Wrongful Death Cases We Handle for Lakewood Families
We represent families in wrongful death matters arising from a wide range of preventable tragedies:
Fatal Vehicle Accidents
Deadly car crashes, truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian fatalities, and other motor vehicle incidents caused by negligent, distracted, impaired, or reckless drivers on Lakewood roads and throughout Northeast Ohio.
Workplace Fatalities
Deaths at construction sites, factories, warehouses, and other workplaces. When a third party’s negligence contributed to the fatal accident, a wrongful death claim may be pursued in addition to workers’ compensation death benefits.
Medical Negligence & Malpractice Deaths
Fatal surgical errors, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of life-threatening conditions, medication errors, anesthesia complications, birth injuries resulting in death, and other failures by healthcare providers to meet the accepted standard of care.
Dangerous Property Conditions
Fatal falls, drownings, fires, structural failures, and other deaths caused by unsafe property conditions that owners or managers failed to address or warn about.
Defective Products
Deaths caused by dangerous consumer products, industrial equipment, vehicles, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals with design defects, manufacturing flaws, or inadequate safety warnings.
Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse
Deaths caused by neglect, abuse, inadequate staffing, medication errors, or failure to provide proper care at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other residential care centers.
The Wrongful Death Legal Process: What to Expect
Understanding the legal process can help reduce uncertainty during an already difficult time. Here is what a wrongful death case typically involves:
Step 1: Free Consultation — We meet with your family to understand the circumstances, evaluate the potential claim, and explain your legal options. There is no cost and no obligation.
Step 2: Investigation — We gather evidence, obtain police and medical reports, interview witnesses, consult experts, and identify all potentially liable parties. Preserving evidence early is critical.
Step 3: Estate Representation — If a personal representative has not been appointed, we guide your family through the probate process to ensure someone is authorized to file the claim on behalf of the estate.
Step 4: Filing the Claim — We prepare and file the wrongful death action in the appropriate Ohio court, within the two-year statute of limitations.
Step 5: Negotiation — We negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel to seek a fair settlement. We do not accept lowball offers — we fight for the full value of your family’s losses.
Step 6: Trial (if needed) — If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and present it to a jury. Our attorneys are skilled in litigation and courtroom advocacy.
Step 7: Distribution — Once compensation is recovered, damages are distributed among eligible beneficiaries based on Ohio’s intestate succession laws and the relationship of each family member to the deceased.
Serving Lakewood & Communities Across Northeast Ohio
Our office at 14701 Detroit Ave., Suite 455, Lakewood, OH 44107 is in the heart of Lakewood and serves families from throughout the region, including Downtown Lakewood, Clifton Park, Birdtown, West End, Gold Coast, Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Parma, Brook Park, Ohio City (Cleveland), Detroit Shoreway (Cleveland), and Downtown Cleveland. Click any location for driving directions to our office. We represent families across Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Medina, Geauga & Summit Counties.
About Our Firm & Related Practice Areas
Steuer, Escovar & Coleman Co. LPA has served Northeast Ohio since 1918. Family is our priority — we do not treat you as a file number. We promptly return calls, answer questions, and provide the support and leadership you need in troubled times. Our attorneys handle wrongful death cases alongside a full range of related practice areas:
- 💔 Wrongful Death — claims for families who have lost a loved one to negligence or a wrongful act
- 🚑 Personal Injury — car accidents, truck crashes, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other negligence claims
- ⚖️ Workers’ Compensation — benefits for workers injured or killed on the job in Ohio
- 💰 Social Security Disability — SSD and SSI claims for individuals unable to work due to disability
Wrongful Death Questions from Lakewood Families
1. What is the first thing I should do if I believe a loved one died due to negligence?
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. Evidence can be lost, memories fade, and Ohio’s two-year statute of limitations begins running from the date of death. An experienced wrongful death attorney will investigate the circumstances, preserve critical evidence, and advise you on the strength of your potential claim. Steuer, Escovar & Coleman Co. LPA offers free consultations at (216) 771-8121.
2. Does it matter whether the death was caused by an intentional act or by negligence?
No. Ohio law allows wrongful death claims when the death was caused by the “wrongful act, neglect, or default” of another. This includes both intentional acts (such as assault) and unintentional negligence (such as a car accident caused by a distracted driver). Our attorneys evaluate the specific facts to determine the best legal approach.
3. What is a personal representative, and how is one appointed?
A personal representative is the individual authorized to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. They may be named in the decedent’s will or appointed by the probate court. If no personal representative exists, our attorneys can guide your family through the court appointment process so the claim can proceed.
4. Can grandparents or siblings file a wrongful death claim in Ohio?
Ohio law provides that wrongful death claims are brought for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, parents, and other next of kin. Grandparents, siblings, and other relatives are generally not entitled to damages unless they qualify as “next of kin” and can demonstrate they suffered compensable losses. Our attorneys can assess whether you have standing to pursue a claim.
5. Can a wrongful death claim be filed alongside a criminal case?
Yes. A wrongful death claim is a civil action, separate from any criminal prosecution. The two can proceed simultaneously. The burden of proof in a civil case (“preponderance of the evidence”) is lower than in a criminal case (“beyond a reasonable doubt”), so a successful wrongful death claim is possible even when criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction.
6. How long does a wrongful death case typically take to resolve?
Timelines vary widely depending on the complexity of the case, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months through negotiated settlements, while complex cases involving multiple defendants or disputed liability may take a year or longer. Our attorneys work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while ensuring maximum compensation.
7. What if the deceased person was partially at fault for the accident?
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the deceased was 50% or less at fault, the family can still recover damages, reduced by the deceased’s percentage of fault. If the deceased was 51% or more at fault, recovery is generally barred. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate the facts to build the strongest case for minimal or no fault on the part of your loved one.
8. Are wrongful death settlements taxable?
In general, compensatory damages received in a wrongful death settlement or verdict are not subject to federal income tax. However, punitive damages and interest on the award may be taxable. Tax treatment can be complex, and we recommend consulting a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
9. Can I file a wrongful death claim if my loved one died in a nursing home?
Yes. If your loved one’s death was caused by nursing home neglect, abuse, inadequate care, or medical negligence at a care facility, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. These cases require careful investigation of facility records, staffing, and care protocols. Our attorneys can evaluate the circumstances and advise you on your legal options.
10. How do I schedule a free consultation?
Call (216) 771-8121, toll-free at (800) 369-8121, email ccoleman@steuerlaw.com, or contact us online. Our office at 14701 Detroit Ave., Suite 455, Lakewood, OH 44107 is right in Lakewood. Your consultation is always free, and there is no obligation.
Your Family Deserves Justice. Let Us Help.
You should not have to navigate the legal system while grieving. The wrongful death attorneys at Steuer, Escovar & Coleman Co. LPA are here to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your family. Call (216) 771-8121 or toll-free at (800) 369-8121. Contact us online or email ccoleman@steuerlaw.com. Visit us at 14701 Detroit Ave., Suite 455, Lakewood, OH 44107. Your first consultation is always free and confidential.