TYPES OF CASES: Wrongful Death

When a death is caused by the misconduct of another person or entity, it can be called a "wrongful death." This misconduct can be an act of negligence or carelessness or an intentional or reckless act. Sometimes it is the act of a single person, such as a driver or doctor, or it can be the act of a corporation, such as an employer or a drug company.

Ohio law provides for the compensation to the remaining survivors when such a wrongful death occurs, similar to the compensation of a victim who has been injured by similar misconduct. State laws vary in defining who is entitled to compensation for a wrongful death. The 'beneficiaries' or 'survivors' may include the spouse and minor children of a deceased adult, or in the case of a deceased minor child, the parents may be entitled to compensation.