Learn About Your Family’s Legal Rights After a Fatal Premises-Related Accident from an Experienced Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, it will be important to make sure you have a clear understanding of your family’s legal rights. When fatal accidents result from hazardous property conditions, property owners and tenants can often be held accountable—and hiring a Columbus wrongful death lawyer can be critical for making sure your family has the financial resources it needs for the future.

Our lawyers represent grieving families in fatal premises-related accident cases throughout Ohio. If your family has a wrongful death claim, we can take appropriate legal action on your family’s behalf. We can begin by explaining everything you need to know, and if you decide to move forward with filing a wrongful death claim, we will keep you updated, informed, and involved as necessary throughout the process.

Understanding Families’ Legal Rights After Fatal Accidents on Dangerous Premises

At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we are passionate about assisting grieving families in their times of need. If you have tragically lost a loved one in a fatal premises-related accident in Ohio, we encourage you to keep reading to learn more about your family’s situation and then contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

When Can Families File Wrongful Death Claims in Ohio?

Families can file wrongful death claims in Ohio in a wide range of circumstances. After any type of fatal accident involving dangerous premises, it will be well worth speaking with a Columbus wrongful death attorney about your family’s legal rights. Some examples of potential grounds to file a wrongful death claim include:

Slips, Trips, and Falls from Heights

Falls are among the leading causes of fatal premises-related accidents. When property owners and tenants fail to take the necessary steps to prevent dangerous and deadly falls, they can be held fully accountable under Ohio law.

Accidents Involving Dangerous Construction Sites

Construction sites are often far more dangerous than they should be, and, unfortunately, this means that we regularly represent construction workers and their families. If you have lost a loved one on the job, you may have various options for seeking compensation for your loved one’s death.

Accidents Involving Construction Defects

Construction defects can cause serious and fatal accidents long after the construction process is over. Many dangerous property conditions are the result of construction defects, and these issues provide families with clear legal rights as well.

Accidents Involving Poorly Maintained Premises

Inadequate maintenance is a common issue on both residential and commercial properties. If your loved one’s fatal accident was the result of poorly maintained premises, a Columbus wrongful death lawyer at our firm can explain everything you need to know.

Incidents Involving Inadequate Lighting or Security

Falls, assaults, and other incidents involving inadequate lighting and security can also establish clear liability on the part of the property owner or tenant. These are both issues that can—and should—be addressed, which means that property owners and tenants can—and should—be held accountable.

Electrocutions

Electrical hazards on construction sites and in completed structures can pose fatal risks. If your loved one was fatally electrocuted in Ohio, we can conduct a thorough investigation to determine why the fatal accident happened and who (or what company) is to blame.

Drownings

Drownings, particularly in swimming pools, are alarmingly common accidents that are 100% preventable. In Ohio, residential and commercial property owners have a legal duty to restrict access to their pools, ensure that their pools are safe and provide adequate supervision when necessary.

Amusement Park and Theme Park Accidents

Fatal accidents at amusement parks and theme parks are also much more common than they should be. Simply put, there is no excuse for an amusement park or theme park to put a visitor’s life at risk. We handle wrongful death cases against all amusement parks and theme parks in Ohio.

Accidents Involving Elevators and Escalators

While elevators and escalators operate safely the vast majority of the time, it only takes one issue to cause a fatal accident. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal elevator or escalator accident in Ohio, we are ready to help you and your family.

Accidents Involving Attractive Nuisances and Other Hazards

From unsecured farm equipment and ditches to playground equipment and traps, we handle wrongful death cases involving all other types of property-related hazards as well. No matter what happened, if you have tragically lost a loved one, we are prepared to take action right away.

What Is Involved in Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

If your family has a wrongful death claim for a fatal premises-related accident in Ohio, seeking just compensation for the loss of your loved one will start with identifying the party that is responsible. Depending on the circumstances involved, this could be:

• The Homeowner’s Insurance Company
• The Commercial Property Owner
• A Company that Leased the Dangerous Premises
• A Construction Company or Subcontractor
• An Architecture Firm, Engineering Firm, Inspector or Another Third Party

After identifying the liable party, your family’s Columbus wrongful death attorney will initiate legal action to preserve your family’s ability to go to court; however, resolving your family’s claim will most likely involve dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Along with homeowner’s insurance, various types of commercial liability insurance cover fatal premises-related accidents as well. Your family’s attorney will negotiate for a settlement on your family’s behalf and will only take your family’s case to court if this is what it takes to achieve justice for your loved one’s untimely death.

What Can (and Should) You Expect from Your Family’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Along with knowing what you can expect from the process, it is also important to know what you can expect from your law firm. Here is what you can expect if you choose Malek & Malek Law Firm to handle your family’s wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio:

• A Free, No-Obligation Consultation
• A Clear Understanding of the Damages Your Family is Entitled to Recover
• A Realistic Assessment of Your Family’s Likelihood of Success
• Settlement Negotiations Focused on Your Family’s Best Interests
• Effective Legal Representation in Court if Necessary

We know that you are dealing with extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and we will take this into account during our representation. While we will keep you involved as necessary, we will also do as much as we can without your involvement, and we will work hard to secure a just outcome for your family as efficiently as possible.

FAQs: Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Involving a Fatal Premises-Related Accident

Which Family Members Are Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Ohio?

Under Ohio law, both wrongful death claims and survival claims must be filed by the victim’s personal representative. If the victim prepared a will prior to his or her death, his or her will should name a personal representative. If the victim did not prepare a will, a personal representative will need to be appointed through the probate process.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Ohio?

The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Ohio is two years from the date of death in most cases. However, as evidence can disappear quickly in premises-related accident cases, we strongly recommend that you speak with a Columbus wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.

How Do You File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Fatal Accident on Dangerous Premises?

Filing a wrongful death claim for a fatal accident on dangerous premises is a complex, multi-step process that requires experienced legal representation. It is not a task that you want to try to handle on your own. With this in mind, the first step in the process is to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney who is capable of representing your family effectively.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney?

Hiring a Columbus wrongful death attorney costs nothing out-of-pocket, and it costs nothing at all unless your family’s wrongful death case is successful. At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we handle all wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means that our legal fees (if any) are calculated as a percentage of the amount we help our clients recover.

What if My Loved One Died in a Fatal Accident at a Friend or Family Member’s Home?

If your loved one died in a fatal accident at a friend or family member’s home, filing a wrongful death claim will most likely involve dealing with your friend or family member’s insurance company. Homeowner’s insurance generally covers fatal premises-related accidents, and the purpose of paying for insurance is so that you can use it when you need to. The substantial majority of successful insurance claims settle without going to court, and our attorneys can focus on securing an insurance payout while you focus on being with your family.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If you need to know more about your family’s legal rights after a fatal accident on dangerous premises in Ohio, we invite you to get in touch. Please call 888-444-7440 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.