Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney
When you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Ohio, you need a compassionate advocate who understands both the emotional and legal complexities of your case. At Chester Law Group, we help families navigate the devastating aftermath of wrongful death while securing the compensation they deserve. Our team of wrongful death lawyers in Columbus, led by David Chester, has handled many of these cases, giving us unparalleled experience in this sensitive field.
Why Work With Us as Your Wrongful Death Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio
- We conduct thorough investigations into all circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
- We document the full financial and emotional impact on your family
- We identify all potentially responsible parties and sources of compensation
- We advance all litigation costs so grieving families never pay upfront
- We refuse to accept inadequate settlements from insurance companies
Advocating for Families When the Unthinkable Happens
Many families don’t fully understand the legal implications of wrongful death claims. Our wrongful death attorneys have extensive experience identifying and documenting:
- Financial losses: Including lost income and benefits.
- Loss of companionship: And consortium.
- Funeral and burial expenses: Covering all final arrangements.
- Medical expenses: Incurred before death.
- Pain and suffering: Experienced by the deceased.
- Emotional distress: Suffered by family members.
Insurance companies and opposing counsel often undervalue the true impact of losing a loved one. Our team knows how to demonstrate these profound losses and find the right experts to substantiate your claim.
“What many lawyers miss in wrongful death cases is that the real value isn’t just in lost income—it’s in the profound suffering of family members left behind. We document how this loss affects each family member’s daily life for years to come. This approach has turned what some lawyers value at $3 million into much larger settlements because we understand what truly matters in these devastating cases.”
–David Chester
How We Reduce Financial Stress for Your Family
- We front all expenses for expert witnesses and accident reconstruction professionals
- We pay for medical experts to establish and document the cause of death
- We never require families to pay litigation costs in advance
- If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing—we absorb all the costs
- We accept challenging wrongful death cases, even those other firms may turn down
5-Step Process for Getting Started With a Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney
- Contact us for a free initial consultation about your loved one’s death
- Meet with an attorney at your home or at our office for a free case evaluation
- Receive guidance on gathering important documents and evidence
- Get immediate protection from insurance companies’ pressure tactics
- Establish a thorough case documenting both economic and emotional damages for all beneficiaries
Our 5-Step Approach to Seeking Justice in Wrongful Death Cases in Ohio
- We quickly preserve and document critical evidence before it disappears
- We comprehensively document all potential damages
- We carefully evaluate your case and develop a winning legal strategy
- We negotiate with all relevant parties, including insurance companies
- We commence litigation when necessary to achieve full justice for our clients
Wrongful Death Resources
DISCLAIMER: When necessary, Chester Law Group with client consent teams up with litigation co-counsel with trial experience in medical malpractice claims to help clients achieve the best results possible. The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the clients’ cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client’s case. Litigation co-counsel is listed where appropriate.
TRAUMATIC INJURY TO MOTHER AND UNBORN CHILD/ CUYAHOGA COUNTY/ PREMISES LIABILITY/ WRONGFUL DEATH.
Our pregnant client was severely injured by a motor vehicle while sitting on a bench in front of a commercial establishment. Injuries resulted in a child born with severe brain damage and multiple disabilities. Sadly, the child died within a year of the accident. Liability attached to the premises owner for unsafe condition of the customer parking in relation to the bench. Our investigation uncovered a prior incident and notice to the premises owner of the unsafe condition. Primary recovery from the premises owner for Injuries and Wrongful Death.
Awarded: Total awarded for injuries and Wrongful Death: $985,000
WRONGFUL DEATH: ELDERLY MICHIGAN MAN. ONE-CAR OHIO ACCIDENT. OVER $1,000,000 IN ECONOMIC DAMAGES.
Our client, an elderly Michigan man, was killed when his friend lost control of the vehicle the friend was driving in Ohio. Our client left behind a loving wife and daughter. Economic damages, such as lost wages, were over $1,000,000. The insurance company for the party at fault fought liability and injury causation during litigation but a settlement was reached in January 2014 just before trial.
Awarded: Confidential Settlement; January 2014
WRONGFUL DEATH: ONE-CAR ACCIDENT: HUSBAND FROM LEBANON, OHIO KILLED. CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT.
Our client, a male Ohio resident from Lebanon, Ohio, was killed in a one-car accident while he was a passenger in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle lost control and all four people in the vehicle were killed. Our sincere condolences go out to his family. There was not enough auto insurance.
Settlement: Insurance limits; February 2014
CAR ACCIDENT: WRONGFUL DEATH: MIDDLE-AGED NORTHEAST OHIO MAN DIED. ALMOST $900,000 IN ECONOMIC DAMAGES.
Our client was a middle-aged man from northeast Ohio. He was killed in an auto accident. His future lost wages and other economic damages totaled almost $900,00. Liability was in doubt on this case. We argued that the party at fault crossed a double yellow line on the road. The case was settled before a jury trial was necessary. Insurance was insufficient. Our sincere condolences to his family. Litigation Co-counsel was Lynn Lazarro.
Settlement: Confidential Settlement; January 2014
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: WRONGFUL DEATH: $850,000; FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE TOXIC KIDNEY STONE.
Our client, an Ohio resident in her eighties, went in for treatment of kidney stones. It was our position that the doctor did not do the proper testing to determine if the kidney stones were toxic. When the doctor dissolved the kidney stones, the toxic remains killed our client. We co-counseled this claim which settled for $850,000 before trial. There was very little in economic damages due to our client’s advanced age. We are sorry for her family’s loss.
Awarded: $850,000; January 2013
WRONGFUL DEATH: RAILROAD ACCIDENT: 12-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED. CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT.
Our client was a 12-year-old Northwest Ohio boy who was out walking near parked train cars in his backyard. The railroad company moved the trains and ran over the little boy. We argued that the railroad company was negligent for not inspecting the train tracks before moving train cars and for violating their own safety protocols. After extensive litigation discovery, we negotiated a confidential settlement in November of 2013. Liability was very weak. Confidentiality and secrecy are often conditions of settlement in these types of cases. Litigation co-counsel was Larry Scanlon.
Settlement: Confidential Settlement: November 2013
WRONGFUL DEATH; YOUNG WOMAN KILLED IN TRUCK ACCIDENT | LICKING COUNTY WRONGFUL DEATH. INSURANCE POLICY LIMITS.
An 18-year-old female from Newark was in a drunk driving truck accident after a truck being driven by man from Westerville ran a red light. The accident occurred on SR 310 in St. Albans Township. She died while on route to the hospital. In this case there was not enough insurance to come anywhere close to fully compensate the family of the deceased.
This happens quite often in wrongful death cases. The party at fault has little or no insurance or leaves the scene for fear of being arrested. The client does not have enough auto insurance to cover the medical bills or injuries sustained. Most of the time in Ohio, the party at fault has no assets to recover, which makes the bad situation even worse.
Settlement: Insurance Policy Limits
WRONGFUL DEATH: TRAILER CRASH; HUSBAND/FATHER KILLED. INSURANCE POLICY LIMITS.
Our client, an Ohio resident, husband and father, was a passenger in a vehicle pulling an enclosed trailer. The driver of the vehicle failed to negotiate a left hand turn and our client was ejected from the vehicle and subsequently died. We are sorry for his family’s loss. Limited auto insurance.
Settlement: Insurance Policy limits
WRONGFUL DEATH: AUTO COLLISION: 82-YEAR-OLD WOMAN: LEFT OF CENTER IMPACT. INSURANCE POLICY LIMITS.
Our client, an 82-year-old woman from Columbus, Ohio, was killed in an auto collision in Franklin County, Ohio. The party at fault went left of center and struck the vehicle my client was in. Sadly, my client suffered for a period of time after the collision and subsequently died as a result of her injuries. We are sorry for her family’s loss. Insurance was insufficient.
Settlement: Insurance Policy Limits
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Ohio
Our experienced wrongful death attorneys are here to answer your most important questions during this difficult time.
In Ohio, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. However, the lawsuit is filed for the benefit of surviving family members, including spouses, children, and parents. A wrongful death attorney in Columbus can help determine who should serve as the representative and which family members may be entitled to compensation.
You generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio. However, there are exceptions that might remove or shorten this timeframe. It’s crucial to contact us as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.
Families may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost income and financial support
- Loss of services the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs incurred before death
Our team considers every aspect of your loss to maximize the compensation your family deserves.
Every case is unique. The value of your case depends on factors such as:
- The deceased’s age, health, and life expectancy
- Their income and earning capacity
- The nature of relationships with surviving family members
- The circumstances surrounding the death
- Insurance policy limits
Our wrongful death lawyers in Columbus, Ohio, evaluate all these factors to ensure fair compensation.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover money for your family. We advance all litigation costs, including expert witnesses and investigative expenses, so you never pay out of pocket during this difficult time.