Find A Wrongful Death Attorney To Provide Caring Support
Last updated on January 20, 2026
In most wrongful death situations, the negligent parties are not held financially accountable because the surviving family members fail to take prompt legal action. Each wrongful death attorney at Leeseberg Tuttle takes pride in fighting for our clients to get the compensation that they deserve in wrongful death situations.
A wrongful death occurs when someone is fatally injured due to the direct negligence of a person, company or other entity. Losing a family member can cause great turmoil within a family, especially when the death is due to someone else’s negligence. When such an incident like this occurs, it’s very important to hire a wrongful death attorney who understands the wrongful death legal process. In most situations, the negligent parties are not held financially accountable because most of the surviving family members fail to take prompt legal action.
Because of the complexities of these kinds of lawsuits, a skilled wrongful death attorney is needed to take on all the issues that may arise. In most states, a representative of the estate must be appointed through probate court before the wrongful death suit is filed. A wrongful death lawyer will help members of the estate by providing information regarding the legal and practical aspects of wrongful death claims and personal injury law in the Columbus area.
Wrongful Death Caused By Medical Malpractice
It is estimated that at least 210,000 patients in U.S. hospitals die each year because of some type of preventable harm as a contributing factor. In fact, the number may be as high as 440,000 deaths each year, according to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety by a NASA toxicologist and patient safety advocate.
Medical care-related deaths cannot always be proven, but that does not mean that the compensation you deserve to recover to help you and your family cope with a tragic loss of life is unobtainable. At Leeseberg Tuttle, we have helped clients throughout Ohio get justice and maximum compensation for past, present and future damages. Our lawyers get answers, and we will thoroughly investigate your claim for signs of preventable errors and departure from the standard of care, including hospital-acquired infections, injuries and fatal accidents.
We collaborate with some of the world’s top medical specialists to find the contributing factors to your loved one’s death and develop a persuasive case based on solid evidence. We even have full-time medical professionals on staff who assist with investigating claims and preparing cases.
Attorney Gerry Leeseberg is certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Whether the cause of death was a medication error, anesthesia error, misdiagnosis, emergency room error or surgical error, we know how to maximize your compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, medical costs and other death benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death In Ohio
We know these situations can leave loved ones with more questions than answers in a wrongful death claim, which is why we want to take this opportunity to answer some of the more common questions we receive.
Who can file a wrongful death claim?
Every state has its own laws about who is eligible to file a wrongful death claim. In Ohio, only “the personal representative” of the decedent’s estate is able to bring forward a wrongful death lawsuit. Typically, this representative is the surviving spouse of the deceased, but can also be the decedent’s child or the parent of a minor child.
How long can I wait to file a wrongful death claim?
Ohio law grants the personal representative two years from the date of the decedent’s passing to file a wrongful death claim. While this may seem like a long time, it is important to file a wrongful death claim as soon as possible. By not waiting to file a claim, you can ensure that the evidence supporting your claim is more reliable and accessible, and the decedent’s loved ones can also receive the compensation they need sooner.
How can I prove wrongful death liability?
In order to have a successful wrongful death claim, you need to be able to prove that the defendant is liable for the death in question. A strong claim will be able to prove that the defendant acted with negligence or recklessness; those actions resulted in the victim’s death and the decedent surviving family members who have suffered financial damages as a result of the death.
What kind of compensation is there in wrongful death claims?
Our goal as your legal representation is to maximize the compensation you receive in your claim. Fair compensation for wrongful death should include the full economic and noneconomic consequences of your loved one’s death, such as the costs of medical and funeral expenses, the loss of the decedent’s financial contributions, loss of consortium and pain in the suffering.
Will there be a trial with a wrongful death claim?
Every wrongful death claim is unique and there is no guarantee whether or not a case will automatically go to trial. In most cases, it is preferable for a claim to settle in negotiations so that the plaintiff receives the full and fair compensation they deserve in as little time as possible. If negotiations cannot result in an outcome that the plaintiff deserves, then litigation may be necessary to secure the outcome they deserve. Our goal as your legal representation is to pursue the most favorable outcome and secure it in as little time as possible. Whether your claim can be resolved in negotiations or needs to go to litigation, you can trust that we will be there for you.
How long do wrongful death cases take?
Many different factors can impact the time it takes to resolve a wrongful death claim. It may take several weeks to gather the necessary information in one of these cases, negotiations can drag on for some time without ever reaching a fruitful conclusion, and necessary litigation can take months in court and even longer between multiple court dates. Typically, a wrongful death claim can take between several months to several years to resolve fully. Our goal as your legal representation is to see your case resolved swiftly and effectively without sacrificing the quality of the outcome.
Schedule A Consultation Today
At Leeseberg Tuttle, we take pride in fighting for our clients to get the compensation that they deserve after a wrongful death. Contact us today at 855-445-6266 and speak to one of our law firm’s partners about your case.