Personal Injury Claims Among Friends & Family: A Delicate Situation
Posted in: Ohio Personal Injury
KNR Legal Blog
Ohio is no stranger to small plane accidents. They are more common than people may think. Small, personal aircraft have higher rates of accidents, injuries, and fatalities than large commercial planes. When a family loses a loved one in a plane accident, it may be because of pilot error, inadequate maintenance on the craft, or a defective part.
By working with the Ohio airplane accident attorneys of Kisling, Nestico & Redick, families’ gain the legal knowledge and resources they need to investigate the crash and determine who may be liable for their loved one’s death. If another person or business is at fault, families may have the right to file a wrongful death suit to recover compensation.
To learn more about legal options following an airplane crash, call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW.
In February, an individual was killed in a single-seat experimental plane when it crashed into the ground at approximately a 45-degree angle and low speed. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating. The news of this accident follows another tragic crash that led to a considerable search and six fatalities. In late December, a Cessna 525 with six people aboard took off from a Cleveland airport heading for The Ohio State University and vanished from radar. The NTSB preliminary report of the accident found the plane crashed into Lake Erie within a minute of taking off. It took considerable time to search the lake and find the plane’s cockpit voice recorder. The ultimate cause of the crash is still unknown.
Under Ohio law, a person’s estate may be able to file a wrongful death suit if the decedent’s death was caused by a wrongful act or neglect. A consideration is whether the decedent would have been entitled to sue for personal injuries had they lived. If yes, their loved one would have had a right to recover damages for injuries, then the personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the person’s death.
Through a wrongful death claim, the estate can seek:
Any damages obtained during a lawsuit are for the benefit of the decedent’s surviving spouse, children, and parents.
It is devastating to lose a loved one in a plane crash. Airplanes are a common part of many lives, and anyone who flies expects a high degree of safety from the designer and manufacturer of the craft, the maintenance provider, and the pilot. However, a number of things can go wrong when flying. From pilot error to system failures, a small issue in the air can lead to fatal crashes.
Families affected by small plane crashes in Ohio should immediately contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick. As one of the largest personal injury firms in the state, we have experience navigating the investigation and legal claims following a plane crash. We understand the trauma of this unexpected situation, which is why we guide our clients through this difficult time with compassion while tenaciously representing their rights to recover for their losses.
For more information, contact KNR today at 1-800-HURT-NOW.