Understanding Ohio’s Personal Injury Laws: A Comprehensive Guide by SELPH LAW
Introduction
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Ohio, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. Navigating the intricacies of Ohio’s personal injury laws can seem daunting. That’s why at SELPH LAW, we’re committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your case. This comprehensive guide covers the fundamentals of personal injury law in Ohio, including time limits for filing a lawsuit, determining fault, and potential damages you may be able to recover.
Statute of Limitations in Ohio
First and foremost, it’s important to know that in Ohio, you have a limited timeframe to file a personal injury lawsuit. Known as the statute of limitations, this law gives you two years from the date of the injury to bring a case to court. If you don’t file within this period, you may be barred from pursuing compensation for your injuries. Exceptions to this rule are rare, and only a qualified attorney can determine if any apply to your case.
Determining Fault: Modified Comparative Negligence
Ohio follows a system of modified comparative negligence, which means that even if you are partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. Importantly, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any damages at all. At SELPH LAW, we fight diligently to present a strong case for our clients, working to minimize any assigned fault and maximize compensation.
Damages in Personal Injury Cases
In a personal injury case, damages are meant to financially compensate you for the losses you’ve suffered due to your injury. In Ohio, these are typically divided into three categories:
- Economic Damages: These are direct financial losses resulting from your injury, such as medical bills and lost wages.
- Non-Economic Damages: These include more subjective losses, like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish. While these damages can be challenging to quantify, they are often a significant component of a personal injury claim.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or malicious. They are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar behavior.
Product Liability Laws in Ohio
If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Ohio, you may have a product liability claim. Ohio law provides for strict liability in these cases, meaning you do not need to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer or seller—only that the product was defective and caused your injury. However, Ohio does impose a cap on non-economic damages in product liability cases, another reason why having skilled representation from a firm like SELPH LAW can make a significant difference in your case.
Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of Ohio’s personal injury laws can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At SELPH LAW, we are dedicated to providing expert representation for injury victims throughout Columbus, Ohio. We have a deep understanding of Ohio’s personal injury laws, and we work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for our clients. If you’ve been injured and need legal guidance, we’re here to help.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a professional attorney for any legal decisions.
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