Wrongful death cases are among the most emotionally charged legal matters, often involving grieving families seeking justice for the loss of a loved one. Courts in Ohio strive to ensure these cases are handled fairly, eliminating biases that could impact the outcome. This article explores how Ohio courts work to maintain impartiality in wrongful death claims, the legal safeguards in place, and steps taken to ensure justice is served without prejudice.

Legal Framework Governing Wrongful Death Cases in Ohio

Ohio wrongful death claims are governed by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2125.01, which allows a deceased person's personal representative to file a lawsuit on behalf of surviving family members. The purpose of these claims is to provide compensation for financial and emotional damages resulting from another party's negligence or wrongful act.

Key Elements in an Ohio Wrongful Death Claim

To establish a wrongful death case in Ohio, the plaintiff must prove:

• A duty of care: The defendant owed a legal duty to the deceased.
• Breach of duty: The defendant failed to uphold that responsibility.
• Causation: The breach directly led to the wrongful death.
• Damages: Surviving family members suffered measurable losses, such as loss of financial support, companionship, or emotional suffering.

Since wrongful death lawsuits often involve substantial financial compensation, courts take multiple precautions to eliminate bias and ensure objectivity.

Strategies Ohio Courts Use to Minimize Bias

1. Jury Selection (Voir Dire)

Jury selection plays a massive role in ensuring an unbiased trial. In Ohio, attorneys from both sides participate in voir dire, a process where prospective jurors are questioned about their backgrounds, beliefs, and potential biases.

• Attorneys can challenge jurors for cause if they demonstrate an inability to remain impartial.
• Each side is also given a limited number of peremptory challenges, allowing them to dismiss jurors without stating a reason.
• Courts may sequester jurors in high-profile cases to prevent outside influence from media coverage.

This process helps filter out individuals with preconceived notions that could unfairly sway the verdict.

2. Standardized Jury Instructions

Ohio courts provide standardized jury instructions to guide jurors on how to interpret the law. These instructions, issued by the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure, were designed to prevent personal biases from affecting verdicts.

For example, jurors are instructed to:

• Focus solely on evidence presented in court.
• Avoid speculation or emotional influence.
• Follow a structured legal framework when determining liability and damages.

By using uniform language and clear legal standards, courts prevent jury decisions from being influenced by personal feelings or external factors.

3. Expert Witness Testimony and Cross-Examination

In wrongful death cases, expert witnesses play a significant role in presenting unbiased, fact-based evidence. Medical examiners, accident reconstructionists, and economists provide objective analyses of how the incident occurred and its financial impact.

• Ohio courts ensure that both parties have equal access to experts.
• Opposing counsel is given the opportunity to cross-examine experts, questioning their credibility and findings.
• Judges can exclude biased or unreliable testimony under Ohio Rules of Evidence (Rule 702), which governs expert witness qualifications and methodologies.

This process helps keep emotional arguments in check, making sure that cases are decided on factual, evidence-backed conclusions.

4. Use of Precedent to Maintain Consistency

Ohio courts rely on legal precedents to ensure consistency in wrongful death rulings. Judges reference prior cases to avoid discrepancies in awarding damages or establishing liability.

For example, in Peters v. Columbus Steel Castings Co., an Ohio appellate court reinforced that wrongful death claims need to meet strict evidence standards before being presented to a jury. By adhering to established rulings, courts prevent bias from influencing case outcomes.

5. Objective Calculation of Damages

One of the most contested aspects of wrongful death cases is determining the amount of compensation awarded to surviving family members. To prevent emotional bias from inflating damage awards, Ohio courts follow a structured approach, evaluating:

• Medical expenses and funeral costs
• Lost wages and future earnings potential
• Loss of companionship and emotional suffering

Ohio law discourages excessive punitive damages by capping non-economic damages in certain cases. For instance, Ohio Revised Code 2315.18 limits non-economic damages to three times the total amount of economic damages or a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff in some personal injury claims. However, these caps do not apply in cases involving wrongful death.

6. Judicial Review and Appeals Process

If a party believes bias affected the verdict, Ohio courts allow for post-trial motions and appeals. A judge may:

• Review jury decisions for inconsistencies.
• Order a new trial if improper procedures or biases are identified.
• Adjust damage awards if they appear excessive or unfair.

The Ohio Court of Appeals and Ohio Supreme Court provide additional layers of review to ensure legal standards are upheld and cases are resolved fairly.

Preventing Racial and Socioeconomic Bias in Wrongful Death Cases

Ohio courts also take steps to ensure that wrongful death claims are not affected by racial or socioeconomic bias. Strategies include:

• Diverse jury pools, ensuring fair representation.
• Judicial training on implicit bias, helping judges recognize unconscious prejudices.
• Court monitoring of verdict trends, ensuring consistent damage awards across different demographics.

These efforts promote equal access to justice, ensuring that wrongful death claims are handled based on facts and legal merit, rather than external influences.

Conclusion

Ohio courts have established multiple safeguards to prevent bias in wrongful death cases. Through jury selection, standardized instructions, expert testimony, legal precedents, structured damage calculations, and appellate oversight, they work to ensure fair and impartial proceedings.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating Ohio Wrongful Death claims can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.