A mass casualty incident can overwhelm families and entire communities in an instant. If you have been affected by a significant accident, disaster, or act of violence in Columbus or throughout Ohio, a Columbus mass casualty lawyer from our personal injury law firm is here to help with a free initial consultation.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Mass Casualty Accident in Columbus?
What Is a Mass Casualty?
A mass casualty incident is an event that results in a number of injuries and/or deaths that overwhelms the available resources of local emergency medical services, hospitals, and first responders. These incidents are defined not by a specific number of victims but by the strain they place on a community’s ability to provide immediate and effective care.
These legal matters are complex, chaotic, and traumatic. Shooting victims and other survivors often face a difficult road to recovery, dealing with physical injuries, emotional distress, and significant financial burdens. A Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you understand the legal process, your rights, and options in such an event.
What Causes Mass Casualties in Ohio?
Mass casualty incidents can stem from a wide range of sources, which can generally be categorized as either natural disasters or events caused by human actions. Both types can have catastrophic consequences for central Ohio communities.
Environmental and Weather-Related Disasters
Ohio is susceptible to various forms of severe weather that can lead to widespread harm. Tornadoes, major floods, blizzards, and derecho wind storms can cause structural collapses, transportation pile-ups, and other dangerous situations that affect many people at once.
Human-Caused and Operational Failures
Unfortunately, many mass casualty events are the result of human negligence or intentional acts. These can include:
Industrial accidents, such as explosions or chemical spills at manufacturing plants
Major transportation crashes involving buses, trains, or multiple vehicles on a highway
Structural failures of bridges, buildings, or event venues due to poor maintenance or design flaws
Acts of violence, such as the mass shooting in Columbus
Fires in crowded public spaces like nightclubs, theaters, or apartment buildings
Common Injuries in Mass Casualty Incidents
The serious injuries sustained in a mass casualty event can be catastrophic injuries and life-altering events, often leading to a wide variety of physical and psychological trauma. Common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, severe burns, internal organ damage, and limb loss.
Beyond the physical wounds, survivors frequently suffer from significant emotional and psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Can Victims of a Mass Casualty Recover Compensation?
Yes, victims of a mass casualty event may be able to seek financial compensation for the severe injuries they have suffered. A Columbus personal injury attorney on our legal team can help you recover damages for a range of losses, providing financial support for your recovery and for those who lost a family member in a fatality.
Compensation can cover:
Current and future medical bills, including covering medical costs of hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if you are unable to return to work
Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
Costs associated with long-term care or permanent disability
Damages for family members in wrongful death claims, including funeral expenses, medical costs, lost wages, and more
The experienced attorneys in our law firm can help you understand the full extent of your losses to ensure you pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
Who May Be Liable for a Mass Casualty Event?
Identifying the liable parties in a mass casualty incident is one of the most complex aspects of these personal injury cases or wrongful death cases. Depending on the circumstances, one or more entities could be held responsible. These may include property owners, event organizers, security companies, product manufacturers, government agencies, or corporations.
What Ohio Laws Address Mass Casualties?
Ohio law provides the legal framework for holding negligent parties accountable through personal injury and wrongful death claims. These laws establish duties of care that individuals and businesses must follow to ensure public safety. Ohio Revised Code § 4399.18 sets the rules for when bars or restaurants can be held liable for injuries, death, or property damage caused by an intoxicated patron. Additionally, specific state and local regulations in Columbus govern building codes, public event safety, and workplace standards. When these rules are violated and cause harm, it can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a civil legal claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Ohio?
Ohio filing deadlines, under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10(A), are strict; most personal injury and wrongful death claims have a two-year limit, but government-related claims may require much shorter notice (sometimes 180 days). Seek legal representation to understand the particulars of your case.
How Can an Attorney Help with My Personal Injury Claim?
After a traumatic event, the legal process can be overwhelming; a Columbus, Ohio, mass casualty lawyer handles the case end-to-end, so you can focus on recovery. Our law office can handle the complexities of your case by investigating the incident, identifying all responsible parties, gathering evidence, and calculating the full value of your medical expenses and other damages. Our attorneys will also negotiate with insurance companies to maximize your insurance claim and are prepared to represent clients in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a mass casualty event, you do not have to face the physical and emotional trauma alone. With a strong track record, our firm provides a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation and explain your legal options for pursuing justice. Contact us today to learn how we can support you.
If you have been affected by a significant accident, disaster, or act of violence throughout Ohio, a Columbus mass casualty lawyer can help.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
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