Understanding Loss of Consortium Claims in Ohio
When someone is seriously injured or killed due to another person’s negligence, the victim isn’t the only one who suffers. Spouses and close family members often experience deep emotional and relational losses — ones that go beyond medical bills or missed work. In Ohio, these injuries can give rise to a loss of consortium claim.
At Plymale Partnership, our Columbus personal injury attorneys help families across Franklin County and Central Ohio pursue compensation for the real and lasting ways their relationships have been affected after a serious accident or wrongful death.
What Is a Loss of Consortium Claim?
Loss of consortium refers to the damage done to a relationship when one partner is injured or killed. It includes the loss of companionship, affection, support, services, and sexual relations that a spouse or close family member would normally expect in their relationship.
Loss of consortium is considered a non-economic damage — meaning it doesn’t have a fixed dollar amount but can still be recovered in a lawsuit.
Who Can File a Loss of Consortium Claim in Ohio?
In Ohio, only a spouse can file a loss of consortium claim related to an injury to their husband or wife. The claim is typically filed alongside the injured spouse’s personal injury lawsuit, or as part of a wrongful death claim.
In certain cases, parents of a minor child may also have a limited right to pursue damages if their child was seriously injured.
When Does Loss of Consortium Apply?
Loss of consortium can be claimed in a variety of serious injury and wrongful death cases, including:
– Car accidents
– Truck crashes
– Motorcycle accidents
– Slip and falls or premises liability
– Medical malpractice
– Workplace injuries
– Wrongful death claims
For example, if a person suffers a traumatic brain injury and is no longer able to interact with their spouse in the same way, the spouse may have a valid claim. Likewise, if a spouse is killed in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, the surviving partner can include loss of consortium damages in the wrongful death lawsuit.
What Damages Are Included in a Loss of Consortium Claim?
Although these claims don’t involve financial losses like medical bills, they reflect deep and meaningful losses that can affect a family for life. Compensation may be awarded for:
– Loss of emotional companionship and comfort
– Loss of affection and intimacy
– Loss of household services
– Loss of shared life experiences
– Strain on the marital relationship
The value of a consortium claim depends heavily on the nature of the relationship before and after the injury, the severity of the injuries involved, and how the loss has changed the couple’s life.
Proving a Loss of Consortium Claim
These claims are emotionally sensitive and require strong, honest documentation. Courts and insurance companies may consider:
– Testimony from the injured person and their spouse
– Counseling records or therapy notes
– Expert opinions from mental health professionals
– Evidence of how household roles, intimacy, and emotional support have changed
At Plymale Partnership, we treat these matters with care, dignity, and privacy — while advocating aggressively for your rights.
Why You Need a Columbus Personal Injury Attorney
Loss of consortium claims are often undervalued by insurance companies. That’s why it’s essential to work with a knowledgeable attorney who understands how to present the emotional, relational, and long-term effects of serious injuries.
Our Columbus-based legal team helps clients across Franklin County and Central Ohio seek full compensation for all damages — including the ones that are hardest to measure.
Talk to a Loss of Consortium Lawyer in Columbus Today
If your spouse has suffered a life-altering injury, or you’ve lost a partner due to someone else’s negligence, don’t navigate this process alone. You may be entitled to file a loss of consortium claim — and we can help.
Contact Plymale Partnership today for a free consultation.
You don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for your family.