When a product or service is responsible for the wrongful death of a consumer, the compensation from a wrongful death claim is necessary for the victim’s loved one’s recovery. However, determining who is liable for that compensation can be a severe challenge.
In 2014, a teenager died of caffeine overdose after consuming an extremely potent blend of coffee that a friend purchased from a major online retailer. Since the teen’s untimely passing, there has been speculation as to who is ultimately responsible for the death.
Holding a party responsible
The manufacturer of a product like this is commonly the target of a liability claim for their defective product. However, this is not how this particular case has unfolded. Since the passing of their child, the parents have filed a lawsuit against the online retail giant. The lawsuit has made its way up to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The parents of the victim argued that the retailer was a critical factor in the sale of the product, and actively promoted the dangerous product. The lawsuit claims that the retailer is liable for the wrongful death because of these actions.
The Ohio Supreme Court is currently still deciding on the lawsuit, so the family of the victim is still waiting on what might come next.
Proving a point is a challenge
When the reckless or negligent actions of another person results in the loss of a loved one, determining the liability of death requires untangling the complicated web of events that led up to the death. An experienced personal injury attorney can help to grieve loved ones through this process.
