Lawson v. Atwood

The case before us presents the narrow question of whether appellant is the “parent of the decedent” for purposes of Ohio’s Wrongful Death Act. For the reasons that follow, we answer the question affirmatively and reverse the decision of the court of appeals.

R.C. 2125.01 et seq. provides a cause of action to certain designated parties for the death of a person which is caused by the “* * * wrongful act, neglect, or default [of another] which would have entitled the party injured to maintain an action and recover damages if death had not ensued * * *.” R.C. 2125.01. R.C. 2125.02 states in…