Peters v. Columbus Steel Castings Co.

I. Introduction

{¶ 1} This appeal presents the issue whether the personal representative of a decedent’s estate is required to arbitrate a wrongful-death claim when the decedent had agreed to arbitrate all claims against the alleged tortfeasor.

{¶ 2} In July 2003, William Peters (“Peters”) began working at appellant Columbus Steel Castings Company’s steel-forging plant. This case centers on the employment agreement between Peters and the company, which included a Dispute Resolution Plan (“the plan”). Peters signed an agreement to be bound by the plan, in which he indicated, “I understand and…