- Location: Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- Type of Case: Wrongful Death / Pedestrian Accident
- Settlement Amount: $1,800,000
Case Overview & Firm Perspective
Skolnick Weiser Law Firm represented the family of a 66-year-old pedestrian who was tragically killed after being struck by a public transit bus while lawfully crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. This case involved the death of a vulnerable roadway user and raised serious safety concerns regarding the operation of municipal buses in pedestrian-heavy areas. From the firm’s perspective, the matter underscores the duty of public transit operators to exercise heightened care and the importance of holding government-affiliated entities accountable when that duty is breached.
Geography & Venue Considerations
The incident occurred in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where pedestrian traffic frequently intersects with bus routes operated by regional transit authorities. Wrongful-death claims involving public transportation entities often present additional legal challenges, including statutory notice requirements, procedural hurdles, and defenses that can limit recovery. While Ohio does see pedestrian wrongful-death settlements, many cases involving municipal or transit defendants resolve for mid-six-figure amounts, particularly when liability is contested. Against this backdrop, the $1.8 million settlement achieved in this case stands above many comparable county and statewide outcomes.
Injuries Sustained
The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries as a direct result of being struck by the bus. The force of the impact caused catastrophic trauma, resulting in death at or shortly after the scene. Beyond the immediate physical harm, the loss profoundly affected surviving family members, who were deprived of companionship, guidance, and support. In wrongful-death cases, the full scope of injury extends beyond the decedent to encompass the lasting emotional and relational losses suffered by loved ones.
Treatment, Medical Response, and Expenses
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, and medical efforts were undertaken in response to the collision. As is common in fatal-injury cases, recoverable damages included emergency medical care, end-of-life response costs, and funeral and burial expenses. Skolnick Weiser Law Firm worked closely with the family to ensure that all economic losses were properly documented while remaining sensitive to the emotional toll of the tragedy.
Cause of Injury & Determination of Fault
The evidence established that the bus operator failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a marked crosswalk. Public transit drivers are held to strict safety standards due to the size, weight, and stopping distance of buses. Our investigation demonstrated that the collision was preventable and resulted from operator negligence. By developing clear liability against a regional transit authority, the firm overcame defenses commonly raised in cases involving government-operated vehicles.
Legal Process & Timeline
Following a comprehensive investigation, Skolnick Weiser Law Firm pursued a wrongful-death claim against the transit authority. The case involved careful compliance with statutory requirements applicable to public entities and strategic litigation to position the family for maximum recovery. Through focused negotiation and litigation pressure, the matter was resolved without the need for trial, allowing the family to obtain closure and financial security without prolonged proceedings.
Settlement Amount & Comparative Value
The case resolved for $1.8 million, an outcome that exceeds many pedestrian wrongful-death settlements in Ohio—particularly those involving municipal or transit defendants, where recoveries are often constrained by procedural and liability defenses.
The hidden value in this result lies in securing a substantial recovery against a public transit authority, a context in which many cases settle for significantly less. This settlement reflects Skolnick Weiser Law Firm’s ability to navigate complex public-entity claims, establish clear negligence, and ensure that the life lost was fully valued under the law. The outcome demonstrates the firm’s commitment to achieving results that rise above regional norms and deliver meaningful justice to grieving families.