Can You Sue Someone for Loss of Enjoyment of Life?

Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Personal Injury on July 22, 2026

What You Need to Know

• Loss of enjoyment of life is a type of harm under Ohio injury law.
• Ohio Revised Code § 2315.18 sets rules for these damages.
• Common causes are car crashes, medical errors, and job accidents.
• Proof can include doctor records, witness statements, and personal notes.
• Courts look at your age, injury type, and how long it lasts.

A bad injury does more than hurt your body. Many losses in Columbus and nearby towns never show up on a bill. Missing out on your kids, your job, or the things you love can hurt just as much as the injury. Elk + Elk’s Columbus personal injury attorneys work with hurt people all over Central Ohio who face this kind of loss. Can you sue someone for loss of enjoyment of life? In Ohio, yes, and knowing your rights is the first step to getting what you deserve.

A serious injury can change your job, your family, and your daily routine, not just your health. This page explains what this loss means, how to prove it, and what can affect the money you may get.

Contact Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys

Free case consultation call us 1 (800) 355-6446

What Is the Loss of Enjoyment of Life?

Loss of enjoyment of life means your injury stopped you from doing things that once made life feel good. This is part of pain and suffering, which covers how an injury affects your whole life, not just your bills or lost pay.

A Columbus parent who can no longer coach their child’s team due to a back injury knows this loss well. So does someone from Grove City who once hiked every week but now cannot walk without pain. These are real losses, even when setting a price tag is hard.

This type of loss is not just about pain. It is about what you can no longer do. It covers things like hobbies, sports, time with family, and the simple joy of a normal day. If your injury took those things away, you may have a valid claim. Ohio courts in Franklin County see these types of cases often, and the law is on your side.

Ohio law allows this type of claim under Ohio Revised Code § 2315.18, but it also sets a cap on the amount you can get, so a solid case matters.

Types of Accidents That Can Cause Loss of Enjoyment

Many types of accidents can affect your daily life. We help clients in Columbus, Dublin, and nearby towns like Reynoldsburg and Pickerington:

• Car and truck crashes: Crashes on I-70, I-270, or US-23 can cause brain harm, back damage, and other long-term problems.
• Medical errors: Wrong surgery or a missed diagnosis can cause harm that makes it hard to work or care for your family.
• Job site accidents: Falls and machine injuries on the job can cause long-term pain and loss of movement.
• Slip and fall injuries: Broken sidewalks, dark lots, and unsafe floors near High Street can cause real harm. These injuries often stop people from doing what they once loved.
• Nursing home neglect: Poor care at homes across Columbus can leave residents weaker in body and mind.

The longer an injury affects your life, the stronger your case tends to be. If you are not sure whether your case qualifies, our team can help with a free review.

We serve clients in Columbus and all of Franklin County, including Westerville, Hilliard, Grove City, and more.

Is It Possible to Sue for This Specific Loss?

Ohio law lets hurt people seek money for this loss in a civil case. Section 2315.18 of Ohio law covers this type of loss; it includes pain, suffering, and not being able to do what you used to do each day. Under Ohio Revised Code § 2315.18, these are known as non-economic damages.

To bring this type of case, you must show that someone else caused the harm. That means proving they had a duty to keep you safe, that they failed, and that their failure hurt you. This could mean a driver on Route 315, a Columbus doctor, or a store owner who left a danger in place.

Ohio law caps these losses in most cases; knowing your limit early is a key step. The cap is $250,000 or three times your other losses, up to $350,000. If your injury is very bad, like losing a limb, you may get more.

Not all cases hit that cap. The facts of your case, like how bad the injury is and how long it lasts, shape the number. That is why it helps to talk to a lawyer early. They can look at your case and tell you what to expect.

Our team can help you find out early on if your case may qualify for that higher amount. We offer a free case review with no cost to you.

How to Prove Loss of Enjoyment of Life?

You need more than a bill to prove this loss; you need solid proof that ties the injury to real changes in your life. The three main types are:

• Doctor records: Doctor notes, test results, and care records that show how your injury limits what you can do each day.
• Witness statements: Doctors and health planners can speak to your long-term health and the real cost of your injury.
• Personal records: A journal, photos, and notes from family or friends that show how your life has changed since the injury.

Start your records right away. Columbus lawyers in Bexley and Upper Arlington say early notes carry more weight in court.

Write down how you feel each day. Note the things you can no longer do. Save photos and any notes from your doctor. The more you write down, the more your lawyer has to work with. The sooner you start, the better your chances of building a strong case.

“At Elk + Elk, we’re not just lawyers — we’re Ohioans standing up for Ohio families. When tragedy strikes, we fight to make sure you’re not left to carry the burden alone.”

Jay M. Kelley III - Managing partner

Free case consultation call us 1 (800) 355-6446

Factors That Influence Your Compensation

There is no set number for this type of loss; courts look at the facts of each case, and a few things tend to shape the final amount:

• How bad the injury is: Bad injuries that last a long time often lead to more money, mainly when they cause daily pain.
• Your age: A younger person may get more. More years of their life have been affected, so the loss is greater.
• Life before the injury: If you played sports in Whitehall or worked outside in Gahanna, showing that change helps your case.
• Effect on family life: Not being able to care for your kids or help your family is something Ohio courts weigh.
• How strong your proof is: Good records and solid witnesses tend to bring better results than vague claims alone.

Ohio law caps these damages in most cases, so knowing your limit early is a key step.

Every case is different. Two people with the same injury may get very different amounts based on age, job, and family role. Our team helps clients across Columbus, Gahanna, Whitehall, and the rest of Central Ohio show the full picture of their loss.

Contact Columbus, OH Injury Lawyers Today

If an injury took away the life you once had, you have the right to seek fair pay. Elk + Elk helps hurt people in Columbus, Cleveland, and across Ohio with loss of enjoyment of life claims. We are here to help you move on.

Call 1 (800) 355-6446, fill out our online form, or click here to learn more to talk to our Columbus lawyers now.

Jay M. Kelley III - Managing Partner

Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury attorney in Ohio with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of securing millions in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s comprehensive litigation strategy across state, federal, and appellate courts, drawing on a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay focuses on high-stakes, complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is widely recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.

Free case consultation call us 1 (800) 355-6446