Illinois Wrongful Death Attorneys

Accidental injuries are a leading cause of death in the United States. A sudden and unexpected fatality can leave families with significant emotional and financial losses, often wondering what their options are for justice.

While a deceased accident victim cannot file a personal injury claim to seek compensation, the law in Illinois gives certain close family members the right to take legal action. However, your family does not need additional stress from this complex process.

If you believe someone else caused your loved one’s untimely death, do not delay in consulting an Illinois wrongful death lawyer from TopDog Law’s legal network. You can count on them to bring justice to your loved one and family.

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It costs absolutely nothing to see if you have a case

Causes of Wrongful Death

Anytime another party’s negligence or intentional conduct causes another’s death, it can lead to a wrongful death claim for compensation.

Some common causes of wrongful death claims include:

Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyer

At TopDog Law, the attorneys in our network handle all of these types of injury claims, including when these incidents lead to wrongful death. They can assess your family’s rights at no cost, so do not wait to speak with a knowledgeable attorney about your claim.

How Wrongful Death Claims Work in Illinois

Wrongful death claims in Illinois provide a legal avenue for seeking compensation when a person’s death happens due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. These claims allow surviving family members to hold responsible parties accountable and receive financial compensation for the damages resulting from losing their loved one.

Eligibility to File

In Illinois, the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, or next of kin can file a wrongful death claim. If none of these individuals are available, a personal representative of the deceased’s estate may initiate the claim.

Time Limit (Statute of Limitations)

The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Illinois is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. It’s crucial to adhere to this timeline, as failing to file within the specified period can result in the claim being barred.

Establishing Liability

To succeed in a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff (the person filing the claim) must prove that the defendant’s negligent or intentional actions were a direct cause of the person’s death. This involves demonstrating that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased, breached that duty, and that the breach directly led to the fatal incident.

Wrongful Death Damages

Wrongful death claims seek to compensate surviving family members for the financial, emotional, and practical losses they have suffered due to the death of their loved one.

Damages you may recover include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Funeral costs
  • Lost income
  • Loss of companionship
  • Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death

Survival Actions

In Illinois, the state allows for both wrongful death claims and survival actions. Survival actions cover the pain, suffering, and other damages the deceased person experienced between the time of injury and death. The estate of the deceased person typically brings survival action claims.

Wrongful death claims can resolve directly through insurance settlements negotiated between the parties or by going to trial. The experienced attorneys in our network can often obtain a favorable settlement, which wraps up the case sooner and allows your family to move on. However, if they need to file a lawsuit and pursue a civil court case, they are ready to do so.

Never Wait to Consult with a Wrongful Death Attorney

Navigating the complexities of a wrongful death claim in Illinois can be challenging, especially during a time of grief. Seeking legal representation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer is always advisable.

A skilled attorney can:

  • Determine whether you have a valid wrongful death claim
  • Guide you through the legal process and handle every step of your case
  • Help you investigate and gather evidence to build a strong case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies for the settlement amount your family deserves
  • Advocate for your rights to ensure that you receive justice for the loss of your loved one

Unfortunately, you cannot trust insurance companies to do the right thing – even if your family suffered a tragic loss. Insurers might question liability and even try to blame your loved one for their own accidental death in many situations. Adjusters may present lowball settlement offers, hoping your family accepts a lower amount and walks away.

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers Illinois

The attorneys in TopDog Law’s network will not allow this to happen when they represent you. Insurance companies know our network attorneys play hardball and value the interests of their clients above everything else. Insurers often make fair offers sooner in the process, as they recognize our network lawyers have the experience, resources, and dedication to do whatever it takes for their clients, including going to court.

It Costs Nothing to Consult an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyers

James Helm, Attorney for Wrongful Death Illinois

When your family already faces financial losses from an unexpected death, the last thing you might consider is paying costly legal fees to hire an attorney. The good news is that you pay no upfront fees to hire an attorney from our network.

Case evaluations are free, and your lawyer covers your case expenses. You have nothing to lose by seeking a consultation with the Illinois personal injury attorneys in TopDog Law’s network. Call us today at (708) 734-6928.

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