Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Claims In Illinois

People are often uncertain about defining what constitutes a wrongful death, and about their options going forward. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows for survivors to seek damages from the responsible party. Pursuing damages in civil court can be done whether or not the government conducts a criminal case related to the death. A wrongful death action is appropriate when someone was killed due to the negligent actions or omissions of another person. These legal actions are pursued by a lawyer working on behalf of the deceased individual’s estate or certain close family members.

Possible beneficiaries of an Illinois wrongful death claim include:

• Spouse
• Children (legally adopted or natural born children)
• Parents
• Siblings if there are no surviving children or spouse

The Wrongful Death Damages Available To Survivors

While we understand that no amount of money can bring your loved one back, financial compensation may be very important to help your family move forward. Many families face serious economic hardships after the sudden death of a parent or child. Burial costs can surprise many people. Furthermore, losing a source of income can make life very challenging. It’s important to not delay in calling a skilled wrongful death lawyer after the untimely passing of a loved one.

At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we understand how important financial compensation can be for a family that just lost someone close. We have helped many families in this difficult position, and we can help you recover damages for:

• Funeral costs
• Loss of economic support
• Loss of future inheritance
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Loss of parental support
• Grief and suffering

There Are Many Causes Of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

We are constantly in danger of falling victim to an accident caused by a negligent or careless person. These incidents happen every day in Illinois, and victims are generally caught totally by surprise. Your family can be devastated if an accident causes serious injury or even death. It’s very common for people to be uncertain about their options when a terrible accident happens. You may not know who is to blame, or even if you or your family are entitled to compensation. Wrongful death claims can be filed against individuals, corporations, and even the government.

Our attorneys sympathize with your position and are here to answer your questions as well as make the process as seamless as we can. We know that you want to find out exactly what happened in the incident that cost you the life of your loved one. If negligence was involved in your loss, we will help determine who is responsible and build the strongest possible case to hold them accountable.

While no two cases are alike, some of the most common causes of wrongful death are:

• Car accidents – Hundreds of people are killed in car wrecks every year in Illinois. A careless person can cause a devastating accident if they are distracted, intoxicated, or driving recklessly.
• Truck accidents – The causes of deadly truck accidents are very complex and highly technical. You need a skilled lawyer to obtain damages in these hard-fought cases.
• Workplace accidents – People are often killed due to inadequate safety measures at their workplace. No matter what your job may be, your employer must take reasonable steps to keep your workplace safe.
• Medical malpractice – Medical professionals must provide a certain level of care to patients. Unfortunately, people are often killed by careless or unprofessional medical staff.
• Defective products – A poorly made or assembled product can kill someone even if it is properly used. Winning damages in these cases requires legal counsel that can analyze highly technical evidence in your case.

How A Lawyer Can Help if A Loved One Is Killed In An Accident

When a close family member is suddenly taken, it’s very common for people to be uncertain about what steps to take next. You’ll already be dealing with a considerable amount of stress, but a skilled wrongful death lawyer can alleviate a lot of your anxiety and find many of the answers you need.

For instance, the insurance companies will want to end your case quickly, before paying out a large financial settlement. Your lawyer must have experience negotiating with other lawyers and insurance providers while investigating all of the details involved to build a strong case for recovery.

The Illinois courts also consider compensation for different types of surviving beneficiaries. For example, a spouse or minor child of the deceased may be entitled to more in damages than a sibling or adult child. This is based on the survivors’ relationship and dependence on the person who was tragically killed. A skilled wrongful death lawyer will gather sufficient evidence to clearly illustrate your need for adequate compensation.

When pursuing wrongful death settlements, Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., will help you deal with every aspect of the process, including:

• Complying with law enforcement – We will make sure that the police have all the necessary information for any investigations that they are pursuing. Having police records can greatly help us build a strong case for damages.
• Investigating all parties involved – It’s important to determine exactly what parties may hold responsibility for your loved one’s death. Liable people or companies typically do not voluntarily offer information that might result in them having to pay you damages.
• Negotiating with insurance companies – Every insurance company involved will have their own lawyers seeking to reduce any amount of money they pay out to victims. We will make sure you and your family recover the level of compensation they deserve.
• Prepare your case for court – You will not receive a fair settlement offer if the other side does not feel as though your lawyer is willing or able to take your case to court. We have decades of successful trial experience, and will aggressively pursue the best possible outcome.