Shorewood Wrongful Death Lawyer

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of fault of another person or entity’s wrongful act or negligence. Fortunately, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act permits surviving family members of the deceased to initiate a claim for financial reimbursement. If you have lost a spouse or family member as a result of the wrongful actions of another, an attorney is your ally during this difficult time.

An experienced personal injury attorney can determine your right to recovery, file appropriate documents, and handle negotiations with the insurance carrier. In addition, a Shorewood wrongful death lawyer provides legal advice during all informal or court appearances. Reach out now for the professional assistance you deserve.

Frequent Causes of Wrongful Deaths in Illinois

There are various occurrences that fall under the Wrongful Death Act in Illinois. These include negligence, intentional acts, and criminal acts. The spouse and family of the deceased may be entitled to recover compensation under the Illinois Survival Act, which covers any damages that could have been brought had the decedent survived.

Common causes of wrongful deaths in Illinois include but are not limited to:

• Medical malpractice
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Care facility negligence
• Car, truck, and motorcycle wrecks
• Intentional and wrongful acts

Typically, when a person is found to have been negligent or wrongful, compensation may be owed to the person that was injured or aggrieved. In survival cases, the compensation that would be owed to the decedent may be awarded to the spouse or family members, in addition to damages for wrongful death.

A Shorewood wrongful death attorney would assess the law, determine compensation available in wrongful death and survival actions, distinguish negligent or willful parties, and locate the next of kin. In addition, an attorney initiates negotiations and tenaciously pursues damages from any liable party.

Illinois Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

In the state of Illinois, surviving family members must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years after death or risk completely losing the right to file. There are some exceptions to the Illinois two-year statute of limitations:

• If an escrow account has been established for reimbursement, then the statute takes effect after the account has been established.
• If the incident involved “violent intentional conduct,” the statute of limitation extends to five years from the date of death.
• If the defendant has been charged with other homicides, the statute of limitations comes into effect one year after the close of the homicide case.

A Shorewood wrongful death attorney can accurately determine the statute of limitations in your case, file and serve necessary pleadings and documents, and communicate effectively with all parties and the court.

Wrongful Death Damages

In Illinois, section 2(a) of the Wrongful Death Act allows damages for pecuniary injuries resulting from death of a spouse or close family member by the surviving family members.

Other Illinois damages for wrongful death cases may include:

• Income loss
• Mental anguish
• Loss of services
• Loss of consortium
• Sorrow and anguish of surviving spouse or family member

Dealing with a death is rough on any family, especially if the victim was the primary breadwinner of the household. Prior experience handling wrongful death cases is crucial in achieving a desired result. A wrongful death attorney in Shorewood can identify liable parties, determine liability, and fight for all compensation due to survivors.

Request a Consultation With a Shorewood Wrongful Death Attorney

If you lost a spouse or family member due to a wrongful death incident, a skilled attorney can help determine proper parties, rights, relevant issues, and damages. Call or email today for a free consultation with a Shorewood wrongful death lawyer.