Losing a loved one can be overwhelming, and it can be even more difficult when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence. Along with your loss, your family may face emotional and financial burdens. A Bloomington wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help you seek fair compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. Call today for a free consultation.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Wrongful Death Accident in Bloomington?
What Is a Wrongful Death in Bloomington?
A death is considered “wrongful” under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) when it results from another person’s or entity’s negligent or wrongful act. A key factor is whether the death could have been prevented if not for the other party’s actions.
How Can You Prove Wrongful Death in Bloomington, IL?
To prove wrongful death in Illinois, a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney must show four things:
Duty of care: the defendant had a legal duty to act safely.
Breach of duty: they failed to uphold that duty.
Causation: negligent or intentional actions directly caused the person’s death.
Damages: the tragic death led to financial losses (like medical bills) for the surviving family members.
Common Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death in Bloomington
Any fatal accident can lead to a wrongful death claim, but some are more common than others:
Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Medical malpractice cases
Slip and fall accidents (due to negligent property owners)
Workplace accidents
Construction site accidents
Defective products
What Does Not Qualify as a Wrongful Death?
Not every death qualifies for a wrongful death claim, such as those from natural causes or unavoidable accidents. However, if another party’s negligence was a contributing factor, you may be able to pursue legal action.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit in Illinois?
Only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit, according to Illinois law. This is typically an immediate family member—like a surviving spouse or adult child—who is named in the deceased’s will or appointed by the court.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Wrongful Death in Bloomington?
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
After a loved one’s death, families can recover both non-economic and economic damages. Our experienced Bloomington lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation for:
The physical pain an injured person suffered before death
Medical expenses
Funeral and burial costs
Lost income (financial support)
Emotional distress
Loss of companionship
In rare cases, punitive damages
How Long Does It Take to Settle an Illinois Wrongful Death Case?
Wrongful death claims can take months or even years to resolve. The timeline depends on the complexity of the case, the evidence available, and whether the at-fault party is willing to settle.
Our Illinois wrongful death lawyers handle all legal aspects of the case. We gather evidence (like medical records), negotiate with insurance companies, and work to resolve your case as quickly and efficiently as possible.
How Long Do I Have to File an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-114) for wrongful death lawsuits and other personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of death. There are some exceptions.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience navigating personal injury lawsuits. We can work to prove negligence, provide guidance during the legal process, and recover compensation for funeral expenses and more.
Schedule Your Free Case Consultation
If negligent or intentional acts contributed to a family member’s death in Central Illinois, call for a free case evaluation. In these meetings, our attorneys will review your case and discuss your legal options for financial relief.
Get help from a Bloomington wrongful death lawyer when you've lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$500,000
$500,000 Policy limit settlement for a 48-year-old woman injured in a Cook County head-on collision after another driver made an unsafe left turn into traffic.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700