Losing a loved one is difficult, especially if someone else’s actions or negligence caused the loss. If this has happened to your family in Chicago’s neighborhoods, contact a South Shore wrongful death lawyer in our personal injury law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers for help. Call for a free consultation.
In this Article
What Is a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
Under Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act, (740 ILCS 180/), wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence leads to another person’s death.
How Must South Shore Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Prove Wrongful Death Cases?
To prove a wrongful death case, a South Shore personal injury lawyer must establish these elements:
Duty of care: The defendant owed a duty to the deceased.
Breach of duty: The defendant neglected or purposely failed this duty.
Causation: This breach caused the victim’s death.
Damages: Survivors have suffered financial and emotional harm from the death.
Common Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Deaths in South Shore Chicago
Common types of accidents that cause wrongful death include:
Car Accidents: Reckless driving, drunk driving, and speeding
Truck Accidents: Large trucks can cause fatal accidents
Workplace Accidents: Unsafe conditions and lack of safety measures
Premises Liability Cases: Public or private property owners must ensure visitor safety
Product Liability: Defective products like faulty car parts or hazardous items
Who Can Be Held Liable in South Shore Wrongful Death Lawsuits?
In Illinois, those who may be held responsible in a wrongful death lawsuit include:
Individuals: The person responsible for causing the accident or incident leading to the victim’s death.
Companies or Organizations: Employers, hospitals, manufacturers, and other entities may be accountable for their employees’ actions.
Government: Negligence by government entities can also result in wrongful death claims.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In a wrongful death case, surviving family members of victims may seek compensation for various damages, including:
Funeral and burial expenses related to the death
Medical expenses associated with the deceased’s injury or last illness
Loss of future income and benefits the deceased would have provided
Loss of consortium, companionship, and guidance from the deceased
Mental anguish or emotional trauma suffered by the deceased or the surviving family members
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Shore, Chicago?
In Illinois, the law outlines who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The responsibility for managing the estate of a deceased person usually falls to a personal representative. This representative may be named in the will or, if none is specified, appointed by the court. Generally, immediate family members—such as a surviving spouse, children, or parents—are eligible to receive financial compensation.
Contact a South Shore Wrongful Death Attorney Today
Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Cook County or anywhere in Illinois? At our law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC, Accident and Injury Lawyers, our wrongful death attorneys are committed to standing by your side, providing support and legal help every step of the way. With decades of successful experience in handling personal injury cases, we are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Call for a Free Consultation
Our legal team invites you to a complimentary consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney. Allow us to assess your case, discuss your legal options, and address all your questions.
Time is important. The Illinois statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim for compensation is typically two years from the date of the loved one’s death.
Get help from a South Shore 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.
$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.
Jenni D.
Very professional. Justin Hare was very patient with my elderly father’s case. Our family and my father was very pleased. I would say from the start to finish 2 year time it went very smooth. If you need a great lawyer that is willing to win your case look no more he’s the right guy.
(312) 223-1700