Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful act is devastating. Legal representation from a Skokie wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help families seek justice and fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable and ensure you and your family get the support and recovery you deserve.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Wrongful Death Accident in Skokie?
How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Wrongful Death?
To win a wrongful death claim, you must prove four points:
- Duty of care: the responsible party had a duty to act safely.
- Breach of duty: the responsible party failed to meet that duty through their negligence or harmful actions.
- Causation: their actions directly caused your loved one’s death.
- Damages: the death resulted in losses like medical expenses, lost income, or emotional pain.
A Skokie-Chicago wrongful death attorney collects evidence, builds a solid case, and fights for justice for your loved ones.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Skokie, Illinois?
A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to another person’s negligence or intentional harm. This can include car accidents, unsafe workplaces, trucking accidents, or medical mistakes.
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/), the deceased person’s family can file a wrongful death claim to recover financial and emotional losses from the death.
Who Can File an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Under Illinois law, only certain individuals can file a wrongful death lawsuit after a victim’s death. Typically, this right is granted to the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, such as a surviving spouse, parent, or adult child, to act on behalf of all affected family members.
If you’re unsure about your rights, our law firm’s Skokie personal injury attorneys can help.
Common Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death in Skokie
Wrongful deaths can happen in many ways, including:
- Vehicle collisions (car, truck, and motorcycle accidents)
- Workplace accidents or unsafe conditions
- Medical malpractice, like surgical errors or misdiagnoses
- Slip and fall incidents on unsafe properties
- Defective or dangerous products
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Wrongful Death?
In personal injury cases, anyone whose negligence or harmful actions caused a death can be held responsible. This includes employers, drivers of motor vehicles, property owners, medical professionals, or manufacturers of defective products.
Who Cannot Be Held Liable for a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
Not all deaths qualify for a wrongful death claim. For instance, deaths caused by natural illnesses or unavoidable accidents without fault typically don’t meet the criteria. But if negligence played a role, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit, pursue legal action, and recover compensation.
What Is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The value of a wrongful death suit is determined by several factors and can include economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and the mental suffering endured by surviving family members.
While money cannot replace a loved one, compensation from a personal injury claim can help ease financial stress and offer a sense of justice. Our team supports you with legal counsel to assess your legal claim’s value and help you seek compensation.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Case?
The timeline for an IL wrongful death claim can range from months to years, depending on case complexity, evidence, settlement willingness, and whether a case goes to trial. Our legal representatives’ top priority is resolving your wrongful death action quickly while ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Suit?
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death suit in Illinois is generally two years from the date of the person’s death; if you miss the deadline, you and your family will be unable to recover damages.
Call Us
You don’t have to go through this alone. A Skokie-Chicago wrongful death lawyer is here to support and advocate for you and your family during every step of the legal process after the person injured died. Contact our IL wrongful death lawyers today for a free consultation.
(312) 223-1700