Compassionate and Dedicated Chicago Wrongful Death Attorneys
Unfortunately, part of what we do here at D&W Law Group is work on cases where our clients have lost a loved one due to negligence. This is often a very difficult time for the family, and the last thing on anyone’s mind is a potential lawsuit for wrongdoing. That’s why you need to hire an experienced law firm like D&W Law Group to execute the important early investigations that are critical to putting a case together. Our attorneys work quickly to determine the other party’s negligence and hold them accountable for the harm they have caused, whether it be a car accident, construction accident, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect or some other negligent act. Let us take on the task of recovering compensation for your family, so you can focus on getting through your grief and picking up the pieces after a tragic accident.
Important Facts about Chicago Wrongful Death Claims
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death lawsuit can be based on any neglect, default or wrongful act that would have given rise to a personal injury claim had the victim only been injured and not died. An Illinois wrongful death lawsuit is brought by the personal representative of the estate for the benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Any monetary award is distributed to family members in proportion to how much they were dependent on the deceased for support.
A jury in an Illinois wrongful death case can award any amount of damages that are deemed “fair and just.” This includes compensation for direct financial costs as well as other aspects of the injury. For example, wrongful death damages could include:
- Hospital and medical expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of household support
- Compensation for grief, sorrow and mental suffering
In most cases, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the person’s death, or you can be prevented from ever filing a claim. It is therefore best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. This will help ensure that any claim is timely filed, and that you are able to receive much-needed compensation sooner rather than later. Your lawyer will also want to get started investigating and preparing a case while the evidence is still readily available.
Since your deceased loved one is no longer able to provide a history, wrongful death cases often hinge on what other witnesses may have seen, heard or learned about the incident. The use of professional investigators and accident reconstruction experts may also be important to your case. At D&W Law Group, we work with seasoned professionals as necessary to build a solid case and hold responsible parties accountable for the harm they have caused.
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or wrongful conduct of another, contact the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a no-cost, confidential consultation with one of our dedicated and experienced Chicago personal injury and wrongful death attorneys.
