Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer | Staver
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Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Fight for You

Your situation is unique to you, but you’re probably facing similar issues that other wrongful death claims have: money. There will be funeral expenses and medical bills from your loved one’s treatments, and you might be questioning how to deal with the missing income your loved one provided.

All these factors, combined with the grief and stress, can make processing the death of a loved one challenging. You shouldn’t have to worry about legal deadlines or working with insurance companies. We can keep track of those demands so you have the space to grieve properly. Let us pursue compensation for your loved one’s wrongful death.

Staver Focuses on Your Needs

We Give Your Chicago Wrongful Death Claim Our Full Attention

When someone dies because another person, business, or organization failed to act in a responsible manner, their death is considered wrongful. These events can devastate the victim’s family.

Like a personal injury claim, your wrongful death claim pursues compensation for the decedent’s medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more.

If you’ve lost a family member, our Chicago wrongful death lawyers can help you. Our team will:

Lady justice statue

Investigate Your Loved One’s Death

We’ll go over the events that led to your loved one’s passing, gather evidence, and identify anyone or any group that contributed to your loss. We’ll review your case details during your first consultation. We’ll investigate the incident thoroughly.

We’ll establish negligence under Illinois law to prove that the liable party violated their duty of care and caused your loved one’s death.

Calculate Your Total Damages

Your claim’s value will be based on a number of factors, like the medical bills your loved one accrued before their death, the pain and suffering they experienced, their income, and more.

Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys will consider non-economic damages like pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, or emotional distress.

Negotiate a Fair Settlement

We’ll issue a demand letter that gives the insurance company notice of your claim and the damages you’re seeking. If they offer a lowball settlement or deny your claim, we’ll work on your behalf to hold them accountable.

You don’t want to settle a claim too quickly: calculating your true loss can take time, and you deserve a settlement that covers all of your damages and the pain your loved one suffered.

We Fight For Your Best Interests

Our trial lawyers won’t accept lowball offers that don’t cover all your losses. Not every case goes to court, but we’ll prepare for that eventuality so that you get the compensation you deserve.

We handle all communication with the insurance company, allowing you to focus on recovery. We keep you informed throughout the process and explain your options clearly.

Don’t wait. Contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois

If you have lost someone in a Chicago wrongful death case, you deserve qualified representation to ensure you get the maximum settlement available. The Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., are located downtown in the Republic Bank building next to St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Call us to schedule your free initial consultation.

120 W Madison St Ste 400
Chicago, IL 60602-4177

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Why Work With Staver

Staver Knows How to Win a Chicago Wrongful Death Claim

We have Proven Results

We’ve recovered millions for accident victims in Chicago. We’re recognized among the top 100 trial lawyers of America — we’re tough opponents that fight for our clients.

We Put You First

After losing a loved one, we know a legal fight might not be your only concern. We’ll support you and your family, taking the heavy burden of your claim so you can focus on healing after your loss.

We are Client-Focused

We know that an untimely death can disrupt your life. We’re here to give your concerns a voice so that insurance adjusters take notice and fewer people suffer in the future. Our 95-star Google rating proves that.

We are Experienced & Respected

Our award-winning attorneys are leaders in Illinois’ wrongful death laws.

We are Aggressive Negotiators

We fight for your maximum compensation. We won’t stand for lowball offers. We won’t back down or let you be bullied into taking a smaller settlement than what you need to recover from your loss.

We Don’t Charge Upfront Fees

We only get paid if you win.

CONTACT US TODAY

HEAR FROM OUR CLIENT: CHICAGO CAR ACCIDENT CASE

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Charles was in a head-on collision during a drunk-driving car accident. He suffered a very bad concussion, a knee injury, many trips to the hospital, a canceled family vacation, time off work, and his vehicle being totaled.
  • Referred to Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, Charles contacted us to handle all the legal aspects of his case, which were causing him additional stress on top of his recovery.
  • Our team was able to obtain the full limits of the policy, which covered a brand-new vehicle, medical bills, and some pain and suffering compensation.

Staver Law group not only helped me settle a case that i thought was impossible, they did it in a very timely manner. I thank Jared Staver and his associates, especially Patrick, for continually working on my case and winning a battle with the insurance company, and helping me receive compensation for my incident. I highly recommend this Law Group for any personal injury cases that may occur. They are very professional and have been courteous from the moment i called their office.

Staver Client

★★★★★

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We Get Results in Chicago Wrongful Death Claims

Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers fight every day for our clients hurt by loss. We’ve handled all kinds of wrongful death claims. We’ve helped families recover millions in the compensation they deserve after someone else’s negligent actions caused the death of a loved one.

We’ve made thousands heard, and we’ll do it for you, too.

Read more results

Award-Winning Accident Attorneys Working for You

Our awards are a testament to our ability to help you like we’ve helped our clients. With each new award, we cement our position as leaders in helping Chicago’s wrongful death victims. Our business rating speaks to our commitment to our clients. Our position in the top 100 trial lawyers in America shows we’re tough opponents fighting for our clients.

Our Recognition & Reputation Speaks Volumes

Jared Staver: Named 2024 SuperLawyer
Tyler Kobylski: Named 2024 SuperLawyer
Paul Ciesielski: Super Lawyers Rising Star
Patrick Gill: Super Lawyers Rising Star
Melanie Buckmaster: Super Lawyers Rising Star
Better Business Bureau A+ Rating
American Association of Personal Injury Attorneys
The AV Peer Rating
Top 100 Trial Lawyers of America
The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Attorney & Practice Magazine's Top 10 Personal Injury Law Firm

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Wrongful Death Laws in Illinois

Learn More About Wrongful Death Laws in Chicago, IL

Knowing how Illinois regards wrongful death claims can strengthen your understanding of the process. We’re with you every step of the way to your settlement, but you can learn more about wrongful death cases.

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Car accident victim gives statement about their auto accident

Examples of Wrongful Death Cases in Chicago

Any number of accidents or mistakes can lead to fatal injuries. Some common wrongful death claims in Illinois stem from:

What is the Illinois Wrongful Death Act?

Under state law, surviving family members of someone killed by a reckless or wrongful act can attempt to recover damages from the party responsible. You’ll need to prove three elements were present in your loved one’s death.

Duty of Care

You must establish the liable party had a duty of care to your loved one. A duty of care means they would act like another reasonable person would in their same situation. For instance, people inherently agree to drive unimpaired or provide a high standard of medical care.

A Breach of Care

You must show that the liable party breached the duty of care they owed your love one. This breach means they acted unreasonably or failed to act. Following our first example, someone who drives impaired is reckless. A doctor failing to provide the highest medical care could be accused of breaching their duty.

You Must Show Financial Loss

Defined as “pecuniary injuries,” you must show that you experienced a financial loss because of your loved one’s death. After your loss, you may be missing a household income, a service this family member provided, and more. Proving these elements means you can move forward with your wrongful death claim.

The Illinois Survival Act

A law that protects surviving family members’ rights to compensation, the Illinois Survival Act says you can recover compensation for losses accrued between your loved one’s injury and their death.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Chicago Wrongful Death Claims?

You’ll have two years to act after your loved one’s death. That window can be extended in certain cases, but it’s best not to delay.

By contacting a lawyer as soon as possible, you can protect your claim. Your attorney can preserve evidence and talk to witnesses.

Ready to get started?

It all starts with a free consultation.

Chicago Wrongful Death FAQs

FAQs about Wrongful Death Claims in Chicago

What Should I Look for When Selecting a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Look for an attorney with extensive experience in wrongful death cases. You’ll also want to dig deeper and make sure that the attorney you choose has worked with your specific type of wrongful death case before.

Finding a lawyer with previous knowledge and experience is essential when negotiating with insurance companies. This case will be an important part of your life until it is resolved, so make sure you choose an attorney who is easy to contact and will respond quickly to your questions.

Finally, don’t be afraid to follow your instincts. If you meet with an attorney who seems preoccupied, forgets details you have already told them about, or is unable to answer your questions, move on to an attorney you feel confident working with.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Wrongful Death Claim?

There is no hard-and-fast answer to this question. Each case is different. Much depends on the willingness of the responsible party’s insurance company to settle the claim.

If the claim cannot be settled out of court, the process could take years. If the insurance company wants to settle quickly, the claim could be finished in a matter of weeks or months.

Will My Family Have to Go to Court?

There is a possibility your claim will go to court. For example, in a wrongful death case involving a car accident, there could be multiple liable parties, like the driver or the car manufacturer.

The same is true for medical malpractice cases, as liability is often split between the medical provider and the institution. In these situations, we will pursue compensation from all liable parties.

Is Compensation From a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Taxable in Illinois?

Most of the time, compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit is not taxable in Illinois. There are exceptions, such as punitive damages and interest payments.

Since tax law is complicated and the consequences for misunderstanding tax situations can be steep, we recommend discussing your specific circumstances with an attorney.

Is There a Difference Between Civil & Criminal Cases Involving Death?

Criminal cases are charges filed by the government to punish an individual for breaking the law. Civil cases are meant to resolve disputes over faults or wrongdoings caused by people or organizations that conflict with the rights victims have.

A criminal case and a civil case involving the same death can be simultaneous, but they are seeking different outcomes. The prosecution in the criminal case will have a higher burden of proof, hoping to right a wrong committed against society. The plaintiff in a wrongful death case is seeking compensation for the death of their loved one.

Can I sue for the pain and suffering My Loved One Experienced?

Yes. In addition to the wrongful death, you may recover damages for the pain and suffering that your loved one suffered before they passed away.

Can I Pursue Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are also available in Illinois wrongful death cases, but only in egregious situations. Reckless and drunk driving are common examples of when punitive damages may be possible after a fatal accident. A recent change to state law also includes some medical malpractice cases.

Is There a Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me?

Where Can I Find a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer?

We cover the whole of the Chicagoland area: Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan.

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What Staver Offers You

Work With Staver For More Money, Faster

We understand you’re under financial pressure. After you lose a loved one, you’ll need a substantial settlement to cover your expenses, including non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. That’s where Staver steps in. We’ll be a shoulder to lean on, and we’ll strengthen your claim and pursue EVERYTHING you’re owed.

Jared Staver
Ally. Advocate. Advisor.
Attorney Jared Staver

We Eliminate Risk for Chicago Wrongful Death Victims

Free case evaluation
$0.00 out of pocket expenses
No fee unless you win
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(312) 236-2900
(312) 236-2900
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