Your situation is unique to you, but you’re probably facing similar issues that other wrongful death claims have had. 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. Our experienced and compassionate wrongful death lawyers in Chicago, IL, 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
In Illinois, compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit is distributed to surviving family members based on their relationship to the deceased and the degree of their loss, as determined by the court.
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.
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.
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Get Results
We’ve recovered millions for the victims of fatal accidents 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 & Your Family First After a Tragic Loss
After losing a loved one, our wrongful death attorneys 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're Client-Focused in Illinois Wrougful Death Claims
We know that an untimely death can disrupt your entire life. Our legal team is here to voice your concerns so that insurance adjusters take notice and fewer people suffer in the future. Our 95-star Google rating proves that.
Experienced & Respected Wrongful Death Lawyers
Our award-winning attorneys are leaders in Illinois’ wrongful death laws.
We are Aggressive Negotiators
We fight for your maximum compensation after a tragic death. We won’t stand for lowball offers. We also won’t back down or let you be bullied into taking a smaller settlement than what you need to recover.
We Don’t Charge Upfront Fees
We only get paid if you win.
CONTACT US TODAYHEAR FROM OUR CLIENT: CHICAGO CAR ACCIDENT CASE
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
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.
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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Any number of accidents or mistakes can lead to fatal injuries. Some common wrongful death claims in Illinois stem from:
In Illinois, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. Common causes include fatal car crashes, medical malpractice, or work-related accidents.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their loss. A survival action recovers damages the deceased could have claimed before death, such as pain and suffering or medical expenses.
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.
It all starts with a free consultation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Illinois law allows surviving family members to recover damages for emotional distress, grief, and loss of companionship after a wrongful death.
We cover the whole of the Chicagoland area: Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan.
CONTACT US TODAYWhen you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
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 our Chicago wrongful death attorneys step in. We’ll be a shoulder to lean on, and we’ll strengthen your claim and pursue EVERYTHING you’re owed.
