Every wrongful death case is different. But all who have lost a loved one share the same struggles: stress levels are heightened, there are funeral preparations to be made, and they are dealing with an abundance of other logistical things that need taken care of when someone has died. On top of that, dealing with legal deadlines and answering calls from insurance companies gets in the way of what they really need – space and time to grieve. And of course, compensation.
We take care of the heavy lifting in your wrongful death claim so you can focus on your mental healing. We keep you informed so you’ll always know where your case stands. And most importantly, we act fast because we know the importance of spending this time with those closest to you. And we don’t want the legal process to be another roadblock that gets in the way of you coming to terms with your loss.
When you hire Staver, consider us an extension of your support system.
We’re here to listen when you need someone else to talk to. We’re here for advice to help you navigate through the legal process. And we’ll be with you every step of the way to speak on your behalf with the insurance companies. And also in court, if it comes to it.
We’ve been there for thousands of clients who have lost loved ones, and we’ll be there for you.
We dedicate ourselves to client success and satisfaction. This shows in our 4.95 star Google rating 185+ reviews left by clients on Google.
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. represented me after I was hit from behind in July 2017. The staff at Staver were compassionate, understanding, and very professional. I was updated on my case status upon my request, and all of my concerns were addressed in a timely manner. My case was settled, and I received my settlement money within six months. I would definitely recommend Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
angela callier-harris
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we fight hard for our clients. And we don’t just say that. We have helped families and loved ones of wrongful death victims get the compensation they deserve.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
We’ve won awards for over 3,500 clients. And with every award we get, the more it proves our quality. Years of credibility, glowing ratings from the BBB and a place on the top 100 trial lawyers of America.
The recognition we’ve accumulated speaks for itself.
Trying to represent yourself will be a mistake at this time. You don’t need added stress and work. It takes away from the space you need to grieve and come to terms with a loss. Wrongful death cases can also be more difficult because multiple parties could be partially liable. Staver will start by helping to remove the financial burden that’s resulted from a loved one’s death.
If you choose to hire us, rest easy knowing that we work based on a contingency fee. Put simply, if you don’t receive compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
We know that many victims are concerned about finances after a loved one’s death, and we don’t want those concerns to keep you from getting the legal representation you deserve.
Average Payout Amount*
w/attorney $1,600 on your own $1,600 Difference of $1,000.00*According to the 2017 Martindale-Nolo Research.
Our years of experience mean we can get you more money, in the quickest time. It all boils down to efficiency. And we’ve been honing that for years. With legal representation, the average payout is $77,600, while the average is $17,600 without.
If the first offer is not enough, your Staver lawyer will participate in negotiations on your behalf to reach a fair and equitable solution. And if this is not reached, your lawyer won’t hesitate to fight for your case in court.
Our process is people-focussed. It’s designed not only to win but to reduce stress levels and make the whole process easier.
The initial consultation is a chance to discuss your case with one of our attorneys and figure out what your next step is. Use this time to figure out if an attorney is a good fit for your case and how you want to handle it. The goal is to find out how your loved one’s death occurred.
When you meet with a personal injury lawyer, you should bring several things to help tell the story of your loved one’s death. These will essentially be used as evidence to determine the value of your case. We also recommend coming with a list of questions for us.
What We’ll Need from You
You can back up damages with a variety of evidence, including bills, photographs, or expert testimony asserting expected future damages.
This stage is vital. It’s simple really, the better your proof, the more compensation you’ll get.
Damages in a wrongful death suit vary widely, depending on the circumstances of the victim’s death and which losses their surviving family members have suffered as a result. Types of compensation you may be entitled to from the negligent party include:
We’ll work to get you the best outcome possible.
| Next Step: EvidenceThe more proof you have, the better your chances of success. After you hire an attorney, they begin preparing for the next step in your case. This involves gathering the evidence you have provided, and further investigating the cause of your loved one’s death. Once your attorney has enough evidence to present to the insurance company, they will send a demand letter requesting settlement. This lays the groundwork for negotiation down the line.
Procedure & Proof in Death Claims
| Next Step: SettlementIn many wrongful death cases, settling is the best option for the victim’s family. It’s much faster than going through court, which may allow family members to get the closure they need and begin to move forward.
On top of this, cases that go to court often end up costing much more in attorney’s fees. And that’s the last thing you need.
Your attorney will aggressively pursue a fair settlement from the responsible party’s insurance provider. The goal is to present the strongest case and make it impossible for the insurance company to deny their client’s liability.
Read more about procedure and proof in death claims here.
| Next Step: TrialWhile a settlement is the goal, we have no issues going to court if one can’t be reached. We’ll gather evidence, and pull in expert witnesses to determine the cause of death and help the jury see your side of the story exactly as it happened.
Take me to the Steps of the Personal Injury Lawsuit Process
| Next Step: ConsultationIt all starts with a free consultation.
Every type of personal injury case is different. And although we have the legal side covered, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of some of the unique laws and guidelines, the obstacles and opportunities we may face along the way, and some of the additional details that may impact the outcome of your case.
There are many types of accidents or mistakes that can lead to wrongful death claims and fatal injuries. Some common causes of wrongful death claims in Illinois include:
Wrongful death claims are often settled with the liable party’s insurance company. There are several ways that insurance issues can delay, lower, or prevent a settlement.
Insurance companies frequently dispute their client’s liability in an accident. Unfortunately, proving liability is often more difficult in wrongful death cases than in personal injury cases, as the primary victim of the other person’s negligence cannot give their account of events. While this can complicate a wrongful death case, it is also something that attorneys anticipate and prepare for.
Seeking compensation from a responsible party without insurance can leave a family with few options. For example, if a victim dies in a car accident and it comes out that the responsible party did not have vehicle insurance at the time of the accident, the family would need to seek compensation directly from the driver.
Wrongful death cases are typically limited by the amount of insurance the responsible party has. This may mean that a victim’s family receives less than they truly should.
Wrongful death laws vary from state to state and knowing how Illinois defines them can help determine whether or not you have a case, and the amount of compensation you could receive.
This gives survivors the right to sue for their own monetary losses and allows spouses, children, and parents to seek compensation.
Learn more about the Illinois Wrongful Death Act
The other relevant law is the Illinois Survival Act, under which the victim’s estate can recover economic and non-economic damages sustained between the injury and the time of death.
Learn more about the Illinois Survival Act
In Illinois, a lawsuit must be started within two years of the victim’s death.
The statute of limitations may be extended if the death was caused by violent, intentional conduct. No matter how much time you have, it is recommended that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after a loved one’s death. The sooner an attorney begins working on a case, the easier it is for them to preserve evidence and speak with witnesses.
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, as previous knowledge and experience are 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. Much depends on the willingness of the responsible party’s insurance company to settle the claim quickly. 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.
This is not uncommon in a wrongful death case. For example, in a wrongful death case involving a car accident, both the driver and the manufacturer of the car may have some liability. 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.
Here are some additional resources that may be of help.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
