Wrongful Death Attorneys
Compassionate, Personalized Legal Representation
Wrongful death is when a person is killed due to the negligence of another person. There is no greater tragedy than the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one. When your loved one’s death could have—and should have—been prevented, the healing process can be even more difficult. While we cannot bring your loved one back, our firm can help you work to hold the responsible parties accountable for your loved one’s death. At Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices, we know that financial compensation will not negate your suffering, but it can assist with the unexpected cost of funeral expenses, loss of income, and other economic and non-economic damages associated with your loved one’s death.
If your family member was killed as a result of someone else’s negligence, our firm can help. Our injury attorneys strive to provide each and every client with compassionate counsel and individualized attention. Here at Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices, we treat our clients like they are members of our own family.
Give our injury lawyer in Illinois a call at (630) 585-2320 or reach out to us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
What Is “Wrongful Death” & How Does It Occur?
In legal terms, a “wrongful death” is one that occurs due to another person, company, or entity’s careless, reckless, or negligent actions or inactions. In other words, whenever another person or entity acts negligently and someone is killed as a result, it is considered a wrongful death. In such cases, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for damages. Damages in wrongful death suits include things like the cost of medical treatment prior to death, funeral/memorial costs, loss of projected income, loss of companionship, grief and emotional suffering, and more.
There are countless ways in which a wrongful death may occur. Some common causes include:
- Car and motorcycle accidents
- Commercial vehicle and truck accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Slip and falls
- Defective and/or dangerous products
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Toxic exposure
These are just some examples of how wrongful deaths can occur; if your loved one was killed as a result of negligence, contact our firm to find out how we can help. Our wrongful death attorneys can thoroughly investigate the specific circumstances involved in your case to determine the best course of legal action.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois state law allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The personal representative may be a surviving spouse, parent (if the deceased was a minor), or adult child. If there is no personal representative at the time of death, the court can appoint one.
The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims (or, the time you have to file a claim) is one year from the date of death. There may be certain exceptions, depending on the various circumstances involved. It is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorneys. Call (630) 585-2320 or fill out an online contact form to get started.
