In a split second, a family's life can be turned upside down when a loved one is killed because of the negligence and carelessness of another person or corporation. When this happens, some questions need to be answered. A Southern Illinois wrongful death lawyer can be a family's best advocate in these cases, helping them through a devastating time and getting the answers and compensation they deserve.
The compassionate attorneys at the Lawler Brown Law Firm have worked with many families facing these tragic circumstances. The firm is skilled at representing a family's rights under the law. While no amount of money will bring back the person you love, the law does provide a means of securing financial compensation so that remaining family members are provided for in the future and medical and funeral bills can be paid.
If your family member has been killed due to another person's negligence, call a wrongful death lawyer at the Lawler Brown Law Firm at (618) 993-2222 for a free initial consultation about your circumstances. We are here to help.
What Is Wrongful Death?
“Wrongful death” as a legal term refers to a death that has been caused by the fault of another person. For example, deaths caused by automobile accidents, drunk driving, a defective or dangerous product, the construction of an unsound structure or building or failing to diagnose a fatal disease may be considered under the law as “wrongful deaths.” Illinois law allows a person's family or dependents to recover compensation when a person dies due to someone else's negligence.
Wrongful death lawsuits or claims are generally filed by spouses, parents, grown children or beneficiaries of the deceased. In some instances, these wrongful death claims are filed in order to obtain monetary damages to cover the earnings the deceased person would have provided. Other damages that may be recovered include medical bills and funeral costs, loss of love and affection, compensation for the deceased person's pre-death pain and suffering, disability, and future earning potential, along with the survivors' loss of support and other benefits.
If you live in the state of Illinois, and feel that a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, you may be eligible to receive compensation under the law. This may include filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party and seeking the justice you deserve.
No Cost to Hire a Southern Illinois Wrongful Death Attorney
Our Southern Illinois wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means we accept no attorney's fees until we have obtained payment for you. In successful wrongful death cases, our attorney fees are paid by the defendant as part of a settlement agreement or jury award. If for some reason your claim is not successful, then you owe us nothing. Therefore, limited finances should never be a reason not to pursue your rights under the law. There is no out-of-pocket cost to you when hiring a wrongful death attorney. Remember, we don't get paid until you get paid.
The amount of potential compensation for wrongful death varies from cases to case depending on a variety of factors, including the nature of the wrongful death, the number of parties at fault, whether there has been a pattern of negligence jeopardizing human safety, and various other elements. These cases can result in compensation in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. To learn more about what your case might be worth, please contact us today at (618) 993-2222. At Lawler Brown, our personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation to all family members seeking justice after a wrongful death.
Providing Guidance
To Illinois Trial Attorneys
The Process in Wrongful Death Claims
After you've hired a wrongful death lawyer, we will meet with you quickly to learn about how your loved one's death occurred, answer your questions, ask some questions of our own and explain the legal system and how the claims process works. Then we will interview witnesses, review police and medical reports, examine photos of the scene where the death occurred, gather evidence and begin to build a powerful case on your behalf. We also have the resources to hire expert witnesses, if needed.
All along the way, our wrongful death lawyers will be available to answer your questions, return you phone calls promptly and keep you advised of any negotiations and additional court filings. We are here for you, and you don't have to go through this alone. When it comes time to negotiate a financial settlement or proceed to a jury trial, a wrongful death attorney at Lawler Brown will guide you through that process as well.
There is no need to worry at this time about courtrooms, testifying and other legal matters. The truth is that the majority of these cases settle long before a trial is necessary. If for any reason your case does go to trial, we will litigate aggressively on your behalf.
We understand that the legal system can feel overwhelming, especially at a time when your family is heartbroken and grieving. While we cannot make the pain go away, we can lift the legal burden from your shoulders and carry it for you. Our skill and years of experience will guide us as we aggressively pursue your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
It is important that you act quickly because there is a statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death claim in Illinois, and once that window of opportunity has passed you will not be able to take legal action. In Illinois, you must file a wrongful death claim or wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the date the death took place. There may be exceptions to this time limit if a minor or criminal activity was involved.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
When someone you love is killed due to someone else's negligence or carelessness, no amount of compensation can ever undo your suffering. However, you and your family should not have to go through unnecessary financial burdens during your time of grief. Wrongful death attorneys know how to level the playing field and are not afraid to go up against large insurance companies and corporations to win justice for their clients.
In Illinois, only certain family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. In the state of Illinois, the right to file a wrongful death suit lies with the personal representative of the deceased. This individual is typically appointed by the court, and in the event that the deceased left behind a valid will, the person named as the executor or personal representative in the will is typically granted the role by the court.
The courts will consider a family member of the deceased if there is no will. In Illinois, the probate process is used by the court to determine the personal representative if none are named in the will. The surviving spouse is given precedence, followed by adult children if there is no surviving spouse. If there are no surviving spouse or adult children, the next in line would be the parents and siblings of the deceased.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is difficult without the help of experienced wrongful death attorneys from Lawler Brown.
Things to Do and Not to Do After a Wrongful Death
Grieving family members often don't know where to turn after the loss of a loved one. Insurance companies can take advantage of this and push to get the wrongful death claim closed quickly. In these cases, there are a few simple reminders to keep in mind as you move forward. By following these, you will help protect your rights after a wrongful death has taken place.
- Don't sign anything unless you've consulted with your attorney first.
- Do hire a wrongful death lawyer promptly.
- Don't speak to the person(s) who caused the death, their representatives or their insurance company. Tell them to talk to your attorney and politely hang up the phone.
- Don't respond personally to any letter or other communication from the defendant.
Lawyers and representatives for the person who caused the death may try to contact you to gather information, find inconsistencies in your account of events, or get you to sign away your legal rights. It is their job to protect their client and minimize any financial liability. It is wise to be cautious and refer any inquiries to your own attorney so that you don't make mistakes that could compromise your legal claim.
Have Questions? We Can Help. Call Us Today!
When your loved one has been killed due to the negligence of another person, you have rights under the law. Through a wrongful death claim, you may be able to receive financial compensation to offset medical and funeral costs, the deceased's income and future earnings, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and various other losses and expenses. In these tragic cases, a family should not have to suffer financially due to no fault of their own. The experienced wrongful death lawyers at Lawler Brown can help. Call us today at (618) 993-2222 or fill out a contact form and we'll contact you in a manner and at a time of your convenience. You don't have to go it alone.
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