Hours spent at the hospital, the horrible phone call that stopped you in your tracks, the moment in your life when everything changed. Unexpectedly losing a loved one is one of the most traumatic events a person or family can go through.
Accidental death, or wrongful death is never something you can be prepared for, only react to. We can’t go back in time, or change what happened. What we can do is fight for the rights of the ones we’ve lost.
Consider Your Legal Options
Negligence, wrongful conduct, disasters, dangerous products, car crashes, accidents at work and other situations could be the cause of a wrongful death. Whether the accident was caused by an individual or an organization, it is imperative to consider your legal options.
Consulting with an attorney who has advocated for the families of wrongful death victims is the first place to start. You can ask questions about your legal options, share details about the accident in a private and confidential environment. Should the attorney determine that you may be able to recover damages, you will have the choice of whether or not you want to move forward.
What is Recoverable?
Spouses or next of kin of wrongful death victims may recover the following; loss of household support, medical and retirement benefits, emotional trauma therapy, funeral expenses, loss of child care / support, loss of income, and many other damages.
However in the State of Illinois there are what’s called a ‘statue of limitations’ which require that legal action should be taken within a certain period of time. The only way to determine if you have the legal option to pursue damages related to a wrongful death accident is to speak to an Illinois licensed attorney, who has experience in this area.
Wrongful death lawsuits are typically filed by the spouse or next of kin. The attorney’s job is to investigate the elements of the accident, speak to insurance agencies, opposing attorneys and other parties involved. The attorney should also share what they find with the family member and keep them apprised of their options along the way. Should you move forward with a case, the damages incurred by the next of kin, or family member(s) will be calculated in dollars and or benefits.
Our attorneys have worked with the families and spouses of wrongful death accident victims. The pain and heartache that can take over after an accident is a heavy burden to bear. Adding stress and worry over the unknowns of a legal issues can make things worse. Even a simple conversation with an attorney can result in a little peace of mind.
If you and your family are ready to talk about your potential wrongful death accident, we are here to listen. Call us today.