No one is ever really prepared to lose a loved one. When your family member’s death could have been prevented, a qualified Evanston wrongful death attorney can help you secure the compensation your family deserves.
If someone else is responsible for the death of your relative, whether it was through careless driving or some other negligent act, you can bring a wrongful death lawsuit against them to recover compensation for your damages. Although it won’t bring back your loved one, a civil suit can allow you to grieve without the burden of financial worries.
The attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC are prepared to help you win your case. An Evanston wrongful death lawyer will investigate the cause of your family member’s death so the appropriate party is held accountable. You can grieve while we work behind the scenes to build a compelling wrongful death case against those who are liable for your loved one’s untimely passing.
Filing a wrongful death claim isn’t as simple as it might seem. The involved laws are very specific, and you need to prepare yourself accordingly. Probably the two most important components of Illinois’ wrongful death law are the statute of limitations and who can bring the claim forward in court.
To begin, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is essentially one year from the date of your loved one’s passing. However, this can be extended, depending on the way your family member died.
For example, if their death would’ve been considered a typical personal injury case if they had lived, your statute of limitations would begin running from the date the accident occurred, and you would have up to two years to file your claim. If you fail to meet this deadline, you will no longer be able to pursue your claim.
In addition to the statute of limitations, you need to make sure you are the assigned representative of the decedent’s estate. This person was appointed by the deceased and could be their adult child, surviving spouse, parent, or another person entirely. In Illinois, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim.
If the decedent was unable to designate a representative, the courts may assign one for them. It’s easy to see how quickly wrongful death laws can get complicated, which is why working with an experienced wrongful death attorney can be so helpful.
It goes without saying that no amount of money will make up for the loss of your family member, but whoever is responsible for the wrongful death should still have to pay. Wrongful death compensation in Illinois can consist of a number of different damages, including the following:
Your Evanston fatal accident attorney will examine every way the death of your loved one has influenced your life to determine what your claim is worth. We’ll work tirelessly to ensure that the at-fault party reimburses you to the fullest possible extent.
You can schedule your free consultation with an Evanston wrongful death lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC today by calling our office at 312-332-1400 or by completing the online contact form below.