While dealing with the legal aspects of losing a loved one is not what you want to focus on while you’re grieving, it’s important to take care of it all as soon as possible.
Continue reading to learn what you may expect from a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful Death in Illinois
Wrongful Death in IllinoisWhen someone dies due to the wrongful or negligent act of another person or entity, the victim’s family has the option to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
As a family member of the victim, you may pursue monetary damages in order to help alleviate the stress of paying for the following:
- Funeral
- Burial expenses
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages
- Future earning capacity
- The family’s loss of companionship
It’s common for wrongful death lawsuits to be settled outside of court rather than going to trial. When a settlement is the outcome of the suit, all parties agree to conclude the case for a particular financial pay-out, and everyone involved complies in waiving the right to a trial.
Filing a Wrongful Death Suit
The only person who’s allowed to file a wrongful death suit is the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. This person may also be referred to as the executor of the estate.
The personal representative is appointed to manage the estate. This person will either be listed in the decedent’s will as the executor, or the court can appoint one if one is not listed in the will.
Let Us Help
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the wrongful or negligent acts of someone else, you may be able to pursue damages in a wrongful death claim. Our team here at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC is highly skilled in the area of wrongful death law and has helped people in similar situations receive the compensation they deserved. Let us see if we can help with your case, too. Don’t wait—contact our office with any questions you may have right away.
Call the Naperville lawyers at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC today at (773) 906-4063 to speak with an attorney about your case.