Losing someone you love because of another person’s careless actions is a tragedy that no family should have to face. A wrongful death lawyer in Gurnee can help you file a lawsuit so you can seek justice, hold the responsible party accountable, and recover financial support for funeral costs, lost income, and other losses.
With 75 years of combined experience, Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has the experience, compassion, and history of results that make families across Illinois choose Charlie when they need support from a reputable Gurnee personal injury lawyer. Contact us today for the support and legal guidance you need, when you need it most.
Families Trust Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. With Their Wrongful Death Claims
When you’re grieving, it helps to have someone in your corner who genuinely cares about what you are going through. We take the time to listen, explain your options, and give you space to make decisions without pressure. Families trust us because we show up with honesty, compassion, and the experience to guide them through this process. Here are just a few reasons clients choose our firm:
- We return every phone call and keep you informed without making you chase updates
- We take the time to explain things in plain language so you are never left guessing
- We know the local courts, the judges, and how these cases tend to play out
- We treat every client with the same level of care we would give our own families
- We show up prepared and ready, whether it is a phone call or a courtroom
- We believe in doing things the right way, even when no one is watching
- We know how to value a case and fight for what is fair
When you call our office, you are not just hiring a legal advocate. You are connecting with a team that takes your trust seriously and wants to help you move forward in the most effective way possible. We lead with compassion, empathy, and integrity, but are not afraid to fiercely fight on your behalf so you receive the fair treatment you deserve.
Common Causes of Fatal Accidents in Gurnee
Losing someone unexpectedly can leave you with more questions than answers. One of the hardest parts is knowing that their death could have been prevented if someone else had made safer choices.
Wrongful death claims often come down to showing that another person, company, or organization failed to take proper care. Some of the most common causes of fatal accidents in Gurnee include:
- Drunk driving collisions
- Distracted driving crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Work injuries
- Boating accidents
Every fatal accident has its own set of facts, but they all share one thing in common: the loss never should have happened in the first place. Your Gurnee wrongful death attorney from our firm is here to help you find answers, build a strong case, and hold the responsible party accountable for what they failed to prevent. We also work diligently to preserve valuable evidence to support your case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois
In Illinois, not everyone is allowed to file a wrongful death claim. According to 740 ILCS 180/2, the decedent’s personal representative generally initiates the wrongful death claim on behalf of the family. While they file the paperwork and represent the family, compensation from a wrongful death claim is designed to provide for the decedent’s spouse and/or next of kin.
When there are no immediate family members to receive compensation from a wrongful death claim, Illinois law allows specific amounts of compensation to go to the person who provided the decedent with hospitalization and medical care at the end of their life. Compensation may also be bestowed on the personal representative in these situations.
Wrongful death claims often encompass both economic and non-economic losses, and the person filing does so on behalf of all individuals affected by the loss. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our role is to ensure that your claim is handled with care and that your family receives the support it needs during this difficult time.
What to Expect During the Wrongful Death Claim Process in Gurnee
To get justice for your loved one after a wrongful death accident, you should hire a lawyer who understands the details of Illinois’ wrongful death laws and can help you navigate the process. When our team takes on your case, we conduct a detailed investigation to determine what happened and gather the various types of proof you need to have for a wrongful death case.
As we work to gather and preserve evidence, we carefully review each piece and use the information to inform our approach and strategies. The outcome of your case relies on the ability to connect another party to your loved one’s death. This involves establishing their negligence so they can be held liable for the damages they caused.
To demonstrate negligence, our team provides evidence that shows the at-fault party owed your loved one a duty of care and safety. We then provide additional evidence that shows the exact careless or reckless acts they committed that caused the accident that resulted in the decedent’s death and your additional losses. For this, they must provide damages for the harm and suffering they inflicted.
Damages a Gurnee Wrongful Death Lawyer May Be Able to Help You Recover
After a wrongful death, the financial impact can feel just as heavy as the emotional one. Many families are left trying to manage medical bills, funeral costs, and daily expenses that used to be shared by their loved one. You may be able to recover compensation for all of those financial losses, including lost income, burial expenses, and the cost of care received before death.
These are considered economic damages and are intended to help your household stay afloat during an extremely difficult time. You may also qualify for compensation tied to emotional losses. These are known as non–economic damages and can include the pain of losing a loved one, loss of companionship, and the emotional stress that follows.
In some situations, we may also pursue punitive damages. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05, these types of damages are awarded when the at-fault party acted with reckless disregard or extreme misconduct, and they are meant to hold that person or company accountable in a serious way while giving your family the support it needs to move forward. These are recovered in addition to standard damages, if applicable.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims Filed in Gurnee
Illinois law states that wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of when the death occurred. As such, you should consult a lawyer without delay to ensure you have enough time to file your claim and navigate the legal process. Failing to act within the specified period of time could leave you without financial support in your time of need.
We Support Families After Loss
We know how much weight you are carrying right now. Grief does not pause for paperwork, and legal deadlines do not slow down when you are trying to process everything that happened. As your legal team, we step in to handle the case, allowing you and your family to focus on each other. You can have the peace of mind that your case is in experienced and capable hands every step of the way.
As we handle your case, we manage communication with insurance companies, prepare documents, collect records, and ensure your case remains on track from start to finish. You should not have to chase down answers or second-guess whether things are being handled correctly, especially while you are grieving the loss of your loved one. We also provide you with regular updates about your case.
When your case involves unsafe working conditions or a tragic incident on a construction site, your workplace injury lawyer in Gurnee is here to make this process easier to carry. The same is true whether your case involves driver negligence or hazardous premises. We provide legal guidance, emotional support, and a plan you can count on when everything else feels uncertain.
Work With a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Gurnee Who Puts Families First
You deserve experienced representation from the wrongful death attorney in Gurnee representing you. Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., understands what you are going through and knows how to build a strong case that gets results.
Our team is here to listen, support, and deliver results when it matters most. If you are ready to begin, contact us to schedule your free consultation.
