Losing a family member because of someone else’s actions can leave you with questions about financial support, funeral costs, insurance claims, and your family’s legal rights. A wrongful death lawyer in Norridge can explain whether Illinois law allows your family to pursue compensation.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients and families. As a boutique firm, we focus on personal service, responsive communication, and giving each client direct attention throughout the case.
If you believe another person or business caused your loved one’s death, contact us for a free consultation with a Norridge personal injury lawyer.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a claim may arise when someone dies because of a wrongful act, neglect, or default that would have allowed the person to pursue damages had they survived. A wrongful death case is a civil action focused on the losses suffered by surviving family members.
These claims may result from incidents such as:
- Fatal car, truck, and motorcycle crashes.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
- Construction accidents.
- Workplace incidents involving third-party negligence.
- Dangerous property conditions.
- Negligent security.
- Other preventable accidents caused by another party.
Our Norridge wrongful death lawyers can investigate how the death occurred and identify the parties that may be legally responsible.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois law generally requires a wrongful death action to be brought in the name of the deceased person’s personal representative. The recovery is for the benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin.
The personal representative may be an executor named in a will or an administrator appointed through the probate process. The relatives who may benefit from the claim depend on the deceased person’s family relationships.
We can help determine who should serve as the personal representative and whether any estate proceedings are needed before the claim moves forward.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Wrongful death damages are intended to compensate surviving family members for losses resulting from the death. Illinois law allows recovery for pecuniary injuries and specifically recognizes grief, sorrow, and mental suffering as compensable losses.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Loss of financial support.
- Loss of services the deceased provided.
- Loss of companionship and society.
- Loss of guidance and instruction.
- Grief, sorrow, and mental suffering.
- Funeral and burial expenses, when recoverable under the applicable claim.
- Other financial losses supported by the evidence.
A wrongful death attorney in Norridge can assess how the loss has affected each eligible family member and identify the damages that may be pursued.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Claims
A wrongful death claim focuses primarily on losses suffered by surviving family members. A survival action addresses certain claims the deceased person could have pursued if they had lived.
Under the Illinois Survival Act, certain causes of action survive the person’s death and may be pursued through the estate.
A survival claim may seek compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income before death, and conscious pain and suffering when supported by the facts. In some cases, a family may have both a wrongful death claim and a survival claim arising from the same incident.
How Our Norridge Wrongful Death Lawyers Establish Liability
The evidence needed depends on how the death occurred. A fatal traffic collision requires a different investigation than a construction accident or unsafe property claim.
Our legal team may collect:
- Police and incident reports.
- Photographs and video footage.
- Witness statements.
- Vehicle damage records.
- Commercial vehicle records.
- Employment or worksite documents.
- Medical and emergency treatment records.
- Cell phone or electronic records when relevant.
- Available surveillance footage.
- Other records showing how the incident occurred.
We use the available evidence to identify who caused the incident and document the losses connected to the death.
How Long Do You Have to File an Illinois Wrongful Death Claim?
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act generally requires a lawsuit to be filed within two years after the date of death. Some exceptions can extend or shorten the time available depending on the circumstances and the defendant involved.
For example, claims involving certain government entities or other specialized defendants can be subject to separate procedural requirements. Cases involving violent intentional conduct can also have different deadlines under Illinois law.
You should not rely on the general two-year period without having the facts reviewed. Speaking with a Norridge wrongful death attorney early can help identify the deadline that applies to your family’s claim.
Why Choose Charlie for a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death case requires close communication between the legal team and the family. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we make responsiveness and personal service part of how we handle each case.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Direct attention from a boutique injury firm.
- Regular communication about developments in your case.
- Help gathering records and dealing with insurance companies.
- Electronic options for sending documents and communicating with our team.
- Free consultations, including consultations by Zoom.
- Contingency-fee representation, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Our founding partner previously worked on the insurance side with Allstate. That experience gives us insight into how insurers assess liability, damages, and settlement demands, which we draw on when preparing claims for our clients.
Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney in Norridge About Your Family’s Rights
You do not need to know whether you have a wrongful death case before calling us. We can review what happened, identify the Illinois laws that may apply, and explain whether your family has a legal basis to seek compensation.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has served injury clients since 2002. If your family lost someone in a preventable accident, we are available to discuss the circumstances and answer your questions.
Contact us for a free consultation with a Norridge wrongful death lawyer. There is no attorney fee unless we recover funds for you.
