Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. If another party caused your loved one’s death, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, so help from an Addison wrongful death lawyer will be key to holding the responsible party accountable. The compassionate attorneys in our personal injury law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers stand ready to provide legal representation for you.
In this Article
What is Wrongful Death?
Under Illinois law, wrongful death occurs when someone dies because of someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. If the victim had lived, they would have had a personal injury claim against the responsible party.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
According to Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/), wrongful death occurs when someone dies because of another person’s misconduct or negligence. This can result in wrongful death claims for medical malpractice, car accidents, workplace accidents, or criminal acts.
How Must an Addison Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Wrongful Death?
Experienced attorneys prove four elements in wrongful death cases:
Duty of care: The defendant had a legal duty of care towards the deceased, requiring reasonable care and caution.
Breach of duty: The defendant breached their duty of care.
Causation: The breach of duty led to the victim’s death.
Damages: The death caused damages, such as financial loss or emotional pain.
Common Types of Accidents that Cause Wrongful Death in Addison, IL
Common kinds of accidents that result in wrongful death include:
Car Accidents: Careless behavior like reckless driving, drunk driving, and speeding, for example.
Truck Accidents: Large commercial trucks can cause devastating accidents due to their size and weight.
Medical Malpractice: Negligence or errors made by medical professionals can lead to wrongful death.
Workplace Accidents: Dangerous working conditions or lack of proper safety measures can result in deadly accidents.
Who Can Be Held Accountable in Addison Wrongful Death Lawsuits?
Liable parties in wrongful death claims could include:
Individuals responsible for causing death can include negligent drivers or doctors guilty of medical malpractice.
Employers may be liable for wrongful death if their employees’ actions cause a victim’s death.
Government entities can be held accountable in a wrongful death case.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Though money can never truly compensate for losing a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can offer financial stability and ensure those at fault are held accountable. Depending on the specifics of a personal injury case, recoverable damages may include:
Funeral and burial expenses
Medical bills related to the deceased person’s final injury or illness
Loss of future income
Loss of companionship and support
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In Illinois, the law specifies who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Usually, the task of handling a deceased person’s estate falls to a personal representative. This person might be named in the will, or if not, appointed by the court. Often, the immediate family members—like a surviving spouse, children, or parents—are the ones who can receive any awarded damages.
Contact an Addison Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you’ve lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, the compassionate wrongful death lawyers in our law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC, Accident and Injury Lawyers, are here to guide you through the legal process and passionately fight for justice on your behalf.
Call for a Free Consultation
Our legal team invites you to a no-obligation consultation with a skilled wrongful death attorney. Let us review your situation, explore your legal options, and answer your questions. Reach out today to take the first step towards getting the support you deserve.
Time is crucial, so act quickly. Our Addison wrongful death lawyers stand ready to help you and your family seek justice and maximum compensation.
Get help from an Addison wrongful death lawyer when you've lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700