If you and your family have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A Wheeling wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers has in-depth experience with Illinois law and can help you with a wrongful death claim.
In this Article
What Is a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
According to Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/), a wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person’s negligence. This includes deaths that result from accidents, medical malpractice, and intentional acts such as assault or murder.
How Must a Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Wrongful Death?
A personal injury lawyer must prove four elements in order to establish wrongful death claims:
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.
Common Types of Accidents that Cause Wrongful Death in Wheeling, IL
Common kinds of accidents that could cause wrongful death include:
Motor vehicle accidents such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or others.
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.
A Workplace Accident: Dangerous working conditions or lack of proper safety measures can result in deadly accidents.
Nursing Home Abuse: Neglect or abuse in nursing homes can lead to the death of residents.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Wheeling Wrongful Death?
Parties that could be held accountable for a Wheeling wrongful death include:
Individuals: Anyone who caused the death through their actions or negligence can be held accountable.
Companies: Employers may be held responsible for wrongful death if they failed to provide a safe working environment.
Government agencies: If a government agency’s negligence led to the death, they can be held liable.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Wheeling wrongful death lawyers can pursue compensation for another person’s negligent act such as:
Economic damages: These include medical expenses, lost income, and funeral expenses.
Non-economic damages: Intangible losses such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Punitive damages: In some cases, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant for their reckless or intentional actions.
Who Can File Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Wheeling, Illinois?
Illinois law specifies who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Usually, it’s the personal representative of the deceased’s estate who takes on this important responsibility. Whether named in the will or appointed by the court, this representative plays a crucial role.
Typically, immediate family members—like the spouse, children, or parents—are the ones eligible to make personal injury claim and receive awarded damages.
For a clear understanding of your rights, Wheeling personal injury lawyers can be an invaluable guide.
Contact Our Wheeling Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the acts of a negligent party, a compassionate Wheeling wrongful death attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC, Accident and Injury Lawyers is here to stand by your side.
Call for a Free Consultation
We offer a no-obligation consultation with a skilled wrongful death attorney who can review your situation, explain your legal options, and answer your questions.
Time is crucial, so don’t delay. Schedule your consultation now and let us help you seek the justice and compensation your loved one deserves.
Get help from a Wheeling 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