Top Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyer
The loss of a loved one is a tremendously painful experience, made even more painful when it is the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct. The Chicago wrongful death lawyers at Passen & Powell have extensive legal knowledge, skill, and experience in handling personal injury cases in which the victim was killed. For a free consultation with a top Chicago wrongful death lawyer, call us at (312) 527-4500.
Pick a Skilled Illinois Wrongful Death Attorney with a History of Record Results
Passen & Powell is proud to have obtained substantial verdicts or settlements for families in wrongful death cases, including compensation for loss of love, companionship and support. Furthermore, recent changes in Illinois law also allow family members to recover compensation for grief and sorrow arising from their loss, which may be a substantial element of compensation in any injury case in which a loved one was killed. Please refer to Our Results for specific verdicts and settlements obtained by our Firm in Wrongful Death cases.
Chicago Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In a court of law, wrongful death is described as a person dying due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of a person or entity. Wrongful death cases are filed by the victim’s surviving spouse, children, siblings or other family members who may be entitled to monetary damages.
Each year, loved ones in Chicago, Illinois and across the country grieve the loss of family members that die as the result of wrongful death. Wrongful death can be caused by, but is not limited to, the following:
- Construction Accidents
- Defective Products
- Medical Malpractice
- Motor Vehicle Collisions
- Public Transportation Accidents
An experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer can file suit on behalf of the deceased’s Estate, and can seek to hold the negligent or reckless person, company or entity accountable for causing the fatal accident.
Illinois Wrongful Death Act
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act provides as follows:
Sec. 1. Whenever the death of a person shall be caused by wrongful act, neglect or default, and the act, neglect or default is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, then and in every such case the person who or company or corporation which would have been liable if death had not ensued, shall be liable to an action for damages . . .
Sec. 2. Every such action shall be brought by and in the names of the personal representatives of such deceased person, and, except as otherwise hereinafter provided, the amount recovered in every such action shall be for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin of such deceased person. In every such action the jury may give such damages as they shall deem a fair and just compensation with reference to the pecuniary injuries resulting from such death, including damages for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering, to the surviving spouse and next of kin of such deceased person . . .740 ILCS 180/1-2 (1995) (emphasis added).
As noted above, the recently amended Illinois Wrongful Death Act now specifically allows damages for “grief, sorrow and mental suffering,” in addition to the other traditional measures of damages. Passen & Powell’s skilled Chicago wrongful death attorneys will work tirelessly to make sure you and your family members receive all elements of damage available under the Illinois wrongful death statute.
Contact a Top Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer
There are many complex legal issues involved in filing a wrongful death action in Illinois. Your skilled Chicago wrongful death attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, and consult with the finest experts to help prove your wrongful death case. Your Chicago wrongful death lawyer from Passen & Powell will help you through this difficult time, and get you the answers, and the justice you and your family deserve.
For a free consultation with a top Chicago wrongful death lawyer, call us at (312) 527-4500, or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.