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Wrongful Death Lawyer Chester, IL
Wrongful Death Lawyer Chester, IL. Since 1950, Hassakis & Hassakis has been offering exceptional legal support to victims and their families. A wrongful death lawsuit can have a significant emotional and financial impact on survivors, employers, insurance companies, and more. Our Southern Illinois attorneys are here to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve while working to prevent future tragedies. If you’ve lost a family member or loved one, call our Chester, IL, wrongful death lawyers at (618)-244-5335 or contact us online.
Our wrongful death lawyers and legal team are ready to assist. If we don’t win your case, you don’t pay.
Common Wrongful Death Claims in Chester, IL
Negligence is often the primary cause of wrongful death claims in Illinois. When a fatality occurs as a result of wrongful actions, the surviving family members face important legal challenges. In many cases, other parties may be found responsible for damages tied to personal injury or wrongful death. We can assist in proving your wrongful death claim.
Here are a few of the most common categories of wrongful death cases in Illinois:
- Vehicle-Related Deaths: Fatalities resulting from car accidents, truck collisions, or motorcycle crashes caused by another driver’s negligence. In 2024, around 1,200 vehicle-related fatalities occurred in Illinois.
- Medical Malpractice: Deaths caused by healthcare professionals’ errors, such as surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, or medication errors. Wrong-site surgeries can be fatal and represent gross negligence by healthcare providers.
- Workplace Accidents: Fatalities resulting from unsafe working environments, machinery malfunctions, or lack of proper safety precautions. Each year, Illinois reports nearly 150 workplace fatalities.
- Product Liability: Deaths caused by defective products like faulty brakes on a car, broken machinery, consumer goods, and dangerous chemicals.
- Premises Liability: Fatalities resulting from accidents on another’s property, such as slip-and-fall incidents, lack of proper security, and poorly maintained properties.
- Boating and Watercraft Accidents: Deaths caused by accidents on the water, often due to faulty equipment or errors by the operator. Illinois experiences about 15-20 boating fatalities each year.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Chester, IL?
In Illinois, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate is typically the one who files the wrongful death claim. This person is often a close relative or someone assigned by the court. However, other family members may also be eligible to seek compensation for their losses.
- Personal Representative of the Deceased’s Estate: The personal representative is responsible for filing the claim for both the estate and the surviving family members.
- Surviving Spouse: The surviving spouse can seek compensation for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and financial support.
- Children: Children can file a claim if there is no surviving spouse or seek compensation for the loss of a parent.
- Parents: When the deceased has no surviving spouse or children, parents may qualify to file the claim for wrongful death.
It’s important to understand who has the right to file a wrongful death claim to make sure that the correct parties can seek justice and compensation.
Who Cannot File a Wrongful Death Claim in Chester, IL?
In Illinois, the eligibility to file a wrongful death claim is not extended to everyone. Close family members are typically prioritized, although individuals with strong financial connections to the deceased may also qualify.
- Friends: Friends are usually not eligible to file a wrongful death claim unless they can prove they were the main financial dependent of the deceased.
- Siblings: Siblings typically cannot file a wrongful death claim unless they were financially dependent on the deceased or had an exceptionally close relationship, supported by evidence.
If you are unsure whether you qualify to file a wrongful death claim, consulting with an experienced wrongful death lawyer is essential. Contact us today or call (618)-244-5335 for expert guidance.
What Do Chester, IL, Wrongful Death Attorneys Do?
Our wrongful death lawyers help families seek justice and compensation when a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions. Here’s what we typically do:
- Case Evaluation: We review the case to determine if there is a valid claim, examining medical records, accident reports, and other key evidence.
- Investigation: We collaborate with experts to investigate the cause of death and identify the responsible party.
- Filing the Lawsuit: If warranted, we file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family or estate.
- Negotiating Settlements: We negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance and legal team to secure a fair settlement.
- Court Representation: If a settlement isn’t reached, we represent the family in court and present the case for justice.
We’re here to guide you through this difficult time and help secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Special and General Damages for Wrongful Death Cases in Illinois
At Hassakis & Hassakis, we work tirelessly to help families obtain compensation to ease their burden. Below are some common general and special damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages, often called special damages, refer to the concrete financial losses resulting from the death of a loved one. These damages are usually simpler to determine because of their specific monetary value. Some examples are:
- Lost Wages and Benefits: Compensation for the income the deceased would have continued to earn, including salary, bonuses, and projected future earnings, providing financial relief to surviving family members.
- Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for the costs of emergency medical care, hospital bills, surgeries, and other treatments incurred prior to the victim’s death.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: Reimbursement for funeral services, burial or cremation fees, headstones, and other related costs, providing financial relief to families during a difficult time.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, also referred to as general damages, address the emotional and psychological impact of a loved one’s passing. Though more subjective in nature, they can have a significant effect on the surviving family members. Examples include:
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the emotional and relational loss, including love, companionship, support, and intimacy, that family members experience after the death of a loved one.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the emotional distress, mental anguish, and sorrow experienced by surviving family members following the death of a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: Awarded in instances of extreme negligence or wrongful actions, punitive damages aim to penalize the responsible party and prevent future similar conduct.
In wrongful death lawsuits, courts may look at a survivor’s personal factors, including their age, lifestyle, education, and any other relevant circumstances.
Speaking with one of our wrongful death lawyers in Chester, IL, will provide you with insights into the damages you may be entitled to pursue in your case.
Top Chester, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers
Here are a few of our other services:
If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, it’s time to act. Reach out to us online or call 618-244-5335. With millions recovered for victims, we provide tailored support and compassionate care. Trust our Chester, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers to advocate for your family’s justice.
