March 5, 2025
Electric Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Car Wreck on March 3, 2025 in Salem, IL
Injuries So Severe That Bicyclist Had To Be Life Flighted A 54-year-old Salem man suffered seriou …
Wrongful Death Lawyer Jackson County, IL
Wrongful Death Lawyer Jackson County, 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 Jackson County, 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 Jackson County, IL
Negligence is often the main factor in wrongful death cases in Illinois. When a wrongful act results in death, the surviving family members face crucial questions. In some cases, third-party participants can also be held responsible for the damages linked to personal injury or wrongful death. Proving your wrongful death claim is where we can help.
The following are some of the most common types of wrongful death cases in Illinois:
- Vehicle-Related Fatalities: Deaths resulting from car accidents, truck accidents, or motorcycle accidents due to another driver’s negligence. In 2024, around 1,200 vehicle-related fatalities occurred in Illinois.
- Medical Malpractice: Deaths due to errors by healthcare providers, such as surgery mistakes, incorrect diagnoses, or medication mix-ups. Wrong-site surgeries are a form of gross negligence and can be fatal.
- Workplace Accidents: Deaths in the workplace caused by unsafe conditions, equipment failures, or insufficient safety protocols. Illinois sees around 150 fatal work-related incidents every year.
- Product Liability: Fatalities caused by defective products, such as faulty car brakes, malfunctioning machinery, unsafe consumer goods, or hazardous chemicals.
- Premises Liability: Fatal accidents that happen on another person’s property, such as slip-and-fall incidents, insufficient 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 Is Able To File a Wrongful Death Claim in Jackson County, IL?
The wrongful death claim in Illinois is typically filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, who is usually a family member or an individual designated by the court. However, some surviving relatives may also pursue compensation for their emotional and financial losses.
- Personal Representative of the Deceased’s Estate: This person files the wrongful death claim on behalf of the estate and any surviving family members.
- Surviving Spouse: The spouse who survives the deceased can seek compensation for emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and financial support.
- Children: Children may file a claim if there is no surviving spouse or seek damages for the loss of a parent.
- Parents: If there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents may be eligible to file the wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased.
Identifying who can file a wrongful death claim is vital to guarantee that the right people are able to pursue justice and receive compensation.
Who Cannot File a Wrongful Death Claim in Jackson County, IL?
Not everyone can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Close relatives usually have priority, but those with significant financial relationships to the deceased may also be eligible to file.
- Friends: Generally, friends cannot file a wrongful death claim unless they can demonstrate that they were the deceased’s primary financial dependent.
- Siblings: In most cases, siblings cannot file a wrongful death claim unless they were financially dependent on the deceased or had a notably close relationship, which must be backed 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 Jackson County, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers Provide?
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, or special damages, involve the direct financial losses caused by the death of a loved one. These damages are generally easier to assess because of their clear monetary value. Some examples include:
- Lost Wages and Benefits: Compensation for the wages and benefits the deceased would have earned, such as salary, bonuses, and potential future earnings, easing the financial impact on surviving family members.
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for the expenses related to emergency medical care, hospital services, surgeries, and other treatment costs that were incurred before the victim’s passing.
- Medical Expenses: Payment for the costs associated with emergency medical treatment, hospital bills, surgeries, and other medical care provided before the victim’s death.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: Payment for funeral services, burial or cremation fees, headstones, and other necessary expenses, ensuring that families are not burdened with these costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, or general damages, compensate for the emotional and psychological toll caused by a loved one’s death. Although more subjective, they can significantly affect 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: Reimbursement for the emotional distress, mental anguish, and grief endured by surviving family members after the loss of a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: Granted in cases of severe negligence or misconduct, punitive damages are design to punish the responsible party and deter similar actions in the future.
In wrongful death cases, courts may also take into account a survivor’s personal circumstances, such as age, lifestyle, education, and more.
Get in touch with one of our wrongful death lawyers in Jackson County, IL, to better understand the potential damages you may be able to claim in your case.
Effective Jackson County, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers
Here are a few of our other services:
If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, don’t delay. Contact us online or call 618-244-5335. With millions recovered for victims, we provide personalized care and steadfast support. Rely on our Jackson County, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers who are dedicated to securing your family’s justice.
