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Wrongful Death Lawyer Valmeyer, IL
Wrongful Death Lawyer Valmeyer, IL. For over seven decades, Hassakis & Hassakis has been providing dedicated legal services to victims and their families. A wrongful death claim can have lasting emotional and financial impacts on surviving loved ones, employers, insurance companies, and others involved. Our Southern Illinois law firm attorneys are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve and prevent future tragedies. If you’ve lost a family member, call our Valmeyer, IL, wrongful death lawyers at (618)-244-5335 or reach out 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 Valmeyer, IL
Negligence is often the primary factor in wrongful death claims in Illinois. When a wrongful act leads to a fatality, it raises important questions for the surviving family members and loved ones. In many cases, second- or third-party participants may be liable for damages related to personal injury or wrongful death. Proving a wrongful death claim is where we come in.
Here are a few of the most common categories of wrongful death cases in Illinois:
- Vehicle-Related Deaths: Fatalities caused by car accidents, truck accidents, or motorcycle crashes resulting from another driver’s negligence. In 2024, around 1,200 vehicle-related fatalities occurred in Illinois.
- Medical Malpractice: Fatalities that occur as a result of healthcare professionals’ errors, such as surgical blunders, misdiagnosis, or mistakes in prescribing medications. Wrong-site surgeries are a prime example of extreme negligence in the medical field.
- 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 resulting from dangerous or defective products, including faulty brakes in vehicles, broken machinery, unsafe consumer items, and toxic chemicals.
- Premises Liability: Deaths caused by accidents on someone else’s property, including slip-and-fall accidents, inadequate security measures, and unsafe premises.
- 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 Valmeyer, IL?
In Illinois, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate typically files the wrongful death claim. This individual is usually a close family member or someone appointed by the court. However, certain family members may also seek compensation for their losses.
- Personal Representative of the Deceased’s Estate: The representative files the claim on behalf of the estate and surviving family members.
- Surviving Spouse: The surviving spouse can seek compensation for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and financial support.
- Children: Children may seek compensation for the loss of a parent or file a claim if no surviving spouse exists.
- 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.
Understanding the individuals who can file a wrongful death claim is key to ensuring that those who are entitled can seek justice and compensation.
Who Cannot File a Wrongful Death Claim in Valmeyer, 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 usually do not have the right to file a wrongful death claim unless they can prove they were the deceased’s primary financial supporter.
- Siblings: Siblings generally do not have the right to file unless they were financially dependent on the deceased or had an exceptionally close relationship, which must be supported by evidence.
If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible to file a wrongful death claim, consulting with an experienced lawyer is key. Contact us today or call (618)-244-5335 for expert legal advice.
What Do Valmeyer, IL, Wrongful Death Attorneys 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, 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 earned, including salary, bonuses, and potential future earnings, which can help ease financial hardship for surviving family members.
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for the emergency medical services, hospital charges, surgeries, and other treatment-related costs incurred before the victim passed away.
- 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 known as general damages, aim to address the emotional and psychological effects of losing a loved one. While they are more subjective, they can have a deep impact on the surviving family members. Some examples include:
- Loss of Consortium: Payment for the loss of love, companionship, emotional connection, and intimacy that family members suffer after the death of a loved one.
- Pain and Suffering: Reimbursement for the emotional pain, mental suffering, and grief endured by surviving family members after losing a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: Granted in cases of severe negligence or misconduct, punitive damages are designed 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.
Speaking with one of our wrongful death lawyers in Valmeyer, IL, will provide you with insights into the damages you may be entitled to pursue in your case.
Effective Valmeyer, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers
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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 Valmeyer, IL, Wrongful Death Lawyers who are dedicated to securing your family’s justice.
