Few experiences in life can compare to the pain of losing a close family member due to another party’s negligence. Fatal accidents can happen without warning. You were likely taken by surprise when you heard the news that one of your close family members had been fatally injured in an accident. You may be struggling with the fact that your loved one would still be here if the party responsible for the accident had been more careful. In these cases, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Whether the responsible party was a drunk driver or a negligent medical professional, they can likely be held accountable for the loss of life resulting from their carelessness.
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is experienced in working with grieving family members who are ready to pursue compensation from the party responsible for their loss. We represent such clients with compassion, respect, and care for their best interests. Our attorneys handle wrongful death cases aggressively in order to hold the liable party accountable for all the harm a family has suffered, both economically and psychologically. If you are in this situation, we are prepared to fight for everything you are entitled to under the law.
In Illinois, you must be one of the decedent’s closest relatives to be eligible for wrongful death compensation. Generally, the decedent’s surviving spouse and children, if any, are given priority. If the decedent had neither a spouse nor children, their parent is likely eligible to recover compensation for the loss.
Illinois law allows more extended relatives to pursue compensation if there are no closer relatives. Siblings and even nieces or nephews may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if they are the decedent’s closest living relative.
Wrongful death lawsuits are intended to allow survivors to remain in the same financial position they would have been if their loved one had not been involved in an accident. They are also meant to compensate you for the emotional and psychological costs associated with losing a family member.
If you are eligible, you may be able to recover:
