Have you recently experienced the tragic loss of a family member in Rockford, IL? Was someone else responsible? Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for legal assistance right away. An experienced Rockford wrongful death lawyer can help you fight to hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Our attorneys have decades of experience representing clients who are grieving the loss of a loved one. We’ve recovered over $100 million for our efforts.
We’re here to stand by your side and fight to recover compensation for lost financial support, medical bills, pain, trauma, and more. Contact our law firm in Rockford, Illinois, at (815) 662-0330 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Rockford?
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is here to offer the support you need during this difficult time. You deserve time to grieve, care for yourself, and your family. That can be tough to do when you’re dealing with a complex legal claim.
Our Rockford personal injury lawyers have been nationally recognized by:
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- The Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum
We’ve earned a perfect-10 Avvo lawyer rating for our top-quality legal services.
These awards probably don’t mean much right now. Most importantly, we’ve dedicated our entire practice to helping people like you get justice. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars to help people like you get justice.
Now, our Rockford wrongful death attorneys are ready to fight for you. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights, options, and how we can help.
Overview of Illinois Laws on Wrongful Death
Wrongful death in Illinois is a death that occurs because of the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person.
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a grieving family can pursue compensation if:
- Someone else was responsible for their loved one’s death
- Their loved one could have sued for damages had they lived
A wide range of scenarios can give rise to a valid wrongful death case. Motor vehicle accidents, medical errors, dangerous property conditions, and even crimes can all give survivors the right to sue for damages.
What Is the Goal of a Wrongful Death Claim in Rockford?
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil matters. They’re very much like personal injury cases. Of course, the key difference is that the victim’s injuries were fatal. That does not mean the at-fault party is let off the hook.
In wrongful death cases, however, the court isn’t focused on punishing the defendant. Most cases involve accidents. The point of the lawsuit is to compensate the victim’s survivors and estate.
Even when wrongful death cases do involve intentional criminal acts, the remedy is financial compensation. It’s up to the criminal courts to decide whether to punish the defendant with criminal penalties. Criminal charges are entirely separate.
How Do Wrongful Death Claims in Illinois Work?
In Illinois, the victim’s personal representative files any wrongful death lawsuit. If no personal representative has been named, the courts can appoint one. Typically, someone close to the victim serves.
The lawsuit is filed to compensate the victim’s family, including:
- A surviving spouse
- Children
- Parents or legal guardians
If the victim left no next of kin, the compensation recovered can be distributed to the victim’s estate. The estate can use the funds to cover estate administration costs, medical bills, attorneys’ fees, etc. After covering expenses, the remaining compensation is distributed according to the victim’s will or Illinois intestate laws.
How Much Money Should I Expect From a Rockford Wrongful Death Case?
Your case value depends entirely on the facts. All wrongful death claims are different. That’s true even though all victims of wrongful death suffer the most serious injuries possible–fatal injuries.
The survivors–and their attorneys–must still prove the value of their claim to get a fair settlement.
The primary factors that will impact your case value include:
- Your loved one’s age and life expectancy when they died
- The identities and needs of surviving dependents
- The medical costs and expenses incurred between the date of injury and death
- The victim’s projected future earning capacity, had they lived
- Your family’s mental pain, trauma, and grief
- The circumstances of your loved one’s death and the nature of the at-fault party’s acts
Your life has changed unimaginably. Yes, the insurance adjusters and defense teams may seem sympathetic. No, that doesn’t mean their settlement offer is fair. They aren’t looking out for your best interests–that’s your lawyer’s job.
Our lawyers know that these “it depends” answers are frustrating. After we learn the facts, we can offer more insight during a free case review.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover By Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Rockford?
In Illinois, the wrongful death law directs juries to award “such damages as they shall deem a fair and just compensation” to survivors of fatal injury victims. Your damages award should account for the losses you’re struggling with today.
Examples of the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive include:
- Loss of the victim’s financial support
- Loss of the victim’s employment benefits, including insurance and retirement benefits
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Loss of a spouse’s love, company, and support (loss of consortium)
- Loss of parental guidance, support, and instruction
- Your family’s mental suffering, grief, pain, and suffering
- Loss of the value of household and childcare services that the victim provided
- Estate administration expenses
- Attorneys’ fees
- Any other out-of-pocket expenses your family has incurred
Calculating the value of these losses can be particularly difficult. The bulk of your settlement may account for future losses and intangible, or “non-economic”, damages.
Expert witness testimony may be critical to proving your damages. Over the years, our lawyers have established a network of respected experts whom insurance companies take seriously. You can count on us to work closely with them as we assess your damages. When it’s time to negotiate a settlement, we’ll be prepared with the strongest possible evidence.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Illinois?
You shouldn’t have to stress about how you’ll afford legal representation. Our team at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis. You never pay for our services unless–and until–we recover compensation in your case. When we do, our fees are a percentage of your settlement or jury verdict.
What if Someone Blames My Loved One for a Fatal Accident in Illinois?
Nothing, unless the other side can actually prove that your loved one shared some fault. Calling an experienced wrongful death attorney should be your first step if someone is blaming the victim. You could lose your right to valuable compensation if you don’t fight back.
Here’s how Illinois modified comparative negligence laws work:
- Your compensation award is reduced by the percentage of fault allocated to the victim
- Your family loses your right to compensation entirely if the victim was more than 50% responsible
Our attorneys are always prepared to defend grieving families from unfair accusations.
Our Lawyers Handle All Types of Wrongful Death Claims in Rockford
Our lawyers have the experience and resources to handle any type of wrongful death claim.
Examples of our practice areas include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and fall accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Nursing home abuse
- Assault and violence
Call us today if you recently lost a loved one. Our Rockford wrongful death attorneys can get to work immediately to start building your case.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation for Wrongful Death in Illinois?
The relevant legal theory depends on how your loved one died. In the most common scenario, survivors must prove negligence to recover damages.
Negligence-based claims require proof that:
- The defendant owed your loved one a legal duty of care
- They breached their duty
- That breach caused your loved one’s death
- Your family suffered damages
Our law firm has the resources to launch a complete investigation. We’ll evaluate the accident scene, review police reports, interview witnesses, and search for any evidence that can be used to prove your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Deadly Injury in Illinois?
The statute of limitations in Illinois wrongful death cases gives you two years to file a lawsuit. The two-year clock starts running on the date of your loved one’s death, not the date of the initial accident or injury.
If you don’t file your lawsuit before the two-year deadline passes, you’ll permanently lose your right to seek compensation.
Contact Our Rockford Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Case Review Today
If you recently lost a loved one due to someone else’s acts, Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys should be your first call. Our trusted Rockford wrongful death lawyers know how to help. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help your family.
