Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyers
When a family loses someone to another party's negligence, no amount of compensation restores what was lost. Illinois law does, however, provide a legal remedy. Our wrongful death attorneys help families hold negligent parties accountable and recover the compensation the law allows.
More Details about Wrongful Death
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
Holding drivers accountable for fatal incidents involving pedestrians.
Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
Legal support for families after the loss of a motorcyclist in a fatal event.
Fatal Truck Accidents
Fighting for families after deadly truck accidents caused by negligence.
Fatal Bicycle Accidents
Representing loved ones of cyclists killed in preventable roadway crashes.
Fatal Car Accidents
Helping families seek justice after deadly car collisions caused by negligence.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Illinois
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Illinois
Wrongful death claims arise whenever a preventable act of negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing results in a fatality. In our experience representing families across Northern Illinois, the majority of these cases stem from:
- Car accidents, including impaired, distracted, or reckless driving
- Truck accidents involving commercial carriers and negligent trucking companies
- Motorcycle accidents, often caused by a driver's failure to yield
- Pedestrian accidents in crosswalks, parking lots, and residential areas
- Bicycle accidents resulting from unsafe passing or right-of-way violations
Each of these cases requires its own investigation into liability, insurance coverage, and the applicable standard of care. We build every wrongful death case around the specific facts and evidence involved, not a template.
Wrongful death claims arise whenever a preventable act of negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing results in a fatality. In our experience representing families across Northern Illinois, the majority of these cases stem from:
- Car accidents, including impaired, distracted, or reckless driving
- Truck accidents involving commercial carriers and negligent trucking companies
- Motorcycle accidents, often caused by a driver's failure to yield
- Pedestrian accidents in crosswalks, parking lots, and residential areas
- Bicycle accidents resulting from unsafe passing or right-of-way violations
Each of these cases requires its own investigation into liability, insurance coverage, and the applicable standard of care. We build every wrongful death case around the specific facts and evidence involved, not a template.
Understanding Your Rights Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act
Understanding Your Rights Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act
Illinois wrongful death claims are governed by the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). In most cases, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death, though certain circumstances, such as claims against a government entity, can shorten or extend that window. The claim is filed by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Illinois also follows a comparative negligence standard, so a claim isn't automatically barred if the deceased is found partially at fault, though it may reduce the compensation recovered. Because these rules are fact-specific, we recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible rather than assuming a deadline or exception applies.
Illinois wrongful death claims are governed by the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). In most cases, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death, though certain circumstances, such as claims against a government entity, can shorten or extend that window. The claim is filed by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Illinois also follows a comparative negligence standard, so a claim isn't automatically barred if the deceased is found partially at fault, though it may reduce the compensation recovered. Because these rules are fact-specific, we recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible rather than assuming a deadline or exception applies.
Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Claim
Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Claim
Illinois law allows a jury to award damages it determines to be fair and just based on the circumstances of the loss. These typically fall into two categories:
Economic damages account for the financial impact of the loss, including funeral and burial expenses, medical costs incurred before death, and the income and benefits the deceased would reasonably have provided to survivors.
Non-economic damages account for the loss of society, companionship, and guidance the deceased provided, as well as the grief and sorrow experienced by surviving family members.
The specific amount recoverable depends on factors including the deceased's age, earning capacity, and relationship to the surviving family members. An attorney can provide a realistic assessment only after reviewing the facts of your case.
Illinois law allows a jury to award damages it determines to be fair and just based on the circumstances of the loss. These typically fall into two categories:
Economic damages account for the financial impact of the loss, including funeral and burial expenses, medical costs incurred before death, and the income and benefits the deceased would reasonably have provided to survivors.
Non-economic damages account for the loss of society, companionship, and guidance the deceased provided, as well as the grief and sorrow experienced by surviving family members.
The specific amount recoverable depends on factors including the deceased's age, earning capacity, and relationship to the surviving family members. An attorney can provide a realistic assessment only after reviewing the facts of your case.
Why Families Choose Salvi & Maher
For more than two decades, Salvi & Maher has supported families throughout DuPage, Lake, Cook, and McHenry Counties in wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims. Our attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for clients and handled over 2,500 cases to resolution.
We take on the insurance companies, the investigation, and the litigation, so your family can focus on what matters. We collect a fee only when we recover compensation on your behalf.
We Make it Easy to Start.
The Consultation is Free.
Start with a free case evaluation to learn how Salvi & Maher can support you from day one.
We Assess Your Case
Our attorneys will carefully review your situation to determine if we’re the right fit to pursue legal action.
We Fight for You
If we take your case, we’ll advocate relentlessly to help you secure the results you deserve.
Talk With an Illinois Wrongful Death Attorney
Our attorneys understand the weight of what your family is facing, and we approach every wrongful death case with the seriousness it deserves.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling 847-662-3303 to reach one of our offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Chicago, or Richmond.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Timelines vary based on the complexity of the case and whether the responsible party disputes liability. Straightforward claims may resolve through settlement in several months, while contested cases that proceed to trial can take a year or longer.