Champaign County Wrongful Death Lawyer
There are no guarantees in life. While many people live to their 70s, 80s, and beyond, some die unexpectedly at a younger age due to an accident or another’s negligent act.
Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and defective products are just some of the ways in which a person can get killed. When a person dies due to someone else’s negligence, it is called wrongful death. The family of the victim can typically file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party and recover compensation for various damages.
However, there are rules that need to be followed. Each state has different laws regarding wrongful death. In Illinois, for example, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative, or executor, of the deceased person’s estate. If the person died without an estate plan or personal representative, then the court may appoint one to pursue the wrongful death claim as well as carry out other tasks related to the estate.
An unexpected death can lead to financial hardship for a family. There are burial and funeral expenses, as well as lost wages and other damages to consider. Make sure you are fully compensated with help from a Champaign County wrongful death lawyer from Patel Law, PC.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil claim against the negligent party that allows the surviving family members to recover financial compensation. The compensation that family members can receive due to their loved one’s death is generally divided into two types of damages:
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Economic damages. These damages include medical and funeral expenses, as well as future expenses and losses, such as the loss of future earnings and other financial support, the loss of medical coverage and other benefits, the loss of an inheritance, and the loss of the goods and services that the victim provided while alive.
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Non-economic damages. These damages are harder to quantify since they are not financial in nature. They may be more emotional and include the family members’ grief and sorrow, loss of consortium (which refers to the loss of society, companionship, and sexual relationship a person such as a spouse had with the deceased victim), as well as any loss of instruction and education the deceased would have provided to any surviving children.
Some states have limits as to the amount of damages that can be awarded in a wrongful death suit. However, Illinois currently has no such cap.
Contact Patel Law, PC Today
An unexpected death can leave surviving family members devastated. If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, you do have options.
But don’t wait too long. Under Illinois law, you have just two years from the person’s death to file a wrongful death case. Count on a Champaign County wrongful death lawyer from Patel Law, PC to help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (217) 384-1111.
