Villa Park Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you recently lost someone close to you due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, it’s only natural to feel a mixture of intense emotions. You may be grieving the loss of your loved one, overwhelmed by the new responsibilities you’ve had to take on in the wake of their passing, and furious at the at-fault parties for causing their death. While pursuing a legal claim against the liable parties cannot bring your relative back, it can offer you and your family a sense of justice and the compensation you need to get your lives back on track Our Villa Park wrongful death attorneys are here to help guide you through these dark days. When you hire us to handle your claim, we will investigate the accident, oversee the logistics of your claim, and if necessary, represent you during trial. To set up a free case review, contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS. Our team is available to take your calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

While a settlement or verdict in a wrongful death case can never make up for your loss, it can at least give you and your loved ones a financial safety net during this dark chapter of your lives. Below are a few examples of the damages commonly available to plaintiffs: 

• Did the Deceased Incur Any Medical Expenses? Unless the deceased died suddenly in an accident, they were likely admitted to and treated at a hospital. Healthcare can often cost a small fortune, and it’s likely that you and your family had to cover some of these expenses. Fortunately, such costs—including those paid by the deceased’s estate—might be recoverable as part of your claim.

• What Was the Deceased’s Expected Career Trajectory? Was your loved one just beginning their career or were they set to retire soon? How much was he or she earning prior to their death? If you were financially dependent on the deceased, you may be able to seek compensation for earnings and benefits they would’ve provided had they survived. Our attorneys might consult with vocational experts and economists to protect the deceased’s expected career trajectory and approximate the value of lost income.

• What Was the Deceased’s Role in the Household? Did he or she take care of the children, prepare meals, oversee household chores? After the death of a loved one, you will likely struggle to take care of these tasks on your own. You may have to hire a nanny, pay for alternative transportation, or cover the cost of cleaning services to step in to fulfill the deceased’s former responsibilities. Such expenses might be recoverable as part of your claim. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

Losing someone close to you is a shock to the system. In the days that follow, you and your family need time to mourn, so it can be difficult to focus on other matters such as filing a legal claim. However, it’s important to consider your actions carefully as any missteps could lead to disputes or other issues during proceedings. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid during this time: 

• You Filed Your Claim Too Late: It takes time to build a convincing case, so dragging your heels could drag down your chances of obtaining a financial award. Not only are there strict deadlines for those wishing to file a wrongful death lawsuit, but many law firms will also not take on new claims unless they have enough time to gather evidence, obtain the necessary documentation, and develop strategies to help you seek damages. Additionally, some evidence may be time-sensitive. As such, it could be in your best interests to contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible so he or she can take steps to gather this evidence before it becomes unavailable.

• You Provided a Recorded Statement: If the insurance company reaches out to you for a recorded statement, you should direct them to your attorney. While they may seem friendly, the claims adjuster ultimately represents the insurer and is likely looking for any evidence that could be used to deny or reduce your claim. If you did agree to a recorded statement, you should let your attorney know what was said. Your comments could be misrepresented to dispute aspects of your case, and your wrongful death lawyer may need to gather evidence to counter or mitigate such defenses.

• You Accepted an Unfair Settlement Offer: The purpose of a damages award in a wrongful death case is to help you and your family recover what was lost due to your loved one’s death. This can include compensation for the deceased’s funeral expenses, medical costs, future earnings, and your own losses in terms of the care and companionship the deceased provided in your relationship. Accepting a settlement offer that does not account for all recoverable losses may deprive you and your family of the funds you need to get your lives back on track. Your wrongful death attorney can help conduct an in-depth investigation into your relative’s death to determine which damages may be recoverable as part of your claim and approximate a fair sum for the losses you and your family have suffered.

Find a Wrongful Death Attorney in Villa Park Today

If you’ve lost a loved one recently and believe that someone else is to blame for their death, it may be in your best interests to reach out to one of our attorneys. We can assess your situation, review evidence you’ve gathered thus far, and discuss your options for seeking compensation. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or click through to our contact page HERE to schedule a free case review.