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Wrongful Death Attorney in Lake Forest

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About Carlson Bier Associates

If you’re dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one due to wrongful death in Lake Forest, Carlson Bier Associates is dedicated to helping your journey towards justice. Our team has extensive experience in handling complex and sensitive cases involving wrongful death claims. When such devastating circumstances occur, our role as your champions comes into full effect by ensuring that you receive the compensation deserved for both economic and non-economic damages. We demonstrate unique resilience, expertise and dedication throughout every phase of the case while providing compassionate support during difficult times.

Our success speaks volumes about our service; we have recovered millions on behalf of clients through settlements or trial verdicts over the years which signify our tenacity against even toughest oppositions. Although we acknowledge that no amount can truly compensate for your irreplaceable loss, it’s crucial that those responsible are held accountable. Choose Carlson Bier – A firm commitment to delivering fair results when navigating complexities surrounding Wrongful Death lawsuits.

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About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Lake Forest Illinois

At the law firm of Carlson Bier, our dedicated lawyers are extremely adept at handling wrongful death cases in Illinois. By combining hard work, determination, and strategic thinking, we have positioned ourselves as premier advocates for those who have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one with no way to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Wrongful death is an area of personal injury law that revolves around fatal accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness or intentional conduct. Broadly defined, it is a legal claim pursued after someone’s life is unjustly taken. While no amount of compensation can replace your loved one or ease the emotional pain you are going through, recompense from a successful lawsuit can provide financial stability during this heart-rending time. Furthermore, it serves due justice by holding those who cause such disheartening losses responsible.

This field encompasses fatalities resulting from various unfortunate circumstances such as:

– Car Accidents

– Medical Malpractice

– Workplace Accidents

– Defective Products

In Illinois specifically, what distinctively qualifies as ‘wrongful death’ varies and certain conditions should be met before pursuing a case legally:

1) Loss of life must have resulted directly from another party’s negligent action – recklessness or failure to fulfill a duty safely.

2) Surviving family members must have suffered monetary injury because of their loss.

3) A representative for the decedent’s estate has been appointed.

At Carlson Bier Associates, we believe that understanding these key points ensures that you take the right steps to bring peace back into your lives slowly but determinedly. Our goal involves crafting an individualized strategy while working tenaciously towards securing suitable compensation in matters involving funeral costs and expenses related to medical care prior to your loved one’s demise along with non-tangible losses like companionship and emotional trauma.

Many myths circle around wrongful deaths lawsuits; however most pervasive among them are misconceptions about awarded damages and who can file a claim. While the former is largely dependent on the unique circumstance of each case, in Illinois specifically, it’s the personal representative of the decedent’s estate who has legal power to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

We think that there’s something profoundly valuable about equipping you with knowledge and understanding while meeting your unique needs – because we are not just advocates for your rights, we strive to be pillars of support during one of life’s most challenging periods. Our approach is marked by empathy, patience and tireless commitment as our diligent team navigates through rigorous documentation, negotiation with insurance companies or facing off against opposing counsel.

Our sterling reputation precedes us: Carlson Bier Associates have managed to successfully represent numerous clients across Illinois looking for justice after tragic loss. Years filled with rich experience and skillful advocacy means understanding what grieving families need in their pursuit of justice.

Representing people from across Illinois rather than any particular city; our exceptional attorneys unfailingly deliver comprehensive counsel that is relevant within state laws. We offer an array of services directly resulting in successful outcomes while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding client relationships and cases undertaken.

At Carlson Bier Associates, recalling that trust forms foundation for any fruitful attorney-client relationship plays a crucial role – knowing that someone values your concerns equally can make all the difference when seeking reparation after loss becomes necessary.

Discover how much your case could potentially be worth today by clicking on the button below – signifying decisive action towards securing not only financial stability but also embracing closure after such profound despair – because at Carlson Bier Associates, your journey towards healing matters more than anything else does.

Find Out How Much Your Case is Worth
Testimonials from Clients

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Notable Illinois Appellate Wins

Moruzzi v. CCC Servs., Inc., 2020 IL App (2d) 190411, 171 N.E.3d 61
Background: Insured motorist filed action against insurer for declaratory judgment seeking construction of automobile insurance policy issued to insured and that was in effect when insured was injured by an underinsured driver. The Circuit Court, DuPage County, Bonnie M. Wheaton, J., granted the insurer's motions for summary judgment. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Zenoff, J., held that:1 medical payments reduction clause in automobile insurance policy conflicted with underinsured motorist provisions so as to render reduction clause ambiguous, and thus medical payment benefits were deductible from insured's damages;2 law firm representing insured did not create common fund or common funds when it reached settlement with underinsured motorist, and thus law firm was not entitled to recover fees under common-fund doctrine; and3 collateral estoppel did not bar automobile insurers from litigating whether common-fund doctrine applied in insured motorist's declaratory judgment action.Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Maier v. CC Servs., Inc., 2019 IL App (3d) 170640, 132 N.E.3d 795
Background: After insured, who was injured in automobile collision with another driver, recovered full liability limits of driver's policy, she filed amended complaint for declaratory judgment against her own automobile insurer, alleging that insurer breached contractual duty to pay for insured's damages in accordance with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in insured's policy and that insurer acted in bad faith in denying insured such coverage. The Circuit Court, La Salle County, Troy D. Holland, J., granted the insurer's motion to dismiss claims as time-barred. Insured appealed.The Appellate Court ruled that neither the insurer nor the insured could add amended policy provisions to the court record. It was decided that the policy's requirement for a written arbitration demand applied to both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The court found that a letter from the insured's attorney to the insurer wasn't a valid arbitration demand nor a proof of loss to toll the statute of limitations. Finally, the insurer was permitted to use the defense based on the two-year statute of limitations period. The court's decision was affirmed.
Econ. Premier Assurance Co. v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 2021 IL App (1st) 192364-U
Holding: The circuit court's order that granted defendant's motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment was proper where defendant had no duty to indemnify its insured with respect to the underlying complaint and therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover against defendant on its subrogation or unjust enrichment claims; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Westerheide, 2023 IL App (5th) 220343-U
Holding: The court affirmed judgment of the circuit court granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff where the defendant failed to make a written demand for arbitration within two years from the date of the accident as required by the underinsured provisions of the defendant's automotive insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Olsak, 2022 IL App (1st) 200695, 216 N.E.3d 291
In a complex legal case, an insurer sought to avoid defending or indemnifying a hockey player under a policy issued to the player's stepfather after the player was sued for assaulting his coach. The initial Circuit Court ruling favored the insurer, but the Appellate Court reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. Ultimately, the Appellate Court determined the insurer was liable only up to the $3 million policy limit and found the insurer's four-year delay in seeking a declaratory judgment to be reasonable. This case highlights important aspects of insurance litigation and policy limit liabilities.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Durkin Elec. Co., Inc., 2022 IL App (1st) 210293-U, appeal denied, 199 N.E.3d 1187 (Ill. 2022)
Holding: The circuit court's order that denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and found that defendant was an additional insured under the policy was proper. The circuit court's order that denied defendant's motion for summary judgment and found that plaintiff did not have a duty to defend or indemnify defendant under the policy was proper; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Groen, 2017 IL App (4th) 160028, 69 N.E.3d 911
Background: Uninsured motorist (UM) carrier brought action against insured for declaratory judgment that it owed no benefits since workers' compensation received by insured exceeded policy limits. The Circuit Court, Sangamon County, Chris Perrin, J., entered summary judgment in favor of the carrier. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Harris, J., held that:1 employer's medical payments entitled carrier to setoff, and2 setoff clauses were enforceable.Affirmed.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Frobish, 2021 IL App (3d) 190473-U
Holding: Allegations in the underlying complaint that a township employee caused property damage by excavating and digging out a ditch failed to impose a duty to defend under township employee's individual farm insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 2018 IL App (1st) 173154-U
Holding: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed; plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured against the underlying complaint because the loss claimed in the underlying complaint is subject to an exclusion. The court held that it would also enter judgment for plaintiff because the underlying complaint does not allege an “occurrence” causing bodily injury within the meaning of the policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitt, 2021 IL App (5th) 190173-U
Holding: The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment of the circuit court where plaintiff had no duty to defend its insured and thus was not stopped from raising policy defenses to coverage for the underlying tort action contained in the amended declaratory action.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Livorsi Marine, Inc., 222 Ill. 2d 303, 856 N.E.2d 338 (2006) (the late Keith Carlson)
Liability insurer brought action against insureds for a declaratory judgment based on failure to provide timely notice of lawsuits against them. The Circuit Court, Cook County, Stephen A. Schiller, J., entered judgment for the insurer. Insureds appealed. The Appellate Court, Wolfson, J., 358 Ill.App.3d 880, 295 Ill.Dec. 665, 833 N.E.2d 871, affirmed. Leave to appeal was granted.Holdings: The Supreme Court, Garman, J., held that:1 if the insurer did not receive reasonable notice of an occurrence or a lawsuit, the policyholder may not recover under the policy, regardless of whether the lack of reasonable notice prejudiced the insurer, overruling Rice v. AAA Aerostar, Inc., 294 Ill.App.3d 801, 229 Ill.Dec. 20, 690 N.E.2d 1067, and Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Baur's Opera House, Inc., 296 Ill.App.3d 1011, 230 Ill.Dec. 624, 694 N.E.2d 593, and2 insured did not need to prove that it was prejudiced by delayed notice of lawsuits.Affirmed.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Wrongful Death FAQ​

Wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person.

The following people may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit:

  • The spouse or children of the deceased
  • The parents of the deceased
  • The siblings of the deceased
  • The personal representative of the deceased’s estate

To prove a wrongful death claim in Illinois, the plaintiff must prove the following elements:

  • The defendant owed the deceased a duty of care.
  • The defendant breached that duty of care.
  • The breach of duty caused the death of the deceased.
  • The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the death of the deceased.

In a wrongful death lawsuit in Illinois, you may be able to recover the following types of damages:

  • Pecuniary damages: These damages are designed to compensate the plaintiff for the financial losses they have suffered as a result of the death of the deceased. This could include lost wages, medical expenses, and funeral expenses.
  • Non-pecuniary damages: These damages are designed to compensate the plaintiff for the non-financial losses they have suffered as a result of the death of the deceased. This could include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of parental guidance.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Illinois is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of the death to file a lawsuit.

If you have any questions about your legal rights or options after a wrongful death, you should contact an experienced wrongful death attorney.

All Attorney Services in Lake Forest

Areas of Practice in Lake Forest

Pedal Cycle Mishaps

Expert in legal services for clients injured in bicycle accidents due to other parties' indifference or dangerous conditions.

Flame Injuries

Extending specialist legal services for sufferers of intense burn injuries caused by accidents or indifference.

Physician Negligence

Providing specialist legal representation for individuals affected by medical malpractice, including misdiagnosis.

Items Fault

Handling cases involving unsafe products, delivering specialist legal support to customers affected by faulty goods.

Aged Mistreatment

Protecting the rights of nursing home residents who have been subjected to misconduct in nursing homes environments, ensuring fairness.

Tumble & Slip Accidents

Adept in tackling fall and trip accident cases, providing legal support to clients seeking recovery for their injuries.

Neonatal Wounds

Supplying legal aid for families affected by medical incompetence resulting in childbirth injuries.

Auto Accidents

Incidents: Focused on helping patients of car accidents get fair payout for hurts and damages.

Motorcycle Mishaps

Expert in providing legal support for riders involved in scooter accidents, ensuring adequate recompense for losses.

18-Wheeler Accident

Delivering experienced legal services for clients involved in lorry accidents, focusing on securing adequate claims for hurts.

Worksite Collisions

Focused on supporting workmen or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to negligence or misconduct.

Cerebral Traumas

Focused on offering specialized legal assistance for individuals suffering from cognitive injuries due to accidents.

Canine Attack Harms

Expertise in tackling cases for persons who have suffered injuries from canine attacks or beast attacks.

Foot-traveler Crashes

Dedicated to legal support for foot-travelers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering damages.

Unjust Fatality

Striving for relatives affected by a wrongful death, extending sensitive and professional legal assistance to ensure fairness.

Neural Damage

Specializing in defending clients with backbone trauma, offering professional legal guidance to secure settlement.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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