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Wrongful Death Attorney in Pontiac

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Over $50 Million in Recoveries

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Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

The attorneys at Carlson Bier understand how profoundly a wrongful death can affect the lives of those left behind. Our highly skilled and experienced team is deeply committed to providing compassionate, thorough legal services in Pontiac and its surrounding communities for all matters related to wrongful death claims. We firmly believe that our clients deserve justice when they lose their loved ones due to negligence or malpractice. With our profound knowledge of Illinois law, we specialize in conducting comprehensive inquiries and building strong cases, tirelessly pursuing full compensation for the victims’ families on their behalf. As your advocate during this emotionally challenging time, Carlson Bier will stand by your side every step of the way – from understanding your rights through negotiation or trial advocacy if necessary. Trust us as many have trusted before; seeking unparalleled dedication coupled with unmatched legal expertise who actively assist you navigate through such adversity brings forth a sense of security knowing that justice will be served.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Pontiac Illinois

Carlson Bier is a renowned personal injury law group based in Illinois that specializes in representing clients who have experienced undue harm due to the misfortune of wrongful death. Our team of skilled attorneys is dedicated to fighting for justice, ensuring victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve, whilst striving to alleviate the pain associated with losing a loved one.

Wrongful death refers to an unfortunate occurrence resulting from another’s accidental or intentional act. As wrongful death claims can be complex and intricate, obtaining legal representation like Carlson Bier becomes essential. We apply our knowledge and experience in these cases, recovering damages covering loss of companionship, emotional distress, and financial burdens such as medical expenses and lost income.

• Knowledgeable Representation: Combining years of courtroom experience & deep legislative understanding, we advocate tirelessly for our clients’ rights.

• Compassionate Service: Acknowledging the grief you face; we handle each case with compassion – knowing it’s not just about money but more importantly providing closure.

• Dedicated Pursuit Of Justice: Committed to delivering optimum results for every client through aggressive pursuit.

Understanding how negligence plays into wrongful death claims is crucial. In instances where someone dies due to the negligence of another entity or person (be it malpractice by doctors, reckless driving leading to fatal car accidents), survivors may sue for wrongful death. Here at Carlson Bier, we are adept at proving sheer negligence or strict liability – holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

Navigating through Illinois’ Statute of limitations regarding wrongful deaths might seem daunting. Generally speaking, survivors must file a suit within two years following the incident causing death – otherwise risk losing chances at potential recovery funds. However specific circumstances extend this limitation period – something well understood by our expert team which work diligently to help protect your interests.

Allocating Wrongful Death settlement also requires careful handling. By Illinois law provisions stating surviving spouse & next kin often become “primary receivers”, complexities could arise if multiple parties contend for claims. Our team takes on such challenges, ensuring fair distribution while adhering strictly to the law.

Working with Carlson Bier means resilience & determination – we explore every legal avenue for maximum compensation. Moreover, should a wrongful death case go trial, we will fight relentlessly, advocating fiercely for your rights in court.

Our goal is to support you through this devastating period, providing topnotch representation at every turn. We are dedicated to justice – and committed to getting you the financial compensation necessary as a result of these tragic events.

Insurance companies often try minimizing or even deny payouts against wrongful death suits – but not on our watch. We understand these powerful entities’ tactics and negotiate tirelessly on our clients’ behalf securing wins against odds – hence setting us apart uniquely in the realm of personal injury law battles.

Carlson Bier’s forte lies deep within understanding complexity surrounding each individual case. Backed by in-depth research harmonized with our extensive experience & unwavering dedication to each client’s cause; no tactic gets past us easily from the opposing side – thus proving advantageous towards better settlement outcomes.

Indeed it’s more than just sheer professionalism that sets us apart: it’s the way we combine determination, empathy and expertise into one winning package when representing you in courtrooms or negotiation tables alike.

We invite you take charge today! Click on the button below to find out how much your case might be worth probably far more than insurance adjusters initially offer underestimating potential settlements. By clicking below remember there is no obligation furthermore all inquiries remain completely confidential until we discuss a possible course of action together moving forward.

An aggressive yet compassionate lawyer can make all difference during this trying time; connect with Carlson Bier because here justice isn’t merely an option- rather; It From Every Victim Of Wrongful Death!

Testimonials from Clients

Your Success Is Our Success

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 Pontiac

Areas of Practice in Pontiac

Pedal Cycle Collisions

Dedicated to legal representation for clients injured in bicycle accidents due to others' recklessness or dangerous conditions.

Burn Wounds

Providing expert legal services for victims of serious burn injuries caused by events or misconduct.

Hospital Misconduct

Extending specialist legal representation for victims affected by physician malpractice, including surgical errors.

Merchandise Liability

Taking on cases involving problematic products, delivering expert legal support to victims affected by harmful products.

Geriatric Mistreatment

Supporting the rights of nursing home residents who have been subjected to mistreatment in elderly care environments, ensuring compensation.

Fall & Slip Accidents

Adept in managing trip accident cases, providing legal services to individuals seeking compensation for their injuries.

Infant Damages

Offering legal assistance for relatives affected by medical incompetence resulting in neonatal injuries.

Automobile Incidents

Crashes: Devoted to aiding patients of car accidents gain reasonable remuneration for injuries and destruction.

Bike Accidents

Specializing in providing legal support for victims involved in two-wheeler accidents, ensuring adequate recompense for damages.

18-Wheeler Collision

Ensuring professional legal representation for persons involved in trucking accidents, focusing on securing fair recovery for damages.

Construction Crashes

Dedicated to defending workers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to negligence or carelessness.

Cognitive Injuries

Committed to delivering specialized legal advice for persons suffering from neurological injuries due to misconduct.

K9 Assault Harms

Specialized in managing cases for persons who have suffered wounds from dog attacks or beast attacks.

Pedestrian Incidents

Focused on legal support for pedestrians involved in accidents, providing expert advice for recovering compensation.

Wrongful Fatality

Standing up for bereaved affected by a wrongful death, delivering caring and adept legal support to ensure compensation.

Spinal Cord Harm

Dedicated to supporting clients with spinal cord injuries, offering expert legal guidance to secure recovery.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer