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Wrongful Death Attorney in Belvidere

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About Carlson Bier Associates

In the unfortunate event of a wrongful death, it is absolutely essential to enlist legal representation that brings credible experience, deep-rooted proficiency and unwavering dedication to your case. Carlson Bier champions those principals with distinctions. As experts in Wrongful Death law, we understand the complexities and emotional turmoil such incidents cause for loved ones left behind. Our highly-skilled team is versed in every nuance surrounding Wrongful Death claims in Belvidere as well as areas across Illinois; intimately acquainted with jurisdiction-specific rules and intricacies of local court systems, we adeptly navigate our clients through these tumultuous times. Excellence isn’t merely about expertise but also empathy – at Carlson Bier you’re not just another client but part of our family who won’t rest until justice is served on your behalf. When in need of tenacious advocacy entwined with compassionate understanding for Wrongful Death matters, entrust only with Carlson Bier — because here lies undisputed strength sewn into each successful verdict achieved.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Belvidere Illinois

Welcome to the Carlson Bier, foremost in the domain of personal injury law at Illinois. Strongly grounded in our ethos of justice and compassion, Carlson Bier prides itself on being a stalwart advocate for victims of wrongful death incidents. Knowledge is power and understanding your legal rights can be immensely empowering during such devastating times. Hence, we have dedicated this space to educate you about the subject.

Wrongful death refers to situations where individuals lose their lives due to negligence or intentional malfeasance by others. The resulting emotional ordeal for loved ones left behind amplifies with overwhelming legal repercussions that often ensue, affording victims’ families rights to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. It’s essential to remember:

• Not all fatalities qualify as wrongful death instances under Illinois law.

• Successful claims require proof that negligence or misconduct caused death.

• Only specific individuals, typically close family members, may file such claims.

Our team at Carlson Bier embodies decades of collective litigation experience specifically within personal injury law which includes winning substantial settlements for numerous wrongful death cases. Proficient in confronting demanding courtroom trials and adept at strategic negotiations outside courtrooms as well — each lawyer here is committed not just towards securing fair recompensation but also towards doing so without causing added stress upon an already grieving family.

Navigating these tortuous legal pathways gets remarkably challenging for laypersons. General misunderstanding stems from numerous myths surrounding this topic – we debunk some commonly believed fallacies below:

• Deadlines do not matter – In reality, statutes usually prescribe rigid time frames known as statutes of limitations within which one must bring a lawsuit.

• The offender will pay punitive damages – While it sounds logical, actual practice rarely sees awarding of punitive damages unless wanton disregard for human life is evident.

Rest assured knowing that every application lodged with us secures earnest confidentiality; garnered resources are geared only towards supporting your cause legally. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our grieving clients, each step of the way – from filing claims, proving faults, establishing impacts and damages to negotiating insurance settlements.

Wrongful death lawsuits aren’t only about compensation; more importantly, they are about justice. We firmly believe that no amount can compensate for a life lost due to others’ carelessness or intentional harm. However, fair remuneration can ease glum financial burdens borne by families in wake of such tragic incidents – loss of income being the primary concern.

Guided by firm belief in rights and justice, our work remains dedicated towards upholdment of transparent values for all segments of society irrespective of case complexities or client capabilities. Purely contingent fee arrangements ensure assurance – payable fees emerge solely from compensations awarded – guaranteeing absolutely no out-of-pocket expenses on part of grieving families until the claim is won completely.

Remember, however daunting it may seem now, you don’t have to face these challenging times alone. With Carlson Bier at your side, fighting perseveringly to protect your interests ensures that the legal labyrinth becomes a straight road drawing towards rightful justice.

The significance of exploring possible choices cannot be emphasized sufficiently when involved in wrongful death situations. Are you wondering about potential claims following such an unfortunate incident? Don’t just wonder! Feel free to delve further down this page and click on ‘Evaluate my Case’. It’s time you discover how much your case could potentially be worth if handled correctly by seasoned experts like us here at Carlson Bier. You deserve nothing less than the best resolution possible under state law mechanisms currently residing within Illinois jurisdiction.

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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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 Belvidere

Areas of Practice in Belvidere

Bicycle Incidents

Expert in legal support for individuals injured in bicycle accidents due to negligent parties' carelessness or unsafe conditions.

Scald Wounds

Giving professional legal advice for victims of intense burn injuries caused by occurrences or negligence.

Hospital Incompetence

Delivering experienced legal support for patients affected by medical malpractice, including medication mistakes.

Goods Fault

Handling cases involving faulty products, supplying skilled legal assistance to clients affected by product malfunctions.

Aged Abuse

Advocating for the rights of elders who have been subjected to abuse in care facilities environments, ensuring protection.

Slip and Stumble Mishaps

Specialist in tackling stumble accident cases, providing legal assistance to victims seeking recovery for their harm.

Birth Traumas

Offering legal guidance for kin affected by medical incompetence resulting in infant injuries.

Auto Incidents

Accidents: Committed to helping victims of car accidents secure fair recompense for wounds and harm.

Motorbike Crashes

Expert in providing legal advice for victims involved in bike accidents, ensuring adequate recompense for damages.

Truck Collision

Ensuring expert legal advice for drivers involved in trucking accidents, focusing on securing appropriate settlement for damages.

Building Accidents

Committed to representing workers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to oversights or recklessness.

Cognitive Harms

Dedicated to extending expert legal representation for patients suffering from cognitive injuries due to incidents.

Dog Bite Injuries

Expertise in tackling cases for people who have suffered damages from dog bites or animal attacks.

Jogger Mishaps

Focused on legal assistance for pedestrians involved in accidents, providing professional services for recovering claims.

Wrongful Loss

Advocating for families affected by a wrongful death, providing caring and adept legal guidance to ensure compensation.

Neural Trauma

Committed to representing persons with vertebral damage, offering dedicated legal services to secure redress.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer