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Wrongful Death Attorney in Berkeley

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Over $50 Million in Recoveries

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About Carlson Bier Associates

Coming to terms with the loss of a loved one is difficult, especially when it results from wrongful death. Amid your anguish and confusion, you need an expert legal team at your side to pursue justice and compensation, so consider Carlson Bier. This accomplished law firm based in Illinois demonstrates unwavering competence in handling Wrongful Death cases – steadfastly supporting clients through this challenging journey while relentlessly pursuing favorable outcomes. They exemplify dedication to client’s rights and possess extensive knowledge within the personal injury law domain particularly involving wrongful deaths that makes them stand out among their contemporaries. Specializing in serving families affected by these unfortunate incidents, they meticulously investigate possible negligence or misconduct leading to such tragic events. At Carlson Bier choosing empathy along with skillful representation is the norm – reinforcing why our esteemed firm deserves your utmost consideration for navigating wrong-death related legal matters regardless of where life may find you situated currently.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Berkeley Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we specialize in personal injury law, with a particular focus on Wrongful Death cases. With vast experience over the years and a track record of helping countless individuals secure rightful compensation, we routinely deal with claims in this challenging field. We are found at Illinois’ heart, known for our commitment to upholding justice and delivering seasoned legal representation.

Wrongful Death is essentially defined as a death caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct. Picture situations where a manufacturer fails to provide adequate safety measures in their product leading to accidents, or when a doctor performs an operation carelessly resulting in fatal consequences—we call these tragic outcomes ‘wrongful deaths.’

Under Illinois law, families who have experienced such appalling loss are entitled to financial damages from the responsible parties through wrongful death laws. However, understanding these complex laws and enforcing your rights could be quite burdensome amidst grief—it’s here that our proficient lawyers step forward to support victims navigate the intricate legal landscape.

• Time Limits: When grieving the loss of a loved one, it’s easy for time to slip away before you act legally. In Illinois, there’s generally a two-year period from your loved one’s death within which you must file your claim.

• Determining Liability: From unsafe working conditions to auto accidents and medical malpractice—the causes of wrongful death are diverse. Our team excels in identifying responsibility crafting compelling arguments for your case.

• Compensation Amount: The entire cost incurred due to the tragedy (funeral costs), potential earnings lost because of premature demise and non-monetary aspects like pain/suffering are factored into calculating rightful compensation.

Carlson Bier attorneys’ adept handling eases matters while maximizing compensation—guiding you every step through investigation stages till trial if needed—of course relieving you from daunting paperwork.

Furthermore, having managed various wrongful death lawsuits allows us distinctively strategizing—bolstering lawsuits most suitably according to varying circumstances, thus making a real difference in the outcomes. Also worth mentioning is that our dedicated legal services are not confined to just one city—we take pride in reaching out across different parts of Illinois, helping people irrespective of their location.

Notably, while some law firms may charge exorbitantly upfront for they juggle many cases together and then hurry things up—We at Carlson Bier believe every client deserves personalized concentration from attorneys. We operate on contingency basis—you aren’t liable unless we succeed in procuring your due compensation; So you can focus on healing after the misfortune while we concentrate on securing what’s rightfully yours.

Wrongful death claims could be quite sensitive given emotional trauma involved mixing with legal complexities; Our empathetic approach reflects genuine understanding to support bereaved families chart through those tiring times.

Knowledge is Power; Shattering myths like ‘only spouses/children can sue’, ‘there isn’t much scope recovering $ if deceased were unemployed’ etc.—we aim educating visitors here about various aspects wrongful deaths. If something feels unclear or you wish exploring your own particular situation further – Don’t hesitate contacting us to clarify doubts or get potential guidance!

Lastly, we don’t claim superiority simply through words—but by proving it with results—our glowing testimonials affirm clients’ trust vested upon us—they appreciated our lawyers’ ability turning very challenging situations around favorably.

As difficult as times might be right now dealing with the loss of your loved one, remember that you do have rights and there are supportive professionals ready to help seek justice. The law doesn’t condone those causing wrongful death escape liability lightly—we stand firm ensuring their accountability! To get an idea about where you stand in terms of possible compensation for a Wrongful Death case – Click on the button below – It evaluates promptly how much your case might possibly be worth!

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.
Education & Information

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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 Berkeley

Areas of Practice in Berkeley

Cycling Incidents

Specializing in legal advocacy for people injured in bicycle accidents due to responsible parties' negligence or perilous conditions.

Burn Damages

Giving specialist legal help for victims of severe burn injuries caused by events or recklessness.

Medical Malpractice

Providing professional legal assistance for individuals affected by physician malpractice, including wrong treatment.

Products Responsibility

Dealing with cases involving dangerous products, offering expert legal assistance to individuals affected by product-related injuries.

Aged Abuse

Protecting the rights of seniors who have been subjected to misconduct in aged care environments, ensuring fairness.

Stumble & Fall Injuries

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

Newborn Harms

Offering legal support for loved ones affected by medical malpractice resulting in birth injuries.

Vehicle Collisions

Crashes: Committed to helping clients of car accidents gain reasonable payout for damages and losses.

Bike Accidents

Specializing in providing representation for victims involved in scooter accidents, ensuring just recovery for damages.

Trucking Accident

Delivering experienced legal assistance for victims involved in semi accidents, focusing on securing just claims for hurts.

Construction Collisions

Focused on assisting employees or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to negligence or negligence.

Neurological Injuries

Specializing in delivering specialized legal support for individuals suffering from neurological injuries due to misconduct.

Dog Bite Damages

Proficient in addressing cases for clients who have suffered traumas from puppy bites or wildlife encounters.

Foot-traveler Accidents

Expert in legal advocacy for joggers involved in accidents, providing effective representation for recovering damages.

Unwarranted Passing

Working for loved ones affected by a wrongful death, delivering compassionate and skilled legal representation to ensure compensation.

Backbone Impairment

Expert in supporting patients with paralysis, offering dedicated legal support to secure redress.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer