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Wrongful Death Attorney in Chatham

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Jeff Bier – Personal Injury Lawyer At Carlson Bier Associates
Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

When tragedy strikes, the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Carlson Bier are prepared to seek justice for Chatham victims. We understand that suffering a loss is more than emotional pain; it brings financial hardship and other weighty life challenges. Specializing in Wrongful Death cases, our lawyers have a robust track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of bereaved families across Illinois. Our unswerving dedication has earned us the trust of those seeking rightful recompense after losing their loved ones due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct.

We relentlessly pursue every feasible source of compensation for survivors faced with unforeseen funeral expenses, lost income and companionship. With years advocating these delicate issues combined with exhaustive knowledge about significant advancements in Wrongful Death case laws within Illinois jurisdiction , we’re confidently equipped to guide you through this overwhelming time.

Henceforth, let Carlson Bier be your greatest advocate when demanding accountability from those responsible for untimely fatalities. Undeniably respected as dependable wrongful death attorney group serving hundreds across the Prairie state: Effectiveness where it counts most – delivering peace amidst distress circumstances.

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About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Chatham Illinois

Personal injury law is both intricate and vital, a truth that we at Carlson Bier hold dear as personal injury attorneys based in Illinois. When you find yourself entwined in the complex legal mazes forged by wrongful death cases, our team steps forward with a promise to guide you efficiently through every twist and turn. This page will illuminate what ‘wrongful death’ encapsulates under Illinois law, potential compensatory elements involved, its statue of limitations, and how an experienced attorney plays an indispensable role in seeking justice.

In essence, ‘wrongful death’ falls under civil tort law and comes into play when a person’s demise is caused negligently or intentionally due to another person’s actions. These can vary from automobile accidents ro medical malpractice scenarios. The key point being — proving the negligence or intent of the offender directly contributed to the individual’s passing away.

Understanding compensatory elements in wrongful death cases is crucial due to their far-reaching implications on final settlements. Some compensating factors are:

– Medical expenses incurred prior to the decedent’s death.

– Funeral and burial expenses.

– Lost prospect of future earnings till retirement

– Pain and suffering endured by affected loved ones

– Loss of companionship for immediate family members

It bears stressing that each case’s peculiarity determines which potential compensation applies. Carefully navigating these processes necessitates seasoned expertise—an aspect where Carlson Bier shows up robustly on your side.

The statute of limitations denotes a prescribed period within which legal proceedings must be initiated for any claim. As per Illinois Law, depending upon various factors — demographic aspects of the deceased or cause behind different deaths— this duration falls around 1-2 years post incident occurrence date or discovery thereof (whichever occurs later). While at first glance this may seem ample time however considering procedural dynamics en route desired outcomes it often gets closer sooner than most people anticipate.

At such junctures engaging an adept attorney specialized in wrongful death cases is pivotal to safeguarding your rightful claims robustly, thoroughly and timely. An attorney’s trained perspective helps unearth potential negligent parties sometimes hidden beneath layers of corporate bureaucracy, ensures comprehensive gathering and perusal of medical records alongside diligently orchestrating courtroom proceedings if required.

At Carlson Bier, our attorneys are acutely versed in Illinois law combined with a firsthand understanding of geopolitical implications on various legal procedures—traits used effectively while devising result oriented strategy specifically tailored for you. Our commitment echoes throughout our team as we do not merely aim to be circumspect attorneys but steadfast companions by your side through this challenging phase.

Bringing together the complex world of wrongful death lawsuits can be arduous and overwhelming especially when grappling with the emotional turmoil caused due to loss of an adored one; hence having expert guidance becomes imperative.

Are you curious about what your case might be worth? We comprehend that exploring these avenues often stir a blend of emotions grounded in curiosity and apprehension. But equipped with an experienced team like Carlson Bier on your side, clarity conquers over uncertainty. Kindly click the button below to understand further regarding how much your case may bring forth – because every step taken today fosters strength into tomorrow’s pursuits.

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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 Chatham

Areas of Practice in Chatham

Cycling Collisions

Focused on legal representation for individuals injured in bicycle accidents due to responsible parties' negligence or unsafe conditions.

Thermal Traumas

Supplying specialist legal services for sufferers of grave burn injuries caused by events or negligence.

Physician Incompetence

Ensuring experienced legal services for individuals affected by physician malpractice, including negligent care.

Goods Fault

Handling cases involving unsafe products, supplying specialist legal help to customers affected by faulty goods.

Nursing Home Malpractice

Protecting the rights of nursing home residents who have been subjected to mistreatment in aged care environments, ensuring restitution.

Trip & Slip Accidents

Expert in managing fall and trip accident cases, providing legal support to persons seeking restitution for their harm.

Birth Wounds

Delivering legal help for families affected by medical misconduct resulting in childbirth injuries.

Car Collisions

Crashes: Focused on guiding clients of car accidents get reasonable remuneration for damages and damages.

Motorcycle Accidents

Focused on providing legal services for motorcyclists involved in two-wheeler accidents, ensuring just recovery for traumas.

Semi Mishap

Extending professional legal advice for persons involved in truck accidents, focusing on securing rightful recompense for losses.

Building Collisions

Committed to advocating for staff or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to recklessness or negligence.

Brain Impairments

Expert in offering dedicated legal services for victims suffering from neurological injuries due to misconduct.

Canine Attack Injuries

Expertise in tackling cases for victims who have suffered damages from dog bites or creature assaults.

Foot-traveler Mishaps

Focused on legal support for joggers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering restitution.

Unwarranted Loss

Working for grieving parties affected by a wrongful death, offering empathetic and professional legal services to ensure justice.

Spinal Cord Harm

Focused on supporting persons with spine impairments, offering specialized legal services to secure justice.

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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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