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Wrongful Death Attorney in Forest Lake

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Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

Carlson Bier is your premier choice when looking for legal representation in wrongful death cases. We are renowned throughout Illinois for our meticulous approach, extensive expertise, and successful track record within this specialized law field. Our team understands the heartache that accompanies a wrongful loss; thus we aim to ensure you receive maximum compensation while providing uncompromising compassion during these challenging times. Notably, Forest Lake residents can confidently rely on us without compromising their need for local legal support despite the geographical barrier. Our laser-focused attorneys fully commit to exploring all dimensions of your case with an oath of utmost confidentiality and respect towards every client’s unique situation. As Carlson Bier, our driving force comes from championing justice and peace of mind for those grappling with a devastating wrongful death ordeal. Our commitment transcends location boundaries as we serve wherever justice needs reinforcing – including Forest Lake. Firmly grounded in integrity, transparency, empathetic service delivery combined with formidable courtroom finesse sets Carlson Bier apart synonymous as the most esteemed Wrongful Death Attorney Group within Illinois reach.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Forest Lake Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we believe that understanding your claim is the first step towards seeking justice. As a prominent personal injury law firm in Illinois, we specialize predominantly in cases concerning wrongful death – an area of law that seeks to hold responsible parties accountable when their negligence or intentional actions result in fatal consequences.

Wrongful death lawsuits are designed for families who have lost a loved one due to another party’s misconduct or reckless behavior. This category of legal claims often involves intricate facets and requires extensive expertise. The victim’s family members can seek financial compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of future earnings, emotional distress or pain and suffering caused by the unexpected absence of their beloved relative.

Here are key components you should consider:

– Proof of Negligence: It must be distinctly established that death was directly caused by the irresponsible action (or lack thereof) from another individual or entity.

– Demonstrating Loss: You need to demonstrate precise financial or emotional losses incurred due to your loved one’s premature demise.

– Survival Action: In some situations, if the victim succumbed after enduring anguish post accident but before passing away, then a survival action may also be initiated for recovery purposes.

Our team at Carlson Bier deploys strategic measures alongside empathetic legal counsel to approach these complex proceedings efficiently. Our diligent work ethic ensures thorough fact-finding procedures backed with conscientious advocacy on behalf of our clients throughout settlement negotiations and trial cases.

Moving forward with a wrongful death lawsuit may initially seem overwhelming; however, it is an integral route through which aggrieved parties can achieve closure and some degree of financial stability amidst their unfortunate circumstances.

As experienced personal injury lawyers operating within Illinois’ legal framework, our primary objective remains focused on helping clients navigate through this challenging journey whilst clarifying any doubts along the way – preserving your rights while advocating for maximum possible reparation.

Several factors come into play upon calculating rightful reimbursement amounts in wrongful death scenarios – core issues such as incomes, life expectancy or familial responsibilities are thoroughly scrutinized when determining fair indemnification. Moreover, it is paramount to note that certain statutory time limits apply for filing wrongful death lawsuits in Illinois. Thus, contacting legal assistance promptly post incident proves crucial.

At Carlson Bier, our elite team of attorneys emphasizes providing comprehensive educational content alongside unrivaled legal representation – equipping our clients with relevant insights to enable better understanding of their situation while we relentlessly pursue justice on their behalf.

As difficult as dealing with these circumstances may be, understanding your rights and choosing competent professionals to represent you can make all the difference towards gaining some semblance of balance after an indescribable loss.

Last but certainly not least, if you need specialist advice concerning a potential wrongful death lawsuit within the state of Illinois – know that you don’t have to face this alone. The highly-skilled group at Carlson Bier bears an illustrious track record in garnering considerable settlements for its diverse clientele and could potentially assist you too. For more detailed insight pertaining specifically to YOUR case, kindly click on the button below. We will provide an approximate value for your claim based entirely on the unique intricacies involved – ensuring maximum transparency right from start until conclusion.

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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 Forest Lake

Areas of Practice in Forest Lake

Bicycle Incidents

Expert in legal services for individuals injured in bicycle accidents due to negligent parties' indifference or risky conditions.

Fire Traumas

Extending skilled legal support for people of serious burn injuries caused by accidents or indifference.

Clinical Misconduct

Extending professional legal advice for individuals affected by medical malpractice, including negligent care.

Commodities Responsibility

Dealing with cases involving unsafe products, extending adept legal guidance to victims affected by faulty goods.

Elder Malpractice

Defending the rights of aged individuals who have been subjected to neglect in care facilities environments, ensuring compensation.

Trip and Tumble Incidents

Specialist in tackling trip accident cases, providing legal assistance to sufferers seeking restitution for their losses.

Infant Injuries

Offering legal help for kin affected by medical negligence resulting in neonatal injuries.

Vehicle Collisions

Incidents: Concentrated on aiding sufferers of car accidents obtain appropriate recompense for damages and impairment.

Motorcycle Incidents

Specializing in providing legal advice for motorcyclists involved in bike accidents, ensuring just recovery for harm.

18-Wheeler Crash

Extending specialist legal assistance for individuals involved in big rig accidents, focusing on securing rightful settlement for losses.

Construction Site Accidents

Committed to advocating for workmen or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to oversights or carelessness.

Neurological Damages

Dedicated to offering expert legal advice for victims suffering from neurological injuries due to accidents.

Canine Attack Damages

Skilled in addressing cases for persons who have suffered injuries from dog attacks or beast attacks.

Pedestrian Accidents

Specializing in legal representation for foot-travelers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering compensation.

Wrongful Passing

Working for loved ones affected by a wrongful death, supplying understanding and experienced legal assistance to ensure redress.

Backbone Injury

Expert in defending individuals with vertebral damage, offering expert legal support to secure redress.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer