Wrongful Death Attorney in Lakewood Shores

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About Carlson Bier Associates

When the unthinkable occurs, and you find yourself mourning a loved one lost to wrongful death in Lakewood Shores, entrust your legal needs to Carlson Bier. As Illinois’ preeminent personal injury law group, our reputation is founded on excellence and compassionate client service. We understand that amid grief, pursuing lawful justice can be overwhelming; hence we tenaciously represent families during their worst times while maintaining an empathetic approach. Our team of well-versed wrongful death attorneys tirelessly fight for clients throughout Illinois cities like Lakewood Shores. They utilize vast resources and unmatched skill to ensure full compensation for losses incurred by this tragic event. Each case demands thorough investigation and strong negotiation capability – both hallmarks of the dedicated teams at Carlson Bier – ensuring maximum recompense delivered quickly and effectively avoiding long-drawn court cases when possible. It’s more than just claiming what’s rightfully deserved; it’s about shining light upon disregard for life or safety inflicting harm on innocent lives with vehemence only matched by our pursuit of justice.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Lakewood Shores Illinois

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is already a devastating event in itself, encountering the harsh realization that their death was caused by someone else’s carelessness or intentional harm can be even more overwhelming. Fortunately, at Carlson Bier, we specialize in providing solace during these trying times through our compassionate yet steadfast legal representation in wrongful death cases. Located firmly within Illinois borders, we champion the cause of families who are grappling with grief while seeking justice for their lost loved ones.

A wrongful death claim arises when an individual loses his/her life due to the negligent, reckless, or deliberate actions of another party. It is an intricate aspect of personal injury law that demands deep knowledge and years of hands-on experience – qualities we possess abundantly at Carlson Bier. This claim seeks to provide financial compensation for hardships directly related to your loved one’s untimely demise such as lost wages from future earnings, medical bills prior to death, funeral costs along with non-economic damages like mental anguish and pain and suffering endured by survivors.

• The plaintiff needs to establish: Duty of Care – It must be proven that the defendant owed a duty of care towards your deceased relative

• Breach – The defendant did not uphold this duty

• Causation –The failure led directly to your kin’s demise

• Damages – Real losses occurred as a result

At our law firm currently serving throughout Illinois but strictly outside Lakewood Shores jurisdiction, it becomes our foremost responsibility to ascertain these critical elements while streamlining the overall process for you.

In pursuing your claim effectively before Illinois courts, understanding time limits set forth by statute limitations becomes pivotal. For most types of wrongful death claims, the deadline stands at two years from the date of death. In some instances where governmental entities are involved however different rules apply requiring swift action on your part – another factor which imbues importance into prompt procurement of legal services following your tragic loss.

Our lawyer’s goal at Carlson Bier is not only to navigate this minefield of litigation swiftly but to achieve that perfect balance between aggressive representation and sensitive understanding of your position that few law firms can genuinely execute. We evaluate diverse factors shaping the claim’s context, constituting solid grounds for driving a substantial settlement or vigorous courtroom defense should necessity arise.

Some cases demand more than proving liability; defendants might contest causation or even challenge the extent of your damages. Regardless, our competent attorneys are primed to handle every contingency deriving from these complex proceedings. Whether it may be compiling shreds of evidence into significant proof, deciphering medical jargon in autopsy reports or meticulously crafting persuasive arguments before courtrooms- Your peace is our purpose here at Carlson Bier

In betrayal lies bittersweet discovery – an opportunity to comprehend deeper facets of who you have lost while highlighting on them through real financial losses inflicted by their premature departure. Certainly, you can’t put a price tag on life itself but compensation acquired through these legal channels can alleviate burdens borne out from tragedy thereby furnishing survivors an opening towards recuperative healing.

At Carlson Bier we believe everyone deserves justice and nobody should bear the burden alone after such a devastating event as wrongful death. Trust us with your case as we blend passion with proficiency striving relentlessly towards procuring maximum monetary judgment permissible under Illinois Law.

Let us help ease some of your burdens so you may experience less stress amid times exceedingly stressful already for any human being to endure. Engage with empathy imbued professionalism found distinctly at Carlson Bier- where expert legal counsel aligns seamlessly with heartfelt compassion yielding results beyond expectations repeatedly serving content clients throughout Illinois.

To ensure complete transparency in assessing potential value pertaining specifically to your wrongful death lawsuit, no generic estimates will suffice nor provide genuine assistance one requires during phases fraught with uncertainty-induced anxiety.

Brace yourself though instead for tailor-made solutions arising from careful analysis conducted around details specific exclusively to your case. By infusing astute legal acumen accumulated from our considerable length of service we warrant scrupulous evaluation followed through diligently by resourceful plan making- optimal in complementing your journey towards rightful justice.

This is just scratching the surface of the wealth of knowledge and assistance we can provide you within these complicated corners of Illinois law. To delve deeper into the real details customized exclusively around your specific situation, consider clicking on the button below which will help us understand better about possible compensations associated with your wrongful death lawsuit claim at Carlson Bier. Let us walk this arduous path alongside you; offering comfort instilled guidance throughout an otherwise formidable legal labyrinth encountered amid circumstances unbearably capital for any individual emotional capacity to adequately process alone.

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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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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 Lakewood Shores

Areas of Practice in Lakewood Shores

Bicycle Collisions

Specializing in legal representation for individuals injured in bicycle accidents due to responsible parties' carelessness or hazardous conditions.

Flame Wounds

Supplying specialist legal services for people of intense burn injuries caused by events or indifference.

Medical Malpractice

Offering dedicated legal support for patients affected by physician malpractice, including medication mistakes.

Items Fault

Taking on cases involving faulty products, offering professional legal support to customers affected by defective items.

Geriatric Misconduct

Representing the rights of aged individuals who have been subjected to neglect in elderly care environments, ensuring protection.

Tumble and Slip Incidents

Skilled in addressing trip accident cases, providing legal assistance to victims seeking recovery for their harm.

Birth Wounds

Supplying legal guidance for families affected by medical misconduct resulting in infant injuries.

Car Collisions

Collisions: Devoted to helping individuals of car accidents gain equitable compensation for injuries and impairment.

Motorcycle Incidents

Dedicated to providing legal advice for riders involved in motorcycle accidents, ensuring rightful claims for injuries.

Big Rig Collision

Delivering experienced legal support for persons involved in lorry accidents, focusing on securing appropriate recompense for injuries.

Construction Site Mishaps

Committed to representing workmen or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to safety violations or negligence.

Neurological Traumas

Dedicated to delivering professional legal support for clients suffering from head injuries due to accidents.

Canine Attack Traumas

Specialized in managing cases for clients who have suffered traumas from K9 assaults or creature assaults.

Jogger Accidents

Focused on legal representation for foot-travelers involved in accidents, providing professional services for recovering claims.

Unwarranted Passing

Fighting for relatives affected by a wrongful death, delivering understanding and skilled legal representation to ensure justice.

Vertebral Impairment

Specializing in defending clients with paralysis, offering expert legal assistance to secure redress.

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