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Wrongful Death Attorney in Lakewood

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Carlson Bier - 14 W Superior St Ste. 1503, Chicago, Il 60654, United States

About Carlson Bier Associates

When faced with the devastating reality of wrongful death, you deserve representation by a trusted, reliable lawyer like Carlson Bier. Our experienced team of dedicated attorneys specializes in wrongful death cases, diligently working to help families find closure and secure fair compensation during such an agonizing period. Despite being specialized personal injury lawyers based in Illinois, we’re deeply familiar with Lakewood legalities and specialize specifically in Wrongful Death law application therein – aiming our services at local residents for their convenience.

At Carlson Bier, compassion roots our mission- understanding that no amount adjudicated can truly compensate the life lost- yet crucial financial relief will aid recovery from loss-related repercussions. We are committed to providing legally sound advice and force an advantageous resolution on your behalf passionately.

With decades-long practice around diverse lawyering aspects together constitutes our insightful approach towards each case leading us often gaining favorable verdicts or settlements for clients.

Choosing Carlson Bier means choosing stalwarts within legal corridors who give utmost importance to your emotionally overwhelming circumstances as much they do to lawfulness nuances. Choose peace; choose justice, Choose Carlson Beir

Meet Our Attorneys
About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Lakewood Illinois

Welcome to Carlson Bier, a renowned personal injury law firm based in Illinois. As experienced practitioners in the field, our expertise lies in handling various areas of personal injury cases wherein wrongful death remains one of the most sensitive topics we expertly cover.

Wrongful Death is a matter often entangled with complex legalese yet central to our concerted goal is breaking down these complexities into easily digestible information for your understanding.

When tragedy strikes and someone you love wrongfully loses their life due to another person’s negligence or misconduct, it can be utterly devastating. When someone else should reasonably provable bear responsibility for this untimely passing—whether it’s due to vehicle mishaps, medical malpractice, or hazardous work conditions—the law characterizes this as wrongful death.

There are three key points of interest when considering Wrongful Death:

• The fatality was caused at least partially because of some other individual’s recklessness or intentional harm.

• There are enduring beneficiaries or dependents (spouse, children, parents).

• A financial loss as a result of the demise has occurred.

At Carlson Bier, we perform comprehensive investigations into each case. Our seasoned attorneys meticulously gather compelling evidence that establishes blame on behalf of those responsible. In doing so, we ensure the highest level of accuracy and integrity throughout every step–a crucial factor essential in yielding favourable outcomes for our clients.

One must remember that different states carry varied statutes regarding wrongful death claims consequently making it important to understand Illinois Law’s specific stipulations on time limits for filing such legal action.

In Illinois specifically:

– Eligibility: The surviving spouse and next kin have standing to secure compensation under the Wrongful Death Act.

– Time Limit: Lawsuits should typically be filed within two years from the date of the decedent’s death but exceptions could apply depending upon circumstances surrounding every unique case.

Our unwavering commitment towards securing justice coupled with an empathetic approach establishes Carlson Bier as a trusted partner in navigating through such trying times. Drawing from our wealth of experience, we provide stout legal representation while you focus on healing.

At the heart of compensation are losses or ‘damages’ that survivors have endured due to the wrongful death of a loved one. This could encompass monetary loss, emotional suffering, and even lost opportunities.

The courts in Illinois may look into multiple factors when deciding compensation:

– Emotional distress experienced by the family

– Financial support lost as a result of the death

– Loss of companionship and society

– Funeral and burial expenses

As with everything in law, it’s important to remember that each case is different. Many intricacies govern wrongful death claims with variables only seasoned professionals can aptly negotiate.

Rest assured, at Carlson Bier, every claim is approached with seasoned expertise, tenacity and above all—an understanding heart.

Ready for the next step? Scroll down to click on the button below which opens up an opportunity for us together to assess the worth of your case—a fitting counter-measure towards ensuring justice prevails. By employing our specialized services at Carlson Bier, you assure yourself peace-of-mind knowing you’re backed by a team strongly committed towards supporting your best interests alongside relentlessly championing your cause.

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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 Lakewood

Areas of Practice in Lakewood

Two-Wheeler Incidents

Specializing in legal representation for people injured in bicycle accidents due to other parties' negligence or hazardous conditions.

Fire Damages

Supplying skilled legal advice for patients of major burn injuries caused by mishaps or carelessness.

Healthcare Malpractice

Providing dedicated legal advice for clients affected by clinical malpractice, including misdiagnosis.

Products Obligation

Taking on cases involving defective products, extending specialist legal support to customers affected by harmful products.

Senior Abuse

Advocating for the rights of seniors who have been subjected to neglect in aged care environments, ensuring restitution.

Trip and Fall Injuries

Professional in dealing with slip and fall accident cases, providing legal advice to sufferers seeking recovery for their losses.

Neonatal Wounds

Providing legal assistance for kin affected by medical carelessness resulting in childbirth injuries.

Motor Collisions

Accidents: Focused on assisting sufferers of car accidents gain fair payout for wounds and impairment.

Scooter Accidents

Specializing in providing representation for individuals involved in scooter accidents, ensuring fair compensation for damages.

Semi Collision

Extending adept legal advice for drivers involved in truck accidents, focusing on securing just claims for losses.

Worksite Crashes

Dedicated to advocating for workers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to oversights or misconduct.

Neurological Impairments

Dedicated to providing professional legal support for individuals suffering from cognitive injuries due to misconduct.

Dog Attack Harms

Proficient in handling cases for victims who have suffered injuries from canine attacks or wildlife encounters.

Pedestrian Accidents

Specializing in legal services for joggers involved in accidents, providing dedicated assistance for recovering restitution.

Unwarranted Demise

Working for families affected by a wrongful death, providing compassionate and skilled legal support to ensure compensation.

Neural Injury

Committed to assisting victims with backbone trauma, offering dedicated legal services to secure compensation.

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Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer

312-313-2440