Wrongful Death Attorney in Mackinaw

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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 the unimaginable happens, and a loved one is lost due to another’s negligence, Carlson Bier stands with you. As specialists in Wrongful Death cases within the state of Illinois, we are acutely aware of the precise legal intricacies involved. Our team compassionately guides clients through these distressing times while relentlessly pursuing justice on their behalf. We provide dedicated service that prioritizes your peace of mind and equips you to take necessary steps towards closure. At Carlson Bier law firm, our expertise also extends to Mackinaw where we have substantial practice experience – though not physically located there – thus ensuring adept handling of local Wrongful Death suits adhering strictly to state legislations. Our strong reputation as leading wrongful death attorneys stems from years crafting foolproof strategies resulting in high compensation rewards for families left behind after tragic circumstances occur unexpectedly or by convenience or mistake. When battling sorrow combined with complex lawsuit proceedings over wrongful deaths in Mackinaw, choosing Carlson Bier assures exceptional counsel capable of turning heartbreaking loss into tireless pursuit for deserving recompense.

About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Mackinaw Illinois

At Carlson Bier, as an established Personal Injury Attorney group based in Illinois, our team of experienced legal professionals is committed not only to achieving justice for our clients but also to provide comprehensive awareness about distinctive aspects of personal injury law. One such pivotal element that we often encounter in our practice is ‘Wrongful Death.’ This form of personal injury claim arises when an individual’s death is caused by the negligent or intentional actions of another party.

In dealing with wrongful death cases, a myriad of intricate components come into play. Like numerous other states, Illinois maintains its unique statutes and procedural elements concerning claims related to wrongful deaths.

• These types of claims can be raised by the deceased’s immediate family members generally including spouses, parents, or children.

• The representation for the decedent’s estate comes through a personally appointed executor or administrator.

• The compensation obtained in successful claims potentially covers several areas like bereavement damages, loss of companionship along with economic losses such as lost wages and medical costs.

The understanding and navigation through these factors are crucial towards presenting a strong case before a court. However, it becomes significantly multi-faceted due to the nature and various calculations regarding fair compensation for the damage. Identifying their implications alone can become strenuous without proper guidance.

Carlson Bier steps up precisely at this juncture providing you complete clarity about the process ahead while aiming for optimal outcomes for your case utilizing years-long expertise in handling similar cases within Illinois jurisdiction. Our attorney group has distinguished experience in probing deep into every aspect associated with wrongful death claims ensuring meticulous management conveying impactful arguments to substantiate your right over fair compensation.

Our expertly devised approach hinges on three distinct stages which start from initial case assessment moving through detailed preparation ultimately leading towards effective presentation before courts;

• Firstly, we tend meticulously understand each detail associated with your unfortunate loss comprehending critical points relevant legally.

• Secondarily consists meticulous preparations where we build your case evaluating all supporting evidence and identifying the potential pitfalls concurrently devising strategic responses.

• The final stage, representation in the court is where our seasoned attorneys bring forth their vast repertoire of expertise articulating your rightful claim effectively.

Understanding that each wrongful death claim comes with unique circumstances tangled with its emotional implications, Carlson Bier offers personalized attention understanding your concerns at every step. We strive to establish an open line of communication making sure you remain well apprised about advancements in your case. Complying consistently with ethical standards implicit under Illinois law, our practice is dedicated to demystifying complex legal peculiarities underlying wrongful death claims for you while ceaselessly striving for favorable outcomes.

Your trust is what we value the most; hence our services are presented under ‘No-win-no-fee’ agreement meaning unless we achieve success in obtaining fair compensation on your behalf there won’t be any attorney fees charged. Also, adhering strictly to state regulations concerning lawful representation in different jurisdictions we ensure that no false implication is conveyed regarding our physical presence across multiple cities within Illinois.

At Carlson Bier, service sincerity combined with rigorous strategies becomes our identity projecting us as reliable allies in your quest towards securing justice. To assess how much weightage does your wrongful death case carries and potentially what it might be worth stop contemplating and take a proactive stance now. Allow the adept team at Carlson Bier to evaluate your situation defining possible legal avenues pertinent to pursue further by clicking on the button below. Remember, time matters deeply in such delicate scenarios and a timely action could shape up things positively than otherwise thought feasible.

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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 Mackinaw

Areas of Practice in Mackinaw

Bicycle Collisions

Specializing in legal support for victims injured in bicycle accidents due to negligent parties' negligence or risky conditions.

Flame Injuries

Giving expert legal services for people of serious burn injuries caused by accidents or negligence.

Clinical Incompetence

Extending dedicated legal advice for individuals affected by hospital malpractice, including surgical errors.

Merchandise Fault

Managing cases involving dangerous products, delivering adept legal services to clients affected by harmful products.

Nursing Home Abuse

Protecting the rights of aged individuals who have been subjected to malpractice in nursing homes environments, ensuring justice.

Trip and Slip Accidents

Skilled in dealing with fall and trip accident cases, providing legal representation to persons seeking restitution for their losses.

Newborn Injuries

Offering legal support for families affected by medical carelessness resulting in newborn injuries.

Motor Incidents

Accidents: Committed to supporting clients of car accidents obtain fair remuneration for harms and losses.

Two-Wheeler Incidents

Dedicated to providing legal assistance for motorcyclists involved in motorbike accidents, ensuring fair compensation for damages.

Semi Mishap

Providing professional legal advice for persons involved in truck accidents, focusing on securing just claims for hurts.

Construction Site Mishaps

Dedicated to assisting staff or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to safety violations or misconduct.

Brain Traumas

Specializing in delivering expert legal advice for clients suffering from head injuries due to negligence.

Dog Attack Wounds

Proficient in managing cases for individuals who have suffered traumas from canine attacks or animal attacks.

Foot-traveler Incidents

Focused on legal services for walkers involved in accidents, providing dedicated assistance for recovering restitution.

Unfair Demise

Standing up for relatives affected by a wrongful death, supplying empathetic and skilled legal support to ensure compensation.

Backbone Trauma

Focused on defending clients with spinal cord injuries, offering specialized legal services to secure settlement.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer