FREE CASE CONSULTATION
312-622-2900
Facebook-f Linkedin Google Instagram

Wrongful Death Attorney in Wood Dale

Let Carlson Bier Fight For You

Over $50 Million in Recoveries

5-Star Advanced Local Service Ads For Carlson Bier
Find Out if You Have a Case in 10 Seconds
Jeff Bier – Personal Injury Lawyer At Carlson Bier Associates
Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

When dealing with the painful aftermath of a wrongful death, Carlson Bier is your trusted legal partner in Wood Dale. Our firm specializes in Wrongful Death cases, demonstrating an unparalleled dedication to seeking justice for lost lives due to negligence or misconduct. Our accomplished attorneys are staunch advocates for their clients throughout Illinois, effectively navigating each case’s complexities. At Carlson Bier, we understand that no monetary compensation can truly replace your loss; however, securing appropriate financial redress serves as an important part of the healing process and helps families recover from devastating repercussions. With our rigorous use of legal expertise and empathy-driven client relations coupled with our extensive experience handling such critical cases within the realm of personal injury laws specific to Illinois; Carlson Bier stands out among its peers as worthy counsel amidst such heart-rending circumstances. Choose us today so we can stand by your side in this harrowing journey – honoring your loved one’s memory by fighting for the justice they deserve while safeguarding your rights every step of the way.

Meet Our Attorneys
About Carlson Bier

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Wood Dale Illinois

The weight of experiencing a loss due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing can be profound. Here at Carlson Bier, we extend our deepest sympathies and promise to stand with you in this difficult time. As personal injury attorneys based in Illinois, we provide astute legal guidance specializing in Wrongful Death representation. For decades, families have trusted us to bring justice for the departed by holding responsible parties accountable and pursuing rightful compensation.

Wrongful death cases are tragic incidents where the death is attributable to somebody else’s reckless act or direct negligence. Some scenarios might include automobile accidents caused by a drunk driver, hospital deaths as a result of medical malpractice, workplace fatalities because of inadequate safety measures amongst many others. In these situations, it’s not just an emotional trauma unfolding but also significant implications that ripple through livelihoods impacted by such losses – final expense burdens like burial costs, future lost wages and the priceless loss of companionship too.

It’s pertinent here to clarify who can file a wrongful death claim under Illinois Laws – which primarily covers immediate family members including spouse and children. However, if circumstances dictate otherwise – even parents, siblings or dependents may qualify to seek claims subject to certain conditions on financial dependencies etcetera.

Our role as your chosen representative involves multiple critical touchpoints:

• Establishing the cause and liability of death beyond reasonable doubt

• Accurately assessing the economic / non-economic damages incurred

• Structuring effective strategy detailed around state-specific laws

• Negotiating firmly with insurance giants or presenting powerful case arguments in trials

A key component contributing toward success is proving ‘negligence’ or ‘liability’, for which four elements need evidence substantiation:

1. Duty: The defending party owed a sense of responsibility towards the deceased.

2. Breach: They failed upholding said responsibility.

3. Causation: This breach led directly (or indirectly) causing the fatality.

4. Damages: The bereaved have suffered measurable loss because of this.

The wrongful death claims window in Illinois typically allows up to two years since the passing – an aspect often dictated by numerous factors including discovery timelines and entity types involved. Although daunting, filing timely is essential to secure rightful reparations and maintain statutory compliance during such tough times.

Besides a trusted friend consoling you through grief – we envision ourselves empowering you with guidance, answering your queries, enlightening on entitlements while unflinchingly dealing with adversaries for demanding justice that the departed deserves. The objective here isn’t about replacing life’s void left behind but ensuring prospective hurdles are surmounted as smoothly possible making the journey toward healing less burdensome financially

Trust us at Carlson Bier where every case isn’t just represented, it’s passionately fought for championing rights of those unfairly deprived due to others’ negligence. We encourage you now to take proactive action amidst these challenging circumstances – stand strong not just for yourself but also their unjustly silenced voice. Start by clicking on button below to understand what potential claim value your specific case holds – initiate this much-deserving battle towards accountability and closure. At Carlson Bier, remember that our long-standing commitment remains – “Justice must be served”. Likewise our genuine promise echoes : Ensuring seamless navigation through legal complexities & achieving desired closures bringing peace thereafter– one dedicated client at a time.

Find Out How Much Your Case is Worth
Testimonials from Clients

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.
Education & Information

Resources For Wood Dale Residents

Links

Legal Associations and Lawyer Services

Online Legal Resources and Directories

Specialized Services and Educational Resources

Legal Blogs
SEE MORE

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 Wood Dale

Areas of Practice in Wood Dale

Pedal Cycle Collisions

Dedicated to legal support for clients injured in bicycle accidents due to others's carelessness or dangerous conditions.

Flame Damages

Providing specialist legal services for people of major burn injuries caused by mishaps or misconduct.

Healthcare Malpractice

Ensuring dedicated legal support for victims affected by clinical malpractice, including medication mistakes.

Products Liability

Addressing cases involving faulty products, extending adept legal help to victims affected by product-related injuries.

Senior Mistreatment

Supporting the rights of aged individuals who have been subjected to neglect in senior centers environments, ensuring compensation.

Slip and Slip Occurrences

Skilled in addressing fall and trip accident cases, providing legal representation to sufferers seeking redress for their injuries.

Infant Damages

Extending legal support for loved ones affected by medical misconduct resulting in birth injuries.

Automobile Incidents

Incidents: Concentrated on guiding patients of car accidents get equitable compensation for hurts and impairment.

Two-Wheeler Collisions

Dedicated to providing representation for riders involved in scooter accidents, ensuring adequate recompense for damages.

Trucking Incident

Delivering expert legal advice for individuals involved in lorry accidents, focusing on securing appropriate claims for losses.

Building Site Collisions

Engaged in supporting laborers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to safety violations or misconduct.

Neurological Harms

Committed to ensuring professional legal assistance for victims suffering from brain injuries due to negligence.

K9 Assault Damages

Specialized in addressing cases for clients who have suffered injuries from K9 assaults or wildlife encounters.

Jogger Collisions

Specializing in legal advocacy for cross-walkers involved in accidents, providing professional services for recovering compensation.

Unjust Death

Fighting for bereaved affected by a wrongful death, offering sensitive and professional legal support to ensure fairness.

Neural Harm

Specializing in assisting individuals with spine impairments, offering compassionate legal services to secure compensation.

Instant Case Evaluation

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer

312-313-2440