Chicago Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing a significant individual in your life is one of the most difficult scenarios to navigate. These feelings of loss and difficulty are amplified if the loss was due to someone else’s negligence. When this happens, surviving family members may sue on the grounds of wrongful death.

At Shea Law Group, we will fight tirelessly to get you and your family the compensation you deserve following a wrongful death. We will help you navigate every step of this difficult process.

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. In some wrongful death cases, there is a criminal prosecution linked to the fatality. However, wrongful death lawsuits are separate from criminal charges.

Many different scenarios could result in a wrongful death lawsuit. These scenarios include:

Medical malpractice
Criminal activity
Manufacturing defects
Car accidents
Toxic chemical exposure

How Wrongful Death Claims Work

You can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased individual. This helps hold the defending party accountable for any emotional or financial losses that have occurred. Different states have different qualifications that need to be met in order to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Is There a Time Limit to Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

In the state of Illinois, the wrongful death lawsuit needs to be brought up by a “personal representative” of the deceased individual. The lawsuit also needs to be filed within 1-2 years of wrongful death. Our wrongful death attorneys always keep these time constraints in mind when handling your case.

What Is Wrongful Death Compensation For?

Until several years ago, next of kin could not pursue claims for grief, sorrow, or mental suffering incurred due to the loss of a loved one. The Illinois legislature revised the Wrongful Death Act in 2007 to allow for next of kin to seek damages for “grief, sorrow, and mental suffering” incurred due to the wrongful death of a loved one.

However, you will still need to distinctly define your relationship with the deceased and prove you are suffering to guarantee fair compensation for your emotional damage. That is why it is so important to seek the counsel of a highly experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer.

Wrongful Death Practice Areas

Following is a list of some of the more common ways a person’s negligence can lead to death:

Pharmaceutical errors with prescription drugs
Anesthesiologist mistakes
Drunk driving accident
Surgical error
Bicycle accident
Nursing home negligence or neglect
Pedestrian accidents
Missed diagnosis
Truck accident
Construction accident
Injuries obtained on the job site
Reckless driving
Chiropractor negligence
Employer safety negligence

Our Chicago Wrongful Death Law Firm Handles Each Case with Sensitivity

We understand the death of a loved one is a sensitive time. Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys understand your pain and want to make this case as easy as possible for you. You may not feel like dealing with lawyers and a court case, but it’s important to take the necessary steps as soon as possible. Call us today or reach out online for a complimentary consultation.

Client Testimonials

"My Experience with Shea Law Group was excellent. Joseph Patrick Shea gave my case all the attention that was needed to be successful, the rapport and guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, timely and open for calls and quick updates. Highly recommend their services, simply very professional from start to finish, also the whole legal team was very responsive, professional and empathic, thank you for your hard work, I couldn’t have asked for a better firm. Thank you again SHEA LAW GROUP." - Anna A.