Losing a loved one is a painful, emotionally taxing experience. The grief of losing a loved one can be increased when that death is the direct responsibility of another party and could have been prevented without that party’s negligent, irresponsible behavior. Although it is difficult to even consider pursuing legal action while grieving the loss of your loved one, it is important to seek compensation to help you cover looming costs and other expenses.
You deserve to be fairly compensated for your financial losses as well as your emotional suffering from the responsible party. The Champaign Wrongful Death Lawyers of Spiros Law, P.C. can handle your legal concerns while you focus on recovery.
Wrongful Death Compensation
In the event of the wrongful death of a loved one, sudden costs and expenses can quickly become overwhelming. A wrongful death lawsuit can help you cover different costs and compensate you for your suffering. Compensation may cover:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills
- Income loss
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of support
- Emotional trauma
At Spiros Law, P.C., our Champaign wrongful death attorneys are dedicated to seeking justice for the families of victims.
Wrongful Death FAQs
What is the difference between murder and wrongful death?
Many people get confused about the difference between murder and wrongful death. The key difference here is that the two fall under separate categories of lawsuits. Wrongful death cases are considered civil lawsuits, meaning that an individual citizen files the suit against another individual or corporation. Civil cases generally result in monetary damages or court orders, rather than incarceration. On the other hand, murder cases fall under the category of criminal law. In criminal cases, such as those dealing with murder, government prosecutors initiate lawsuits that can result in jail time.
How are damages determined in a wrongful death case?
The amount of recoverable damages in wrongful death lawsuits will vary from case to case. The court will consider many things when determining the compensation that the family members or the deceased person’s estate will receive. The deceased person’s financial support to the family will be factored into the damages and the court will determine what finances they would have provided if they had lived. The loss of emotional support, care, and companionship due to the absence of the deceased person may also be calculated into the compensation received by the family. Lastly, the cost of any medical care needed before death and the funeral expenses will often factor into the settlement.
Who can file a wrongful death claim?
The answer to this question depends on your state of residence. In the state of Illinois, the person who represents the deceased person’s estate must be the one who files the wrongful death claim. Typically, this person will be a close relative of the person who has passed away, such as a spouse, a parent of a young child who has passed, or an adult child of the person who has passed. If the deceased person did not appoint a personal representative before their death, then the court may appoint a representative. In this case, the court will most likely appoint a close family member. The personal representative, if they wish, will bear the responsibility of filing a wrongful death claim.
Contact Us
If you have lost a loved one, you deserve to be compensated for this tragedy. Our Champaign Urbana personal injury lawyers at Spiros Law, P.C. will make sure that we handle your case with professionalism and respect. Contact our offices today at (217) 328-2828 to discuss your case with an understanding and knowledgeable attorney.
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