Wrongful Death Lawyers in Oak Forest, IL

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Wrongful Death Lawyers in Oak Forest, IL

Wrongful death lawyers in Oak Forest, IL. The grief and devastation of losing a loved one because of the negligent, careless behavior of another individual or business in Oak Forest, IL can only be thought of as unbearable. Burger Law is here to do our utmost to provide some semblance of comfort, because we know the pain and shock that you and your family are going through in Oak Forest, IL. While no dollar amount can make up for losing your loved one, our Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorneys can help your family cope with the financial difficulties you may be going through, along with providing some justice. Give us a call immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-cost, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

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We know that wrongful death claims in Oak Forest, IL are never easy. Negligent acts would never happen in a perfect world. Yet they unfortunately do, and Burger Law is here to help fight to ensure the entity or individual responsible for your loved one’s death is held responsible to the fullest extent of the law. We will not settle for anything less than the best possible recovery in Oak Forest, IL for you and your family, and neither should you.

The Burger Law legal team demands the best recovery possible and fights for your rights in your Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawsuit. Our knowledgeable and tenacious attorneys have successfully recovered $200 million in settlement and trial results for our clients, including a multi-year legal fight ending in a trial verdict of $113 million. We do not charge any fees unless we win your family’s claim in Oak Forest, IL.


Burger Law’s Successful Illinois Wrongful Death Claims

Burger Law’s Successful Illinois Wrongful Death Claims

At Burger Law, we believe that results matter. We realize that no dollar amount is going to replace your loved one in Oak Forest, IL. But you deserve to know that we are giving our all on behalf of your loved one and the compensation we secure can help alleviate the stress of paying for medical bills and funeral costs. The following are some of the successful wrongful death cases we have worked:

  • Truck Accident Wrongful Death Claim – In this case, we were able to win a great settlement for our clients by holding the company liable for the actions of their truck driver, along with handling the family’s probate matters in order to protect their recovery.
  • Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Claim – In this suit, we demonstrated that the doctor/provider neglected to perform tests necessary to our client’s symptom and did not take the symptoms seriously.
  • Nursing Home Negligence Wrongful Death Claim – On occasion a person will pass away years following an accident. A complication may come about after the accident that would not have happened had the accident not happened. In this case, we made sure to hold the nursing home fully responsible for the injuries they caused our client, and the sickness that ultimately caused her death.
  • Wrongful Death due to Fentanyl – In copious amounts, this drug can be fatal. The company failed to disclose to users that fentanyl patches could introduce possibly fatal levels of the drug into the bloodstream. We were able to prove that the company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, acted negligently, and were able to settle the claim for a substantial, confidential amount.
  • Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim – In this suit, we fought hard for a mother and her three boys to ensure they received the compensation and care that they needed and deserved after the loss of their father when a first responder vehicle collided with their car.

Our firm has also been involved in a number of opioid overdose wrongful death claims. The opioid epidemic is ravaging the United States. Doctors often receive financial kickbacks for prescribing opioids, and therefore prescribe the dangerous drugs more often. These companies need to be punished for their actions to the fullest extent of the law. Here is a short video on the misrepresentation of opioids:


How Does Illinois Law Define Wrongful Death in Oak Forest, IL?

How Does Illinois Law Define Wrongful Death in Oak Forest, IL?

According to 740 Illinois Compiled Statute 180/1, a wrongful death takes place when an individual dies as a result of another’s “wrongful act, neglect or default.” A Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawsuit can be brought in any situation where the person could have brought a personal injury lawsuit had he or she lived.

Under 740 ILCS 180/2, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of the person’s death. However, if the person died as a result of “violent intentional conduct,” defined in Molly’s Law, the suit must be brought within five years of the date of the death.

A wrongful death suit may be brought one year after a criminal case is finished if the person who caused the wrongful death was charged with any of the following crimes in relation to the death:

  • First- or second-degree murder
  • Intentional homicide or voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child
  • Involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide
  • Involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide of an unborn child
  • Drug-induced homicide
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death suit can only be filed by a personal representative of the deceased in Oak Forest, IL. If the deceased has a valid will that names an executor, then the executor is considered the personal representative. However, if the decedent does not have a will or their will is considered non-binding, then the court appoints an administrator that is typically nominated by an interested party. Illinois Probate Act governs the procedure of selecting this administrator. While a court may appoint any person as administrator, the Probate Act is inclined to family members and others in this order:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Legatees
  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Parents
  • Brothers and sisters
  • Nearest kin
What Are My First Steps in a Wrongful Death Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

What Are My First Steps in a Wrongful Death Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

The initial thing you need to do is, at the very least, have a conversation about the specifics of your claim with an experienced Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer. You can do that for free by calling Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT or reaching out to us online for a no-obligation, confidential case review.

The Burger Law wrongful death lawyers in Oak Forest, IL realize that the primary goal of any family that is dealing with the loss of a loved one is to seek justice. We get it. Yet, it is equally crucial to pursue damages for the losses incurred – financial or otherwise – right away, as you have only one chance to make the individual or business who ended your loved one’s life pay for their negligent behavior. Our skilled and aggressive attorneys work with you throughout these parts of your Oak Forest, IL wrongful death claim:

Investigation to make your case. This is Allow your Burger Law wrongful death lawyer in Oak Forest, IL to handle all the administrative and other aspects of your case so you can focus on the things that mean the most to you. We have a fully staffed firm of legal professionals who can handle filing the necessary paperwork, speaking with the defense and any other parties involved and any clerical jobs.

Know the entire value of your claim. As a knowledgeable lawyer who has been handling cases like yours for over 20 years, your Burger Law wrongful death attorney in Oak Forest, IL knows how to properly calculate the entire value of your case. Without this know-how, it is next to impossible to fully comprehend the financial value of damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of consortium. Even when it comes to economic damages like medical bills and loss of income and benefits, your aggressive wrongful death lawyer will make sure that each and every dollar is accounted for and that you and your family are demanding what your claim is truly worth in Oak Forest, IL. This also includes negotiating a settlement with the defense and taking your case to trial in front of a jury of your peers, if necessary. The trial and litigation experience of your Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer greatly boosts your chances of success in your wrongful death case.

Offer guidance and support. {Being present and available in Oak Forest, IL is one of the most valuable your attorney can do for you. We realize that this is an incredibly hard time. You have lost someone you love tragically and suddenly, and now you have to deal with the legal process of your wrongful death suit. We are here to make it as easy as possible for you in Oak Forest, IL. The Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyers of Burger Law understand that occasionally what you need from us most is encouragement, a kind word or a hand to hold, and we take our job of representing and counseling mourning families very seriously.

What Are Some Examples of a Wrongful Death Case in Oak Forest, IL?

What Are Some Examples of a Wrongful Death Case in Oak Forest, IL?

Burger Law’s wrongful death attorneys have over two decades of proven experience in wrongful death cases and have helped numerous family members in Oak Forest, IL and throughout Illinois get the best possible compensation to lessen the uncertainty and pressure they face following their sudden, substantial loss. Our Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorneys have successfully taken on all types of claims, such as:

  • Car accidents in Oak Forest, IL are one of the most common causes of death, and can come either from driver negligence or road issues.
  • Medical malpractice cases near Oak Forest, IL often involve misdiagnosis or the failure to properly diagnose an issue, but can also involve errors in surgery and other problems.
  • Construction site and workplace accident cases near Oak Forest, IL involve deaths that take place at high-risk jobs, especially if safety precautions were not properly observed and followed.
  • Product defects that result in the death of a loved one often warrant a Oak Forest, IL wrongful death suit, and can involve anything from dangerous toys to toxic foods.
  • Truck accidents in Oak Forest, IL are different from car accidents in that trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, as much as 20 to 30 times more than a standard vehicle, and cause death with far more frequency.
  • Pedestrian accident suits near Oak Forest, IL can involve driver negligence, but also occasionally involve problems with roads which are maintained by Oak Forest, IL or the nearby county.

These are only typical examples of wrongful death cases near Oak Forest, IL. Give Burger Law a call right away at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form if you have questions regarding the validity of your claim. It costs nothing to speak with our top Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyers for a case review. There is no fee unless we win your suit.

How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Prove My Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Prove My Claim in Oak Forest, IL?

As the plaintiff in a wrongful death case, you must show that the defendant owed your loved one a duty of care, and prove that their negligence in that duty caused your loved one's death in Oak Forest, IL. In order to ensure that you and your family have a legitimate claim, and for the best chances of being successful in a wrongful death suit and recovering damages in your case, you need to talk to a knowledgeable Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer at Burger Law based in Chicago In a medical situation near Oak Forest, IL, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are supposed to treat their patients as effectively as possible. Consumer product manufacturers are supposed to release products that have the slightest risks to users, and dangers in using the product throughout the Oak Forest, IL area.

  • There was a breach of this duty of care.

    The next aspect you must prove is that the defendant did something that violated that responsibility in Oak Forest, IL, a breach of duty. This is where negligence is found. This takes place when an intoxicated person decides to operate a motor vehicle or when a medical professional fails to operate on a patient safely.

  • This breach caused your loved one's death.

    Here, you must prove fault and causation. Basically proving that, if the defendant had not done what they did in Oak Forest, IL, the decedent would almost certainly still be living. Your Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer will likely consult and get testimony from experts like professionals in the medical field or coroners who can ascertain the cause of the death and how specific circumstances and injuries influence an individual's ability to survive.

  • The defendant's negligence caused damages.

    Finally, to win your Oak Forest, IL wrongful death claim, you must demonstrate how the defendant's behavior has affected you. A skilled wrongful death lawyer in Oak Forest, IL will calculate the complete value of your damages and negotiate proper financial compensation on your behalf. Burger Law's wrongful death lawyers have experience in wrongful death cases like yours in Oak Forest, IL, and know how to calculate your damages and negotiate the best possible recovery.

  • Give Burger Law a call today at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to us online.

    Learn more about the other kinds of cases we win for our Oak Forest, IL clients by clicking below.

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    What Damages Can My Oak Forest, IL Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Recover?

    What Damages Can My Oak Forest, IL Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Recover?

    Surviving family members can struggle to stay afloat financially, after the death of a loved one near Oak Forest, IL. Medical bills and funeral costs may be too much and families can find it difficult to make ends meet in Oak Forest, IL. Failing to file a wrongful death claim in Oak Forest, IL, you and your family will be responsible for covering those expenses with your own money. Fortunately, a strong wrongful death suit led by a seasoned Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorney from Burger Law will have a strong likelihood of recovering some of these costs as damages. Under Illinois law, your family can seek a number of different damages, and there are no damage caps. Damages are classified in Oak Forest, IL as:

    • Economic: expenses such as medical bills, treatment costs, funeral expenses and loss of income and benefits which are measurable dollar amounts
    • Non-economic: other non-quantified damages, such as mental anguish, loss of guidance and loss of companionship
    • Survival: damages sustained from the accident yet prior to their death, such as pain and suffering due to their fatal injuries

    In order to get the entire damages you and your family deserve, you must hire a knowledgeable and aggressive Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorney from a trustworthy firm. The Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorneys of Burger Law are dedicated to fighting for you and your family and bringing you the best possible recovery following your unspeakable loss. We will not rest until we have assisted in recovering any applicable damages in Oak Forest, IL, including the following:

    • Loss of income
    • Reduced capacity for future income
    • Loss of benefits
    • Loss of companionship
    • Loss of instruction to children
    • Guidance
    • Counseling
    • Funeral Expenses
    • Burial costs
    • Medical expenses
    • Treatment costs
    • Pain and suffering
    • Mental anguish

    We know that your loved one's death is complicated. We want to help get you and your family the best possible recovery under Illinois law. You and your family deserve to have your needs and concerns met. When you are ready to talk, we can help. Call (314) 500-HURT or contact our Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyers based in Chicago.


    Reach Out To a Burger Law Wrongful Death Lawyer in Oak Forest, IL

    Receive a Free, Confidential Case Review Today

    Reach Out To a Burger Law Wrongful Death Lawyer in Oak Forest, IL

    Burger Law knows how heartbreaking the sudden loss, and we realize the unknowns and fear associated with your loss. When you hire a Burger Law Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer, we stand in your corner and fight to preserve the memory of your loved one and the future of your family. We refuse to settle for anything less than the best possible recovery, and so should you. We can help you and your family get the justice, compensation, and recovery you are entitled to in Oak Forest, IL.

    Give a Burger Law Oak Forest, IL wrongful death lawyer a call now at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free, confidential case review. We do not charge any fees unless we win your family’s suit.

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