Wrongful Death Lawyers in Stephenson County, IL

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Wrongful Death Lawyers in Stephenson County, IL

Wrongful death lawyers in Stephenson County, IL. The heartbreak and devastation of losing a loved one because of the negligent, careless behavior of another person or company in Stephenson County, 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 experiencing in Stephenson County, IL. While no financial sum can make up for losing your loved one, our Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyers can help your family cope with the financial difficulties you may be experiencing, as well as provide some justice. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential, no-obligation case review.

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We know firsthand that wrongful death claims in Stephenson County, IL are difficult. In a perfect world, negligent acts would never happen. But they unfortunately do, and Burger Law is here to help fight to make sure the business or individual responsible for your loved one’s death is held responsible to the fullest extent of the law. We will never settle for anything short of the best possible recovery in Stephenson County, 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 Stephenson County, IL wrongful death case. Our experienced and aggressive attorneys have successfully recovered $200 million in settlement and trial results for our clients, including a multi-year legal fight resulting in a trial verdict of $113 million. We do not charge any fees unless we win your family’s claim in Stephenson County, IL.


Burger Law’s Successful Illinois Wrongful Death Claims

Burger Law’s Successful Illinois Wrongful Death Claims

We believe that results matter to our clients at Burger Law. We understand that no amount of money is going to replace the death of your loved in Stephenson County, IL. But you deserve to know that we are investing 100 percent of our efforts and resources toward fighting on your loved one’s behalf and the compensation we secure can help lessen the stress of paying for funeral costs and medical bills. The following are some of the successful wrongful death claims we have worked:

  • Truck Accident Wrongful Death Claim – In this claim, we were able to win a great settlement for our clients by holding the business liable for the actions of their truck driver, along with handle the family's probate matters in order to protect their recovery.
  • Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Claim – In this case, we showed that the doctor/provider did not take our client's symptoms seriously and that they also neglected to perform tests necessary to the symptoms displayed.
  • Nursing Home Negligence Wrongful Death Claim – Sometimes a person will pass years after an accident. A difficulty may arise 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 illness that led to her death.
  • Wrongful Death due to Fentanyl – In copious amounts, this drug can be fatal. The company neglected to disclose to users that fentanyl patches could introduce possibly fatal levels of the drug into the bloodstream. We were able to settle the suit for a substantial, confidential amount, proving that the company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, acted negligently.
  • Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim – In this case, we fought hard for a mother and her three boys to make sure they were given the compensation and care that they deserved and needed following the loss of their father when a first responder vehicle collided with their car.

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


How Does Illinois Law Define Wrongful Death in Stephenson County, IL?

How Does Illinois Law Define Wrongful Death in Stephenson County, IL?

According to 740 Illinois Compiled Statute 180/1, a wrongful death takes place when a person dies as a result of someone else’s “wrongful act, neglect or default.” A Stephenson County, IL wrongful death claim can be brought in any circumstance where the person could have brought a personal injury claim had he or she lived.

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

A wrongful death claim may be filed one year after a criminal suit is completed if the individual who caused the wrongful death was charged with any of these crimes in relation to the wrongful 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 Stephenson County, IL?

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Stephenson County, IL?

A wrongful death suit can only be filed by a personal representative of the deceased, according to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act in Stephenson County, IL. If the deceased has a accurate will that singles out an executor, then the executor is considered the personal representative. However, if the decedent does not have a will or their will is considered invalid, then the court selects an administrator that is normally nominated by an interested party. The process of selecting this administrator is governed by the Illinois Probate Act. While a court may accept any individual 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 Stephenson County, IL?

What Are My First Steps in a Wrongful Death Claim in Stephenson County, IL?

The initial thing you need to do is, at the very least, have a conversation with a qualified Stephenson County, 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 confidential, no-obligation consultation.

The Burger Law wrongful death lawyers in Stephenson County, IL understand that the primary goal of any family that loses a loved one is to seek justice. We get it. However, it is just as important to go after damages for your substantial losses – financial or otherwise – right away, as you only have one chance to make the person or business who ended your loved one’s life pay for what they have done. Our skilled and tenacious attorneys stand in your corner, working with you throughout these parts of your Stephenson County, IL wrongful death claim:

Investigation to make your case. This is Rely on your Burger Law wrongful death lawyer in Stephenson County, IL to handle all the administrative and other aspects of your case so you can focus on the things that matter to you and your family. We have a fully staffed firm of legal professionals who can deal with filing the necessary paperwork, speaking with the defense and other parties involved and additional clerical tasks.

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 lawyer in Stephenson County, IL understands how to properly calculate the entire value of your suit. Without this experience, it is next to impossible to understand the financial value of damages like loss of consortium, mental anguish and pain and suffering. Even when it comes to economic damages like medical bills and loss of income and benefits, your skilled wrongful death attorney will make sure that each and every dollar is accounted for and that you and your family are demanding what your case is truly worth in Stephenson County, 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 needed. The trial and litigation knowledge of your Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyer greatly boosts your chances of success in your wrongful death case.

Offer support and guidance. {Being present and available in Stephenson County, IL is one of the most important your lawyer can do for you. We understand that this is an incredibly trying time. You have lost a loved one tragically and suddenly, and now you have to deal with the legal procedure of your wrongful death suit. The Stephenson County, IL wrongful death attorneys of Burger Law take our responsibility of representing and counseling mourning families very seriously and we realize that sometimes what you need from us most is encouragement, a kind word or a hand to hold. We are here to make it as easy as possible for you in Stephenson County, IL.

What Are Some Examples of a Wrongful Death Case in Stephenson County, IL?

What Are Some Examples of a Wrongful Death Case in Stephenson County, IL?

Burger Law’s wrongful death lawyers have over 20 years of proven experience in wrongful death lawsuits and have helped many family members in Stephenson County, IL and throughout Illinois get the best possible compensation to lessen the uncertainty and pressure they face in the aftermath of their substantial loss. Our wrongful death lawyers in Stephenson County, IL have successfully taken on all kinds of claims, including:

  • Car accidents in Stephenson County, IL are one of the most common causes of death, and can come either from road issues or driver negligence.
  • Medical malpractice cases near Stephenson County, IL often involve misdiagnosis or the failure to properly diagnose an issue, but can also involve surgical errors and other issues.
  • Construction site and workplace accident suits near Stephenson County, IL involve deaths that happen at high-risk jobs, especially if safety precautions were not properly followed.
  • Product defects that result in the death of a loved one frequently warrant a Stephenson County, IL wrongful death suit, and can involve anything from toxic foods to dangerous toys.
  • Truck accidents in Stephenson County, 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 car, and cause death with far more frequency.
  • Pedestrian accident suits near Stephenson County, IL can involve driver negligence, but also occasionally involve problems with roadways which are maintained by Stephenson County, IL or the nearby county.

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

How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Prove My Claim in Stephenson County, IL?

How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Prove My Claim in Stephenson County, IL?

You must show that the defendant owed your loved one a duty of care, as the plaintiff in a wrongful death case, as well as proving that their negligence in that duty caused your loved one's death in Stephenson County, IL. In order to make sure that your family has a legitimate claim, and for the best likelihood of winning a wrongful death suit and recovering damages in your case, you need to talk to a knowledgeable Stephenson County, IL wrongful death attorney at Burger Law based in Chicago as soon as possible. Consumer product manufacturers are supposed to release consumer goods and products that have the slightest risks to users, and any dangers in using the product should be adequately stated throughout the Stephenson County, IL area.

  • There was a breach of this duty of care.

    The next aspect you must establish is that the defendant acted in a way that violated that responsibility in Stephenson County, IL, a breach of duty. This is where negligence comes in. This occurs 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. Essentially proving that, if the defendant had not done what they did in Stephenson County, IL, the decedent would almost certainly still be living. Your Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyer will likely consult and pursue testimony from experts like professionals in the medical field or coroners who can ascertain the cause of the death and how particular situations and injuries influence a person's ability to survive.

  • The defendant's negligence caused damages.

    Lastly, to be successful in your Stephenson County, IL wrongful death suit, you must show how the defendant's behavior has affected you. A skilled wrongful death lawyer in Stephenson County, IL will figure the whole 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 Stephenson County, IL, and understand how to calculate your damages and negotiate an excellent recovery.

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

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

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    What Damages Can My Stephenson County, IL Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Recover?

    What Damages Can My Stephenson County, IL Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Recover?

    After the death of a loved one near Stephenson County, IL, surviving family members can struggle to stay afloat financially. Funeral costs and medical bills may be overwhelming and families can find it difficult to make ends meet in Stephenson County, IL. Failing to file a wrongful death claim in Stephenson County, IL, you and your family will be responsible for covering those expenses with your own money. Fortunately, a solid wrongful death case led by an experienced Stephenson County, IL wrongful death attorney from Burger Law will have a good likelihood of recovering some of these costs as damages. Under Illinois law, you and your surviving loved ones can recover a number of different damages, and there are no caps on damages. These damages are categorized in Stephenson County, 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 but prior to their death, such as pain and suffering due to their fatal injuries

    In order to collect the complete damages you and your family are entitled to, you must hire a knowledgeable and aggressive Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyer from a trustworthy firm. The Stephenson County, IL wrongful death attorneys of Burger Law are dedicated to fighting for you and your family and demanding the best recovery possible after your terrible loss. We will not rest until we have assisted in recovering any applicable damages in Stephenson County, IL, including damages such as:

    • 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 understand that your loved one's death is hard. We want to help you and your family receive the best possible recovery under Illinois law. You and your family deserve to have your concerns and needs met. We are here to help, whenever you are ready to talk. Give us a call at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to our Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyers based in Chicago.


    Reach Out To a Burger Law Wrongful Death Lawyer in Stephenson County, IL

    Receive a Free, Confidential Case Review Today

    Reach Out To a Burger Law Wrongful Death Lawyer in Stephenson County, IL

    Burger Law knows how devastating the sudden loss, and we realize the unknowns and fear associated with your loss. We stand in your corner and fight to preserve the memory of your loved and the future of your family when you hire our Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyer. We refuse to settle for anything short of the best possible recovery, and so should you. We will help you and your family get the compensation, justice, and recovery you are entitled to in Stephenson County, IL.

    Call a Burger Law Stephenson County, IL wrongful death lawyer right away 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 claim.

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