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Wrongful Death Lawsuits: An Overview (Part B)

Two Main Aspects of an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit

There are two main aspects of an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit: the survival action and the wrongful death action. The survival action is for the injuries and pain and suffering sustained by the deceased that lead to their death as well as whatever income was lost prior to the deceased's death. The wrongful death action benefits the surviving spouse or next of kin for their losses regarding the death of their loved one.

The survival action is designed to protect the estate and covers expenses and issues that led up the victim's death such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, medical expenses, and so on. It also covers any lost income between when the injury took place and the death itself. Because a survival action is an asset of the estate, any proceeds from a survival action will be distributed according to the provisions in the victim's will.

The wrongful death action protects the well-being of your family after the loss of your loved one. This compensation seeks to recover for lost future income if the deceased was a head of household, as well as emotional distress from the loss. This compensation is paid directly to the surviving next of kin.

Compensation for an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit

There's no estimate or ballpark figure that can be placed on an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit because each case is unique. Some important factors include:

• the circumstances of the accident leading to the death;
• the existence and amount of insurance coverage;
• the amount of medical bills from the accident;
• the amount of time between the fatal accident and the death; and
• the number and relationship of the next of kin.

All of these factors will determine the settlement amount offered to your family. Careful filing of the proper paperwork, clear evidence, and proper procedure will all help your Illinois wrongful death lawsuit proceed as quickly as possible. To help ease the burden of filing the lawsuit, you should consult with a Chicago wrongful death lawyer.

Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer

Your family should be able to mourn the loss of your loved one without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your loss, you can take comfort in knowing you don't have to handle an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit alone.

When you have the help of a trusted Chicago wrongful death lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you'll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your family's long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - (312) 263-1080

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

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