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How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit (Part A)

After losing a loved one, it's easy to become overwhelmed with grief, especially when funeral preparations need to be made and the estate must be settled. In addition to that, you may be considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one's passing was the result of a Chicago accident caused by recklessness or negligence. In these circumstances, a Chicago wrongful death attorney can help you to address your legal and financial questions.

Illinois Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death

In Illinois, you only have 2 years from the date of your loved one's death to file an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit. It is always in your best interest to consult with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to begin the filing and discovery process involved in this kind of civil lawsuit.

If you intend to sue a government entity, you will likely need to file legal notices within a shorter amount of time than the state's 2-year statute of limitations. It is simply not worth the risk of waiting too long to begin your filing process. A Chicago wrongful death attorney can assist you in properly filing your wrongful death lawsuit whether the defendant is an individual, company, or government entity.

Why It's Important to Be Timely In Your Filing

Not only are filing deadlines a major concern, but you will also want to make sure that all evidence in your Illinois wrongful death case is being gathered and analyzed in a timely manner. Witnesses can forget what they saw or move away, records or evidence can be lost or destroyed, and memories can fade or distort in the passage of time.

All of this means that contacting a Chicago wrongful death attorney early in the process can help preserve these vital areas of your wrongful death lawsuit. Most attorneys will tell you that they prefer to work on-and have more success with-cases in which the victim has contacted them within a short time of the accident. This gives your counsel ample time to gather witness statements, consult with accident re-constructionists and examine all of the facts in your Illinois wrongful death case.

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Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
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