Wrongful Death Attorney In Marion, Harrisburg, Metropolis

Have you lost a loved one due to the fault of another?

When a loved one dies unexpectedly, you are understandably consumed with grief rather than worrying about filing a lawsuit with an attorney. Eventually, though, the expenses associated with a loved one’s death and the harassment by creditors about those bills become a constant reminder of how unfair and devastating death caused by the negligence of another can be. To make matters worse, wrongful death claims are notoriously difficult to prove and require expert legal representation to secure a sufficient settlement or verdict.

Experience. Compassion. Justice

At Lawler and Lawler in Marion, Illinois, our vigilant wrongful death attorneys are ready to seek justice on behalf of your deceased loved ones. We have offices throughout Southern Illinois to service you; in Marion, Harrisburg, Metropolis, Benton and Carbondale.

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    We have spent years handling the burden of wrongful death claim negotiations and legal battles so families can focus on grieving the loss of their loved ones without the extra stress of worrying about statutes of limitations expiring. You may have even seen our commercials on TV.

    Wrongful death can result from a catastrophic car accident, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, criminal behavior, chemical exposure, workplace accidents, and a number of other causes. If an individual or company acts recklessly or negligently, and those actions have led to a death in your family, you will want to consult with a wrongful death lawyer like Raymond Lawler or Bridget Lawyer as soon as possible to begin working on your case. The sooner a lawyer can begin collecting evidence to prove that your loved one’s death was the fault of another, the sooner you can begin to heal from the nightmare of your family member’s passing. Call for a complimentary consultation today – (618) 997-5555 or click here.

    According to the Center for Disease Control, accidents account for more than 130,000 wrongful deaths each year. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that juries hear more than 2,500 malpractice-related wrongful death cases annually. Many more settle before going to trial, and a number of Illinois wrongful death cases are never known by family members to have been the fault of another person. With the right lawyer, residents of Southern Illinois get an average of 17 percent higher verdicts in medical malpractice wrongful death cases than in any other state, according to data provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

    If you have lost a loved one in Marion, Harrisburg, Metropolis, Benton and Carbondale, or the surrounding towns in Southern Illinois, you can consult with one of the experienced wrongful death lawyers at Lawler and Lawler free of charge. Our lawyers work on contingency, meaning that we do not collect any payment from our clients unless we secure justice in their favor. Contact us for your complimentary consultation today – (618) 997-5555 or click here.

    LET US HELP YOU FIND JUSTICE!

    Wrongful Death Compensation

    Wrongful death claims can bring substantial compensation for the immediate family members left behind. Every wrongful death claim has a unique case value, and maximizing this case value is one of the central tasks of a wrongful death attorney.

    Many factors come into play when identifying how much compensation should be awarded in a wrongful death claim. Some of the many factors taken into consideration regarding the deceased include:

    • Age and expected remaining years of life
    • Health
    • Occupation and remaining years of work
    • Income and benefits
    • Contribution of money, property, and other assets 
    • Number of dependents
    • Marital status
    • Relationships with spouse, children, or parents

    Each of these factors directly affects how wrongful death compensation is calculated.

    For example, if the deceased had minor children and served as the family’s primary source of income, the amount of compensation would typically be greater than in a case involving an individual in retirement with no dependents and fewer expected years of life remaining.

    Understood this way, compensation largely depends on proving the financial and emotional impact of the death on the immediate relatives left behind. 

    Types of Damages in an Illinois Wrongful Death Claim

    Wrongful death compensation is typically broken down into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

    Economic damages are all costs and losses brought about by death. These can be proven in court using evidence like bills, receipts, paystubs, and tax returns.

    Economic damages commonly provide compensation for items like: 

    • Funeral and burial expenses
    • Ambulance bills
    • Medical care received before death
    • Anticipated future wages and benefits
    • Financial support provided by the deceased

    In addition to compensation for these financial matters, a wrongful death claim can also provide economic damages, which compensate the family for the non-financial aspects of their loss.

    Common examples of non-economic compensation in a wrongful death claim include: 

    • Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death
    • Emotional anguish
    • Loss of companionship
    • Loss of consortium
    • Diminished quality of life

    The unexpected loss of a loved one deals an intense emotional blow to the family members left behind. Non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim are often awarded for significant amounts because of the pain and hardship the family experiences.

    Testimonials

    Above and Beyond

    I started with Lawler and Lawler due to the commercials that I saw on TV...they are great and went above and beyond. They never gave up and I felt we were in this together the entire time.

    Extremely Happy

    Lawler and Lawler provided excellent representation. They work hard to see that you are not treated unfairly and your legal rights are upheld and have not been compromised in any aspect of your case. I was extremely happy

    Peace of Mind

    Lawler and Lawler helped me get through a difficult time in my life. They handled my case beautifully, kept me in the loop, and made my recovery much easier. I would recommend them to everyone. They gave me piece of mind, and helped me get my life back.

    Don’t Wait — Contact an Experienced Illinois Wrongful Death Lawyer Today!

    Time is of the essence when filing a wrongful death claim in Illinois. It takes time for a lawyer to build a case and undergo negotiations. If a court case becomes necessary, the deadline for filing the required documents in Illinois is two years from the date of death. 

    Failing to contact a lawyer promptly after a loved one’s death puts you at risk of missing the deadline for taking legal action, which can cost you the compensation your family deserves.

    The experienced Illinois wrongful death attorneys at Lawler and Lawler are ready to help you fight for compensation after losing a loved one due to another party’s negligence. Call us today at (616) 889-4981 to learn more about how we can help you gain wrongful death compensation in Southern Illinois.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Wrongful Death

    You need a wrongful death lawyer to help you recover fair compensation after a loved one’s death. Wrongful death attorneys have the necessary experience to maximize the amount of compensation you receive. 

    There are two key ways that an accidental death lawyer helps increase your compensation: building a case for damages and negotiating with the insurance company.

    The best wrongful death lawyers have a long practice history of proving damages in wrongful death cases. As such, they know how to maximize economic damages.

    For example, by demonstrating the deceased’s expected lifetime earnings and benefits, a lawyer can ensure that you receive compensation for the wages they would have earned.

    A skilled lawyer also knows how to make the most of non-economic damages, which can be recovered for a significant amount after a wrongful death, where the loss of a loved one takes a grave emotional toll.

    Working with a wrongful death law firm is also essential for successful insurance negotiation. Your lawyer must be able to interpret the insurance policy in such a way that the insurance company is compelled to settle for a fair amount. If they refuse, your lawyer will need to represent you in court.

    An immediate relative like a child, spouse, or parent of the deceased can claim wrongful death by filing a wrongful death claim with the civil court. This step is usually taken after negotiation with the insurance company of the party responsible for the death fails to end in a settlement.

    However, simply filing a claim isn’t enough for a case to move forward. A successful wrongful death claim requires proving that the death resulted from negligence.

    A skilled wrongful death lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the death and build a strong case proving negligence. Once they prove negligence, the other party can be held legally responsible for compensating you for your loved one’s death.

    Wrongful death can result from a nearly endless number of causes. Some of the most common include:

    • Car accidents
    • Truck accidents
    • Bicycle accidents
    • Pedestrian accidents
    • Boating accidents
    • Drowning
    • Medical malpractice
    • Workplace accidents
    • Defective drugs
    • Defective products

    Regardless of how someone dies, the death can be considered “wrongful” if another party’s negligence was a primary contributing factor.

    For example, when a driver dies in a car accident, it may be a case of wrongful death. However, the reasons for the accident can determine where the compensation comes from.

    If another driver’s actions were the cause of the accident, compensation could be sought through that driver’s insurance policy. Similarly, an automobile manufacturer or distributor might be financially responsible if a vehicle defect led to the accident. 

    In some cases, the circumstances surrounding a wrongful death may require specialized legal knowledge. For instance, when wrongful death results from medical care, you’ll need to call upon the expertise of a medical malpractice wrongful death attorney.

    For answers to additional questions, call Lawler and Lawler at (616) 889-4981 and speak with a Southern Illinois wrongful death lawyer.