When negligence steals a family member, the loss is absolute. An avoidable accident on a Chicago roadway or a fatal fall on unsafe property leaves a void that cannot be filled.
Families are left to face not only profound grief but also a future forever changed by a wrongful act. In these moments, you need assertive legal advocates to demand justice. The Chicago Wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. take on the legal fight so your family can focus on healing.
Foundations of a wrongful death action
After a preventable death, the legal system provides a path to hold the responsible party accountable. These principles are the foundation of the legal action our attorneys will take for your family.
- A wrongful death claim is a civil action that holds a negligent party financially responsible for causing a death. Our firm uses this legal tool to seek justice for your family.
- The evidence needed to prove fault, such as accident scene data and witness accounts, can be lost permanently. Our legal team acts immediately to preserve all available information.
- Your family’s priority is grieving and supporting one another. The work of investigating the death, managing insurance companies, and handling the court system is our firm’s responsibility.
- Illinois law sets a strict time limit for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. A failure to act within this period will prevent your family from ever pursuing a claim.
Why Choose Abels & Annes, P.C. for Your Wrongful Death Claim?
Selecting a law firm to represent your family is a significant and weighty decision. Abels & Annes, P.C. provides the powerful representation and dedicated support your family deserves.
Our objective is to secure the accountability and financial stability your family needs to move forward.
A record of securing justice for families
Our firm’s history is defined by "Winning Millions for Our Clients," including those who have lost a family member. We have the resources and resolve to build a formidable case on your behalf.
Attorneys at our firm have been recognized for their professional achievements, earning inclusion in the Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyer List and a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo.
We have a record of success in catastrophic fatality cases, including securing a $6,000,000 policy limits settlement for the family of a bicyclist who was tragically killed by a garbage truck.
This result, along with our membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, shows our ability to handle the most serious and demanding claims. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they do reflect our deep commitment to fighting for families like yours.
We handle the legal burdens
Our philosophy is direct: your family should not carry the stress of a legal case while grieving. A lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C. will manage every part of your claim for you. From the initial investigation to the final resolution, we direct all communications, filings, and legal strategy. We provide direct lawyer access, so you receive support from an experienced attorney, not a case manager.
Accessible counsel when you need it
We know that a family’s needs do not follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Our lawyers are available for free consultations 24/7 by phone, video, or in person. If you cannot come to our Chicago office, we will travel to you. To better serve our community, we provide legal services in English, Spanish, and Polish.
How Our Lawyers Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action, not a criminal prosecution. Our attorneys use this legal process to pursue financial damages on behalf of the surviving family members. This provides a measure of justice and financial stability for those left behind.
Using the Illinois Wrongful Death Act for You
Our attorneys build your family's case on the foundation of the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/). This law permits the personal representative of the deceased's estate to file a lawsuit against the party whose wrongful act or neglect caused the death.
If the person who passed away could have filed a personal injury claim had they lived, our lawyers can now file a wrongful death claim for the family.
Managing the filing process correctly
The Act requires the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate to file the lawsuit. This person is often named in a will or appointed by the court. Our attorneys handle the entire legal process of establishing the estate and appointing a representative.
We then manage the claim and ensure any recovered compensation is properly distributed to the surviving spouse and next of kin according to the law.
The Decisive Actions Our Attorneys Take for You
The outcome of a wrongful death claim depends on a swift and meticulous investigation. The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. takes immediate, decisive action to build a powerful case for your family.
We do not ask you to find evidence; we deploy our firm's resources to do it for you.
Our attorneys take specific steps to build your case. They move quickly to:
- Preserve physical evidence from the accident scene.
- Secure all available video surveillance footage from nearby businesses or cameras.
- Identify and interview every witness to the incident.
- Obtain and analyze all official police, coroner, and medical reports.
This immediate and proactive approach is necessary to build a case strong enough to stand up to any challenge from defendants and their insurance companies.
Retaining professionals to prove fault
Proving negligence in a fatal accident often requires deep technical knowledge. Our firm retains a network of qualified professionals to analyze the evidence and establish exactly how the death occurred.
We may work with accident reconstructionists, engineers, medical examiners, and financial professionals to present a clear and fact-based case that shows the defendant’s liability.
The Pursuit of Justice
No amount of money can replace your loved one. A wrongful death claim, however, can provide financial relief and force the negligent party to answer for their actions.
Our attorneys document every consequence of your loss to pursue the full measure of damages available. The law allows families to seek compensation for their profound losses. A dedicated personal injury lawyer will fight to recover damages for:
- The sorrow, grief, and mental suffering of the surviving family members.
- The loss of society, companionship, and guidance from the deceased.
- The loss of the financial support the deceased would have provided.
- The loss of services and instruction the family would have received.
Our attorneys also pursue a separate but related claim when appropriate. A Survival Action seeks to recover damages the deceased could have claimed before they passed, such as for their conscious pain and suffering and medical bills. We will evaluate every legal option for your family.
Tragic Accidents Leading to Wrongful Death Claims
A fatal incident can happen anywhere negligence is present. Our firm has the experience to handle wrongful death cases arising from many different tragic events.
We apply specific investigative strategies to each type of case. Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers handle claims resulting from:
- Fatal car, truck, and motorcycle collisions on Chicago’s expressways and streets.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents involving a vulnerable person struck by a vehicle.
- Devastating falls on poorly maintained or hazardous property.
- Catastrophic bus, train, and rideshare accidents.
No matter the circumstances, our goal is the same: uncover the facts and hold every liable party accountable for their actions.
The Necessity of Immediate Action
While grieving, legal deadlines are likely not your main concern. The legal system, however, has unforgiving time limits. The single most effective step you can take to protect your family’s rights is to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney immediately.
Legal deadlines are absolute
The Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Illinois is strict. If your family fails to file a lawsuit within the legal time frame, you will be permanently blocked from seeking compensation.
You cannot risk this outcome. An attorney at Abels & Annes, P.C. ensures all deadlines are met while you focus on your family.
Automated Tools Cannot Replace a Dedicated Attorney
Online AI programs can provide generic information, but they are not a substitute for a qualified lawyer in a wrongful death case. An algorithm cannot show compassion for your loss, investigate an accident, or build a persuasive legal argument.
Placing your trust in automated technology for such a serious matter can lead to irreversible errors. For true legal support, you need a dedicated attorney from Abels & Annes, P.C.
FAQ for Wrongful Death Claims
How does a wrongful death claim differ from a survival action?
A wrongful death claim compensates the family for their own losses, such as grief and lost companionship. A survival action compensates the deceased's estate for damages the person suffered before their death, like pain and medical costs.
Our attorneys will determine if filing both claims is appropriate.
What is the cost of hiring a lawyer for a wrongful death case?
Abels & Annes, P.C. handles all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This is our "No Fee Unless You Win" promise. Your family pays nothing upfront. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you.
How long will this lawsuit take?
The timeline for a wrongful death case depends on the event's complexity, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles. Our attorneys work to resolve your case efficiently while never compromising on the pursuit of a just result.
Does our family have to go to court?
Many wrongful death cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. However, our lawyers prepare every case for trial by jury. This rigorous preparation gives us a position of strength during negotiations and keeps us ready for court if the insurance company does not make a fair offer.
We are not sure who was at fault. What should we do?
Determining fault is our job, not yours. Even if the details seem unclear, we encourage you to contact us. Our investigative team will conduct a complete review of the evidence to identify all responsible parties and build a case to hold them accountable.
Let Us Fight for You: A Consultation with Our Chicago Attorneys
Your loved one deserves justice. Your family deserves support. The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. is ready to provide the powerful legal representation and compassionate counsel your family needs. Let us take on the legal fight.
Do not wait while evidence disappears and deadlines pass. Call our Chicago office now at (312) 924-7575 for your free and completely confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Let us fight for you.