If your close family member or spouse has passed away in an accident caused by another party, you’re probably overwhelmed with grief. Dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one can be extremely challenging, especially if you’ve inherited their medical bills and are now tasked with arranging a funeral.
Fortunately, an O’Fallon wrongful death lawyer from Morelli Law can pursue the compensation you need to grieve comfortably and cover all the expenses you’ve incurred due to the decedent’s passing. Our personal injury attorneys from O’Fallon have recovered millions for clients just like you, so you can be confident we have what it takes to win your case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit in O’Fallon, Illinois?
In Illinois, only certain parties can file a wrongful death suit. According to 740 Illinois Compiled Statutes 180, the decedent’s spouse and children are the only people who can take legal action for the death of their loved ones. However, if the decedent has no surviving spouse or children, their parents or siblings will have the option to file a lawsuit.
If you’re still unsure whether or not you’re eligible to submit a suit on behalf of your deceased loved one, get in touch with a wrongful death lawyer from O’Fallon today. They’ll offer the advice you’re looking for and, if you have grounds for a claim, pursue the compensation you deserve.
Fatal Accidents That a Wrongful Death Lawyer in O’Fallon Can File a Claim After
Since Morelli Law’s founding in 1998, our team has taken on countless wrongful death cases. Over the years, we’ve come to realize that almost any type of accident can leave the victim with fatal injuries. Throughout our careers, we’ve also learned how to handle many different types of wrongful death incidents, including the following:
- Car accident
- Truck accident
- Construction accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Medical malpractice incident
- Defective drug incident
- And more
If your loved one passed away due to injuries suffered in one of the incidents mentioned above, you may have grounds for a wrongful death suit. Reach out to our O’Fallon wrongful death lawyers today to find out if you can pursue compensation for the pain and losses you’ve been burdened with.
O’Fallon Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Compensation an Attorney From Our Team Can Pursue on Your Behalf
A successful wrongful death suit can give you the financial support you need to cope with your loss, replace financial losses you’ve incurred due to your loved one’s passing, and cover any other expenses you’ve incurred.
When you meet with a wrongful death attorney from O’Fallon, they’ll ask you how your loss has impacted your emotional well-being, financial status, and life. Using the information you provide, your lawyer will determine which damages you’re owed and calculate how much compensation you should receive overall.
Next, your attorney will fight for the damages you’re owed, which may include any of the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages can help you cover tangible financial expenses and losses you’ve had to deal with due to your loved one’s death. You may receive money to pay for your loved one’s funeral service and burial. If your loved one received medical treatment for the fatal injuries they suffered, these damages can also help you pay for the treatment bills.
In addition, these damages can be used to make up for your loss of financial support or loss of inheritance. If there are any other economic losses you suffered that are not mentioned here, make sure to ask your O’Fallon wrongful death attorney if it is a compensable loss. They’ll be able to provide an answer and fight for all the non-economic damages you’re owed.
Non-economic Damages
The economic losses you incur due to the loss of a family member are only one aspect of a wrongful death case. Since losing a loved one can result in a great deal of pain and distress, wrongful death plaintiffs can also pursue the following non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of guidance
Punitive Damages
If the individual or entity that caused your family member’s death did so intentionally or while exhibiting gross negligence, a court may also award punitive damages. These damages serve to punish the defendant for their malicious or extremely reckless actions. Although these damages are rarely awarded, they can also provide some extra compensation for you.
How Long You Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit in Illinois
One of the most important things to know after the sudden and tragic death of a loved one is how long you have to file a wrongful death suit. That’s because all plaintiffs in Illinois must follow the statute of limitations or risk their chance of receiving fair compensation.
According to Illinois’ statute of limitations for wrongful death suits, you have two years from the day of your family member’s death to file a civil suit. If you fail to do so, you won’t be able to get the resources and financial support you deserve.
Instead of delaying your case and jeopardizing your financial recovery, reach out to our O’Fallon wrongful death attorneys today. If you hire a lawyer from our firm soon, they’ll have the time they need to satisfy the statute of limitations and any other state-imposed requirements that apply to your claim.
We Won’t Charge You Any Out-of-Pocket Fees for Our Assistance
Our wrongful death lawyers in O’Fallon understand how emotionally difficult and financially taxing it can be to deal with the loss of a loved one. That’s why we never charge our clients any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. Instead, we work for a contingency fee, which is a portion of the payment you receive from your suit. If we lose your case, you won’t pay us anything!
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorney
Our attorneys in Illinois are here to offer the compassionate legal counsel and effective representation you need to make it through this upsetting time in your life. You can rest assured that our firm has the experience required to win your case, as we’ve secured countless positive case results in the past.
Contact Morelli Law today to learn more about how we can help you and find out if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit. If an O’Fallon wrongful death lawyer from our team agrees to assist you, they’ll work tirelessly to get the justice and compensation you’re looking for.