When negligence takes a life, wrongful death claims arise
Losing a loved one is devastating. We get it. In Illinois, the law allows surviving family members of those killed due to somebody else’s negligence to pursue justice and financial recovery through a wrongful death claim.
At 217 Law, we are honored when asked to pursue a possible wrongful death claim. While we understand that no amount of money can replace your loss, we strive to hold the responsible party accountable to help you find closure, stability, and peace of mind.
What Is Wrongful Death in Illinois?
A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to the careless, reckless, or intentional actions of another. Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, the deceased person’s spouse, children, or next of kin may file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses.
Common wrongful death cases arise from:
Car accidents caused by negligent or intoxicated drivers
Medical malpractice and fatal surgical errors
Nursing home neglect or abuse
Workplace accidents (especially in construction or industrial settings)
Dangerous property conditions (premises liability)
Defective products
Fatal criminal acts or assaults
Trucking or commercial vehicle collisions
These cases require prompt legal action and careful investigation to preserve evidence and determine fault.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-209, most wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. However:
If the death resulted from medical malpractice, the two-year clock starts from the date of discovery (but no later than four years from the incident).
If the case involves a government entity, notice provisions and shorter deadlines may apply.
For minors or if the wrongful act was concealed, extensions may be allowed.
Prompt legal action is essential to avoid losing your right to compensation. Even if it’s a different law firm, be sure to reach out to a skilled and experienced wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible — no matter how difficult that is. Otherwise, you may lose your right to pursue justice.
217 Law Attorneys
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Courtney Anderson
Courtney practices criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Never shy of a difficult or high-profile case, she has won numerous awards for her advocacy, including recently being selected as a finalist for top lawyer in Macon County.
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Fallon Conner
Fallon practices criminal defense and family law. As a former prosecutor, she has unique insight into the criminal justice system. She enjoys being in the courtroom and has a great track record of success in bench and jury trials.
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Zach Anderson
Zach focuses on helping injured clients with workers compensation, personal injury, and products liability claims. He has successfully resolved multiple single-party injury cases for over $1 million, and has helped recover millions for users of bad products.
We want to work with you.
Phone:
217-217-0217
Address:
132 S. Water St., Suite 628. Decatur, IL 62523
Email:
info@217law.com
Where We Work:
We help clients throughout the 217 area code with injury claims and general civil litigation. We practice criminal defense and family law in Macon and surrounding counties.
