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Wrongful Death

Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one is an extremely painful experience that may likely result in financial hardship and emotional trauma. It becomes even worse when you lose your loved one under circumstances that would not have happened but for the negligence of another person. There are many scenarios in which this may occur including vehicle accidents, manufacturing defects, medical malpractice, and other types of accidents. Uche Litigation offers dedicated legal support for wrongful death cases. Our compassionate Chicago wrongful death lawyer fights for justice and fair compensation.

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Wrongful Death: The Shocking Numbers and Legal Solutions

CNBC reported that over 250,000 persons in the United States die from medical errors according to a recent study conducted by The John Hopkins University. This is reportedly the third-highest cause of death in the United States. But malpractice is just one out of many incidents that lead to wrongful deaths. As at 2005, over 45,343 persons died from motor vehicle fatalities.

A 2017 CDC report showed that about 169,936 unintentional deaths occurred in that year alone, accounting for the third highest cause of death in the United States. The report also disclosed that an average of 52 persons out of every 100,000 are likely to lose their lives to wrongful or unintentional deaths.

These are very disturbing figures. Even more disturbing is the fact that these reports barely cover all the possible incidents of negligence resulting in wrongful death. It is almost impossible to fathom the hardship the families of these deceased persons have to suffer for the negligence of another person or entity.

Aside from the grief associated with losing a loved one, wrongful deaths are so sudden and can negatively affect a family’s finances. All this coming at a time when funeral costs have risen and now cost thousands of dollars. Outstanding medical bills and other fees may also significantly weigh down a family’s financial standing.

Thankfully, the law provides ways for aggrieved families to secure justice and compensation for their loss, and ultimately, closure. At Uchelitigation, we can advise on and help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the people responsible for your loved one’s death accountable.

If you have lost a loved one to a wrongful death incident, our Chicago wrongful death attorneys can advise you on your rights and options.

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Steps To Take

At Uchelitigation, we understand that seeking legal assistance can be a complex and intimidating process. That's why our team is dedicated to providing our clients with a supportive and personalized approach to legal representation.

01

Duty of care

A plaintiff must show to the court that the defendant owed the deceased person a duty of care. This implies the existence of a moral or legal obligation on the defendant to exercise care or ensure the safety of the deceased person. For example, a worker in a nursing home has an obligation to ensure the safety of an elderly person entrusted with his or her care.

02

Breach of duty of care

The second requirement is to show that the defendant has breached the said duty of care. If the worker in the example cited above fails to ensure the safety of the elderly person or subjects the person to abuse, then he or she has breached the duty of care. Another example is when a police or law enforcement officer uses excessive force on a person without any lawful justification.

03

Causation

The third and final requirement is that plaintiffs must be able to show a connection between the breach of the duty of care and the death of the deceased. Sometimes to do this, an autopsy may be required or additional medical or scientific evidence.

04

Claim damages

Once all these requirements are proven to the satisfaction of the court, you may proceed to claim damages. The law defines damages as compensation for harm done awarded by the court to a plaintiff. The ultimate goal is to compensate for the loss and ease the hardship of the family of the deceased.

Who do you get compensation from?

Negligent party

If the negligence of an individual, company, or government entity caused the wrongful death, they may be held liable for the resulting damages. This could include compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the negligent party for their actions and to deter similar conduct in the future.

To establish liability for wrongful death due to negligence, it is necessary to show that the negligent party owed a duty of care to the deceased, that they breached that duty of care through their actions or inaction, and that this breach of duty directly caused the death.

Employer

Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees. If an employer fails to fulfill this responsibility, and an employee is killed as a result, the employer may be held liable for the resulting damages. This liability may arise in situations where the death was caused by an on-the-job accident or exposure to hazardous conditions, or as a result of employer negligence.

In addition to providing compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, an employer may also be subject to penalties and fines for failing to provide a safe work environment. Employers may be required to carry workers' compensation insurance to cover the costs of workplace injuries and deaths, which may provide an additional source of compensation for the plaintiff.

Insurance policies

In wrongful death cases, insurance policies may provide an additional source of compensation for the plaintiff. This is particularly true in cases where the wrongful death was caused by a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or any other incident that involves insurance coverage.

Life insurance policies may also compensate the plaintiff in the event of a wrongful death. If the deceased had a life insurance policy, the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the policy may be entitled to receive a payout from the policy. This payout can be used to cover expenses related to the wrongful death, such as funeral expenses and other financial losses.

What kind of compensation can you recover?

There are several types of compensation you may recover after proving your claim. You can recover compensation for the following:

Medical costs associated with the deceased’s death before and after he or she passed.
Loss of consortium
Emotional distress
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Let an experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer help you.

Have you lost a loved one to a wrongful death? Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys know how hard this period must be for you and we are ready to help you obtain compensation.

While money cannot replace your loved one, we understand the emotional closure that securing justice can bring to you and your family. Call Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer Uche at: (312) 847 2097 or contact us via our website and let’s talk about your case.

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Success
Stories
"A family member was locked up at a jail in Illinois and was later found dead due to the negligence of the staff. Attorney Uche took on the case and got a seven-figure settlement from the jail. It won’t bring our loved one back, but it is some form of justice and closure the family wanted and needed."

Frequently asked questions

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What damages can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit?
Can a criminal case be filed alongside a wrongful death lawsuit?
What happens to any outstanding debts of the deceased in a wrongful death lawsuit?
Is there a statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit?
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