Wrongful Death

It is always tragic to lose a family member, loved one, or close friend. When the death is caused by the actions or negligence of someone else, the loss is even more devastating. If you have recently lost someone that you love in an accident of any kind, you may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. At Fotopoulos Law Office, our compassionate team can assist you in analyzing your situation to determine if a wrongful death action is a reasonable option for you and your family.

No amount of money can erase the pain caused by losing a loved one. At our firm, however, we know that recovering financial compensation in a wrongful death claim can help ease some of the burden caused by the loss. Damages may be available to assist you and your family with:

• Expenses incurred by the victim before death;
• The costs associated with the funeral and burial;
• The victim’s lost future income;
• The victim’s lost employment-related benefits;
• Lost inheritances; and
• Lost support and other services that the victim offered to his or her family.

Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in certain cases as a deterrent against similar wrongful acts in the future.

A wrongful death can occur in just about any type of accident situation, including car accidents, truck accidents, nursing home abuse cases, medical malpractice, bus or subway accidents, construction site accidents, and countless others. Illinois law allows only the surviving immediate family members of the victim to collect compensation in a wrongful death claim. This generally means that the victim’s spouse, children, or parents, are eligible to recover damages, but the path to recovery usually goes through the personal representative of the victim’s estate.

At Fotopoulos Law Office, we understand that a wrongful death claim can be difficult, and we are equipped to provide the guidance you need. We maintain a large network of qualified experts including scientists, engineers, and other professionals who can help us determine exactly what happened and which party or parties were at fault. Our team also works with medical and financial experts to assess your family’s needs and the potential value of your claims. With more than 18 years of legal experience, Attorney John S. Fotopoulos and his team have obtained many favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients, and we are prepared to put our approach to work for your family.

If you and your family are recovering from the death of a loved one caused by another party’s negligence, filing a wrongful death claim might be your best course of action. Contact our office to discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 708-942-8400 today. Our firm assists families in Cook County and Will County, including the communities of Orland Park, Tinley Park, Joliet, Oak Forest, Mokena, Alsip, Homer Glen, and Palos Heights.