Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyers - Article

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act

Historically, wrongful death claims are usually traced back to Lord Campbell’s Act, which was made in England in 1846. According to this act, a person who killed someone through negligent or malicious behavior could be sued for compensation by that the dead person’s next of kin. Today, all 50 US states have their own wrongful death acts. These acts vary in their rules about who can file a wrongful death suit and what kind of compensation they can request.

Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act was passed in 1853 and has been amended in recent years. According to this act, family members who have lost a relative due to someone else’s negligent or malicious behavior can file a lawsuit to receive compensation. The compensation can be for lost wages, medical expenses and emotional suffering. Only the deceased’s spouse and next of kin can request compensation. No matter how close friends, employers or others may have been to the deceased, they cannot be legally compensated for the death. If the spouse and next of kin with their case, the jury will award whatever amount of money they feel is appropriate.

If the deceased had no spouse or next of kin, then others may file a wrongful death suit. A person who paid medical costs or provided housing to the deceased may be compensated up to $450. If the deceased had a representative or anyone who looked after their medical and legal matters, that person can be compensated for those costs up to $900.

Illinois civil law is quite complex in this area. If you need more information about filing a personal injury suit, contact Chicago wrongful death lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.