Orland Park Wrongful Death Attorney

Will County Fatal Injury Lawyer

Coping with the death of a loved one can be one of the hardest things for any person to go through. This is particularly true if a loved one was killed due to the negligence of another person. The death of a family member can be an immensely trying and emotional experience, and pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible person may not even cross your mind.

It is important, however, to take action to hold the responsible party liable for the death of your loved one as soon as you can. Whether a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or another situation involving negligence was the cause of the person's death, it is important to make sure information and evidence is collected and preserved as soon as possible. At Issa Law, LLC, we can help develop a case against the negligent party, and we will work to ensure that they will be held fully responsible for your loss.

Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

When a person's negligence results in someone's death, they can be held liable for the ways their actions have affected family members and other loved ones left behind. While money can never replace a deceased loved one, financial compensation can address various issues that have affected a family, help ensure that they will not be placed in a difficult financial situation, and compensate them for the loss they have suffered. The types of compensation that family members may be able to recover in a wrongful death case include:

• Medical Bills: Following an accident, a loved one may have received medical treatment before their death. The costs associated with emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and other medical interventions can quickly accumulate. Compensation for medical bills in wrongful death cases is intended to cover these expenses, ensuring that the family is not burdened with the financial strain of healthcare costs.
• Funeral and Other Final Expenses: The costs of a memorial service and a person's burial or cremation can be significant, and they often come at a time when the family is already overwhelmed with grief. Compensation for these final expenses helps to alleviate the financial burden of arranging a respectful farewell for the deceased.
• Loss of Wages: The death of a loved one who was a primary or significant earner in the household can have a devastating impact on a family's financial stability. Compensation for lost wages is meant to replace the income that the person would have provided to their family if they had lived. This includes the wages they would have earned from the time of their death until the expected retirement age or for as long as they were reasonably expected to work.
• Loss of Benefits and Future Gains: In addition to lost wages, the death of a loved one may also result in the loss of other forms of financial support. This can include health insurance, pension plans, retirement savings, and other employment benefits that the deceased would have contributed to their family over their lifetime. Compensation in this area is designed to account for the long-term financial impact on the family, helping to secure their future stability.
• Loss of Emotional Support: Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of wrongful death compensation to quantify is the loss of support and companionship. The death of a loved one can leave an emotional void that impacts the survivors' mental and emotional well-being. Compensation for loss of emotional support acknowledges the profound impact of this loss on the surviving family members, recognizing the value of the relationship that was taken from them.
• Loss of Consortium: Closely related to loss of emotional support is the concept of loss of consortium, which refers to the loss of an important family relationship, including a spouse's loss of the love and affection they would have received from their partner. This type of compensation is meant to address the personal and emotional losses experienced by the surviving spouse due to the wrongful death.
• Pain and Suffering: In some cases, compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before their death can also be sought. This category covers the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish that the person endured as a result of the negligent actions that ultimately led to their death.
• Punitive Damages: In situations where a wrongful death was caused by illegal actions, reckless behavior, or other egregious forms of negligence, a court may award punitive damages to the survivors. Unlike compensatory damages, which are meant to address the actual losses a family has experienced, punitive damages are designed to punish a person who was responsible for a wrongful death and help prevent similar behavior in the future. These damages are not always available in wrongful death cases, but when they are, they can significantly increase the total amount of compensation awarded.

While determining the amount of medical bills or funeral expenses can be fairly straightforward, establishing a monetary value for things like the loss of future gains and emotional support can be much more complicated. An experienced attorney with the necessary knowledge and resources can help ensure that the maximum compensation will be awarded to those left behind. With over 10 years of experience representing families and others who have been left behind after the death of a loved one, Attorney Khaled Issa can provide effective representation during this difficult time. He works to make sure clients will be fully compensated for their losses.

Contact Our Tinley Park Wrongful Death Lawyer

Contact our firm today at 708-966-2408 for an initial consultation to discuss the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one and explore the avenues of recovery that may be available to you and your family.