Losing a loved one is devastating. If someone else’s negligence or wrongful act caused the death, the law allows the surviving family to pursue accountability and compensation, but choosing the right lawyer matters. Strom Advisory Group is not a law firm. We work alongside you in Chicago and throughout Illinois to match you with the best wrongful death lawyer for your specific case, then stay with you from intake to resolution to make sure you’re heard, informed, and supported.

Wrongful death cases can involve complex Illinois statutes, strict deadlines, contested liability, multiple defendants, and high stakes damages. Hiring the wrong lawyer can mean missed evidence, undervalued claims, or blown filing deadlines. Our role is to help you avoid those risks by pairing you with a trial-tested Chicago wrongful death lawyer with the right experience for your case.

How Strom can help with your workers compensation case

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Strom Advisory Group has experience placing Illinois families with attorneys in a wide range of wrongful death matters, including:

Motor Vehicle & Transportation: car, truck, rideshare, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, CTA, and rail incidents.
Medical Negligence: diagnostic errors, treatment failures, surgical/procedural mistakes, medication errors, and childbirth injuries.
Construction & Workplace: falls, equipment failures, OSHA violations, third‑party contractor negligence (with related Workers’ Compensation death benefits where applicable).
Nursing Home & Care Facilities: neglect, understaffing, elopement, preventable infections, falls, pressure injuries.
Premises Liability: unsafe property conditions, inadequate security, code violations.
Defective Products: vehicles, machinery, medical devices, consumer products.
Criminal/Violent Conduct: intentional acts leading to death (with special filing rules).

Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Common Questions for Wrongful Death Cases

A wrongful death claim arises when a person dies because of another’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act. In Illinois, the case is brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Damages may include pecuniary losses, grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages (with statutory exceptions).
Generally, amounts received for personal physical injuries or sickness are not included in federal income under IRC §104(a)(2). Portions allocated to punitive damages or post‑judgment interest are taxable, and prior medical expense deductions can affect tax treatment. Always consult a tax professional.
There is no meaningful “average.” Values vary widely based on liability strength, insurance/asset limits, the decedent’s earnings and services, the family’s losses (including grief and sorrow), venue, and whether punitive damages are available. Illinois law entrusts juries (and courts in settlement) to award fair and just compensation based on the evidence.
Only the personal representative (executor or court‑appointed administrator) may file. The case is brought for the benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin. If there’s no personal representative named in a will, the court can appoint one.
Illinois courts allocate the recovery among the surviving spouse and next of kin according to each person’s dependency percentage on the decedent (not necessarily equal shares). The judge conducts a dependency hearing when needed.
Timelines vary. Some cases resolve in months; contested cases with multiple defendants, expert discovery, and trial settings can take 1–3+ years. Factors include liability disputes, court calendars, and medical and economic expert workups. (We help you and your lawyer set realistic milestones and communication cadences.)
Once settlement documents are signed and court approval (if needed) is obtained, funds are commonly disbursed within ~30–60 days after lien resolution and entry of dismissal. Estates, minors, structured settlements, and Medicare/health‑care lien issues can extend timing.
The general statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If death resulted from violent, intentional conduct, you may file within five years of death or one year after the criminal case’s final disposition. Still, this extension applies only against the individual accused of the violent act, not other parties (e.g., employers or product manufacturers). Do not wait; deadlines are strictly enforced.
Civil. A wrongful death case seeks monetary damages in civil court and may proceed regardless of whether criminal charges are filed or a conviction occurs. (Criminal cases address punishment; civil cases address compensation.)
Open (or prepare to open) an estate and have a personal representative appointed; 2) your lawyer investigates liability and damages, preserves evidence, and gives notice to insurers/defendants; 3) claims are presented and, if necessary, a lawsuit is filed before the deadline; 4) discovery, experts, mediation, and trial/appeal as needed; 5) upon settlement or verdict, the court allocates proceeds among eligible survivors. Strom Advisory Group will match you with an Illinois wrongful death lawyer who will handle these steps and keep you informed.