Chicago Wrongful Death Attorneys
Losing someone you love because another person acted carelessly can leave your family stunned, angry, and unsure where to turn. You may wonder if you’ll ever find your grounding.
Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers help grieving families through these emotionally and financially difficult situations. We bring claims after fatal motor vehicle accidents, medical errors, nursing home neglect, unsafe property conditions, fires, and other preventable deaths.
Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys represents families throughout Chicago, Cook County, Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Oak Park, and nearby communities.
You do not have to sort through insurance calls, legal deadlines, or court filings while your family is grieving. Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free case review. We are available 24/7, and we can travel to meet you wherever you are in Illinois.
Why Chicagoland Families Trust Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys
Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys gives grieving families proof, preparation, and steady communication when the stakes feel impossible. Partners Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins II bring direct attorney involvement to these cases, so families are not left wondering who is handling the most important questions after a preventable death.
Our office is located at 350 N. Orleans Street, Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654, near the River North and Loop court corridor. We represent families throughout Chicago, Cook County, Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Oak Park, and nearby communities.
Proven Results in Fatal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases require lawyers who can show the other side that the family is prepared to fight. Kennedy Watkins has secured major results in cases involving preventable deaths and catastrophic harm.
Our case results include:
- $34 million verdict in a wrongful death case arising from an apartment fire
- $8.5 million verdict for a family whose 18-year-old son was shot by a police officer in Chicago
- $7.365 million verdict for a family whose father was killed in a truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway
- $1.3 million recovery from the City of Chicago for a family whose son was killed when a felon fleeing Chicago police crashed into his vehicle
- Confidential settlement for the family of a teenage girl who was struck and killed in a trucking collision at the Chinatown Red Line stop
- Confidential settlement for a family whose loved one was killed after her vehicle stalled on Lake Shore Drive due to an alleged product defect
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. They do show that our attorneys have handled high-pressure cases where families needed answers, accountability, and serious legal preparation.
Trial-Ready Representation When Insurers Refuse to Be Fair
A trial-ready wrongful death lawyer prepares the case for court from the beginning. That matters because insurers may dispute fault, delay payment, or undervalue the loss of a person’s life.
Kennedy Watkins builds claims with records, witness accounts, medical proof, financial details, and support from qualified professionals when needed. When the other side knows that we are willing to go to court, it often compels them to settle fairly.
Compassionate Client Care During a Painful Time
Wrongful death clients need more than filings and legal updates. Families need lawyers who answer questions, return calls, and explain next steps clearly and empathetically. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can also travel across Illinois to meet clients who cannot come to our office.
Client Testimonials Point to Communication and Empathy
Client feedback matters because families need to know how a law firm treats people when life feels heavy. Kennedy Watkins clients have praised the firm for attentive service, clear communication, and genuine empathy.
No Upfront Attorney Fees for Your Family
Kennedy Watkins handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.
This arrangement lets families seek legal help without adding another financial burden. To speak with a Chicago wrongful death lawyer, call Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys at (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free case review.
Why Do I Need a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer After a Fatal Accident?
A Chicago wrongful death lawyer can protect your family’s claim, deal with insurers, and build the evidence needed to hold the at-fault party accountable. Families often face several legal and financial pressures at once after a preventable death.
A lawyer with Kennedy Watkins can help determine who can bring the claim, what losses may be included, and where the case should be filed. Many Chicago wrongful death lawsuits involving major damages proceed through the Cook County Circuit Court Law Division, which hears high-value civil cases.
Families also tend to do better with legal representation. Forbes has reported research showing that represented injury claimants were far more likely to settle their claims. Those who worked with a lawyer secured net payouts three times larger than people who handled claims alone.
At Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys, we gather records, locate witnesses, work with medical or accident professionals, and prepare each case for settlement or trial. That preparation makes a difference when an insurer questions fault, minimizes a life, or delays payment.
Talk to a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
An Illinois wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the family member who died due to the alleged negligent or reckless actions of someone else. Any recovery generally benefits the surviving spouse and next of kin, which may include children, parents, or other close relatives.
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act sets the basic filing rule. The personal representative may already be named in an estate plan. If not, the probate court may appoint someone.
The person who files the case does not keep the recovery for themselves. They act on behalf of the eligible family members.
| Role | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Personal representative | The person legally allowed to file the lawsuit |
| Surviving spouse | A husband or wife who may receive part of the recovery |
| Next of kin | Close family members who may share in the recovery |
| Probate court | The court that may appoint a representative |
Kennedy Watkins can help families sort out who should serve in this role. In many cases, that can reduce confusion when several relatives are grieving and trying to make decisions at once.
What Compensation Can Families Seek in a Chicago Wrongful Death Case?
Wrongful death compensation in Chicago may include both financial losses and the human losses caused by a loved one’s death. Illinois allows families to seek damages for the deep personal and economic harm that follows a preventable loss.
Money cannot replace a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. It can help your family face funeral costs, lost income, unpaid medical bills, and the loss of care and companionship.
| Type of Loss | Examples |
|---|---|
| Economic damages | Funeral costs, burial costs, medical bills, lost income, benefits, and other financial support |
| Non-economic damages | Grief, sorrow, loss of companionship, loss of guidance |
| Survival damages | Pain, suffering, and losses your loved one suffered before death |
| Case-related costs | Professional review, records, filing costs, and trial preparation |
A survival action is different from a wrongful death claim. The Illinois Survival Act allows certain claims that the person could have brought had they survived
For example, a family may have both claims after a fatal truck crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. One claim focuses on the family’s losses. The other focuses on what the person endured before passing.
What Fatal Accident Cases Do Our Chicago Wrongful Death Attorneys Handle?
Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys handle cases involving preventable deaths across many personal injury settings. These claims often involve a careless driver, unsafe property owner, medical provider, corporation, public entity, or other responsible party.
Kennedy Watkins has handled serious and fatal injury cases throughout the Chicago area. Our work includes deaths connected to:
- Fatal car accidents on roads such as Lake Shore Drive, I-90, I-94, and the Eisenhower Expressway
- Truck crashes involving semis, delivery vehicles, and commercial carriers
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus, train, and pedestrian incidents
- Medical malpractice at hospitals or care facilities
- Nursing home neglect and unsafe supervision
- Construction site and workplace deaths
- Apartment fires, explosions, and burn injuries
- Defective products that fail during ordinary use
Fatal traffic cases also require careful local review. The Chicago Department of Transportation tracks city traffic fatalities through Vision Zero Chicago, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks fatal crashes nationwide.
Our team connects the local facts to the legal claim. That may include crash reports, fire records, medical records, witness accounts, roadway evidence, or company safety documents.
Ask Kennedy Watkins About Your Chicago Wrongful Death Claim
Q: Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already called after my loved one died?
A: Yes, you should speak with a Chicago wrongful death lawyer before discussing a fatal claim with an insurance company. The insurer may seek statements, releases, or quick settlement terms before your family knows the full value of the case.
Q: Can Kennedy Watkins help if my loved one died at a hospital or nursing home?
A: Yes, Kennedy Watkins handles wrongful death cases involving medical malpractice and nursing home neglect. These cases often require medical records, professional review, and careful proof that negligent care caused or contributed to the death.
Q: Can my family sue after a fatal crash involving a truck or CTA vehicle?
A: Yes, your family may have a wrongful death claim after a fatal truck crash or transit-related incident if negligence caused the death. These cases may involve commercial carriers, public entities, contractors, or several insurance policies.
How Does Kennedy Watkins Build a Wrongful Death Claim in Cook County?
A wrongful death claim in Cook County starts with learning what happened, who may be legally responsible, and how the death changed the family’s life. Our attorneys then collect the evidence needed for settlement talks or trial.
We look at each case from several angles. A fatal crash may involve a driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, public entity, or another liable party. A fire death may involve a landlord, contractor, product maker, or property manager.
Our team may work with medical professionals, engineers, fire professionals, financial analysts, and crash reconstruction professionals. Their input can help explain why the death occurred and what the loss means.
Kennedy Watkins has secured major results in fatal injury cases. These include a $34 million wrongful death apartment fire verdict and a $7.365 million verdict for a family whose father was killed in a truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Illinois?
Most Illinois wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the person’s death. Some cases have different or shorter deadlines, so families should speak with a lawyer as soon as they feel ready.
Medical malpractice cases may follow separate timing rules. Illinois law generally gives families two years from when they knew or should have known of the injury or death, with an outside limit in many cases. Claims involving local government entities may also move on shorter timelines.
Kennedy Watkins can identify which deadline applies to your family’s case. That matters after deaths involving city vehicles, public hospitals, police pursuits, CTA-related incidents, or other public entities.
You should not have to manage legal deadlines alone. Our attorneys can review the timeline and protect the filing date while your family focuses on immediate needs.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer?
It costs nothing upfront to hire Kennedy Watkins for a wrongful death case. Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee, which means our fee comes from the recovery if we recover compensation for your family.
A free consultation gives your family space to talk through what happened. We can explain whether a claim may exist, what deadlines may apply, and what steps our team can handle for you.
You can call us before an insurance meeting, before probate questions become stressful, or after receiving a settlement offer. We will meet you where you are, both emotionally and practically.
Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today. We are ready to listen.
Talk With Our Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
Your family deserves clear answers, careful legal work, and real compassion after a preventable death. Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys helps Chicago families pursue accountability after fatal accidents, fires, medical negligence, nursing home neglect, and unsafe property conditions.
You can reach our office at 350 N. Orleans Street, Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654. Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free consultation.
We are with you. On your side. By your side.
FAQ
About Wrongful Death Claims
What is Wrongful Death in Illinois?
Wrongful death is a legal theory based on another person’s negligent or intentional act that takes the life of another person. Generally speaking, the family members of the deceased can file a claim against the negligent person. Essentially, if a deceased person would have legal grounds to file a claim against the negligent party, family members can file a wrongful death claim.
How are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid?
In most cases, the insurance company that provides liability coverage for the negligent party pays the plaintiff (the family or the estate) the settlement amount that was negotiated between the attorneys. Plaintiffs may receive a lump sum amount minus attorney fees and expenses, or they may receive monthly or yearly payments through a structured settlement.
Who Can Legally Sue After a Wrongful Death in Illinois?
The surviving family members or the estate of the decedent have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. In Illinois, a wrongful death lawsuit must be brought by a surviving family member who has been appointed by the court as a representative of the decedent’s estate. Surviving spouses, children, parents, and siblings may be considered next of kin who are entitled to share in any damages that are awarded. The specific next of kin will depend on the family situation. For example, a sibling would be considered a next of kin if the person who died did not have any children, but would not qualify if the deceased person had children.
How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?
Like other personal injury cases, you must prove certain elements of a wrongful death claim. These are as follows:
- The death of the victim was caused by the accident outlined in the wrongful death claim,
- The accident was caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the defendant,
- Surviving family members or the estate of the victim have been directly impacted by the death of the decedent, and
- The survivors and the estate have suffered losses due to the wrongful death.
Who Receives the Damages from a Wrongful Death Claim?
If the decedent did not have any children but they did have a surviving spouse, the spouse would receive 100 percent of the damages from a wrongful death claim. If the decedent had a surviving spouse and children, any damages awarded would be divided between them.
Are Wrongful Death Damages Taxable?
In most cases, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not place taxes on personal injury damages that are compensatory. Compensatory damages are those that compensate the decedent’s family members for their losses. However, if punitive damages are awarded, the IRS will place a tax on those.
What Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Loss of society and grief and sorrow are available in wrongful death cases in Illinois. Loss of society refers to the loss of love, comfort, affection and guidance experienced by the surviving family members. If the decedent provided financial support to the family members, lost economic support would also be an element of damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Like other personal injury cases, you must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the decedent’s death. It is important to note that the statute of limitations, or time limit, starts ticking on the date of the death and not the date of the accident. If you do not file within this time, you will lose your right to claim any damages at all. In some circumstances, such as a case against the City of Chicago or other local governmental entity, the statute of limitations is one year.
TESTIMONIALS
Kennedy and Watkins were referred to myself and my husband by another attorney. From the very first conversation we knew we made the right choice. Everything was always communicated from the beginning to the end which made the process smooth and in the end we were extremely satisfied with the results of our case.
– Trena L. Wallace
Highly recommended! Jack was very attentive to my case after my accident and walked me through each step along the way clear and concise. My case was settled in a timely manner overall I was very pleased.
– Shelby Furcron
I’d want to mention that working with Mr. Kennedy was a pleasure because he was a huge help and support in my case. He was good at communicating and made sure that everything was crystal clear. He also had a great deal of empathy for the circumstances. I would recommend him to anyone who needs legal advice.
– Sheldon Henley
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