Cicero Car Accident Attorneys
Losing someone you love is one of the most difficult things a family can go through. When that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness, the grief is compounded by questions that feel impossible to answer. You should not have to face those questions alone.
Our Cicero wrongful death lawyers at Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys represent families across Cook County who have lost a loved one due to another party’s wrongful actions. We have secured a $34,000,000 wrongful death verdict for a family who lost someone in a Chicago apartment fire and a $7,365,000 verdict after a fatal truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway. We bring that same commitment to every family we represent.
If your family is dealing with a wrongful death, call (312) 448-8181 for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will come to you.
Call Us 24/7: (312) 448-8181 | 350 N. Orleans St., Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654 | Get in Touch With Us Today
Why Cicero Families Trust Kennedy Watkins With Their Wrongful Death Cases
Attorneys Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins work on every wrongful death case together. When your family is going through the worst time of your life, having two experienced attorneys collaborating on your case means nothing gets missed and every detail receives the attention it deserves.
A Proven History of Strong Wrongful Death Verdicts and Settlements
We have recovered life-changing compensation for families who lost loved ones to negligence across the Chicago area.
- $34,000,000 verdict for a family in a wrongful death case arising from a Chicago apartment fire
- $7,365,000 verdict for the family of a father killed in a truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway
- $1,300,000 recovery from the City of Chicago for a family whose son was killed when a fleeing felon crashed into his vehicle
- Confidential settlement in Brown v. Whiteline Express for a family whose teenage daughter was struck and killed in a trucking collision at the Chinatown Red Line stop
- Confidential settlement in Butler v. Jaguar for a family whose loved one was killed after her vehicle stalled on Lake Shore Drive due to an alleged product defect
Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a specific outcome. But these results reflect how seriously we prepare and how hard we fight when a family’s future is at stake.
What Clients Say About Working With Kennedy Watkins
Kennedy Watkins holds a 5-star rating across nearly 100 client reviews. For a firm that handles catastrophic loss cases, that kind of consistency says something about the way Jack and Daniel treat the families who trust them.
“He was not quick to settle. He genuinely strived to get me the best possible outcome.”
“From the very first conversation, we knew we made the right choice. Everything was always communicated from the beginning to the end.”
“He made a very emotional and stressful situation much easier.”
When you are grieving and unsure who to trust, the experiences of other families matter. Our attorneys earn that trust by showing up, communicating clearly, and fighting for results that reflect what your family has actually lost.
We Treat Every Family With Compassion and Respect
Wrongful death cases involve real grief, real loss, and real families. Our attorneys approach every case with the sensitivity and care these situations demand. We will never rush you, pressure you, or treat your loss like a transaction.
We Are Available 24/7 and Will Come to You
Grief does not follow a schedule, and neither do we. Our attorneys answer calls around the clock and will meet you at your home in Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Park, Stickney, or anywhere in Illinois.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We handle every wrongful death case on contingency. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no payment unless we recover compensation for your family.
Our office is at 350 N. Orleans Street, Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654, in River North.
Why Do I Need a Cicero Wrongful Death Lawyer?
A wrongful death claim in Illinois involves complex legal procedures, filing deadlines, and insurance negotiations that no grieving family should have to manage on their own. The team of Cicero wrongful death attorneys at Kennedy Watkins can handle the entire legal process while you focus on your family.
Families who work with a lawyer recover significantly more than those who try to deal with insurance companies alone, according to extensive research published by Forbes. More than nine out of ten people with legal representation received compensation, compared to just five out of ten who negotiated their own claims.
Even after attorney fees, represented families recovered nearly three times more compensation.
Insurance companies do not pause their cost-cutting tactics because a family is grieving and vulnerable. They assign adjusters, gather evidence to limit payouts, and make early settlement offers that rarely reflect the true value of what your family has lost. Our wrongful death lawyers at Kennedy Watkins push back against every one of those tactics.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Illinois
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that allows a family to seek compensation when someone dies because of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The defendant could be a person or some other entity, such as a business or government agency. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) governs these claims.
The law applies when the deceased person would have been able to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived. Common situations that give rise to wrongful death claims in and around Cicero include:
- Fatal car, truck, and motorcycle crashes on Cicero Avenue, Cermak Road, the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), and other busy Cicero streets and highways
- Pedestrian deaths caused by negligent drivers
- Fatal workplace and construction accidents
- Deaths from nursing home abuse or neglect
- Medical malpractice that causes a patient’s death
- Fatal apartment fires caused by landlord negligence
- Defective product injuries that result in death
Each of these cases requires a different legal strategy. The Kennedy Watkins team of Cicero wrongful death lawyers can evaluate the facts of your case and identify every responsible party.
Call Us 24/7: (312) 448-8181 | 350 N. Orleans St., Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654 | Get in Touch With Us Today
Talk to a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois law requires that a wrongful death lawsuit be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The personal representative is typically named in the deceased’s will. If there is no will, the probate court in Cook County appoints someone to serve in that role.
The personal representative files the lawsuit, but the compensation goes to the surviving family members. Illinois law directs the recovery to the surviving spouse and next of kin, which generally includes:
- The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
- Children of the deceased, including minor and adult children
- Parents of the deceased
- Siblings and other close family members, in some cases
A wrongful death attorney at Kennedy Watkins can help your family identify the right personal representative and guide you through the probate process so the claim can move forward without delays.
Ask Kennedy Watkins About Your Cicero Wrongful Death Case
Q: Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if my loved one was killed in a car accident in Cicero?
A: Yes. If another driver’s negligence caused the fatal crash, your family may file a wrongful death claim. Fatal crashes on Cicero Avenue, Cermak Road, and the I-55 and I-290 interchanges near Cicero are unfortunately common. Our wrongful death attorneys at Kennedy Watkins can review the accident details and pursue every responsible party.
Q: Can I file a wrongful death claim if my family member died from nursing home neglect?
A: Yes, if a nursing home’s failure to provide proper care caused or contributed to your loved one’s death, Illinois law allows the family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our attorneys have experience holding negligent care facilities accountable across Cook County.
Q: How much does a Cicero wrongful death lawyer cost?
A: You pay nothing up front or out of pocket, ever. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for your family so there is no financial risk to you. Your consultation is free and confidential, and we will never pressure you to make a decision.
Q: What if the person responsible for my loved one’s death was charged with a crime?
A: A criminal case and a wrongful death lawsuit are two separate legal proceedings. You do not have to wait for the criminal case to finish before filing a civil claim. Even if the defendant is acquitted in criminal court, your family may still have a valid wrongful death case. The burden of proof is lower in civil court.
What Compensation Can My Family Recover in a Cicero Wrongful Death Case?
Illinois allows families to recover both economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death case. The state does not limit wrongful death damages, which means the value of your claim depends on the specific losses your family has suffered.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical bills incurred before the death | Grief, sorrow, and mental suffering |
| Funeral and burial expenses | Loss of companionship and guidance |
| Lost income and future earning capacity | Loss of parental care for minor children |
| Loss of household services | Emotional pain of surviving family |
| Loss of benefits like health insurance and pensions | Loss of consortium for the surviving spouse |
Illinois also allows punitive damages in wrongful death cases when the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or willful. Punitive damages are not available in medical malpractice wrongful death cases or claims against government entities.
Since 2015, Illinois law has specifically allowed families to recover damages for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering. This change recognized what families have always known: the emotional toll of losing someone you love has real, lasting value.
Our Cicero wrongful death lawyers at Kennedy Watkins work with economists and vocational experts to calculate the full lifetime financial impact of your loss, and we make sure the emotional toll is fully reflected in your claim as well.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
Illinois gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline is strict. If you miss it, the court will dismiss your case regardless of how strong your evidence is.
Claims against a government entity, such as the Town of Cicero, Cook County, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), or a public hospital, are subject to a one-year deadline.
Some government entities also require you to notify them in writing within months of the death before you can file a lawsuit. Our Cicero wrongful death attorneys at Kennedy Watkins can identify which deadlines apply to your case and keep your case within the required timeframes.
Protecting your family’s rights is one of the most important things we can do for you right now. Our Cicero wrongful death attorneys at Kennedy Watkins will handle the paperwork and deadlines so you can focus on what brings you comfort and helps you rebuild.
What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action in Illinois?
A wrongful death claim and a survival action are two separate legal claims that can arise from the same death. They serve different purposes and compensate for different losses.
A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family for their losses, such as lost income, companionship, and grief. A survival action, governed by the Illinois Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6), compensates the deceased person’s estate for the pain, suffering, and losses the person experienced between the time of their injury and their death.
| Wrongful Death Claim | Survival Action |
|---|---|
| Filed by personal representative | Filed by personal representative |
| Compensates the surviving family | Compensates the deceased’s estate |
| Covers lost income, grief, and companionship | Covers pain and suffering before death |
| Two-year deadline from the date of death | Same deadline as the underlying injury claim |
In many cases, families can and should file both claims at the same time to recover the maximum compensation. A wrongful death attorney at Kennedy Watkins can advise you on whether both claims apply in your situation.
Talk to a Cicero Wrongful Death Lawyer at Kennedy Watkins Today
If your family has lost someone because of another person’s negligence, our attorneys at Kennedy Watkins are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out the right path forward. We will handle every legal detail with the care and sensitivity your family deserves.
Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are available around the clock and will come to you.
FAQ
About Car Accident Claims in Illinois
What Should I Do After an Accident?
The aftermath of a car accident is very confusing and you may not know what to do next. After any crash, the most important steps to take are as follows:
- Call 911 so police and medics are dispatched to the scene.
- Remain at the scene until police arrive or say you are free to go.
- Take photographs of your injuries, the surroundings, the vehicles involved, and of any damage caused.
- Locate witnesses and ask them for their names and contact information.
- Notify your insurance company, even if another driver was to blame.
- File a report with the Illinois Department of Transportation within ten days of the crash.
- Keep all documents, records, receipts, and invoices related to the crash.
- Contact a Chicago car accident attorney.
Taking the above steps after a crash will protect any future claim you may file.
How Can I Tell if I Have a Valid Claim?
You have a valid car accident claim if another person or entity was careless, if that carelessness caused an accident, and if you were hurt as a result. Just because you have a claim, though, does not mean you will receive fair damages. A lawyer can help you exercise your rights to make sure you obtain full compensation.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims in Illinois?
In the majority of cases, there is a two-year statute of limitations, which begins running on the day of the crash. However, you should not wait too long before contacting an attorney. Over time, evidence can become lost, witnesses can be difficult to locate, and memories may fade. Always speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after any crash to make sure your rights are protected. Some cases may involve a statute of limitations as short as one year.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?
Generally speaking, you cannot recover compensation for any injuries or other conditions you incurred prior to the accident. Still, you can recover compensation if the crash made your pre-existing condition worse. This includes both physical and mental injuries.
Will I Have to Appear in Court?
Only approximately five percent of car accident cases go to trial. The vast majority of cases are settled outside of the courtroom, which means there is very little chance that you will have to appear in court.
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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