WRONGFUL DEATH

An action for "wrongful death" occurs when a person is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another individual, company or entity. In such instances, the decedent's survivors or estate may bring a lawsuit for wrongful death. In many instances, wrongful death claims arise from motor vehicle accidents. Other circumstances may involve airplane accidents, medical malpractice, occupational exposure to hazardous conditions or substances, and nursing home abuse or neglect.

Money damages that may be recoverable by survivors in a wrongful death cause of action include: 1) Loss for the care, maintenance, support, services, advice and counsel had the decedent lived; 2) Loss of companionship, society and consortium; 3) Metal anguish; 4) Loss if inheritance; and in some cases 5) Punitive damages.

Matters involving wrongful death are always painful and tragic. When a loved one is killed due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another person, it is devastating for the surviving family. At Briones, Harvey & Trevino, located in Homewood, Illinois, our wrongful death lawyers are sensitive to the tragic circumstances that bring you to us in matters of wrongful death. We will handle your legal case with experience and skill, aggressively pursuing all legal remedies and recourse to obtain the maximum legal judgment to which you are entitled. We will also treat you with the sensitivity that your case warrants, and with the dignity and respect that you deserve.

Our firm has successfully handled wrongful death cases involving many different circumstances. Within the last year, our clients received two three verdicts and settlements of one million dollars or more. In May 2003, we settled a wrongful death case against a nursing home. Our client was not properly cared for and developed a stage four bedsore. The bedsore became infected and led to her death. We settled the case in the amount of $1,000,000.00.

In August 2003, we tried a wrongful death/medical malpractice case against a surgeon and a family practitioner. During an operation to repair a herniated disc, the surgeon had negligently operated on the wrong area of the patient's spine. When the patient later went to the family practitioner due to recurring pain, the family practitioner did not tell the patient of the surgeon's mistake, instead sending the patient to another surgeon, who authorized an epidural injection. That injection introduced bacteria into the patient's spinal column, and killed her. The defendants made no efforts to settle. We tried this case before a jury, which returned a verdict of $1,200,000.00 against both doctors.

In July 2003 we settled a medical malpractice wrongful death case against the City of Chicago. Our client was 3 years old when her mother died due to improper dosage of Isoniazid, a drug to prevent Tuberculosis. The decedent got the drug at a City of Chicago Health Clinic. The City filed two motions for Summary Judgment and Petitions for Leave to Appeal to the Appellate and Supreme Courts, all of which we won. The case settled for $5,250,000.00.

Successful representation in wrongful death cases requires a delicate balance of legal sophistication, sensitivity and aggressive pursuit of the right and just result. At Briones, Harvey & Trevino, we have the experience to understand the many important nuances of the law, and to use that knowledge and experience to get results on behalf of our clients.

The result in you case depends on the skill of your attorney and the quality of your legal representation. If you have lost a loved one because of the negligent actions or misconduct of another, you need experienced professional legal advice. We will provide you with quality representation and treat you with the dignity that you deserve. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation in English or Spanish and let us help you. We serve the communities of Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Chicago Heights, Matteson, Markham, South Holland, Harvey as well as Cook, Will, Kankakee, Lake and Du Page counties and the entire state of Illinois.