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Rights and Damages in Illinois Wrongful Death Claims
After the tragic or sudden death of a loved one, many family members must not only cope with grief, but also with financial worry because of the loss of a breadwinner's income, medical bills, and other worries. Grief, financial worry, and the need for justice for the wrongdoer call out for a remedy. Under Illinois law, if a personal injury victim dies because of another's negligence, a wrongful death claim may be filed for the resulting loss to his or her family after the victim's death.
While a loved one's death can have ripple effects in a family, with friends and in the community, In Illinois, only the deceased's next of kin have the right to be named beneficiaries in a wrongful death lawsuit. A personal representative files the wrongful death claim against the negligent party. The personal representative pursues the wrongful death action on behalf of the deceased's beneficiaries: a husband, wife, minor child, mother or father that join the claim.
A successful wrongful death claim must prove certain elements including that the personal injury victim is dead, and that he or she died as a result of the wrongdoer's negligent act.
Preparing for an Illinois car accident can prevent legal issues
When people in Cook County get into a car accident, there are many things that they have to deal with such as police reports, insurance claims, car repairs and injuries. However, there are things that people can do to protect themselves from legal complications if they are in a car accident. These things include knowing what to say, having an accident kit and reviewing one's insurance policy.
Saying the right things
After an accident, it is important to be careful about making any statements. For example, if a driver tells law enforcement they may have been going too fast it could lead to the officer deciding that they are responsible for the accident before all of the details are known. It is better for drivers to refrain from giving additional information or making any statements that could be incriminating.
New Transportation Methods Driving Federal Grants
The car has always been king in the U.S., with trillions spent on roads and highways to allow access to virtually every corner of the country. But rising gas prices, pollution and congestion have led to reconsideration among federal and state transportation officials, who are now eying other modes of transportation, and putting money behind it.
In Chicago, more than $35 million in federal grants were awarded to help jump-start two bus projects designed to facilitate speedier travel through the city's downtown area. One project involves an express bus service with connections to passenger rail stations. Another project will fund additional bus service along a corridor with no rail connections. Chicago officials want to develop more bus routes to help improve transportation, and keep the cars at home. The federal funding is part of $300 million available for bus and trolley projects throughout the country, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
NTSB: Expand breath testing to reduce drunk driving deaths
Drunk driving is one of the biggest threats to highway safety in the United States. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 9,878 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2011 — an average of one DUI fatality every 53 minutes. NHTSA also determined that, on average, alcohol-related crashes injure one person every 90 seconds in the United States.
In Illinois, drunk driving accidents claimed the lives of 297 people in 2010. Even though 2010's numbers represented a nearly 40 percent drop in the drunk driving death rate since 2000, fatalities are still far too high. This sentiment is even more true when you consider the fact that nearly every drunk driving death could have been prevented had the at-fault driver been responsible enough to realize that he or she was too impaired to drive safely.
Researchers are advancing technology that could help significantly reduce drunk driving fatalities. For years, some convicted drunk drivers have had to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. Ignition interlock devices are essentially mini-breathalyzers — drivers must blow into the device to prove that they are sober before the car will start. Considering how prevalent drunk driving accidents are, government officials and safety advocates are calling for expanded use of alcohol detection technology.
New Nursing Home Safety Bill Aims to Change Patient Care
Late last month, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law an ambitious bill that aims to change the way Illinois nursing homes deliver patient care to elderly patients and younger mentally ill patients. The bill was prompted by recent Chicago Tribune investigations into nursing home assaults, rapes and murders of older geriatric patients by younger psychiatric and prison populations housed in the same nursing home facilities.
The bill aims to separate these nursing home populations and elevate care for all. It offers something for everyone: stringent rules to protect elderly residents from the violence revealed by the Tribune investigations and right-sizing care for mentally ill patients that may not need the level of care provided in a nursing home. The bill also requires stricter oversight - the number of state nursing home inspectors will increase by nearly half from 146 to 217 by July 2011.
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
