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(314) 500-HURTWhen you lose a loved one because of someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior, you are likely in a severe state of shock and uncertainty. You need to speak with a calming and experienced lawyer at Burger Law immediately. Making a survival action claim with our wrongful death lawyers in Illinois is the best way to get the justice you deserve. Call us right now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online to discuss your options.
Burger Law has decades of experience successfully handling survival action and wrongful death cases. Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for individuals and families who have suffered through the loss of a loved one throughout Illinois and Missouri, including:
According to the lIllinois Survival Act, 755 ILCS 5/27-6, a survival action is a legal claim that arises when an individual sustains injuries prior to their death that ultimately lead to their death, and the claim survives to be pursued on behalf of the deceased’s estate. The purpose of such a claim is to seek compensation for damages that the deceased could have claimed if they were still alive.
Burger Law can help you and your family in this time of need and uncertainty. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to one of our attorneys online for a free, no-obligation case review.
Survival actions must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased estate, also known as the executor of the estate. Your loved one or family member may have appointed the executor of their estate in their will prior to their death. However, if they did not appoint an executor or there is no will, Illinois courts can appoint one on behalf of the estate.
Although this appointee is normally a family member of your loved one, an executor could be an individual, a bank or a trust company. The executor must be a resident of the United States, but does not have to be an Illinois resident, and must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind.
Compensation in Illinois survival actions is based on the injuries your loved one sustained in the time between the accident and their death. Any compensation recovered goes to the estate. It can be disbursed to beneficiaries according to the terms of the will or, if there is no will, the laws of intestacy in Illinois.
Some common types of recoverable damages in a survival action include:
Unlike wrongful death cases, which center around what you and your family have lost as a result of your loved one’s death, survivor action claims focus on the damages sustained by your loved one between the event that caused their injuries and the time of their death. The first significant difference between the two is who receives compensation. The payment for a survival action goes to your loved one’s estate, while in a wrongful death case it goes to the spouse, children and other family members.
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The second difference is the fact that, in a survival action claim, the compensation is based on your loved one’s injuries before their death, while in a wrongful death case the damages are based on what the family incurred after the death. While it is a subtle distinction, a knowledgeable attorney at Burger Law can answer any questions you may have. Call us right away at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online to discuss the specifics of your case.
The Illinois statute of limitations differs slightly. In general, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of the death. But, survival action claims must be filed with two years from one of the following, whichever is later:
A lawyer at Burger Law can play a crucial role in your survival action case in Illinois. Our experienced legal team can provide:
If you believe you have a survival action case in Illinois, it is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney who can provide help and compassion, yet tenacious legal representation. Burger Law has extensive experience helping Illinois families recover compensation for the loss of a loved one due to the carelessness and recklessness of someone else. We are here to help.
Call the Illinois survival action and wrongful death lawyers at Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to us online for a free, confidential consultation.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Gary Burger who has more than 30 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury trial attorney. Gary’s robust legal knowledge is recognized by his peers as demonstrated by his industry awards and frequent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) lectures.
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