Your Trusted Palos Hills Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing someone you love because of another’s negligence is a pain no family should have to carry, and the legal questions that follow can feel overwhelming. In Palos Hills, you do not have to face them alone. Furqan Mohammed helps grieving families across Palos Hills and the southwest suburbs seek accountability with compassion and care.
Navigating Your Wrongful Death Claim in Palos Hills
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is an unimaginable hardship, bringing both emotional and financial challenges. For Palos Hills families, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act allows certain relatives to seek compensation. Strict time limits apply, so it helps to understand your rights early.
Typical Causes of Wrongful Death
When a life is lost due to someone else’s wrongdoing, wrongful death claims often stem from scenarios that cause preventable fatalities. Below are typical causes of wrongful death in Illinois:
Motor vehicle accidents
One of the leading causes, with over 1,200 fatalities in Illinois in 2022 alone.
Medical malpractice / healthcare errors
Errors such as misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or negligence in treatment frequently underlie wrongful death actions.
Workplace accidents / construction incidents
Fatal industrial or construction site accidents (falls, machinery incidents) are common causes.
Defective products / product liability
Faulty devices, medical devices, or consumer goods can lead to fatal injuries.
Nursing home neglect or abuse
Inadequate care in long-term facilities may result in fatal outcomes.
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act
Losing someone you love is deeply painful, and the law offers a legal framework to address the harm to surviving family members. When a person’s death is caused by “wrongful act, neglect or default” that would have allowed a personal injury claim if the person had lived, a legal claim may be brought despite the death.
The deceased’s personal representative must initiate these actions, and any recovery is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Compensation may include pecuniary losses, grief, sorrow, and mental suffering; punitive damages are now also potentially available in certain cases, subject to statutory limitations. The statute generally requires filing the claim within two years of death. Still, it extends to five years in cases arising from violent intentional conduct.
A wrongful death lawyer like Furqan Mohammed can guide you through who must file, how damages are calculated, and procedural deadlines, helping your family understand and navigate the statute’s complexities during this difficult time.
Types of Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims
When someone you care about is lost through another’s wrongful act, Illinois law allows certain forms of compensation under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. Below are common categories of damages that survivors may seek:
Economic Damages
Tangible losses with objective value, such as funeral and burial costs, medical expenses incurred prior to death, and the decedent’s anticipated future income and benefits.
Non-Economic Damages
Intangible harms borne by survivors include grief, mental suffering, loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support.
Punitive Damages
In rare circumstances where conduct is especially egregious, courts may permit punitive damages to punish wrongdoing and deter similar behavior in the future.
These categories work together to reflect both the financial and emotional impact of a wrongful death on surviving family members.
How Furqan Mohammed Can Help
When you have lost someone dear, an experienced wrongful death attorney can provide both legal support and clarity when emotions run deep. Here are ways a lawyer like Furqan Mohammed can assist:
- Case evaluation & rights explanation — Review whether a claim exists under the statute and clarify who may bring it.
- Investigation & evidence preservation — Secure medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions early.
- Liability & insurance analysis — Identify all potentially responsible parties and applicable insurance coverage.
- Damage calculation — Quantify economic and non-economic losses that survivors may recover.
- Negotiation with insurers & opposing counsel — Advocate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation representation — If settlement fails, file suit, manage court process, and present your case to the judge or jury.
A wrongful death claim should never add stress to a grieving family. Furqan Mohammed guides Palos Hills clients through every step, from investigating the loss and gathering evidence to filing suit, if needed, in the Cook County Circuit Court’s Fifth Municipal District, the Bridgeview Courthouse at 10220 S. 76th Avenue, which serves Palos Hills. The firm is based nearby in Elmwood Park and serves Palos Hills and the surrounding southwest suburbs, with assistance available in Arabic and other languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180), the claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate for the benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin.
Most wrongful death actions must be filed within two years of the death. However, cases involving intentional violence allow up to five years.
Survivors may seek damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, grief, and loss of companionship.
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning recovery can be reduced if the deceased was partly at fault.
Families have the right to be represented by counsel, to present evidence, and to receive compensation if liability is established under the statute.
Civil injury cases from Palos Hills are generally heard in the Cook County Circuit Court's Fifth Municipal District, the Bridgeview Courthouse at 10220 S. 76th Avenue, which serves Palos Hills. Many claims settle with the insurer before a lawsuit is filed, but preparing each case as if it may go to court can strengthen your position.
Yes. When a Palos Hills resident's death is caused by another's negligence, eligible family members can bring a claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, generally through the Cook County Circuit Court. An attorney can explain who may file and what the family can recover.
Yes. Furqan Mohammed serves clients throughout Palos Hills and the southwest suburbs from the firm's nearby Elmwood Park office. The team reflects the area's diverse community, with assistance available in Arabic and other languages.
