SKOKIE WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEYS
Lost a Loved One Due to Negligence in Skokie? Our Attorneys Fight for the Justice Your Family Deserves.
When someone’s negligence takes the life of a family member, the grief is overwhelming and the legal process feels impossible. Phillips Law Offices has represented families in wrongful death cases across Illinois since 1945, recovering over $500 million in verdicts and settlements. We handle fatal car accidents, truck crashes, medical malpractice, and all wrongful death claims in Skokie and Cook County.
Free Case Review
Get a compassionate, honest assessment of your wrongful death case. No fees unless we win.
(312) 346-4262
Skokie’s Trusted Wrongful Death Law Firm
Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence is devastating. Beyond the emotional toll, families face mounting medical bills, funeral costs, and the sudden loss of income and support. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) gives surviving family members the right to seek justice and financial security through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Phillips Law Offices has represented bereaved families across Cook County since 1945. Skokie wrongful death cases typically proceed through the Skokie courthouse (2nd Municipal District) or the main Cook County courthouse. Our attorneys understand the sensitivity these cases require and combine compassionate client service with aggressive litigation against the parties responsible for your loved one’s death.
Every consultation is free. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Skokie
Wrongful death claims arise when someone dies due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Phillips Law Offices handles every type of wrongful death case in Skokie and throughout Cook County.
Fatal Car and Truck Accidents
I-94, Dempster Street, and Old Orchard Road carry heavy traffic through Skokie, and high-speed collisions on these corridors frequently result in fatalities. Fatal car accidents and truck crashes involve complex liability investigations, accident reconstruction, and often multiple responsible parties. We pursue every avenue of compensation for families who have lost loved ones on Skokie roads.
Fatal Medical Errors
When healthcare providers at NorthShore Skokie Hospital, private clinics, or surgical centers make fatal errors, surviving families deserve answers and accountability. Medical malpractice wrongful death cases involve surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and failure to diagnose life-threatening conditions. These cases require expert medical testimony and meticulous preparation.
Workplace and Construction Fatalities
Construction site deaths, industrial accidents, and other workplace fatalities in Skokie may give rise to both workers’ compensation death benefits and wrongful death lawsuits against third parties. When equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners bear responsibility, a wrongful death claim provides full compensation beyond what workers’ comp alone offers.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities
Skokie’s busy commercial corridors put pedestrians and cyclists at risk, particularly along Dempster Street and near the CTA Yellow Line station. When a negligent driver strikes and kills a pedestrian or cyclist, the surviving family has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim for the full value of their loss, including loss of companionship, financial support, and future guidance.
Illinois Wrongful Death Law: What Skokie Families Need to Know
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) provides the legal framework for wrongful death claims. Understanding these rules is essential for protecting your family’s right to compensation.
Who Can File: Under 740 ILCS 180, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate files the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. If no personal representative has been appointed, the court can appoint one to pursue the claim.
Statute of Limitations: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death (not the date of the incident that caused death). For cases against government entities, shorter notice periods apply. Missing the deadline permanently bars the claim.
Recoverable Damages: Illinois wrongful death damages include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and society, loss of parental guidance (for minor children), grief and mental suffering of survivors, medical expenses incurred before death, and funeral and burial costs. There is no cap on wrongful death damages in Illinois.
Survival Action: In addition to wrongful death damages, the estate may file a separate survival action under the Illinois Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6) to recover damages the deceased person could have claimed had they survived, including pain and suffering between the injury and death. Read our complete guide to personal injury claims in Illinois for more detail on the legal process.
Steps to Take After a Wrongful Death in Skokie
While no legal action can undo the loss, taking the right steps protects your family’s right to justice and financial security.
STEP 1
Preserve All Evidence
Keep all medical records, police reports, photographs, and documentation related to the death. Do not dispose of any physical evidence. If the death resulted from a car accident, the accident report from Skokie Police or Illinois State Police is critical evidence. For medical malpractice deaths, request complete copies of all medical records immediately.
STEP 2
Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies
Insurance companies for the at-fault party will contact you quickly. Their goal is to minimize their payout, not to help your family. Do not provide recorded statements, sign documents, or accept any settlement offer before consulting with an attorney. These early communications can permanently harm your case.
STEP 3
Contact Phillips Law Offices Promptly
The two-year statute of limitations begins running from the date of death. Evidence can be lost or destroyed, witnesses’ memories fade, and electronic data from vehicles or medical equipment may be overwritten. Contact Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 for a free, confidential consultation. We handle all legal matters, insurance communications, and investigation while your family focuses on healing.
STEP 4
Appoint a Personal Representative
Illinois law requires the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to file the wrongful death lawsuit. If no executor was named in a will, the court appoints an administrator. Our attorneys guide families through the estate administration process in Cook County Probate Court, ensuring the wrongful death claim proceeds without unnecessary delays.
Your Family Deserves Justice and Financial Security
While nothing can replace your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit holds negligent parties accountable and provides the financial support your family needs to move forward. Get a free, confidential consultation today.
(312) 346-4262
Wrongful Death Case Results
Phillips Law Offices has obtained substantial compensation for families who lost loved ones due to negligence across Illinois.
$25 Million
Verdict in a fatal motor vehicle collision. Comprehensive accident reconstruction and economic analysis established the full scope of the family’s lifetime losses.
$10 Million
Settlement in a wrongful death case involving a trucking company whose driver violated hours-of-service regulations, causing a fatal highway collision.
$6.5 Million
Settlement in a medical malpractice wrongful death case where a delayed diagnosis led to a patient’s death. Expert testimony established the physician’s deviation from the standard of care.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Why Skokie Families Choose Phillips Law Offices for Wrongful Death Cases
When someone is seriously injured, they don’t need a lawyer who handles a hundred cases at once. They need a firm that treats their case like it’s the only one that matters. That’s how we operate.
— Stephen D. Phillips, Senior Partner
Since 1945, Phillips Law Offices has combined compassionate family service with aggressive litigation. Wrongful death cases demand attorneys who can manage the emotional complexity of working with grieving families while simultaneously building the strongest possible case against the responsible parties. Our downtown Chicago office at 161 N Clark St is easily accessible from Skokie, and our attorneys regularly appear in Cook County courts.
- Over $500 million recovered for injured clients and families since 1945
- Five experienced trial attorneys including Stephen D. Phillips (41+ years)
- Deep experience in Cook County’s 2nd Municipal District (Skokie courthouse)
- Access to accident reconstruction, medical, and economic experts
- Guidance through Cook County probate and estate administration
- Contingency fee basis — no fee unless we recover compensation
- Aggressive negotiation backed by willingness to go to trial
- Compassionate, direct communication throughout your case
Skokie Local Resources
Skokie Courthouse (2nd Municipal District): 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077 — (847) 470-7200.
Cook County Medical Examiner: 2121 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612 — (312) 997-4500. Handles death investigations in Cook County.
Skokie Police Department: 7300 Niles Center Road, Skokie, IL 60077 — (847) 982-5900.
Cook County Probate Court: Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 — (312) 603-6441. Estate administration and wrongful death filings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Skokie
Answers to common questions from Skokie families about wrongful death claims under Illinois law.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Illinois?
Under 740 ILCS 180, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. If no personal representative exists, the court can appoint one. Phillips Law Offices guides families through this process.
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Illinois?
The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Illinois is two years from the date of death. For claims against government entities, shorter notice requirements may apply. Missing this deadline permanently bars the claim, so contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What damages can be recovered in an Illinois wrongful death case?
Illinois wrongful death damages include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and society, loss of parental guidance for minor children, grief and mental suffering of survivors, pre-death medical expenses, and funeral and burial costs. There is no cap on wrongful death damages in Illinois. A separate survival action may also recover the deceased’s pain and suffering.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?
A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family for their losses — lost support, companionship, and grief. A survival action compensates the deceased’s estate for damages the person suffered between the injury and death, including pain and suffering and medical expenses. Both claims can be filed simultaneously in Illinois.
Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if a criminal case is pending?
Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action separate from any criminal prosecution. The civil case has a lower burden of proof (preponderance of evidence vs. beyond reasonable doubt). You do not need to wait for the criminal case to conclude before filing a wrongful death claim.
How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney in Skokie?
Phillips Law Offices handles all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. We advance all case costs. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
How long does a wrongful death case take in Cook County?
Wrongful death cases are typically more complex and take longer than standard personal injury cases. Most wrongful death claims take 1 to 3 years to resolve, depending on the complexity of liability, number of defendants, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Phillips Law Offices never rushes a settlement.
Which court handles Skokie wrongful death cases?
Skokie wrongful death cases are filed in Cook County Circuit Court, either at the Skokie courthouse (2nd Municipal District) or the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, depending on the damages involved. Phillips Law Offices has experience in both venues and selects the court most advantageous to your family’s case.
Talk to a Skokie Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
(312) 346-4262
Related: Skokie Personal Injury Lawyer | Skokie Car Accident Lawyer | Skokie Medical Malpractice Lawyer | Wrongful Death Lawyer | Evanston Wrongful Death Lawyer | Complete Guide to PI Claims in Illinois
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact Phillips Law Offices for a free consultation about your wrongful death case.