In the event someone dies or is killed because of negligence or misconduct of another person, the family of the victim can sue the negligent party for wrongful death. This is an example of a civil court case, which differs from a criminal case. In a criminal court, the prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; in a civil case, the plaintiff only needs to offer a preponderance of evidence showing that the accused perpetrated the action.
Proving Wrongful Death Is Difficult
The presentation of a winning case in civil court requires the legal insight and expertise of a highly skilled wrongful death attorney in Chicago. During the initial consultation with the attorney, you will find out if there appears to be sufficient evidence that the defendant is guilty of the charge and whether the case can be brought to court in Chicago within the period prescribed by the statute of limitations.
If the attorney agrees to pursue the case, he or she will begin gathering information, which will be needed to win the action. The attorney will gather all available medical reports, the police reports, and any evidence that supports an act of violence or negligence. In many cases, the attorney will bring in experts in the field; this is the case when the wrongful death claim is based on a faulty product or the side effect of a drug.
Many civil actions are eventually settled out of court; however, if this does not transpire, a wrongful death attorney will not hesitate to prosecute the case in a Chicago court.
A wrongful death case is extremely complex, without the help of an experienced attorney it would be difficult for the victim’s family to get proper compensation.
If you need help from an experienced wrongful death attorney, contact the Shea Law Group in Chicago. Visit the firm at https://www.shealawgroup.com and request a free evaluation of your case. Follow us on twitter.
