Illinois Wrongful Death Legal Questions

Dear Michael: I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It is difficult to answer your question without knowing more about your situation. I recommend that you or your aunt contact a medical malpractice attorney in Illinois as soon as possible to discuss your cousin's case. Most medical malpractice lawyers provide free consultations, and during this call they can learn more about your cousin's death to determine if your family may be able to take legal action against the hospital. Please note that there are time limitations for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Illinois so it is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure a thorough investigation.   Sincerely,Steven LevinLevin & Perconti, Chicago www.levinperconti.comquestions@levinperconti.com Frequently asked questions about medical malpractice lawsuits in Illinois... Read More

I'm sorry to tell you that the answer to your question is complicated and some of the possibilities require information you haven't provided.  I can, however, provide some general information.  The owner of a car is not usually liable for the negligence of a driver.  There are some exceptions:  if you gave the car to someone you knew to impaired or a habitually dangerous driver (this is called negligent entrustment) or if the driver was on an errand for the owner or for the household when the accident occurred, the owner might be responsible.  Even if this is one of those exceptional situations where the owner is responsible for the driver's negligence, actually collecting a judgment against an individual over and above the amount of insurance is extraordinarily hard.  Bankruptcy will wash out such a judgment, and this is the route that most defendants in this position take.  At the end of the day, it is very, very rare for an auto case to result in a payment by a defendant him or herself (as opposed to his or her insurer).  I hope this helps.... Read More