How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?

The wrongful death statute of limitations in Illinois varies according to the type of claim being filed. In general, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within 2 years from the date of death.However, wrongful death lawsuits involving any municipalities in Illinois have half as much time to file under the Illinois wrongful death statute of limitations.For example, if your wrongful death lawsuit names the City of Chicago as a defendant, then you and your Chicago wrongful death attorney must file your claim within 1 year of the wrongful death.A statute of limitations is a law that places a limit upon the amount of time that can pass to file a claim (such as personal injury or wrongful death) against another party.A Chicago wrongful death attorney can look over your case, help you determine liability, examine evidence and build a solid defense for your wrongful death claim.Your Chicago wrongful death attorney can also explain any exceptions to Illinois’s wrongful death statute of limitations, such as claims wherein fraud and concealment of the wrongful death were involved. In this case, you and your Chicago wrongful death attorney may have up to 5 years to file, starting from the time the cause of action occurred.When to Hire a Chicago Wrongful Death AttorneyBy contacting a Chicago wrongful death attorney soon after the death of a loved one, you will help to strengthen your wrongful death claim and avoid running out of time to file your suit. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and understand the complexities of wrongful death cases. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence contact us today – 312-263-1080