Joliet Wrongful Death Lawyer Asks:
Did You Get Injured?
Call The Joliet Wrongful Death Lawyer ANY TIME!
312-500-4500
"My Injury Guy" Scott DeSalvo
Trial-Trained Wrongful Death Lawyer for Joliet & Will County
In 2022, IDOT counted 13 people killed in crashes in Joliet. Others die from work accidents, medical mistakes, and nursing home neglect. Every one leaves a family facing grief and hard questions.
Here's what many families don't understand: if the driver who caused the death is charged with a crime, that criminal case is about punishment. It doesn't compensate your family. A civil wrongful death case is separate, has a lower burden of proof, and is how families recover for their losses.
I'm Scott DeSalvo, and I've handled injury cases for almost 30 years. For other kinds of injuries, see my Joliet personal injury attorney page.
No money out of pocket. No fee unless we win. Call me day or night at 312-500-4500.
My dad drove a truck and was a Teamster. A work injury when I was nine changed his life, and his own lawyer made it worse: seventeen years of delay, then a lawsuit against my dad for more fees.
I built my practice to be the opposite. You'll always know where your case stands, and you'll have someone fighting for you the whole way.
Free. Not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by this chat. Prefer to talk? Call (312) 500-4500, answered 24/7.
A criminal case is brought by the State and requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A wrongful death case is brought by the family's representative and requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence. A conviction can help the civil case, but isn't required.
The family can recover for grief, lost companionship, and lost support (740 ILCS 180).
The estate can recover what the person suffered before death (755 ILCS 5/27-6).
Many of Joliet's fatal crashes involve semis on I-80 and I-55.
Bottom Line: Don't wait for the criminal case to protect your family's rights.
On I-80, I-55, Route 30, and Larkin Avenue.
Including claims against bars under the Dram Shop Act.
Caused by third parties.
From negligence and neglect.
Picture this. A drunk driver crosses the center line on Route 30 and kills a father of two. The driver is charged criminally, and the case will take a year or more. Meanwhile, the family has bills and lost income. The wrongful death case can move forward on its own, and the dram shop claim against the bar has only a one-year deadline.
Look, insurers in fatal cases often:
Here's what most lawyers won't tell you: waiting for the criminal case to finish can cost a family important deadlines, like the one-year limit on dram shop claims. Bottom Line: The civil clock is already running.
Most of my cases end in settlement, which is usually what's best for my clients. The other side settles fairly when it knows I'm prepared to try the case.
My training includes Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, the exclusive Keenan Trial Institute, more than $100,000 in advanced trial training, and more than 30 jury trials.
Nothing up front. I advance the costs of your case, and my fee comes only from what I recover. The FAQ lists the percentages.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
The first call is free and there's no pressure. If I take your case, I handle the investigation and the insurers and keep you updated. When it's time, I negotiate, and if a fair offer doesn't come, I'm ready to file. Joliet cases are filed in the Circuit Court of Will County, at 100 W. Jefferson Street downtown.
Call 312-500-4500 any time, day or night.
Evidence fades fast, and the insurance company has already started working on its side of the story. Call me for a free consultation, 24/7/365. No money out of pocket. No fee unless we win.
Nearest office: The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC, 116 N Chicago St, Suite 301 - Kendall, Joliet, IL 60432, in downtown Joliet. Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., and by appointment.
Call me now: 312-500-4500
There's no upfront cost. My fee is contingent: 33⅓% for most cases, or 40% if a lawsuit is filed, paid only from what I recover. I front the case costs, and without a recovery, you owe no fee. Call 24/7/365 at 312-500-4500.
No. A civil wrongful death case is separate and can proceed on its own timeline. Waiting can risk missing deadlines.
The personal representative of the estate, on behalf of the spouse and next of kin.
Most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the death (740 ILCS 180/2). Dram shop claims have one year.
Possibly, under the Illinois Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21), within one year and subject to damage caps.
In the Circuit Court of Will County in Joliet.
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
No Fee Unless You Win | Free Consultation | 24/7 Availability Call or Text: (312) 500-4500
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Oak Brook - Main Office
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 312-895-0545
Fax: 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
By Appointment Only
Joliet Office
116 N. Chicago Street
Suite 301 – Kendall Office
Joliet, IL 60432
312-500-4500
