Illinois Wrongful Death: Jury Awards $6.7M To Family Of Man Killed At ADM Plant

$6.7 million judgment

According to news reports, the $6.7 million judgment in this Illinois wrongful death lawsuit was the result of a machinery malfunction in which 26 year old Francisco Morena Garcia was sprayed with hot liquid and steam that burned nearly 90 percent of his body. Although he was rushed to the hospital, he died shortly afterward.

Wrongful deaths a common occurrence

Wrongful deaths are horrific tragedies for any family. Unfortunately, they are common occurrences which are the result of negligence and personal injuries that can happen in workplaces, on construction sites, in factories or on roads and highways. They can also be the result of medical malpractice which occur in hospitals, emergency rooms and medical clinics. In other words, wrongful deaths can occur anywhere and encompass a multitude of situations.

Regardless of how or where the situation occurred, victims and their families may be entitled to compensation from the person or company who caused the wrongful death of their loved one. Wrongful death attorneys are dedicated to doing just that. They are experienced at analyzing these complicated situations, deciding what types of experts may be needed and what types of damages the family may be entitled to.

Here are some examples of wrongful death verdicts or settlements in Illinois:

• $8.2M for wrongful medical diagnosis: A radiologist misread a patient's x-ray which clearly showed that the young father of three children had an embolism. It went untreated and he died shortly afterward. His family was awarded $8.2 million.
• $7M for cancer misdiagnosis: An Illinois doctor misread a young mother of four's routine pap smear which showed that she had cervical cancer. She died several years later from not receiving treatment soon enough. Her family was awarded over $7 million.
• $15M for birth injury: An Illinois mother whose son suffered permanent brain damage and disfiguration due to a hospital delivery staff’s negligence received a $15 million settlement from the hospital and her attending doctor and nurse.
• $3.9M for death caused by drunk driver: A young Illinois mother of two was killed by a drunk driver in a car accident. Her family settled the matter for $3.9 million.

If you've lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, contact an Illinois wrongful death attorney to discuss your situation. While the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death suit in Illinois is generally two years, it's always best to contact an attorney as soon possible to protect evidence, contact witnesses and obtain medical records.