Illinois wrongful death

This Winnebago County Illinois wrongful death lawsuit involved a horrific triple tragedy for the Bachman family. According to news reports, Frank and Kim Bachman had three children, 21 year old Aaron, 19 year old Kori and 15 year old DJ. All three were in a car driven by Kori when a Winnebago County squad car broadsided their vehicle – killing both Aaron and DJ and leaving Kori with permanent brain damage.

The Bachman's, along with their son Aaron's young widow Lindsey, filed two Illinois wrongful death lawsuits and an Illinois personal injury lawsuit against the County and eventually settled the matters for $15.5 million. Although the police officer who hit their car was tried and acquitted of criminal charges in the matter, the family's tremendous losses have resulted in the creation of a bill known as Bachman's law.

The law would require police to use oscillating lights and/or sirens to warn pedestrians and other drivers about high speed police responses. While it has already been passed by the Illinois House of Representatives, it has not yet been passed by the Illinois Senate. However, legislators say that will likely happen in the spring of 2010.

Filing lawsuits against gov't entities

The Bachman's situation involved filing lawsuits against a government entity – a procedure which many don't realize can be different than filing a lawsuit against a private party. Filing lawsuits against government entities such as a state, county, township or municipality generally differ when it comes to the statute of limitations in which a lawsuit, or at least notice, must be filed. In fact, those time limits are generally much shorter – which is why representation by a local lawyer who knows what time limits and other possible restrictions or requirements may apply to your situation is important.