We all know that a personal injury can occur in many different ways, a car or motor vehicle (bicycle, truck or pedestrian) accident, a slip and fall, work injury,a dog bite, nursing home abuse or medical neglect or an injury suffered due to the negligence of a building owner or manager. Those are just a few instances where personal injury can occur.
However, what if you are the spouse, child, or even the sibling of someone who is seriously injured? In Illinois and most other jurisdictions, you too may be entitled to compensation.
A spouse of an injured victim may be entitled to “loss of consortium” where the victim’s injuries has caused a significant change in the nature of the marital relationship. Obviously, that involves issues of sexual intimacy but can also include such things involving loss of companionship such as “we always went dancing; or boating; or golfing, etc. and can’t do so anymore.” or; loss of guidance and moral support. Naturally, funeral bills may be re-couped in the case of wrongful death and medical expenses are compensable in any injury.
The spouse and children of an injured victim or even a sibling (if there is no spouse or children) may recover damages for “loss of society” which includes but is not limited to loss of training and counsel; moral support; loss of guidance; loss of affection and financially these parties may recover medical expenses, loss of support and funeral bills.
This is of course, a simplistic list and the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Grazian and Volpe welcome the opportunity to share their 25 years of experience in settling and litigating Chicago and South Chicago accident claims for the spouses, children and siblings of personal injury victims. We understand the nuances of these claims and strongly advocate for and believe that the suffering of loved ones is as compensable as that for the accident victim.
Please visit us at our website or follow John Grazian and Rich Volpe on WCIU, You and Me in the Morning for more information regarding personal injury issues. Or simply call us, consultation is always free and we welcome the opportunity to be of service to our clients in difficult times.
