While defective medical devices can have a detrimental effect on an individual’s quality of life, they can also lead to another serious outcome: death. In some cases, defective medical devices might cause errors that lead to the patient dying. Sometimes, doctors might not even realize the source of the problem until after the patient’s death. The loss of a loved one can prove catastrophic at any time, but it may prove especially devastating when you thought your loved one’s condition had received appropriate treatment, only to discover that the medical device intended to improve quality of life led to death instead. If you lost a loved one due to a medical device error, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim may include compensation for your loved one’s final medical expenses and suffering as well as compensation for the losses your family may have faced, including the loss of your loved one’s income, the loss of your loved one’s presence in your life, and the loss of the benefits your loved one generally provided to the family. Talk to a lawyer to learn more about the compensation you can claim following the loss of a loved one due to a defective medical device in Chicago.