One area of practice in which I have substantial experience is the handling of personal injury claims resulting from motor vehicle collisions. I have experience handling personal injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions starting with a career as a claims adjuster for an insurance company prior to law school. I have spent 35 years as a lawyer representing people with personal injury claims resulting from car accidents and other motor vehicle collisions. Working as a lawyer and an insurance adjuster has helped me understand the process of working with an insurance company to settle claims without filing suit. 

Personal injury claims can take 3‑5 years in the court system before coming to trial, so settling the personal injury claim prior to trial may be beneficial. However, there are cases that cannot be settled and in those cases, we will proceed to trial.

For clients with personal injuries received in a car crash or other motor vehicle collision, it is important for the lawyer to enter the case as early as possible. The parties involved in a motor vehicle collision report the claim to the insurance company immediately, so the insurance company will have a head start in investigating the case. It is important to get photographs of the vehicles involved and talk to any witnesses at the earliest possible date. It is also important to get photographs of any injured parties, as well as the scene of the accident. Unfortunately, attorneys are often not hired in time to preserve evidence that can be important to a successful outcome in a personal injury case.

It is important to remember that all personal injury claims are handled by our office on a contingent fee agreement. This means there are no attorney's fees unless there is a recovery from the negligent party. We are happy to provide a free consultation for anybody with a personal injury claim resulting from any of the practice areas listed above.

All of the cases discussed on this page, with the exception of workers’ compensation, fall into the broader category of civil litigation. I have more than 35 years of experience in many areas of civil litigation.

Commercial litigation is a broad category of lawsuits typically to settle business disputes, such as suing a builder who does a poor quality job in building your house. Another example of commercial litigation would be suing a party who has failed to honor a contract they have entered into with you. We have experience in handling all types of commercial litigation cases.

see Medical Malpractice.

If you are injured by an animal owned by a third person, you may be entitled to recover from the animal’s owner.

If you were injured by negligent treatment from a doctor, hospital, or dentist, you have a right to recover for your injuries. Injuries caused by the negligence of doctors include failure to diagnose a condition, mis-diagnosing a condition, or incorrectly interpreting test results. An example of hospital negligence would be negligent medical treatment by hospital employees such as doctors or nurses. Dental malpractice can be the failure of a dentist to properly fit and install implants.

In order to protect doctors, hospitals, and dentists from frivolous lawsuits, Illinois law requires an opinion from a licensed doctor before a lawsuit can be filed. We work with doctors who will review your medical records and provide an opinion as to whether or not there was negligent medical treatment.

see Automobile Accidents/Motor Vehicle Accidents.

Personal injury refers to physical injury resulting from the negligence of a third party.

Premises liability is your right to recover when you are injured on property owned by a third party as a result of negligence by the property owner. An example of premises liability would be a slip and fall in a grocery store caused by a slippery material on the floor. If the property owner has been negligent for failure to make their home, apartment building, business, or business parking lot safe for the public, then the property owner may be responsible for paying your damages.

If you are injured by a defective product, the manufacturer of that product is liable for your damages. Cases involving defective products can range from automobiles to cigarette lighters. 

see Premises Liability.

see Automobile Accidents/Motor Vehicle Accidents.

If you are injured while working, under Illinois law you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. There is no need to prove that your employer was at fault for your injuries as long as you were working at the time of the injury. If you are injured while on the job, your employer is required to provide you with temporary total disability payments. These payments are equal to 2/3 of your wages during the time you are unable to work as a result of your injuries and will begin after the third day that you are away from work. In addition, your employer is required to pay for your medical treatment. The law also provides that you are allowed to receive treatment from the doctor that you have chosen. Finally, your employer is also required to pay you for any permanent partial disability. Permanent partial disability is the permanent damage that is done to your body by the work-related injury.

If a family member loses his or her life in the course of their employment, the workers’ compensation law provides that the surviving spouse has a right to receive benefits.

Workers’ compensation cases are heard at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission which meets at different locations throughout the state. These cases are not heard by judges in our court system.

If the death of a family member was caused by the negligent or intentional conduct of a third party, family members have a right to recover from the party who caused the death. Wrongful death may be the result of a motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, products liability, or premises liability.