Personal Injury
Our goal for injured clients is to secure equitable and just compensation as quickly as the legal system allows. This is best achieved through client interviews and case evaluation. Attorneys and staff diligently investigate the accident, assess liability and then evaluate the client's loss, including medical expenses, the loss of income, and pain and suffering. While the claim may be settled, the law office focuses and prepares for a full trial. Attorneys fees are only paid if the client recovers, and then that fee is a percentage of the recovery. However, the client may be responsible for costs and expenses incurred on their behalf.
Prospective clients should be aware that most lawsuits for personal injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years of the date of injury. Failure to file within that two-year limit prevents any later legal action. There are some exceptions to this rule and other states have different statutes of limitation. A major exception is law suits against governmental units (cities, school districts, park districts, etc.), which must be filed within one year generally, but sometimes as quickly as six months after the accident.
In any event, it is very important that a prospective claimant take immediate actions to protect their claim. This is because evidence gets stale, witnesses' memories fade and defendants move or cease to exist. Therefore, if you've been injured in an accident, it should be a top priority to seek the assistance of an attorney quickly to determine if you have a viable claim and if so, what needs to be done to protect that claim.
Save all your medical bills and medical records. Bring them to our office at your first appointment, and continue to deliver them to the office when your receive them.
Injured persons should also be wary of saying anything to other people or parties about their accident. Insurance companies, corporations and other defendants often record such statements and use them against the injured party at trial. In addition, injured parties should make sure to take care of themselves and mitigate any possible future losses. One important aspect of this is to continue any necessary medical treatment and physical therapy.