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Our goal is to answer your questions about Illinois law in a way that makes sense. Despite our best efforts, the law is still confusing. It’s not always consistent. And when it comes to the procedures in our legal system, even experienced attorneys have trouble figuring it out.

If you have a question, the quickest way to get an answer is probably to call us. You can talk to an Illinois attorney for free and usually right away. If you would rather research the topic first, browse our pages. We add new ones all the time.

If you’re looking for a quick overview, here it is:

• Personal injury is a broad area of law that includes many types of injuries to people and property, such as car accidents, slip and falls, sexual abuse, wrongful death, sports injuries, and defective products.
• Some injuries are in a separate category, with attorneys who focus specifically on that area. Two examples are medical malpractice (if you are injured by a doctor or other healthcare provider) and workers’ compensation (if you are injured at work or while doing something for your employer).
• For an injury case, you need an injury. Unless you were harmed physically, financially or in some cases emotionally, you won’t have a case. Minor injuries aren’t usually worth a lawsuit because of the time and expense involved.
• In order to win, you have to prove that the person who injured you either did so on purpose or because they were reckless or negligent. You also have to prove that they were the cause of your injury.
• Your damages – what you are asking to recover – can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Every case is different and there is no set formula for what your case is worth.
• In many injury cases, you will be dealing with the other party’s insurance company. They may seem nice, or helpful, but be very careful. Don’t give any statements. Your best bet is to hire an attorney to speak with the insurer, and negotiate with them, on your behalf.
• Find an attorney who focuses their practice on personal injury law and has a significant amount of experience with your type of injury. An initial consultation is usually free. Set one up to see if an attorney is a good fit for you. Ask a lot of questions.
• In Illinois, you usually have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. If you are suing a government entity, you have just one year. If your injury wasn’t apparent right away, you may have more time. You also have more time if you were under 18 when injured. There are some exceptions, but the main thing to remember is that if you miss the deadline, your lawsuit is barred and you won’t get a second chance.
• The majority of cases settle before trial. If the case does go to trial, the judge or jury will decide the outcome. If you lose, you can appeal by filling a notice of appeal within 30 days.
• Injury attorneys charge on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless they win at trial or settle your case. Their percentage is usually around 33% of what you recover. If you get nothing, they get nothing. And you shouldn’t have to pay anything upfront.
• If you are injured, you can help your case by getting the medical treatment you need and documenting everything. Keep records and receipts, start a journal, write down names of witnesses, take photos of accident site, etc. Bring all of this to your first meeting with your attorney.

If you have questions about any of these points, or anything else for that matter, feel free to contact us. Many people call us wondering whether they should even consider legal action. We can help you figure that out. If you decide to pursue your case, we will refer you to an attorney who we believe is a great fit. We only recommend attorneys we know and trust.