Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys

If you’ve been injured in Chicago due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., our personal injury attorneys have recovered over $500 million for clients throughout Cook County. We understand the strain an injury places on your life, and we’re here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Many victims underestimate the complexity of personal injury claims, which can lead to missed opportunities for compensation. Understanding the legal nuances and having an advocate familiar with local courts can significantly influence the outcome of your case.

Who Do We Help?

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we stand beside injured people across Chicago and help them pursue the compensation and answers they deserve, including cases where:

• You were rear-ended on your morning commute. A distracted driver hit you at a red light, and now you’re juggling neck pain, car repairs, and insurance calls.
• You were hit while crossing the street or riding your bike. You were walking or biking through an intersection when a car turned into your path. Now you’re unsure whose insurance should cover your medical bills.
• You slipped in a store with no warning sign. A wet floor, icy entryway, broken stair, or dim stairwell left you injured on property someone was supposed to keep safe.
• You’re facing a long, painful recovery. A serious injury has changed how you work, care for your family, and live day to day, and the mounting bills only add to the stress.
• The insurance company is fighting you. They’re blaming you for the crash, questioning how badly you’re hurt, or offering far less than your claim is worth, and you don’t know how to share your side.
• Your family lost someone you love. A preventable crash, unsafe property, or negligent act took a loved one from you, and you’re grieving while trying to understand your options for a wrongful death claim.

If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t have to face it alone.

Understanding Personal Injury Law in Chicago

Personal injury law covers legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm due to another’s negligence or wrongful act. In Chicago, these cases often involve traffic accidents, product liability, and premises liability. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation might be reduced if you share some responsibility for the injury.

A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can evaluate the details of your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim to maximize your recovery. It’s important to act quickly, as Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations that limits the time you have to file a lawsuit.

Contributory Fault in Illinois

The state of Illinois has laws that determine how much a plaintiff in a personal injury claim can recover based on how much they are found to be at fault. This is called contributory fault. Contributory fault measures the amount of negligence of both the defendant and the plaintiff in a claim, allowing the plaintiff to be found partially at fault for some of their injuries.

If the court determines that the plaintiff was over 50% at fault for the accident, they could be barred from receiving any compensation. If the plaintiff is found to be less than 50% at fault, the recovery they receive may be reduced by the percentage that they are found at fault. Fault is determined by four elements:

• Did the defendant have a duty of care to protect the plaintiff from harm?
• Did the defendant breach that duty of care?
• Were the plaintiff’s injuries a result of the defendant’s breach of duty?
• Are the injuries suffered by the plaintiff damages that can be compensated?

In addition to the above, it is also important to understand the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can help you understand the time limits for filing your specific kind of claim.

Punitive and Actual Damages in Personal Injury Lawsuits

In a personal injury lawsuit, the point is to recover damages that were the result of the defendant’s negligence. Damages refer to monetary compensation that remedies physical, financial, and psychological stress. There are two types of damages that can be recovered in a lawsuit: punitive and actual damages.

Actual damages are for specific injuries and provide compensation for personal and financial damages. These may include medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and pain and suffering.

Punitive damages, however, are not for a specific loss. They are awarded against the defendant to punish them for wilful and wanton or reckless conduct. The court will determine whether the plaintiff will be granted such damages during the trial as well as how much should be awarded. Punitive damages are not favored in the law, but our firm has had success in winning large punitive damages awards. For instance, in a retaliatory discharge lawsuit, we were able to win a $2.5 million jury award over and above the compensatory damages.

What to Expect When Working With Our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we prioritize compassionate and effective representation. When you contact us, we offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Throughout your case, we maintain open communication and update you regularly. Our team handles negotiations and, when necessary, aggressively represents you in court, bolstered by our understanding of Cook County court procedures and relationships with local judges. Our mission is to provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the justice you deserve.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Suffering an injury, particularly if it was the fault of a negligent party, can change your life. It can cause physical, emotional, and financial stress. While a personal injury lawsuit cannot erase what happened, it can relieve some of the stress caused by the accident. The attorneys at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. can help you understand your rights and legal options if you have been injured by a negligent party. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.

FAQs About Personal Injury Cases in Illinois