Injury Lawyer Scott DeSalvo

There's no single average because every case is different, but slip and fall settlements in Illinois typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 for minor injuries, $50,000 to $200,000 for moderate injuries like herniated discs or torn ligaments, and $200,000 to over $1 million for serious injuries involving surgery, traumatic brain injury, or permanent disability. The value depends on your medical bills, lost wages, the severity of your injuries, and the strength of the liability evidence.

The biggest factors are the severity and permanence of your injuries, the total amount of your medical bills, how much work you missed, whether you needed surgery, whether you have any permanent limitations, how clearly the property owner was at fault, and which insurance company you're dealing with. Cases with clear liability — like a store that ignored a spill for hours — tend to settle for more than cases where fault is disputed.

Most slip and fall cases settle within 6 to 18 months, depending on the severity of injuries and how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement. You should never settle before your treatment is complete because you need to know the full extent of your injuries before putting a value on your case. Cases that go into litigation can take longer, but the majority still settle before trial.

Yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), which means you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your case is worth $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, your recovery would be $80,000.

You're not required to have a lawyer, but hiring one almost always results in a significantly higher settlement. Insurance companies know that unrepresented claimants are less likely to know the true value of their case and more likely to accept a lowball offer. An experienced slip and fall attorney handles all negotiations, gathers the right evidence, and prepares your case for trial if the insurance company won't pay fair value — and you pay nothing unless we win.

740 ILCS 130 creates a cause of action for injuries caused by negligent highway construction. Contractors performing roadwork can be liable for failures in traffic control, signage, barriers, and equipment operation in active work zones. This is in addition to any claim against an at-fault driver and brings the contractor's commercial policy (often $1M-$5M) into play.

Yes. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-605.1, fines for speeding in Illinois work zones are doubled, and drivers who cause injury in active work zones face aggravated charges. In your civil case, evidence of enhanced criminal violations can support higher damages and sometimes punitive damages. It can also support a 'negligence per se' argument for automatic liability.

Potentially the general contractor performing the roadwork, the traffic control subcontractor (often a separate company with its own insurance), and IDOT or the municipality if the work zone plan itself was negligent. Traffic control subcontractors are the most commonly missed defendant because most lawyers don't realize they exist as separate entities.

Most Addison crash victims go to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Elmhurst Hospital, or AMITA Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village depending on where the crash happened. Each files liens under the Health Care Lien Act; negotiating those down is part of my job at the end of the case.

Two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202 against the driver and contractor defendants. If IDOT or a municipality is involved, shorter notice periods apply under the Tort Immunity Act — sometimes as little as one year. Call promptly. 312-500-4500.

Legal malpractice happens when an attorney fails to provide competent representation, breaches the duty owed to the client, and causes real damage as a result. Common examples include missing a statute of limitations, failing to file critical documents, botching case preparation, conflicts of interest, failure to communicate, and giving negligent settlement advice. You have to prove the attorney's work fell below the professional standard of care — and that you lost money because of it.

The primary damage is the loss of your underlying case — the difference between what you would have recovered with competent representation and what you actually got. On top of that, you may recover for emotional distress, damaged credit, lost business opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs caused by the attorney's negligence. In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be on the table.

Two years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the injury caused by your attorney's negligence. But there is an absolute cutoff — you must file within six years of the negligent act itself, no matter when you found out. These deadlines are strictly enforced. If you think your previous lawyer cost you money, call me now at 312-500-4500 before the clock runs out.

Look for a lawyer who takes your case personally. Scott DeSalvo's father was a truck driver who was catastrophically injured at work. His case dragged on for 17 years and at the end, his own lawyer sued him for more fees. That is why Scott personally works on every case. His main office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd in Oak Brook. He also has an office in Downtown Chicago and meeting offices throughout Chicagoland. Most clients never have to travel - phone, email, and internet handle everything - ensuring you get maximum recovery without the 17-year headache his father faced. Call 312-500-4500 anytime, 24 hours a day.

Hiring Scott DeSalvo costs nothing upfront. Never an out of pocket charge. He works on a contingency fee basis, meaning he only gets paid when you get paid first. He advances all case costs himself - police reports, medical records, expert witnesses, court filing fees, everything. You get an attorney-led team and nearly 30 years of experience without a dime out of your pocket unless he wins your case.

In Illinois, Workers Compensation attorney fees are set by law at 20%. For personal injury cases, the standard contingency fee is 33 and one-third percent of the recovery, or 40% if a lawsuit is filed and the case proceeds toward trial. Unlike settlement mills where non-attorneys do the work, Scott DeSalvo personally leads every case and treats clients like family.

Generally you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For Workers Compensation claims the deadline is three years from the accident, with a 45-day notice requirement to your employer. If you are suing a government entity like the City of Chicago or the CTA, you may have as little as one year to file. These deadlines are complicated and if you miss them your case can be permanently lost. Call Scott DeSalvo immediately at 312-500-4500 to find out exactly what your deadline is and protect it.

Yes, but get medical care as soon as possible after your injury. It is very important to seek treatment close to the time of your injury. Scott DeSalvo has handled cases for people who never went to the doctor at all and still obtained settlements, though those cases are rare. If you have been hurt, you should see a doctor. A doctor's testimony is needed in almost every injury case. Call 312-500-4500 and Scott will talk through your specific situation for free.

The value of a personal injury case is determined by medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It can also be significantly driven by scarring and disfigurement even when medical bills are not very high. Scott DeSalvo has invested over $100,000 in advanced trial training that fewer than one in 100,000 lawyers has completed, specifically focused on maximizing these human damage awards. Use the free Settlement Calculator on the homepage for an estimate, or call 312-500-4500 for a free consultation.

Almost never. While Scott DeSalvo has offices in Oak Brook and Downtown Chicago and meeting offices all over Chicagoland, most cases are handled entirely by phone and internet for a Minimum Hassle experience. Scott handles the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on healing. You get top-tier attorney representation without the stress or inconvenience of a commute.

Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to devalue your claim. They attempt to trick you, string you along, and minimize your injuries. Their goal - no matter what they say - is to pay you nothing or as little as possible. Simply tell them you are represented by attorney Scott DeSalvo. All communication should go through your attorney. Call 312-500-4500 immediately after any accident before speaking with any insurance company.

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Car/Motorcycle/Truck/Bus Crash

My Oak Brook office ihas free parking and is easy to get to.  My Chicago office is down the street from the Workers Compensation Commission and the Courthouse.  That's because although we settle about 90% of our cases quickly for our clients, we also go to Court.

Look for a lawyer who takes your case personally. My father was a truck driver who was catastrophically injured at work; his case dragged on for 17 years and changed our family forever. That’s why I personally work on every case. While my main office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd in Oak Brook , we serve all of Chicagoland. I have another office in Chicago, and meeting offices all over Chicagoland and suburbs.  But honestly, most clients never have to come to my ofice.  With phone, email and internet, they do not have to travel—ensuring you get maximum recovery without the 17-year headache my father faced.

In Illinois, Workers’ Comp fees are set by law at 20%. For Personal Injury cases, the standard fee is 33 1/3%, or 40% if we file a lawsuit. Unlike "settlement mills" where non-attorneys do the work, I personally lead every case. I treat my clients like family because I remember how it felt when my father was treated like just another file number.

Generally, you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and three years for Workers’ Comp (with a 45-day employer notice requirement).  In some injury cases, you only have one year to file a lawsuit, like if you're suing a city.  These deadlines are very complicated. I urge you to talk to a lawyer so you can figure out what your deadline is and protect it.  Because I saw how a slow-moving legal system hurt my own family, I personally oversee every deadline to ensure your case moves as fast as the law allows and is protected every step of the way.

Yes. It is very important to get medical care as close to the time of your injury as possible.  If not too much time has passed since your accident, you can still seek treatment and have a case. I've handled cases for people who never went to the doctor at all and I still got them settlements. Those cases are rare. If you've been hurt, you should go to the doctor. A doctor's testimony is needed in almost every kind of injury case.  Of course you can call my office and we can talk about your situation. 312-500-4500

Value is determined by medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It can also be driven by scarring and disfigurement, even if the medical bills aren't very high.  I’ve invested over $100,000 in advanced trial training that not one in 100,000 lawyers have to maximize these "human" damages. I don’t let insurance companies ignore the "life impact" of your injury—the same impact I witnessed in my own home growing up.  You can use my "Case Settlement Calculator" to get an estimate of your case here .

Almost never. While I have offices in Oak Brook and Downtown Chicago , and meeting offices all over Chicagoland, most cases are handled via phone and internet for a "Minimum Hassle" experience. I handle the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on healing, meaning you get a top-tier attorney without the stress of a commute.  You are always welcome to come to my office if you'd like.