Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who are injured because of the negligence of another. When you or a loved one has been injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Chicago, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To calculate how much your personal injury claim may be worth in Chicago, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

The negligent people that harmed you are responsible for compensating you for all of your damages, but they will not do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights back for our clients against anyone who stands between them and their rightful compensation after they have been harmed. We handle (and win) all manners of Illinois tort cases. We help our clients make claims against large trucking companies, dangerous drivers, negligent doctors, product manufacturers, pet owners, property owners and so much more, in order to bring our clients justice and financial security.

If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or anything else about the personal injury claims process, call our personal injury lawyers in Chicago, IL as soon as possible at (312) 500-HURT.

Why Choose Burger Law’s Chicago, IL Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Claim

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case is essential. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who is not afraid of a fight. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, look at their previous victories, credentials, and what their clients and peers say about them.

Award-Winning Chicago, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The many awards and honors Burger Law has received from fellow lawyers and national professional legal organizations include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the country
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only award that is made up of the most qualified attorneys in each state.
• Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Recent Victories in Chicago Personal Injury Cases

Our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We hold accountable all who have injured our clients, and we insist on nothing but full compensation. Our lawyers are committed to providing our clients diligent and tactful legal representation, and we take great pride in our hard-fought victories. Check out some of our case results in personal injury claims below:

• $5 Million Settlement – Father Killed By Reckless Truck Driver
• $3 Million Judgment – Son Murdered by Pam Hupp
• $2.5 Million Settlement for Father’s Fatal Car Accident
• From $0 to $2 Million Car Accident Settlement
• $2 Million Settlement – Injured Woman Settles Highway Crash Lawsuit
• $1.435 Million Settlement For Deck Collapse That Injured Couple
• $1 Million Settlement to Family of Man with Sepsis Infection
• Medical Malpractice Case Settles for Over $1 Million
• $900,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $765,000 Settlement After Fatal Collision
• $600,000 Tractor-Trailer Crash
• $600,000 Settlement – Widow in ATV Accident Settles with Property Owner
• Class Action $600,000 Settlement Against the State of Illinois
• $495,000 Uninsured Motorcycle Verdict
• $400,000 Settlement in Employment Discrimination Case
• $350,000 Settlement in Ladder Case

It is worth mentioning that every case is different, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We fight for you so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Similarly, each plaintiff is unique and the absolute perfect personal injury lawyer for you may not be the right fit for someone else. Our philosophy is that carefully seeking out the right attorney to represent you in the beginning can be an enormous advantage to all parties. To help you make that decision, our attorneys make themselves available to talk and answer legal questions for free. Get started by contacting us online or by phone at (312) 500-HURT now or check out some of these free resources created by our Illinois personal injury lawyers:

• List of Illinois facts, laws and resources
• Free ebooks written by Gary Burger on the ins and outs of various types of personal injury cases and real client success stories
• 500+ informative videos on our YouTube channel @BurgerLaw
• A blog regularly updated with new posts on important legal concepts related to Illinois personal injury law and news

Burger Law Reviews

Beyond the videos below, you can see our full list of client testimonials here.

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago, IL

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get financial compensation for the damage done by another person’s negligence, and to achieve justice. The compensation you receive is meant to make one whole. The goal is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

No outcome in your case can truly return you to how things were before the injury. While you can be reimbursed for the financial losses you sustained, other damages are harder to quantify. If a family member died, you lost a limb, are disfigured or will have to receive medical treatment or be suffering in pain for the rest of your life, no amount of money can change that. What empathetic and talented personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law are able to do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and acknowledgment, and to provide you with financial security as it relates to your accident. Our attorneys and legal team can even provide much-needed emotional support and guidance during what is a stressful and uncertain time for many.

Click below to learn more about some of the most common types of personal injury cases we take in Chicago or continue reading.

• Personal injury
• Car accident
• Truck accident
• Motorcycle accident
• Wrongful death

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to recover the full value of your claim in Chicago, IL. The important question is, can they add value to my claim? If your injuries were minor, you did not miss much time off work and the insurance company is being mostly fair, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you will need legal representation in Chicago, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is disagreement about who is to blame, or the insurance company says the injuries are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are significant and require extensive medical treatment
• There are multiple parties that is liable for your damages
• Your damages exceed an insurance company’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we are always direct about whether or not it is worth it for you to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers take on cases based on a contingency-fee, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and we have no reason to accept you as a client if we do not think we can significantly increase your final payout.

How Do I Know if I Have an Illinois Personal Injury Claim?

While state statutes can be hard to navigate, whether or not you have a claim generally depends on one specific question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? From a legal standpoint, you must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to demonstrate that the liable party owed it to you to value your safety. In some cases this is automatic, as motorists all owe everyone on the Chicago, IL roads a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others to keep their dog from biting anyone. Other times, a particular relationship must be established, for example the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did someone neglect that obligation? Did a driver hit you while they were texting and driving? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a trucking company force their employee to drive longer than regulations allow?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must prove how the incident resulted in your injuries. For example, you received a concussions after being thrown off your bicycle, or had bad side effects from a prescription drug.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who ultimately is to blame. If you were hit by a vehicle, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the tires were faulty, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you have to demonstrate that you sustained some form of financial loss as a direct result of your injuries. In most cases damages are medical bills and lost wages. With access to your medical records, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. Once we establish financial losses, we can also seek compensation for less tangible losses.

If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, speak to a lawyer in Chicago who has won a similar claim before. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Personal Injury Lawsuits in Chicago?

As a personal injury law firm practicing in Chicago, our attorneys must understand how Illinois liability laws apply to a wide range of cases — and know how to use that knowledge to the advantage of our clients. At Burger Law, we know how to secure justice for the injured whenever negligence results in an injury. Cases we specialize in in Chicago and throughout Illinois include the following.

Auto Accidents

Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims annually. About 52 percent of those are auto accident claims, such as:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries because trucks emit an incredible amount of force, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at increased risk of catastrophic injury or death as they do not have the same protection closed-vehicle occupants have. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorist must “exercise due care” to keep everyone else on the road safe. If someone breaks the rules of the road, causes an accident and injures you, file a claim.

Sometimes, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or government entity may have at least contributed to your injuries. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will carry out a comprehensive investigation into your claim to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a responsibility to take reasonable measures to make sure their property does not carry any risks for invitees and licensees. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you can make a premises liability claim. 740 ILCS 130/, also called the Illinois Premises Liability Act, mandates that proprietors owe a duty of care to entrants that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Essentially, if there is a dangerous condition that is not obvious, the owner needs to either repair the hazard or warn against it. Some hazardous conditions include:

• Spills
• A recently mopped floor
• Broken concrete on a walkway
• Broken stairs
• Broken decks and balconies
• Potholes
• Overly steep inclines
• Ledges
• Poorly lit stairs and walking paths
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Rugs that are not flat
• Electrical cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Broken safety rails

You do not automatically have a claim just because a property had a dangerous condition. If you were in a part of a property you were not allowed to be, did not pay attention to warning signs, for example a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not acting in a safe manner, you likely do not have a slip and fall claim. The following must be true in order to make a claim:

• The owner or manager created the hazardous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the danger and failed to fix it; or
• The owner or manager tried to repair the hazard and repaired it negligently; or
• The owner or manager should have known about the condition, either because it happens often, had been there for an extended length of time or due to other complaints

A store or insurance company in Chicago, IL may tell you they are not liable for your slip and fall injuries because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. Do not believe them, and do not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.

Medical Malpractice

According to a 2016 study from John Hopkins University, medical errors are responsible for over 250,000 deaths each year. While not every error amount to malpractice, when it does, a healthcare professional needs to pay for hurting you.

Proving a medical malpractice claim in Illinois will come down to what is known as the standard of care. The standard is how a prudent physician, in a specific field and specific location, would treat a specific condition.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice claim needs to be filed along with an affidavit from a health professional who:

• is knowledgeable in the relevant issues of the claim
• practices or teaches the same field as the doctor you are suing, or has practiced or taught in that field within the last six years
• is qualified to review the facts of your case, and determines your claim is “reasonable and meritorious”

It is imperative that the doctor corroborating your claim has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are suing. A thoracic surgeon in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a family doctor in Decorah, Iowa. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Chicago and all over Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Chicago, IL include:

• Nursing home abuse
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Failing to order tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring a patient’s complaints
• Not sending you to a specialist or recommending a different treatment plan when theirs is not working
• Prescription errors

Dog Bites

Every day, almost 1,000 people require emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and every year dog bites lead to about 12,600 hospitalizations. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois has the second-highest rate of dog bites in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, stipulates that a dog owner is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, assuming there was no provocation and you were legally allowed to be where you were. “Strict liability” means that the owner is automatically liable, whether they were negligent or not. This means that the owner owes you a recovery even if they did not necessarily do anything wrong.

While some dog bites only lead to minor injuries, others can lead to expensive surgeries or lifelong disfigurement. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, trust in a Burger Law Chicago, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the full financial recovery you are owed.

Product Liability

Strict liability also applies to anyone involved in the chain of distribution of a defective product. There are generally three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Chicago, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially designed. This could include tables or furniture that naturally tip over, or a power tool whose guard rails do not prevent injuries.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect usually occurs to only one or several individual products, instead of every product with the same design. Examples include rat droppings getting caught in a soda can, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Marketing defect — This refers to a product that did not carry sufficient warnings when it was put to foreseeable use. For example, a medication that does not include certain side-effects in the labeling.

In order to recover compensation, you must demonstrate that the product was “unreasonably dangerous” when used in a foreseeable manner, that it caused your injuries and that you had not significantly altered the product.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers will take on any case in which a wrongdoer injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Chicago, IL personal injury lawyer is that our team takes on all types of personal injury claims, and this actually gives our lawyers exceptional experience that they can use towards their clients’ advantage. We understand that case types often overlap, and having experience with each type of claim gives our team the perfect understanding of how to fight for our clients’ rights and recoveries.

How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work in Chicago, IL?

The path to securing maximum compensation for your injuries can be long and complex. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a decision. In total, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical care immediately after an injury, and do not miss any appointments with your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not attending all your sessions will reduce how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers have a network of trustworthy Chicago, IL health professionals who can help you in your recovery.
• Discussing Your Case With an Attorney — Even if you are not sure you are going to need legal representation, you need to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good lawyer will tell you clearly and point-blank what your legal options are and how realistic certain outcomes would be.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will perform a full investigation into your claim, ascertain every liable party and acquire the evidence they need to get you the best possible financial recovery. You should also keep detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how keeping a journal detailing how your injuries have affected your life.
• Settlement Demand and Negotiations — Once we have determined the full extent of your damages, we will send a settlement demand package to the liable party’s insurance company. In the package we will include how we calculated your damages, and demand a financial recovery for all the ways your injuries have affected you. Usually, they will respond with a lower offer, and we keep negotiating until they offer full compensation.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If the insurance company will not be fair in negotiations, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. While the case is being litigated, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last option for an agreement before trial. In mediation, a neutral third party listens to arguments from both sides and tries to get everyone to reach an agreement.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation still does not result in a fair settlement, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In this phase, we will speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, gather more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to use as evidence in trial.
• Trial — It is rare that a personal injury claim makes it all the way to trial. Indeed, many times we have gotten a fair settlement offer in the weeks immediately before trial. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, the case will go in court. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most people who speak with our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and are unsure of what lies ahead. Burger Law will be your advocate from our initial consultation to full compensation, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and oversee all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in My Chicago, IL Personal Injury Claim?

Typically, there are two types of compensation available in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm related to your injuries, including:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Medical expenses, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, such as:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

In some cases, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the at-fault harmed you intentionally or they were incredibly reckless. Examples can include a drunk driver, or a doctor who performs surgery after drinking. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue available to get you the best possible financial recovery.

What Is the Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims in Chicago, IL?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is shorter than most states at just two years, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means the clock starts ticking when your accident occurs, and expires after two years. However, there are three notable exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 when the injury occurred, you have two years to file a claim after your 18th birthday.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when the injury occurred, you have two years from the date the disability was “removed.”
3. In medical malpractice cases, you have two years from the date you discovered the injury or should have discovered the injury. No medical malpractice claim can be made more than four years after the injury occurred, unless you were a minor at the time. Then you would have until four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may not cause immediate concern, thoroughly investigating an injury and developing a legal strategy takes time. Do not hesitate to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT.

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago Now

Burger Law’s Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers hold ourselves to the standard of zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, pursue every legal option we have, fight back against insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. We offer the highest standard of legal representation; all of our advice will be based on the facts of the case and our experience, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your Chicago, IL family. You do not have to pay for someone else’s careless actions. To start on your road to true recovery, call a Burger Law Chicago, IL personal injury lawyer now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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