Illinois & Florida Personal Injury Lawyers

Most personal injury attorneys, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. It doesn’t cost anything upfront to hire us.

Your attorney gets paid at the end of the case, only if they secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf, with legal costs deducted from your awarded compensation. If we’re unsuccessful, you owe nothing in attorney’s fees.

This structure allows injured people to retain experienced representation even without the funds to pay upfront, and it ensures everyone has access to legal help.

Deadlines to file a personal injury lawsuit vary by state, and missing one means losing your right to pursue compensation.

In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file. If you lose a loved one, the clock starts on their date of death, which may differ from the date of the accident.

In Florida, the deadline is also generally two years from the date of injury for most negligence-based claims, following the state’s 2023 tort reform law.

There are exceptions to both general rules, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner your case is in our hands, the sooner we can start gathering evidence to protect your claim.

The value of a personal injury case depends on the victim and the specific circumstances involved. People with more severe injuries generally receive more compensation, but several factors affect what a claim is worth.

When our attorneys calculate your damages, we examine:

• The types of injuries you suffered and how they affect your life
• Whether you share any blame for the incident
• Your medical bills, future healthcare needs, and out-of-pocket costs
• Lost wages and job benefits
• Whether you can earn what you did before the injury
• The emotional trauma and physical pain you’ve endured
• Any applicable insurance coverage

Once we understand what happened, our trial attorneys can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Injury victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include:

• Lost income and benefits
• Reduced earning capacity
• Medical treatment bills, including future care
• Physical therapy
• Out-of-pocket expenses (travel, childcare, household services)
• Property damage

Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Psychological effects, such as PTSD or anxiety
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of consortium

In some cases, courts may award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct shows conscious, reckless disregard for others’ safety. These damages punish the defendant rather than compensate a specific loss, and the rules for awarding them can vary between Illinois and Florida.

Statistically, it’s unlikely your case will go to trial. A U.S. Department of Justice study found only about 3% of personal injury cases result in a trial verdict.

Filing a lawsuit doesn’t necessarily mean it will go to trial, either. Settlement talks can continue throughout litigation, and sometimes simply filing a lawsuit motivates the other side to offer a more reasonable settlement. Still, keeping the option of trial open works in your favor.

If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s actions, it’s worth consulting an experienced attorney. Most, including us, offer a free consultation to discuss what happened and advise on the best path forward. Claims that are hard to prove or involve complex issues especially benefit from experienced representation.

Illinois does not impose a blanket cap on damages in most personal injury cases, leaving it to judges and juries to determine fair compensation. Florida’s rules have shifted in recent years following state tort reform, and caps can depend on the type of claim. Because the rules differ and change, it’s best to talk to an attorney about how they apply to your specific case.

To establish liability in a negligence-based claim, you generally need evidence proving:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care (e.g., all drivers must drive carefully and follow traffic laws)
• They breached that duty by acting unreasonably under the circumstances (e.g., speeding)
• Their actions directly caused your injuries (causation)
• You suffered damages as a result (e.g., medical bills, lost wages)

An experienced attorney can gather evidence to prove liability — surveillance footage, medical records, expert witness testimony, and more.

If you were injured because of someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, it’s best to consult an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner your attorney starts investigating, the stronger your case (evidence can disappear, and witnesses can forget key details).

Your lawyer will also handle communications with insurance companies, negotiate on your behalf, protect your rights throughout the process, and help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim.

Both Illinois and Florida apply a modified comparative negligence rule. In Illinois, if you’re found more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover compensation. In Florida, the bar is 51% or more fault following the state’s 2023 tort reform.

In both states, if you’re found partially but not majority at fault, your award is reduced proportionally. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages. The opposing party or insurance company may try to shift blame onto you to reduce your payout — an attorney can protect you from these tactics and work to maximize your recovery.