When you need a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who understands the unique challenges facing this diverse, hardworking community and refuses to let insurance companies exploit injured families, you're in exactly the right place. As a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who's dedicated over 27 years to fighting for people just like you, I've built my entire practice around one simple principle: injured workers and families deserve someone who will stand up to powerful corporations and their lawyers without backing down. Whether you were injured in a collision on Cermak Road, hurt working at one of the industrial facilities near the railroad yards, or injured anywhere in this tight-knit town just west of Chicago, hiring the right Cicero Personal Injury Attorney means the difference between getting pushed around and getting real justice.
A Promise I Made to Myself
Let me tell you about Maria.
She was cleaning hotel rooms at one of the properties near Cicero Avenue when a housekeeping cart—overloaded with supplies and poorly maintained—collapsed while she was pushing it. The sudden shift sent her tumbling down a stairwell. Two broken ribs. Fractured wrist. Severe back injury requiring surgery.
The hotel's workers' compensation insurance offered her $18,000.
Eighteen thousand dollars for an injury that required emergency surgery, months of physical therapy, and left her unable to lift anything heavier than a few pounds—which meant she couldn't do her job anymore. She had three children at home. Her husband worked construction, and they were barely making ends meet even before her accident.
Maria didn't speak much English, and she was terrified. Terrified of losing her job. Terrified of not being able to support her family. Terrified that fighting the insurance company meant getting nothing at all.
That's when her sister found my number through someone at their church.
I took one look at this case and got furious. Not at Maria—at the hotel that overloaded that cart knowing it was dangerous, at the insurance company trying to take advantage of someone who didn't know the system, at the way our legal system too often protects wealthy corporations instead of working people.
We rejected that insulting offer. Filed her workers' compensation claim properly. Then we filed a separate personal injury lawsuit against the hotel and the cart manufacturer for using defective equipment. We proved the hotel knew about the problem and did nothing. Eighteen months later, between workers' comp benefits and the personal injury settlement, Maria received $385,000.
She cried—we both did—when I told her the news.
That money paid for her medical care, replaced her lost income, retrained her for office work she could do despite her injuries, and gave her family security they never thought possible.
That case reminded me exactly why I became a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney. Because working families deserve someone who will fight back against companies that cut corners on safety. Because immigrants and non-native English speakers deserve lawyers who treat them with respect and dignity. Because justice isn't something you hope for—it's something you demand and win.
Cicero is the second-most densely populated municipality in the United States outside of New York City. That density creates unique injury risks and legal challenges.
This community faces particular injury risks:
When you hire a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who actually understands this community, you're getting someone who knows these challenges. I know the dangerous intersections where accidents concentrate. I know which local employers have terrible safety records. I know the Cook County court system intimately. I know how to handle cases where language barriers exist, and I work with excellent translators to ensure clear communication.
Lawyers who parachute into Cicero from downtown offices don't have this understanding. A Cicero Personal Injury Attorney with genuine connections to working-class communities knows how to build cases that resonate with juries and navigate the specific challenges these cases present.
Here's something most people don't know: Cook County's court system is enormous and complex.
It handles more cases than entire states. The procedural rules differ from suburban counties. The judges have their own standards and preferences. The way settlement conferences work is completely different from smaller jurisdictions.
If your lawyer doesn't regularly practice in Cook County courts, you're at a serious disadvantage. They'll stumble over local procedures. They'll miss important deadlines. They won't understand which judges prefer specific types of evidence or how to effectively negotiate with the insurance defense lawyers who practice here daily.
I've been practicing in Cook County for my entire career. I know this system inside and out. That familiarity directly benefits you because I can navigate efficiently where other lawyers waste time. When you need a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who understands this specific legal environment, local experience makes all the difference.
As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I handle every type of injury case:
Cicero's streets are genuinely hazardous.
Cermak Road carries relentless traffic—commuters, delivery trucks, buses—all moving at dangerous speeds through an urban environment never designed for this volume. Cicero Avenue is a nightmare of poorly timed lights and aggressive drivers. Ogden Avenue sees constant collisions at intersections where visibility is poor and traffic moves too fast.
The grid of residential streets creates additional dangers. Cars parked on both sides. Children playing. Pedestrians crossing mid-block. Delivery vehicles double-parked. It's chaos, and people get hurt constantly.
Traffic accident cases in Cicero get complicated immediately. Multiple vehicles. Conflicting witness accounts. Disputed fault. Insurance companies trying to blame everyone except their insured drivers.
That's exactly when you need a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who knows how to reconstruct accidents scientifically, challenge biased police reports, locate and interview witnesses effectively, and prove fault beyond any doubt.
Cicero has deep industrial roots that continue today. Manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers—they line the railroad corridors and industrial zones throughout town.
These workplaces create serious injury risks:
Here's the typical pattern after an industrial injury in Cicero. The company files the required report. You see their chosen doctor who minimizes everything. Your workers' compensation claim gets delayed or disputed. You face pressure to return to work before you've healed. And if you push back, suddenly you're having "performance problems."
I fight this corrupt system every day. As a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney specializing in workplace injuries, I ensure you receive genuine medical treatment from independent doctors, full temporary disability payments during recovery, and maximum permanent disability settlements reflecting your actual injuries—not what the insurance company wants to pay.
Cicero sees constant construction—renovations, new buildings, infrastructure repairs. Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and when companies cut corners on safety, workers pay the price.
Common construction injuries include:
Construction cases often involve both workers' compensation claims and third-party personal injury lawsuits. You might sue the general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or other subcontractors—entities not covered by workers' comp immunity.
These cases require aggressive investigation of OSHA violations, safety protocols, and corporate responsibility. I know how to pursue every available source of compensation to maximize your recovery.
Cicero's dense population means many residents walk or bike for transportation. Unfortunately, that creates constant danger from careless drivers.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents result in devastating injuries:
Insurance companies love to blame pedestrians and cyclists. "They shouldn't have been crossing there." "They weren't visible." "They were jaywalking."
I won't let them get away with that garbage. Pedestrians and cyclists have rights, and drivers have responsibility to watch out for vulnerable road users. As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I'll fight to ensure you're treated fairly.
Property owners in Cicero must maintain safe conditions. When they fail—through negligent maintenance, poor lighting, failure to remove ice and snow, or other hazards—they should be held accountable.
Common premises liability cases include:
These cases are harder to win than most people realize. You must prove the property owner knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn about it.
Evidence disappears incredibly fast in premises liability cases. Property owners fix hazards immediately after accidents and claim they never existed. Surveillance video gets deleted or "lost." Witnesses suddenly can't remember details.
That's why you must contact a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney immediately after any slip and fall or premises accident. The faster I can investigate, document conditions, and preserve evidence, the stronger your case becomes.
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America. When healthcare providers make serious mistakes—misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes—victims and their families deserve justice.
I handle medical malpractice cases involving:
Medical malpractice cases are extraordinarily expensive and complex. They require multiple expert witnesses, detailed medical record review, and lawyers who aren't intimidated by hospitals, doctors, and their powerful defense teams.
Most personal injury lawyers won't touch medical malpractice cases. I will—if your case has legitimate merit. These cases require massive investment of time and resources, but when medical negligence destroys lives, someone needs to hold healthcare providers accountable.
Losing a loved one because of someone else's negligence or recklessness creates pain beyond description.
Illinois wrongful death law allows certain family members to bring claims for:
Wrongful death cases arise from:
These cases demand the utmost compassion combined with fierce legal advocacy. I handle wrongful death claims with the dignity and seriousness they deserve while fighting aggressively for maximum compensation.
Some injuries alter the entire trajectory of your life:
Catastrophic injury cases require lawyers who understand lifetime economic impact. We're not just calculating current medical bills—we're projecting decades of future care, lost earning capacity, home modifications, assistive technology, and pain that never ends.
I've invested over $100,000 in elite trial training at programs like Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College and The Edge program. Fewer than one in 10,000 lawyers complete this level of advanced training. I did it specifically to handle catastrophic injury cases at the highest level and secure maximum compensation.
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals with one goal: pay you as little as possible.
They're friendly. Sympathetic. Understanding. And they're playing you.
Every dollar they avoid paying you is profit for their company. They count on injured people not knowing their rights, not understanding case value, and being desperate enough financially to accept inadequate settlements.
I used to work for defense firms representing insurance companies. I've seen the training manuals. I know the tactics. I understand exactly how they manipulate injured people. That's why I switched sides—because working people deserve lawyers who actually fight for them.
Insurance companies make lowball offers immediately after accidents for one reason: most people will accept them.
They're betting you don't know what your case is actually worth. They're betting you need money urgently for medical bills. They're betting you won't hire a lawyer.
And here's the trap: once you accept that settlement and sign the release, it's permanent. You can't come back later when you discover your injuries are worse than you thought. You can't renegotiate when you realize the settlement didn't even cover your bills.
Never—and I mean never—accept an insurance settlement without consulting a lawyer first. My consultations are free. I'll tell you honestly whether their offer is fair or whether they're trying to rob you.
When insurance adjusters call asking for recorded statements, they're not trying to help you.
They're trained to ask specific questions designed to make you say things that destroy your case:
Everything you say gets recorded, transcribed, and used against you later. Politely decline. Tell them you need to speak with an attorney first. Then call me immediately at (312) 500-4500.
In communities like Cicero with large immigrant populations, insurance companies use language barriers as weapons.
They provide inadequate translation services. They use technical legal terminology that's confusing even in English. They pressure people to sign documents they don't fully understand.
This is unconscionable, and I won't tolerate it. When necessary, I work with professional translators to ensure my clients completely understand every aspect of their cases. As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I'll make sure language barriers never prevent you from getting justice.
Most injured people think compensation is limited to medical expenses. That's completely wrong. Illinois law allows recovery for:
Insurance companies won't voluntarily tell you about these categories. That's exactly why you need a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney who will pursue every dollar you're entitled to receive.
I never settle cases for less than they're worth. Roughly 90% of my cases settle without trial—but that doesn't mean I'm soft in negotiations. It means I negotiate aggressively from positions of strength because I'm fully prepared to try every case in court if necessary.
Insurance companies recognize which lawyers are afraid of courtrooms and which ones aren't. I've tried more than 30 jury trials, plus about 100 arbitrations and hundreds of depositions. A judge once described my trial presentation as one of the finest he'd witnessed.
When you're represented by a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney insurance companies actually fear, you get significantly better settlement offers. That's just reality. My trial experience directly benefits you.
When you call me, here's exactly what happens:
I never chase clients. I never use high-pressure sales tactics. I never hustle people. We talk like normal human beings. I give you straight answers. You make your own decision.
If a lawyer pressures you or acts unprofessionally, ask yourself: do you really want that person representing you?
If you hire me, I begin working immediately:
Evidence degrades rapidly. Witnesses forget. Video footage gets recorded over or deleted. Property owners fix hazards and claim they never existed. Speed matters critically, and I move fast to preserve everything that supports your case.
My office uses proprietary case management technology I developed personally. This system enables us to move cases faster and more efficiently than typical law firms. We discover crucial information earlier, which directly translates to better outcomes.
Your health comes first, always. I'll help connect you with appropriate medical providers if needed.
If you have health insurance, use it. If you don't, I can refer you to quality doctors who treat on a lien basis—meaning they provide care now and receive payment from your settlement later.
All your medical treatment gets thoroughly documented to prove your case and maximize compensation. I ensure you're seeing proper specialists and receiving care you actually need—not just whatever the insurance company wants to authorize.
Once your treatment is complete (or you've reached maximum medical improvement), I calculate your case's full value and send a detailed demand to the insurance company.
I've negotiated literally thousands of these cases. I know their true value, I understand every tactic insurance companies employ, and I absolutely don't back down. Most of my cases settle during this negotiation phase—about 90%—but not because I'm easy. It's because I negotiate from strength and get fair settlements without forcing clients through trial stress.
If insurance companies won't be reasonable, I file suit without hesitation. Some lawyers fear courtrooms. I don't.
I've practiced in Cook County courts throughout my career. I know the judges personally. I understand local procedures intimately. I'm completely comfortable in courtrooms.
My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Suite 204, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. I handle cases throughout Cook County including Cicero regularly.
My goal never changes: secure every dollar you deserve as quickly as possible.
When we win:
If we lose—which is rare—you owe me absolutely nothing. I absorb all costs I advanced. That's my guarantee.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
You pay nothing upfront. Nothing out of pocket. I advance every expense—filing fees, expert witnesses, medical records, everything.
I only get paid when you get paid.
For workers' compensation cases, my fee is 20% (set by Illinois statute). For personal injury cases, it's 33⅓%, or 40% if lawsuit filing becomes necessary. Medical malpractice cases are 33⅓%.
These are standard Illinois rates. If we lose, you owe me zero. I eat all costs I advanced. That's the deal.
Injuries don't respect business hours. You might be hospitalized at 3 a.m. with urgent questions. You might receive an insurance adjuster's call on Sunday morning and not know how to respond.
Call me anytime. I'm genuinely available 24 hours daily, 7 days weekly, 365 days yearly. When you call, you get real help—not voicemail, not answering services. Actual help.
I don't run a volume mill. When you hire me, you work directly with me—not some paralegal or junior associate who doesn't know your name.
My entire team understands that winning your case while treating you respectfully and honestly is our absolute priority. You'll get returned phone calls. You'll know your case status. You'll have questions answered promptly.
When you hire me, you work with me. That's what genuine client service looks like.
I've invested over $100,000 traveling nationwide to study with America's premier trial lawyers:
Not one in 10,000 lawyers completes this elite training level. I did it so you receive the absolute finest representation possible when facing insurance companies with unlimited resources and teams of lawyers.
This training provides tools and techniques most lawyers will never learn. It's why I win cases other lawyers can't handle. As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, you benefit directly from this investment.
When my father was injured, his lawyer treated him terribly. I made myself a promise: I would never treat anyone that way.
Every client I represent receives the dignity and respect they deserve. Not because it makes good marketing copy—because that's how human beings should be treated when they're vulnerable.
You're not a case file number. You're a person who got hurt and needs help. That's how I approach every case.
Even if you feel okay, see a doctor immediately after any accident. Some injuries—whiplash, concussions, internal injuries—don't show immediate symptoms.
If you delay treatment for days or weeks, insurance companies will argue you weren't really injured. They'll claim, "If they were actually hurt, they would have sought emergency care immediately."
Don't hand them that argument. Get examined promptly even if you think you're fine.
Never give recorded statements without consulting a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who know exactly how to elicit case-destroying statements.
Simply decline politely. Tell them you'll speak with an attorney first. Then call me immediately at (312) 500-4500.
Insurance companies monitor your social media accounts actively. They're searching for anything usable against you.
That smiling photo at a family gathering? They'll claim you're not actually in pain.
That post about going for a walk? They'll argue your injuries aren't serious.
Best policy: avoid social media entirely until case resolution. If you must use it, don't post anything about your accident, injuries, activities, or anything else potentially misinterpretable.
Insurance companies' first offers are always inadequate. Always. They're counting on you not knowing true case value and being desperate financially.
Once you accept and sign the release, it's final. You can't return later for additional money.
Before accepting anything, call me. Free consultation. I'll tell you honestly whether their offer is fair or exploitative.
The other driver's insurance company is not your friend. Their job is minimizing payouts to you.
They might seem friendly and helpful. They're playing you.
Don't talk to them without a lawyer. Let me handle all insurance communications. That's what I'm here for.
In Illinois, you typically have two years from injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. For workers' compensation, it's three years, but you must notify your employer within 45 days.
Miss these deadlines and your case dies. Permanently. No second chances. No exceptions.
Don't risk it. Call me today.
Illinois law protects injured people through several legal theories:
You don't need legal expertise to pursue claims—that's my job. But understanding you have rights is crucial. As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I'll explain everything in plain, understandable language.
What if you were partially at fault?
Illinois uses "modified comparative negligence" rules. Provided you're less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. Your award simply reduces by your fault percentage.
Example: You're 25% at fault. Your damages total $200,000. You recover $150,000.
Insurance companies love inflating your fault percentage to reduce payments. That's why you need a skilled Cicero Personal Injury Attorney fighting to ensure fair, accurate fault allocation.
Generally, you have two years from injury date to file personal injury suits in Illinois. Workers' compensation provides three years, but employer notification must occur within 45 days.
Two years sounds lengthy—it's not. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies grow more aggressive with delays.
Don't miss this deadline. If you do, your case ends. Permanently.
Insurance policies have limits. Illinois law requires disclosure in specific situations.
I meticulously identify every available insurance policy—including umbrella policies and excess coverage many people don't know exist. The goal is maximizing potential recovery by pursuing every compensation source.
A thorough Cicero Personal Injury Attorney explores all possibilities. Sometimes multiple policies apply to your case, and you need someone who knows how to find and pursue them all.
My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Suite 204, Oak Brook, IL 60523—convenient to Cicero and surrounding communities including:
I handle cases throughout Cook County, DuPage County, and Will County.
Can't reach my office? No problem. I'll meet you at your home, hospital, or any convenient location. The point is making this process manageable during difficult times.
Illinois typically allows two years from injury date for personal injury lawsuits. Workers compensation cases provide three years, but employer notification is required within 45 days.
Exceptions exist to these rules—don't assume you have the full period. The sooner you contact a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, the better your case prospects because evidence degrades over time.
Nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket. Pure contingency—I only get paid when you get paid.
My fee is 20% for workers compensation (statutory rate), 33⅓% for injury cases, or 40% if lawsuit filing becomes necessary. These are standard Illinois rates. I advance all costs. If we lose, you owe me nothing.
Hiring a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney on contingency means everyone can afford quality representation regardless of financial situation.
Absolutely not. Never accept without consulting an attorney.
Initial offers are always inadequate. The insurance company bets you don't know true case value and that desperation will make you accept anything.
Once you sign the release and accept payment, you can't return later for additional money—even if injuries prove far worse than initially thought.
Call me before accepting anything. Free consultation, no obligation. I'll assess whether the offer is fair or exploitative.
Yes, provided you're less than 50% at fault. Illinois uses modified comparative negligence, reducing your award by your fault percentage.
Example: You're 40% at fault. Damages are $100,000. You recover $60,000.
Insurance companies love inflating your fault percentage to reduce payouts. A skilled Cicero Personal Injury Attorney fights ensuring accurate, fair fault allocation.
I can connect you with medical providers treating on a lien basis. They provide care now and receive payment later from your settlement.
Don't let insurance absence prevent necessary medical care. Your health is paramount, and as your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I'll ensure proper treatment access.
It depends on multiple variables:
Some cases settle within months. Others require a year or more. What I promise is aggressive case prosecution because you need money now, not years from now.
An experienced Cicero Personal Injury Attorney knows how to move cases efficiently while maximizing results.
Probably not. Roughly 90% of my cases settle without trial.
If we file suit, you might need courtroom appearances for depositions or hearings. If we actually try the case, you'll need to testify.
But most cases resolve through negotiation. When insurance companies know you have a Cicero Personal Injury Attorney prepared and able to try cases, they typically settle rather than risk jury verdicts.
It doesn't automatically destroy your case. Illinois law permits claims for "aggravation" or "exacerbation" of pre-existing conditions.
The key is complete honesty about medical history. Insurance companies will obtain previous records anyway. If you lie or conceal past injuries, it destroys your credibility completely.
A Cicero Personal Injury Attorney experienced with pre-existing condition cases knows how to prove this accident significantly worsened your prior condition.
No. Illinois law prohibits retaliation for filing workers compensation claims.
Of course, proving retaliation can be challenging. Employers rarely admit "we fired you for filing workers comp." They'll claim performance issues, attendance problems, or other pretexts.
If you believe you were fired in retaliation, call me immediately. I handle retaliatory discharge cases and know how to prove them. As your Cicero Personal Injury Attorney, I'll protect your rights vigorously.
You might still recover through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
Many people don't realize their own auto policies include this coverage. It protects you when hit by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
I examine every insurance policy thoroughly—yours, the at-fault driver's, any other potentially liable parties—to identify every possible recovery source. A thorough Cicero Personal Injury Attorney explores all options maximizing your compensation.
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
No Fee Unless You Win | Free Consultation | 24/7 Availability Call or Text: (312) 500-4500
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Main Office:
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 312-895-0545
Fax: 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com
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