Bolingbrook Personal Injury Lawyer - Scott DeSalvo
Why I Fight For Injured People in Bolingbrook
Let me share something personal that drives everything I do as a lawyer.
I was just nine years old when my father's workplace injury turned our entire world upside down. He drove trucks for a living as a proud Teamster, until one terrible day when an accident left him with devastating injuries to his back, neck, and spinal column. Those weren't the kind of injuries you heal from and move on—they changed him permanently.
But the real tragedy wasn't just the physical damage. It was watching my dad get betrayed by the very lawyer he trusted to help him. This attorney treated my father like he was nothing, refused to explain basic information, and worst of all, settled his case for far less than it deserved. The whole nightmare dragged on for seventeen years, and when it finally ended, his own lawyer had the audacity to sue him for even more fees.
After that accident, my dad couldn't work. We didn't have money. I watched my mother struggle every single day. I watched my father deal with chronic pain while also dealing with the emotional pain of being failed by someone who was supposed to protect him.
That's the reason I worked my way through high school and college. That's why I pushed through law school. And that's exactly why I've dedicated every day of my practice to ensuring that what happened to my family never, ever happens to you or anyone else.
Here's why I'm bringing this up on a page specifically about Bolingbrook injury cases. Not too long ago, a family reached out to me from right here in Bolingbrook. They'd been involved in a serious collision near Weber Road and Boughton Road, close to The Promenade. Their son had suffered significant injuries, and they'd already been turned down by three different law firms. They felt like nobody would fight for them.
I met them at a restaurant on Remington Boulevard. We talked through everything, and I gave them my honest assessment of their situation. Eight months later, we secured a settlement that took care of every penny of their medical expenses and provided their son with the financial stability he needed for his recovery rather than drowning in unpaid bills.
That's exactly what I do for people. I stand up for injured folks in Bolingbrook and throughout Will County who need someone willing to actually care about their outcome.
You shouldn't have to drain your savings just to hire legal representation when you're already buried under medical bills and unable to earn a paycheck. That's exactly why my practice operates on contingency. You don't pay a dime out of pocket. You don't owe me anything unless we win. And you can reach me at any hour—truly 24/7/365—because accidents and injuries don't respect office hours.
Why Having a Local Bolingbrook Injury Lawyer Makes a Real Difference
I Know Bolingbrook—Not Just Addresses, But How Life Works Here
Here's something most personal injury attorneys won't admit: geography and local knowledge matter tremendously in these cases.
I'm not some downtown Chicago attorney who only shows up in Bolingbrook when there's money involved. I understand this community. I know that Route 53 becomes a parking lot during morning and evening rush hours. I understand the traffic flow around I-55 and Weber Road. I've handled injury cases involving accidents at The Promenade Bolingbrook, collisions on Veterans Parkway, and incidents throughout the Crossroads neighborhood.
When you hire someone who's familiar with the local court system in Will County, understands the judges, and knows exactly how cases progress through the system here, you gain a significant advantage. I've been practicing injury law since 1998—that's more than 27 years of experience—and I've spent a considerable amount of that time in the Will County courthouse.
Insurance Companies Use Underhanded Tactics—Especially Against Bolingbrook Residents
Insurance carriers depend on injured people not understanding their legal rights. They're counting on you taking whatever minimal settlement they toss your way because you're desperate for cash to cover mounting medical expenses.
I've witnessed this play out countless times. Someone sustains injuries in Bolingbrook, an insurance adjuster calls acting friendly and concerned, and before the injured person realizes what's happening, they've given a recorded statement saying things that destroy their claim.
That won't happen when you have me protecting your interests.
I understand every single tactic these insurance companies employ because I used to be on their side. That's right. Early in my legal career, I worked for a large defense firm that represented insurance companies. I witnessed their strategies from the inside. It was disturbing. That experience is precisely why I returned to representing injured people—ordinary folks like you who deserve honest, aggressive advocacy.
Why Having a Local Bolingbrook Injury Lawyer Makes a Real Difference
I Know Bolingbrook—Not Just Addresses, But How Life Works Here
Here's something most personal injury attorneys won't admit: geography and local knowledge matter tremendously in these cases.
I'm not some downtown Chicago attorney who only shows up in Bolingbrook when there's money involved. I understand this community. I know that Route 53 becomes a parking lot during morning and evening rush hours. I understand the traffic flow around I-55 and Weber Road. I've handled injury cases involving accidents at The Promenade Bolingbrook, collisions on Veterans Parkway, and incidents throughout the Crossroads neighborhood.
When you hire someone who's familiar with the local court system in Will County, understands the judges, and knows exactly how cases progress through the system here, you gain a significant advantage. I've been practicing injury law since 1998—that's more than 27 years of experience—and I've spent a considerable amount of that time in the Will County courthouse.
Insurance Companies Use Underhanded Tactics—Especially Against Bolingbrook Residents
Insurance carriers depend on injured people not understanding their legal rights. They're counting on you taking whatever minimal settlement they toss your way because you're desperate for cash to cover mounting medical expenses.
I've witnessed this play out countless times. Someone sustains injuries in Bolingbrook, an insurance adjuster calls acting friendly and concerned, and before the injured person realizes what's happening, they've given a recorded statement saying things that destroy their claim.
That won't happen when you have me protecting your interests.
I understand every single tactic these insurance companies employ because I used to be on their side. That's right. Early in my legal career, I worked for a large defense firm that represented insurance companies. I witnessed their strategies from the inside. It was disturbing. That experience is precisely why I returned to representing injured people—ordinary folks like you who deserve honest, aggressive advocacy.
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For workers' comp cases, it's three years, but you have to notify your employer within 45 days of your injury.
I know two years sounds like a long time, but it's not. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget what happened. And the insurance company gets more aggressive the longer you wait.
Don't blow this deadline. If you miss it, your case is over. Done. No second chances.
A lot of people think they can only recover their medical expenses. That's wrong. You can also recover:
The insurance company isn't going to tell you about all these things. That's why you need a lawyer who will.
Here's how it usually goes: you get hurt, and within a few days, an insurance adjuster calls you. They're friendly. They're sympathetic. And they want to offer you money right away to settle your case.
Sounds great, right? Wrong.
Those early offers are always—and I mean always—way less than what your case is actually worth. They're hoping you don't know any better and that you're desperate enough for money to take whatever they offer.
Once you sign that release and take their money, you can't come back later and ask for more, even if you discover your injuries are worse than you thought.
Don't sign anything. Don't agree to anything. Call me first. The consultation is free, and I'll tell you what your case is really worth.
Here's how it works when you call me:
I'm not going to pressure you. I'm not going to hustle you. We're going to talk like normal people, and I'm going to give you straight answers. That's how I operate.
If you hire me, I get to work immediately. I'm talking about gathering evidence before it disappears:
My office has proprietary case management software that I developed in-house. It helps us move cases faster and more efficiently than other law firms. We discover more about your case earlier, which means better results for you.
Your health is priority number one. I'll help you find appropriate medical care if you need it.
If you have health insurance, use it. If you don't, I can connect you with doctors who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to get paid out of your settlement at the end of the case.
And here's the important part: I make sure all your treatment is properly documented so we can prove your case.
Once you're finished with treatment (or you've reached maximum medical improvement), I calculate the full value of your case and send a detailed demand to the insurance company.
I've negotiated thousands of these cases. I know what they're worth, and I don't back down.
Most of my cases settle during this phase—about 90% of them. But that doesn't mean I roll over. It means I negotiate aggressively and get you a fair settlement without putting you through the stress of a trial.
If the insurance company won't be reasonable, I file a lawsuit. Some lawyers are scared of the courthouse. I'm not.
My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Ste 204, Oak Brook, Illinois 605623.
I've had more than 30 jury trials in my career, plus about 100 arbitrations and hundreds of depositions. A judge once said my presentation was one of the best he'd ever seen. I have more trial experience than lawyers twice my age because I'm not scared to fight for my clients.
Whether we settle your case or win at trial, my goal is always the same: get you every dollar you deserve.
When we win, I take my fee (which comes out of the settlement or verdict), deduct the case costs I advanced, and the rest goes to you.
If we lose—which is rare—you don't pay me anything. That's the deal.
Let me be crystal clear about money because I know that's on your mind.
You pay me nothing out of pocket. Zero. I advance all the case costs—filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, all of it.
I only get paid if you get paid first.
For workers' comp cases, my fee is 20% (set by state law). For regular injury cases, it's 33 1/3%, or 40% if we have to file a lawsuit or go to trial. Medical malpractice cases are 33 1/3%.
These are standard rates in Illinois. If we lose your case, you owe me nothing. I eat the costs I've advanced. That's the deal.
Pretty good, rightI'm Available 24/7/365—Call Anytime
Injuries don't happen during business hours. You might be lying in a hospital bed at 2 a.m. with questions. You might get a call from an insurance adjuster on Sunday morning and not know what to say.
Call me. I'm available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I mean that. When you call, you get actual help, not some voicemail or answering service.
Most lawyers go to law school, pass the bar, and think they're done learning. Not me.
I've spent well over $100,000 flying around the country to study with the best trial lawyers in America. I'm a graduate of the world-famous Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College. I've completed The Edge program, which is one of the most prestigious trial training programs in existence.
Not one in 10,000 lawyers has done this level of training.
Why did I do it? So you get the absolute best representation possible. When you're up against insurance companies with teams of lawyers, you need someone in your corner who knows what they're doing. That's me.
When my dad got hurt, his lawyer treated him like garbage. I promised myself I would never do that to anyone.
Everyone on my team is trained to understand that winning your case while treating you with respect and honesty is our number one goal. You'll get your phone calls returned. You'll know where your case stands. You'll have your questions answered.
I don't run a mill. I personally handle your case. When you hire me, you work with me, not some paralegal or junior associate who doesn't know your name.
You know those lawyers who call you repeatedly after you've been in an accident? Or the ones who show up at the hospital? That's not me.
I never chase clients. I never hustle or harass people. If we're going to work together, it's because you want to, not because I pressured you.
We talk like friends. I give you straight answers. You make your own decision. And honestly, even if you don't hire me, I want us to end the conversation as friends. That's how I operate.
If a lawyer is putting pressure on you or acting like a jerk, ask yourself: is that really who you want representing you?
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Even if you think you're fine, go to a doctor right away after an accident. Some injuries don't show symptoms immediately—whiplash, soft tissue injuries, even traumatic brain injuries can take days or weeks to become apparent.
If you wait to get medical treatment, the insurance company will argue you weren't really hurt. They'll say, "If they were actually injured, they would have gone to the ER right away."
Don't give them that ammunition.
Insurance adjusters will call you shortly after your accident, acting all friendly and concerned. They'll ask if you're okay and if you wouldn't mind giving a recorded statement about what happened.
Don't do it.
These adjusters are trained to ask questions that make you say things that hurt your case. They'll get you to minimize your injuries, accept partial fault, or say things that sound innocent but are actually case killers.
Just politely tell them you need to speak with a lawyer first, then call me.
Insurance companies hire people to monitor your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter—all of it. They're looking for anything they can use against you.
That photo of you smiling at your kid's birthday party? They'll use it to argue you're not really in pain.
That post about going to the gym? They'll claim your injuries aren't serious.
The best policy is to stay off social media entirely until your case is resolved. If you can't do that, at least don't post anything about your accident, your injuries, your activities, or anything else that could be twisted against you.
I already mentioned this, but it's worth repeating: the insurance company's first offer is always way too low.
They're counting on you being desperate for money or not knowing what your case is worth. Don't fall for it.
Before you accept any settlement offer, call me. I'll tell you if it's fair or if they're trying to rip you off.
The other driver's insurance company is not your friend. They don't care about you. Their job is to pay you as little as possible—ideally nothing.
They might seem nice. They might tell you that you don't need a lawyer and that they'll take care of everything. They're lying.
Don't talk to them. Let me handle all communication with the insurance companies. That's what I'm here for.
My office is located at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Ste 204, Oak Brook, IL 60523.
Whether you live in Oak Brook itself or nearby communities like:
I'm here to help you.
And here's the thing: I know getting to a lawyer's office can be tough when you're injured. If you can't come to me, I'll come to you. We can meet at your home, at a coffee shop, or even at the hospital if necessary.
The point is to make this as easy as possible for you during a difficult time.
If you've been hurt in Oak Brook or anywhere in DuPage County, you need to act now. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies get more aggressive.
Call me right now for your free consultation. I'm available 24/7/365.
Here's what happens when you call:
Remember: no money out of pocket, no fee until we win.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by calling.
Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you during this vulnerable time. Get an experienced Oak Brook injury lawyer who actually cares about you on your side.
Your fight is my fight.
Call me now: (312) 500-4500
I look forward to hearing from you and learning how I can help.
For most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of your injury. For workers' comp cases, it's three years, but you must notify your employer within 45 days of the accident.
There are exceptions to these rules, which is why you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, your case is over for good.
Nothing out of pocket. I work on contingency, which means I only get paid if you get paid first.
For workers' comp cases, my fee is 20% (set by state law). For personal injury cases, it's 33 1/3% or 40% if we have to file a lawsuit. Medical malpractice cases are 33 1/3%.
If we lose, you pay me nothing.
It's not ideal, but I can usually work with it. Sometimes those statements don't hurt your case at all. Other times they can be a problem.
The important thing is to call me now so I can review what you said and figure out the best way forward. Don't give them any more statements without talking to me first.
Yes. Illinois follows a rule called "modified comparative negligence." As long as you're less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. Your award will just be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you're found to be 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you'd recover $80,000.
Don't let that stop you from getting medical care. There are doctors who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to get paid out of your settlement at the end of the case.
I can help connect you with these doctors if you need it.
It depends. I've settled cases in a few months, and I've had others take two years or more.
The timeline depends on factors like:
What I can promise is that I push every case as hard as possible because you don't get paid waiting around, and neither do I.
Maybe not. About 90% of my cases settle without going to trial.
If we do have to file a lawsuit, you might need to come to court 2-3 times before trial for things like depositions. And if we go to trial, you'll need to be there for the entire trial.
But most cases never get that far.
It's not a deal-breaker. The law allows you to make a claim for an "exacerbation" of a pre-existing condition—meaning your injury made an existing problem worse.
The key is being 100% honest about your prior injury history. The insurance company is going to find out anyway, and honesty is always the best policy.
No. It's a violation of federal law for an employer to fire or retaliate against you for filing a workers' comp claim.
Now, proving that you were fired for filing a claim (and not some other reason) can be tricky. But I handle these "retaliatory discharge" cases and know how to prove them.
You might still be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. This is coverage you buy on your own auto policy that protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
A lot of people don't realize they have this coverage. I check every policy carefully to find all possible sources of recovery.
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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
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
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