When you require a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney who demolishes insurance company defenses and recovers settlements other lawyers said were impossible, you've discovered the attorney you need. As a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney practicing for almost thirty years, I've established a reputation for winning cases others walk away from by uncovering evidence insurers hope stays buried and exposing corporate negligence they'd rather hide. Whether you sustained injuries when someone ran a red light at Roosevelt and County Farm Road in Wheaton, got hurt on the job at one of Naperville's corporate office parks, or suffered harm because an Elmhurst property owner ignored hazardous conditions, selecting an experienced DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney determines whether you accept crumbs or claim full compensation.
Thomas contacted me after his own lawyer told him to take the settlement.
He'd been sideswiped by a delivery van on North Avenue in Carol Stream. The collision sent his car spinning across three lanes into a light pole. Bilateral knee injuries requiring reconstructive surgery. Herniated discs at three levels. Nerve damage in both legs causing constant pain.
The van company's insurer offered $45,000.
Forty-five thousand dollars for injuries requiring two major surgeries, nine months off work, and permanent walking limitations. Thomas was a plumber—his entire livelihood depended on mobility. He was fifty-one with another fifteen working years ahead of him if his body hadn't been wrecked.
His previous attorney said take it because fighting would be expensive and uncertain. That attorney was scared of going to trial.
Thomas didn't know what else to do. Then his physical therapist gave him my number.
I reviewed the case and immediately saw what his first lawyer missed. The delivery company had hired that driver despite multiple prior accidents. Their vans had documented brake maintenance issues. This wasn't just negligence—it was reckless corporate cost-cutting that predictably injured people.
We rejected the offer and filed suit. Discovered internal company emails proving management knew about the safety issues. Documented Thomas's complete inability to return to plumbing. Brought in economists calculating his lost earning capacity through age seventy. Prepared for trial with reconstruction experts and medical specialists.
Thirteen months later, three days before trial, they settled for $1.2 million.
Thomas actually hugged me when we met to sign the papers.
He used the settlement to buy a small plumbing supply business—leveraging his industry knowledge without the physical demands. His family maintained their standard of living. His future was secure instead of destroyed.
That case is why I'm a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney. Because first attorneys who quit on their clients are everywhere. Because insurance companies count on lawyers being too lazy or scared to fight. Because refusing to back down transforms outcomes.
DuPage County represents Illinois's wealthiest county. That wealth brings unique injury case dynamics most lawyers don't comprehend.
Consider what distinguishes DuPage County:
A DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney practicing here understands these factors. I know which intersections statistically produce the worst collisions. I know which corporations have problematic safety cultures. I know the judges in DuPage County courts and their evidentiary rulings. I know local defense counsel tactics.
Generic lawyers practicing everywhere lack that specificity. When you need a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, local expertise matters profoundly.
Here's crucial reality: DuPage County courts—the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit—operate under their own unique rules and customs.
Local rules differ from Cook County. Discovery schedules follow different timelines. Motion practice has circuit-specific requirements. Mandatory arbitration thresholds are unique. Case management orders follow distinct formats.
If your attorney doesn't regularly practice in DuPage County, they're disadvantaged. They'll violate local rules. They'll miss critical deadlines. They won't anticipate judicial preferences. They won't recognize defense strategies specific to this circuit.
I've practiced in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit for decades. I know the Wheaton courthouse intimately. I know every sitting judge's tendencies. I know the clerk's office procedures. That institutional knowledge creates measurable advantages. When you hire a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney with genuine circuit familiarity, you're getting someone who navigates this specific system expertly.
As your DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, I handle every injury case variety:
DuPage County's highways are consistently hazardous.
I-88 through Naperville, Lisle, and Downers Grove sees brutal crashes—particularly near the I-355 interchange where traffic merges dangerously. I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway sees high-speed rear-end collisions constantly. I-290/I-88 merge near Elmhurst creates multi-vehicle pileups regularly.
Highway crash cases escalate complexity immediately. High speeds mean catastrophic injuries. Multiple vehicles create complicated liability questions. Commercial vehicles add regulatory dimensions. Uninsured motorists complicate recovery.
That's when you need a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney who reconstructs highway accidents through expert analysis, challenges incomplete accident investigations, locates witnesses insurers overlook, and establishes liability definitively.
DuPage County hosts more Fortune 500 headquarters than anywhere outside Chicago. McDonald's. BP. Navistar. Nicor Gas. Countless others.
Corporate workplaces generate specific injuries:
Here's how corporate injuries typically unfold. Company minimizes incident reporting. Company doctor downplays injuries. HR pressures immediate return to work. Workers comp claim gets contested aggressively. Employee faces subtle retaliation.
I combat that pattern relentlessly. As a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney handling corporate workplace cases, I ensure independent medical treatment, secure full disability benefits, and pursue maximum settlements based on actual impairment—not corporate cost-cutting.
DuPage County has extensive Metra coverage. BNSF Railway through Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove, Hinsdale. Union Pacific West through Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Elmhurst.
Rail-related accidents include:
Railroad accident cases involve specialized federal law. Federal Railroad Administration regulations govern operations. Railroad companies have powerful legal departments. Claims procedures differ from ordinary cases.
Most attorneys avoid railroad cases entirely. A DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney with railroad case experience knows how to navigate federal regulations, preserve critical evidence immediately, and overcome railroad company defenses effectively.
DuPage County's historic downtowns—Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Elmhurst—have aging infrastructure.
These areas create specific hazards:
Property owners throughout DuPage County owe legal duties to maintain safe conditions. When they breach those duties and you suffer injuries, they're liable under Illinois premises liability law.
Winning these cases demands immediate action. Property owners repair hazards rapidly. Video footage deletes after 30 days. Witnesses disappear and forget. Weather conditions change for ice/snow cases.
That's why calling a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney the same day you fall is essential. I send investigators immediately photographing conditions, interviewing witnesses, serving preservation demands, and securing proof before it vanishes.
When healthcare providers make preventable mistakes, consequences destroy lives.
Surgical errors. Diagnostic failures. Medication mistakes. Birth injuries from obstetric negligence. Anesthesia complications. Hospital-acquired infections.
Medical malpractice cases are prohibitively expensive and technically demanding. They require multiple expert witnesses. Exhaustive medical record analysis. Deep understanding of clinical standards. Most attorneys refuse them.
I litigate them when cases have substantial merit. As a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney with resources to pursue medical negligence claims, I collaborate with elite medical experts to prove what went wrong and hold negligent providers accountable.
Some injuries don't just hurt temporarily—they permanently transform existence.
Spinal cord trauma causing permanent paralysis. Traumatic brain injuries destroying cognition and personality permanently. Severe burns requiring endless reconstruction. Amputations. Complete vision or hearing loss.
Catastrophic cases require a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney who calculates complete lifetime economic damages:
Insurance companies drastically undervalue catastrophic cases by focusing narrowly on past medical bills. They ignore or minimize future damages that will actually cost millions over a lifetime.
I refuse to accept that. I retain life care planners, economists, vocational experts, and medical specialists documenting the complete lifetime cost of catastrophic injuries. Then I fight relentlessly for full compensation.
Illinois law imposes a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits. Workers compensation cases allow three years, but employer notification must occur within 45 days of injury.
Miss these deadlines and your case dies permanently. Courts dismiss it. You recover nothing. No exceptions. No extensions.
Don't delay until year two to contact a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney. Evidence degrades over time. Witness memories fade. Physical conditions change. Early legal involvement strengthens cases dramatically.
Illinois law authorizes recovery of multiple damage categories:
Insurance companies don't voluntarily disclose all these damage categories. They offer medical bill coverage plus nominal amounts, then pretend they're being generous.
A DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney ensures you pursue every legally authorized damage type.
Illinois applies "modified comparative negligence" doctrine.
You can still win compensation even if partially at fault—provided your responsibility stays under 50%. Your award simply reduces by your fault percentage.
Example: You're 20% at fault. Total damages are $700,000. You recover $560,000.
Insurance companies systematically inflate victim fault percentages to reduce payouts. "You were distracted." "You were speeding." "You should've seen the hazard." They blame victims reflexively.
As your DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, I aggressively challenge fault allocation to ensure accuracy.
Call me anytime at (312) 500-4500—middle of the night, weekends, holidays.
We'll discuss your situation completely. I'll ask detailed questions exploring every angle. Then I'll give you my honest professional opinion—whether your case is strong, marginal, or not viable.
No pressure. No obligations. No fees.
If I'm not the ideal DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney for your specific case, I'll tell you directly and refer you to someone better suited. I'd rather send you to the right lawyer than take money for a case I can't optimize.
If you retain me, I move instantly.
Police reports get ordered. Witnesses get contacted while events remain fresh. Accident scenes get photographed before conditions change. Surveillance footage gets preserved via legal demands. Physical evidence gets secured.
In workplace injury cases, I file claims immediately protecting your rights. I refer you to independent medical providers—not employer-controlled doctors minimizing injuries.
In commercial vehicle cases, I send spoliation letters immediately demanding preservation of electronic logs, maintenance records, dispatch communications, and black box data.
Speed is absolutely critical because evidence vanishes rapidly. When you work with a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney who acts decisively, you preserve crucial evidence often determining outcomes.
Your health and recovery always come first.
I'll help you find appropriate medical providers if necessary. If you have health insurance, use it. If you lack coverage, I connect you with doctors treating on a lien—receiving payment from your eventual settlement.
I ensure every element of your treatment gets thoroughly documented. Records. Imaging. Treatment notes. Prescriptions. Therapy reports. Bills. Everything.
Why such meticulousness? Because insurance companies scrutinize everything seeking claim denial reasons. Treatment gaps? They claim you weren't truly injured. Didn't follow orders? They argue you caused your own problems. Incomplete documentation? They question injury severity.
An experienced DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney knows exactly how to build medical documentation withstanding insurance company attacks.
Once treatment concludes or you reach maximum medical improvement, I calculate your case's complete value.
I mean everything—past and future medical expenses, all lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability, loss of normal life, every damage category.
Then I create an exhaustive demand package for the insurance company.
This isn't some brief letter requesting payment. It's a comprehensive presentation including medical documentation, expert opinions, accident reconstruction, economic projections, witness statements, photographs, video evidence—every piece of proof establishing liability and damages.
I've negotiated thousands of settlements throughout my career. I know case values intimately. I know adjuster psychology. I know insurance tactics. And I refuse inadequate offers.
Approximately 90% of my cases settle during negotiations. Not because I'm weak—because I build such compelling cases that insurance companies recognize they'll lose more at trial.
Sometimes insurance companies refuse reasonable settlement. They deny obvious liability. They drastically undervalue damages. They play delay games hoping you'll surrender.
Fine. We file suit and take them to trial.
I don't fear litigation. I've tried over 30 jury cases to verdict. I've handled more than 100 arbitrations. I've conducted hundreds of depositions. Judges have commended my trial presentations as exceptionally skilled.
When you hire a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney with substantial trial credentials, insurance companies know you're serious. They can't bully you. They can't wait you out. They must negotiate honestly or face a jury.
Whether through settlement or jury verdict, my objective never changes: maximum compensation for you.
When payment arrives, I deduct my fee (which comes from the recovery), subtract any case expenses I advanced, and the remainder goes to you.
If we lose—which happens rarely—you owe me nothing. Zero. I absorb all expenses I advanced. That's contingency representation when you retain a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney.
Let me be absolutely transparent about fees.
You pay nothing upfront. Nothing. I advance all case expenses—filing fees, expert costs, investigation expenses, medical records, deposition costs, everything.
I only get paid when you get paid first.
Workers compensation fees are 20% (mandated by Illinois statute). Personal injury cases are 33⅓% for pre-litigation settlements, or 40% if we must file suit. These are standard Illinois rates.
If we lose, you owe me nothing. I bear the financial risk. That's true contingency when you work with a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney.
Injuries and accidents don't respect office hours.
You might be in an emergency room at 1 a.m. with critical questions. An insurance adjuster might contact you Saturday morning seeking statements. You might panic Sunday night about your case.
Call me anytime. I'm truly available 24/7/365. You'll reach me or my team—not voicemail, not automated systems. Real assistance when you need it most.
That's what working with a committed DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney should provide.
I've invested over $100,000 in trial advocacy training that 99.9% of lawyers never pursue.
Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College graduate. The Edge program completed. Continuous advanced education with America's top trial attorneys.
Why this massive investment? Because you deserve the absolute best representation when facing insurance companies with unlimited resources and legal armies.
When you need a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney with elite-level skills and advanced training, that education directly benefits your case results.
I don't operate a high-volume injury mill treating clients like revenue sources.
When you retain me, you work directly with me personally. I return your calls myself. I update you regularly on case developments. I explain legal concepts in plain language, not confusing jargon. I treat you like a person experiencing crisis, not like a file number.
Why? Because I've witnessed terrible legal representation destroy people's lives. My own father got exploited by his injury attorney after a workplace accident. I vowed never to treat anyone that way.
Every client deserves respect, transparency, and maximum effort. That's what you receive working with me as your DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
See a doctor immediately after any accident. Same day ideally. Next day at latest.
Why urgency matters: Insurance companies weaponize treatment delays. "If they were genuinely injured, they'd have sought emergency care immediately." "They waited six days—clearly not seriously hurt."
Don't give them ammunition. Even feeling okay initially, get examined. Some injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage show no immediate symptoms.
Every DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney will emphasize that prompt medical attention is crucial for both your health and your case.
When an insurance adjuster calls sounding friendly and requesting a recorded statement—politely decline.
These are trained professionals. They ask questions specifically crafted to elicit responses damaging your claim. They'll get you to minimize injuries, accept partial blame, or make contradictory statements.
Simply decline and mention you're consulting an attorney. Then call me immediately.
As your DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, I'll handle all insurance communications so they can't manipulate or trap you.
Insurance companies monitor your complete social media presence—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, everything.
That smiling photo at a restaurant? They'll claim you're not in pain. That jogging picture? They'll argue your injuries aren't serious. That travel post? They'll insist you're not disabled.
Best practice: total social media silence until your case concludes. If you absolutely must post, say nothing about your accident, injuries, activities, mood, or health.
This is universal advice from every DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney—social media posts destroy cases constantly.
The insurance company's first offer is always inadequate. Always.
They're betting you're desperate for money. They're hoping you don't understand your case's value. They want quick settlement before you consult a lawyer.
Don't accept it.
Before accepting any offer, call me. Free consultation. I'll assess whether the offer is reasonable or whether they're exploiting you.
A DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney typically recovers several times more than initial lowball offers.
I represent injured people throughout DuPage County including:
If your injuries prevent office visits, I'll come to you. Home meetings. Coffee shop consultations. Hospital visits. Whatever works for your situation.
The goal is making this process as manageable as possible while you're dealing with injuries and recovery. A committed DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney should be accessible and flexible.
If you've been injured anywhere in DuPage County, call me now: (312) 500-4500
Here's what happens:
Remember these guarantees:
Don't let insurance companies exploit you during your vulnerable time. Get an experienced DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney fighting for you who knows how to win.
Your battle is my battle.
Call now: (312) 500-4500
Illinois typically allows two years from injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. Workers compensation cases provide three years, but employer notification is required within 45 days of the accident.
Exceptions exist to these rules, so don't assume you have the full period. The sooner you contact a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, the better your case prospects become because evidence deteriorates 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 we must file suit. These are standard Illinois rates. I advance all costs. If we lose, you owe me nothing.
Hiring a DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney on contingency means everyone can afford quality legal representation regardless of financial situation.
Absolutely not without consulting an attorney first.
Initial offers are always lowball. The insurance company bets you don't know your case's true value and that you're desperate enough to accept anything.
Once you sign the release and accept payment, you can't return later for additional money—even if your injuries prove far worse than initially thought.
Call me before accepting anything. Free consultation, no obligation. I'll tell you if the offer is fair or if they're cheating you.
Yes, provided you're less than 50% at fault. Illinois uses modified comparative negligence, which reduces your award by your fault percentage.
Example: You're 45% at fault. Damages are $900,000. You recover $495,000.
Insurance companies love exaggerating your fault percentage to reduce their payouts. A skilled DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney fights to ensure fault allocation is accurate and fair.
Yes. I can connect you with medical providers who treat on a lien basis. They provide care now and receive payment later from your settlement.
Don't let insurance absence prevent you from getting necessary medical care. Your health is paramount, and as your DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney, I'll ensure you receive proper treatment.
It depends on multiple factors:
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 DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney knows how to move cases efficiently while maximizing results.
Probably not. Approximately 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 DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney prepared and able to try the case, they typically settle rather than risk a jury verdict.
It doesn't automatically kill your case. Illinois law permits claims for "aggravation" or "exacerbation" of pre-existing conditions.
The key is complete honesty about your medical history. Insurance companies will obtain your previous records anyway. If you lie or conceal past injuries, it destroys your credibility completely.
A DuPage County 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 DuPage County 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 policy includes 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 DuPage County Personal Injury Attorney explores all options to maximize 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
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
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