When I was nine years old, my father suffered a catastrophic injury at work. He was a Teamster, a truck driver—a strong man who provided for our family. That injury took everything from him. His neck, back, and spine were never the same. What hurt almost as much as watching him suffer was seeing how the insurance company and even his own lawyer treated him. Seventeen years his case dragged on. Seventeen years.
I bring this up because brain injuries remind me so much of what my father went through. They're invisible to most people. You can't see them on the outside, but they change everything on the inside. Your memory. Your personality. Your ability to work. Your relationships with the people you love.
I've represented brain injury victims all over Chicago—from Lincoln Park to Bridgeport, from the Loop to the South Side. I've sat across from families in Wicker Park who watched their daughter struggle to remember simple conversations after a drunk driver hit her on Division Street. I've fought for construction workers who fell from scaffolding in the West Loop and can no longer provide for their families. I've helped pedestrians struck on Lake Shore Drive who now face years of cognitive rehabilitation.
Brain injuries don't just affect you. They affect everyone who loves you.
And here's what makes me angry: insurance companies know how devastating these injuries are, but they also know most people don't understand how to prove them. They'll deny your claim. They'll say you're exaggerating. They'll offer you pennies when you deserve real compensation.
That's where I come in.
I'm Scott DeSalvo, and I've dedicated my entire career to fighting for injured people in Chicago. Call me anytime, day or night, at (312)-500-4500. The consultation is free, and we'll talk like friends. No pressure. No games. Just straight answers about your brain injury case.
Let me be straight with you about brain injuries. They're complicated. The brain is the most complex organ in your body, and when it gets injured, nothing is simple.
I've handled traumatic brain injury cases from every kind of accident you can imagine. Car crashes on the Kennedy Expressway. Truck accidents on I-94. Slip and falls on icy Chicago sidewalks during our brutal winters. Construction site accidents in the endless building projects downtown. Bicycle accidents in our city's bike lanes. Even nursing home neglect cases where our elderly loved ones suffered preventable falls.
Here's what most people don't know: you don't need to hit your head to get a brain injury. Sure, a direct blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. But so can the violent shaking that happens in a rear-end collision on Lake Shore Drive. Your brain can bounce back and forth inside your skull—what doctors call a "coup-contrecoup" injury—and cause serious damage even if you never actually hit your head on anything.
I've seen clients with "mild" concussions who couldn't return to work for months. I've represented people with subdural hematomas who needed emergency brain surgery. I've fought for families whose loved ones suffered diffuse axonal injuries and slipped into comas.
Every brain injury is different, but they all share one thing: the insurance company will try to minimize it.
Concussions: Even though doctors call these "mild" traumatic brain injuries, there's nothing mild about forgetting your kids' names or losing your ability to concentrate at work. I take concussions seriously, especially when you've had more than one.
Contusions: These are bruises on your brain itself. They cause bleeding and swelling, and they often happen at both the point of impact and on the opposite side of your brain. I've seen contusions require surgery and result in permanent disability.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries (DAI): This is what happens when your brain gets shaken so violently that the nerve fibers tear. Car accidents cause a lot of these. The damage can be widespread, affecting multiple areas of your brain, and recovery can take years—if it happens at all.
Hematomas: Blood pooling in or around your brain. Epidural hematomas, subdural hematomas, subarachnoid hemorrhages—I've handled them all. These are medical emergencies, and they often require immediate surgery. The long-term effects can be devastating.
Penetrating Injuries: When an object actually pierces your skull and enters your brain. These are less common but extremely serious. I've seen these in construction accidents and violent incidents.
In my years representing brain injury victims throughout Chicago, I've seen patterns. Let me tell you where these injuries happen most often.
Motor Vehicle Accidents: This is the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries in Chicago. The Dan Ryan, the Kennedy, I-90, I-94—our highways are dangerous. Add in distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and people speeding through our neighborhoods, and you've got a recipe for disaster. I've represented brain injury victims from crashes in every part of this city.
Construction Accidents: Chicago is always building something. The cranes, the scaffolding, the construction sites from the Loop to River North—they put workers at serious risk. Falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, scaffolding collapses—these cause some of the worst brain injuries I've seen.
Slip and Fall Accidents: Our winters are brutal. Ice and snow create deadly conditions on sidewalks, in parking lots, at building entrances. But it's not just winter. Spills in grocery stores, defective staircases, poorly maintained properties—I've seen brain injuries from falls everywhere from the Magnificent Mile to neighborhood stores in Pilsen.
Bicycle Accidents: More people are biking in Chicago than ever before. I love that. But drivers still don't watch for cyclists, and bike lanes don't always protect you. I've represented cyclists hit on Milwaukee Avenue, in Logan Square, all over the city. Brain injuries from bike accidents are especially common because even with a helmet, your brain can still get injured.
Pedestrian Accidents: Getting hit by a car, truck, or even a bike while walking can cause catastrophic brain injuries. I've seen these in crosswalks on North Avenue, on Michigan Avenue, in parking lots, everywhere. The human body isn't meant to withstand that kind of impact.
Rideshare Accidents: Uber and Lyft accidents are everywhere now. Whether you're a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, rideshare accidents cause serious brain injuries. And the insurance issues? They're complicated. Good thing that's what I do.
Nursing Home Falls: This one breaks my heart every time. Our elderly loved ones deserve better care. When nursing homes are understaffed or negligent, falls happen. And when an 80-year-old falls and hits their head, the results can be fatal.
I handle all kinds of injury cases. But brain injuries? They're different. Let me tell you why.
They're Invisible: You can see a broken arm. You can see road rash. But you can't see memory problems. You can't see personality changes. You can't see the frustration of not being able to do your job anymore. Insurance companies love invisible injuries because they think they can convince a jury they're not real. I've spent years learning how to prove brain injuries so convincingly that insurance companies pay what you deserve.
They Affect Everything: A broken leg heals. A brain injury changes who you are. I've watched clients struggle with depression because they can't remember things. I've seen marriages strain because someone's personality changed after a car accident. I've fought for people who can no longer work in careers they spent decades building. Brain injuries don't just affect your body—they affect your entire life.
They're Expensive: The medical bills for a brain injury are staggering. Emergency room. ICU. Neurologists. Neuropsychologists. MRIs and CT scans. Cognitive therapy. Occupational therapy. Physical therapy. Medications. And that's just the beginning. Many brain injury victims need care for the rest of their lives. That's why I fight for every dollar you're owed—not just for today, but for your future.
Insurance Companies Fight Them Hard: Here's the truth: insurance companies hate brain injury claims. They know they're expensive. They know the damages can be huge. So they fight. They'll say you're exaggerating. They'll say your symptoms were pre-existing. They'll offer you a quick settlement that doesn't even cover your first year of medical bills, hoping you don't know any better.
That's why you need a lawyer who knows how to fight back.
Remember when I told you about my father? About how his lawyer treated him? That experience taught me how NOT to handle injury cases.
Here's how I do things differently:
You're not a case number to me. You're not a file on a desk. When you call my office at (312)-500-4500, you'll talk to real people who care. When you have questions, we answer them. When you need to know what's happening with your case, we tell you.
I return phone calls. I keep you updated. I treat you the way I wish my father had been treated.
Brain injuries are medically complex. To prove your case and get you maximum compensation, I work with the top neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists in Chicago. These experts examine you, review your medical records, and help me prove exactly how your brain injury affects your life—now and in the future.
The insurance company will have their doctors. You need yours. And I make sure you have the absolute best.
The sooner I get started on your case, the better your outcome. That's why I've developed proprietary case processing systems that let me discover more about your case, earlier than other lawyers.
I get the police report immediately. I talk to witnesses before their memories fade. I preserve evidence before it disappears. I document everything—your medical treatment, your lost wages, how your injury affects your daily life.
Why? Because the insurance company is investigating too, looking for ways to deny your claim. I beat them to the punch.
Most lawyers go to law school, pass the bar, and stop learning. Not me.
I've spent over $100,000 on advanced trial training. I'm a graduate of the world-renowned Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College. I've completed the prestigious KTI "The Edge" program. Not one in 10,000 lawyers has the training I have.
Why does this matter to you? Because insurance companies know which lawyers can actually try a case in court. When they know I'm willing and able to take your case to trial, they settle for more. And if they won't settle fairly, I'm ready to fight for you in front of a jury.
Whether your brain injury happened in a car crash, a truck accident, a construction site incident, a slip and fall, a bicycle accident, a pedestrian accident, a rideshare collision, or from nursing home neglect—I handle it.
Large or small, I handle them all. That's not just a saying. That's a promise.
Let me be clear about something: if someone else's negligence caused your brain injury, you deserve compensation. Not just for your medical bills. For everything.
Here's what I fight to recover for my brain injury clients:
All Your Medical Expenses: Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, medications, doctor appointments, neurological care, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological counseling—everything. Not just what you've spent so far, but what you'll need in the future.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity: If you missed work, you deserve compensation. If you can't go back to your old job, you deserve compensation for that too. I work with economists who calculate exactly how much income you've lost and will lose for the rest of your working life.
Pain and Suffering: The physical pain. The emotional anguish. The frustration of not being able to do things you used to do easily. The depression. The anxiety. All of it counts.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Can't play with your kids the way you used to? Can't enjoy your hobbies? Can't participate in activities that used to bring you joy? You deserve compensation for that.
Loss of Consortium: For your spouse—the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy that comes with a brain injury.
Future Care Costs: If you need ongoing care, assisted living, home modifications, or other long-term support, I make sure that's included.
Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, I can pursue punitive damages to punish the defendant and send a message.
The insurance company will try to nickel and dime you. I make sure you get every dollar you're entitled to under Illinois law.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
This depends on how your injury happened. But in my experience, here are the most common defendants in brain injury cases:
Negligent Drivers: If a car, truck, motorcycle, or rideshare driver caused your accident, they're liable. I pursue claims against the at-fault driver and often their insurance company.
Trucking Companies: In commercial truck accidents, the trucking company can be held liable—not just the driver. These companies have big insurance policies, which is good when you have catastrophic injuries.
Property Owners: If you slipped and fell on someone's property—a business, an apartment building, a private home—the property owner may be liable under premises liability law.
Employers and Contractors: In construction accidents, I look at everyone: the general contractor, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers. Someone's negligence caused your injury, and I find out who.
Product Manufacturers: If a defective product caused your brain injury—faulty safety equipment, a defective vehicle part, a dangerous consumer product—the manufacturer can be held liable.
Medical Professionals: If a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider's negligence caused or worsened your brain injury, that's medical malpractice. I handle those cases too.
Nursing Homes: When neglect or abuse in a nursing home causes a brain injury, I hold these facilities accountable. Our elderly loved ones deserve better.
Let me tell you something about insurance companies. I've been doing this long enough to know all their tricks.
They'll Deny Your Claim: "We don't think you really have a brain injury." "Your symptoms don't match up." "You're exaggerating." I've heard it all. That's why I work with medical experts who document everything so thoroughly that denial becomes impossible.
They'll Blame You: "You weren't wearing a seatbelt." "You were jaywalking." "You should have seen the ice." They'll try to shift blame to reduce what they owe you. I shut that down fast.
They'll Lowball You: That first settlement offer? It's an insult. They're betting you don't know what your case is really worth. I do. And I make sure you get fair compensation, not their first offer.
They'll Delay: Time is on their side. They think if they drag things out, you'll get desperate and settle for less. But I advance all case costs, so you never pay out of pocket. You can afford to wait for fair compensation because I cover everything upfront.
They'll Use Their Doctors: Insurance companies have doctors they pay to minimize your injuries. These doctors will examine you once and write a report saying you're fine. That's why I have better doctors who actually care about the truth.
Here's the bottom line: insurance companies are billion-dollar corporations with one goal—pay you as little as possible. You need someone on your side who knows their playbook and knows how to win.
That's me.
Look, there are a lot of injury lawyers in Chicago. I'm not going to tell you I'm the only one who can help you. But I will tell you what makes me different.
I Only Represent Injured People—Never Insurance Companies: My entire practice is dedicated to victims. I will never represent an insurance company or a corporation trying to avoid responsibility. Your fight is my fight.
You Pay Nothing Unless I Win: No upfront costs. No hourly fees. No retainer. I work on contingency, which means I only get paid if you get paid. And I advance all case costs—medical records, filing fees, expert witnesses, everything. You never pay out of pocket.
I Take Cases Other Lawyers Turn Away: Got a tough case? Good. I love a challenge. I've built my reputation on taking cases other lawyers think are too hard and winning them.
I'm Available 24/7/365: Brain injuries don't happen during business hours. Neither does my commitment to helping you. Call me anytime, day or night, at (312)-500-4500. Weekends, holidays, middle of the night—doesn't matter. I'm here.
We Talk Like Friends: I never chase clients. I never hustle people. When you call me, we have a real conversation. I listen to your story. I answer your questions. I tell you what I think. Then you decide if you want to hire me. No pressure. No games. Either way, we end up as friends.
I Have the Experience That Matters: I've handled thousands of injury cases. I've recovered millions of dollars for my clients. I know Chicago—the courts, the judges, the insurance companies. This local knowledge helps me navigate your case efficiently.
I Keep Learning: Most lawyers stop learning after law school. Not me. I fly all over the country studying with the best trial lawyers in America. Why? Because I want to give you the absolute best representation possible.
Here's something critical: you don't have forever to file a lawsuit.
In Illinois, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that deadline, and you lose your right to compensation. Forever.
Now, there are exceptions. If you didn't discover your brain injury right away (which happens sometimes), the clock might start later. If the defendant is a government entity, the deadline could be much shorter.
This is why you need to call me now. Not next week. Not next month. Now.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Insurance companies destroy records. The sooner I get started on your case, the better your outcome.
Don't wait until it's too late. Call (312)-500-4500 today.
My office is right in the heart of Chicago's legal district, across from the courthouse. But I help brain injury victims everywhere:
Chicago Neighborhoods: Loop, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bridgeport, Hyde Park, Pilsen, South Side, North Side, West Side, River North, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lakeview, Andersonville—all of them.
Suburbs: Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Schaumburg, Skokie, Des Plaines—and everywhere in between.
Anywhere in Illinois: I handle cases throughout the state. If you were hurt in Illinois, I can help.
I'll meet you wherever you're comfortable. Your home. A coffee shop. My office. Hospital. Rehab facility. Wherever works for you.
Hiring Scott was one of the best moves I have made in my life. Scott is a down to earth person and attorney. Scott is a 5 star first class act who really knows his stuff. The Judge said his presentation was one of if not the best he had ever seen. Take my advice, hire Scott I’m sure you’ll be 200% satisfied I was.
Scott not only cares about the case, but he truly cares about his clients and that makes him the best lawyer I have ever met and hired! He won my case! He is thorough in everything he does. I highly recommend Scott, and will always refer him to family and friends.
I hired Scott DeSalvo upon a friend’s recommendation. His office kept me informed of developments as they happened, and I felt the settlement reached was fair considering my injuries. I would highly recommend Scott DeSalvo to represent your personal injury case.
I know calling a lawyer can feel intimidating. So let me walk you through exactly what happens when you call (312)-500-4500:
You Call (Or I Call You): The call is completely free. No obligation.
I Listen to Your Story: Tell me what happened. How you got hurt. What you're dealing with now.
I Answer Your Questions: No lawyer-speak. No confusing legal jargon. Just straight answers in plain English.
I Tell You My Plan: If I think I can help you, I'll explain exactly how I'd handle your case and what you can expect.
You Decide: Hire me or don't hire me. Your choice. Zero pressure.
We End Up as Friends: Either way, you'll have answers, and you'll feel better than when you called.
Sound good?
Nothing upfront. I work on contingency. For personal injury cases (including brain injuries), my fee is 33⅓% if we settle before trial, or 40% if we have to go to court. These are standard rates in Illinois. You pay nothing unless I win. And I advance all case costs, so you never pay out of pocket.
Every case is different. Some settle in a few months. Others take longer, especially if we have to go to trial. Here's what I can promise: I'll move your case as quickly as possible while still fighting for maximum compensation. I won't rush you into a bad settlement just to close your case.
Then we file a lawsuit. That's what I do. Insurance companies know I'm willing to go to court, which is why they often settle for more with me than with lawyers who never try cases.
Yes, because I advance all case costs. You don't pay for medical records, expert witnesses, filing fees, depositions—any of it. I cover everything upfront. You only pay me back if we win.
Illinois follows "modified comparative negligence." As long as you're less than 50% at fault, you can still recover—though your compensation might be reduced by your percentage of fault. Call me and let's talk about it.
Great question. Not all brain injuries show up on imaging. That's why I work with neuropsychologists who do extensive cognitive testing. We also document how your injury affects your daily life through your own testimony, family testimony, employer records, and more. I've proven countless brain injury cases where the MRI looked normal.
We look at your own insurance for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. We look for other potentially liable parties. There are often solutions you don't even know about. That's why you need to call me.
Not without talking to me first. Anything you say can be used against you. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. Call me first: (312)-500-4500.
Listen, I know you're going through a tough time. Brain injuries are scary. They change everything. You're worried about medical bills. You're worried about whether you'll get better. You're worried about your family.
I can't promise to make the injury go away. But I can promise to fight for you with everything I've got.
I can promise to treat you with respect and honesty.
I can promise to answer your calls and keep you informed.
I can promise to go after every dollar you deserve.
And I can promise you won't pay me a penny unless I win your case.
So here's what I want you to do right now:
Pick up the phone and call me at (312)-500-4500.
It doesn't matter what time it is. Day or night. Weekday or weekend. I'm available 24/7/365.
The call is free. The consultation is free. And at the end of our conversation, you'll have answers and a plan—even if you decide not to hire me.
You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Brain injuries are serious. Don't trust your case to just any lawyer. Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you. Don't wait until it's too late.
Call now. Let's talk like friends. Let's figure this out together.
Call (312)-500-4500 right now. I'm ready to fight for you.
Find out if you have a good case, or a tough one...for free!
Main Office:
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 1 312-895-0545
Fax: 1 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
By Appointment Only
