My dad drove a truck for a living. Teamster. Good man. Hard worker.
When I was nine, everything changed. He got hurt on the job – catastrophic injuries to his neck, back, and spine that ended his career and changed our lives forever.
But the real kick in the teeth? His own lawyer – the person supposedly fighting for him – let his case drag on for seventeen long years. And at the end? That same lawyer had the nerve to sue my father to grab more money from his settlement.
I watched my family struggle financially because my dad couldn't work. I watched him get jerked around by insurance companies, defense attorneys, and worst of all, the lawyer who should have been in his corner.
That's why I do what I do. I became a slip and fall lawyer to make absolutely certain that what happened to my father never happens to you.
Just last week, I talked to a warehouse worker from Bedford Park. She'd been injured slipping on an oil spill in the parking lot of an industrial facility near Cicero Avenue. Serious back injuries. Can't lift anything anymore, which pretty much ended her career working in the warehouses. Her husband is stressed about bills. Their kids don't understand why mom can't do the things she used to do.
The company's insurance? Offered her eight thousand dollars and told her it was "more than fair." They treated her like she was trying to scam them instead of a real person whose life got turned upside down through no fault of her own.
As a Bedford Park slip and fall lawyer who serves Cook County, I've watched this same scenario repeat itself over and over. Insurance companies bank on you not knowing what your case is really worth. They count on you being overwhelmed, scared, and ready to just take whatever they offer.
That ends the moment you call me.
I operate differently than most attorneys around Bedford Park. I treat injured people with respect – like they're family. You can call me at 2 AM on a Wednesday if you need to talk – I actually pick up the phone. I never pressure you or use sleazy sales tactics. We have a real conversation, and then you decide if you want to hire me. No pressure. Either way, we'll be friends when it's over.
I've invested over $100,000 of my own money studying with the absolute best trial lawyers in America. I graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College and "The Edge" program. Less than one in 10,000 lawyers has completed the training I have. When insurance companies in Bedford Park and throughout Cook County see my name on a case, they know I mean business.
Call me right now at 312-500-4500. Day or night, doesn't matter. The consultation costs you nothing, and I won't pressure you about anything.
Bedford Park sits in a uniquely industrial area – surrounded by warehouses, distribution centers, factories, and some of the busiest trucking routes in the southwest suburbs. Cicero Avenue, 65th Street, Harlem Avenue, the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), Central Avenue – all that industrial activity means slip and fall accidents happen constantly.
Here's what I handle for Bedford Park residents:
Bedford Park is basically warehouse central. The distribution centers, industrial facilities, and manufacturing plants mean workers and visitors are constantly navigating potentially dangerous conditions – wet floors from spills, oil and grease on surfaces, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, uneven concrete, and icy loading docks in winter.
These facilities owe employees and visitors a duty to maintain safe conditions. When they fail and someone gets hurt, they're liable. I've represented Bedford Park workers injured on the job and visitors injured while making deliveries or conducting business at these facilities.
With all the industrial facilities in Bedford Park, parking lots are everywhere. These lots can be seriously dangerous – potholes big enough to wreck your ankle, uneven pavement creating trip hazards, poor lighting making it hard to see where you're walking, ice and snow that never gets cleared, oil spills from trucks and machinery, and crumbling asphalt that's been neglected for years.
Property owners must maintain parking areas. When they don't and you get injured, they're responsible.
Bedford Park has restaurants along Cicero Avenue and 65th Street, plus various businesses serving the industrial area. Common slip and fall hazards include greasy floors in kitchens and dining areas, spilled food and drinks, freshly mopped floors without warning signs, broken tiles, damaged carpeting, and slippery entrance areas when it rains or snows.
Business owners owe customers a high duty of care under Illinois law. They can't just ignore hazards and hope nobody gets hurt.
Property owners in Bedford Park are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. This means removing snow and ice, repairing cracks and uneven surfaces, clearing debris, and providing adequate lighting.
The Village of Bedford Park also has responsibility for public sidewalks. Cases against municipalities require special notice procedures and tight deadlines, so you need to act fast if you're injured on public property.
Bedford Park has shopping centers and retail stores where slip and fall accidents happen regularly. Wet floors from tracked-in weather, merchandise blocking aisles, broken floor tiles, defective automatic doors, and inadequate lighting all create hazards.
Stores must regularly inspect their premises and eliminate hazards or warn customers. When they don't, they're liable for injuries.
Gas stations and convenience stores in Bedford Park see heavy traffic. Common slip and fall hazards include spilled gasoline or motor oil, wet floors inside from tracked-in rain, ice on the pavement around pumps, uneven concrete, and poor lighting at night.
These businesses have a duty to maintain safe conditions for customers.
I've helped Bedford Park residents injured at apartment buildings, condos, and rental properties due to broken stairs, defective railings, poor outdoor lighting, icy walkways and steps, crumbling sidewalks, and inadequate maintenance.
Landlords and property managers must keep premises safe for tenants and visitors. When they neglect this duty and someone gets hurt, they're responsible under Illinois law.
Bedford Park and the surrounding area have no shortage of lawyers. You've probably seen the billboards along I-55 and the TV ads during the evening news.
So why call me instead of them?
Valid question. Here's the truth.
Some attorneys work both sides of the fence. They'll represent injured people on Monday and defend insurance companies on Tuesday. Not me.
I have NEVER – not once, not ever – represented an insurance company or corporate defendant in my entire career.
I exclusively represent injured people in Bedford Park, Cook County, and throughout the Chicago area. Your fight is my fight. I'm 100% on your side. Period.
Early in my career, I worked at a big defense firm (ugh!) and saw how insurance companies operate from the inside. My sympathies were always with regular people over corporations, so I went back to representing injured people exclusively.
I'm a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College – arguably the most prestigious trial advocacy program in the country. I've also completed "The Edge," another elite training program for trial attorneys.
I've spent over $100,000 and countless hours traveling nationwide studying with the best legal minds in America. Fewer than one in 10,000 lawyers has completed the training I have.
Why should you care?
Because insurance companies know who the serious trial lawyers are. When they see my name on a Bedford Park case or anywhere in Cook County, they know I'm not bluffing. They know I have the skills and determination to take them to trial if they won't offer fair compensation.
That translates directly into better settlement offers for you. Simple as that.
I've had more than 30 jury trials and probably 100 arbitrations. I have more trial experience than attorneys twice my age because I'm not afraid to go to trial when my client's case deserves it. Most lawyers retire without having half the trials I've had.
When you call those massive corporate law firms, you get bounced to a paralegal or case manager. You might never actually speak with an attorney. Your calls go straight to voicemail. Your emails sit unanswered for days.
That's not how I operate.
When you're my client, you get my direct cell phone number. You can call me anytime – 3 AM on Sunday, doesn't matter. And I actually answer. Because I remember watching my father desperately need help and not being able to reach anyone who cared.
Got a smaller case? Some complications? Some challenges that make other attorneys nervous? Other Bedford Park lawyers might tell you it's not worth their time or that you don't have a case.
I'll still evaluate it. Because I remember growing up poor after my father's injury. I remember what it feels like to need help and have doors slammed in your face.
Every law firm wants big, slam-dunk cases. But large or small, I handle them all. That's been my promise from the beginning, and it's not changing.
I never chase clients. I never hustle or harass people. I never use high-pressure sales tactics or make inflated promises about your case value just to get you to sign.
We have a real conversation. I explain your options honestly. I answer your questions. I tell you what I genuinely think about your case – both the strengths and the weaknesses.
Then YOU decide if you want to hire me. Your choice. Zero pressure.
Hiring a lawyer is your decision, and you should work with the best slip and fall attorney you like and trust. Never go with the high-pressure sales types. They might be desperate for cases. And if they pressure you or act like a jerk, is that really who you want representing you?
If we work together, great. If not, that's fine too. Either way, we'll be friends. That's how I do business.
You don't pay me a single penny upfront.
No retainer. No hourly fees. No out-of-pocket costs for filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, depositions, court reporters – nothing.
I advance all case costs myself. Every dollar.
I only get paid if you get paid first. My fee is 33 1/3% in most slip and fall cases (or 40% if we file a lawsuit and go to trial). These are standard rates established by law.
If I don't win your case? You owe me nothing. Not one cent. I absorb the costs I've advanced, and you walk away owing me zero.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Slip and fall accidents don't happen on a convenient schedule. You might need to talk to a lawyer at 11 PM on Saturday or 5 AM on Sunday morning after a fall.
That's fine. Call me.
I answer my phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Christmas Day? Yep. Thanksgiving evening? Sure. 2 AM on a Wednesday? Call me. When you're dealing with the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, you shouldn't have to wait until Monday morning for answers.
Many people don't realize the full extent of compensation available under Illinois premises liability law. Here's what you can potentially recover after a slip and fall in Bedford Park:
Every penny of your past medical bills and all future medical costs related to the slip and fall – emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, medications, medical devices, home health care, and any ongoing treatment you'll need for years to come.
Don't let insurance companies tell you they'll only cover "reasonable" bills. Your doctor determines what treatment you need, not some insurance adjuster in an office who's never met you.
If the slip and fall accident caused you to miss work, you can recover those lost wages. If your injuries are permanent and impact your ability to earn income in the future, you can recover compensation for that lost earning capacity as well.
We might be able to secure what's called a "wage differential" – meaning if you used to earn $22/hour and now you can only make $14/hour due to your injuries, we might be able to get you that extra $8 per hour for the remainder of your working life. That can add up to substantial money and really ease the financial burden. Obviously, this is complex stuff, so this isn't a guarantee without knowing more about your situation.
The physical pain you've experienced and will continue to experience. The chronic back pain that makes it difficult to get out of bed. The persistent headaches. The constant ache in your hip. The shooting pain down your leg.
Insurance companies despise paying for pain and suffering because there's no invoice. But Illinois law recognizes it's real and compensable, and I make sure you get every dollar you deserve.
This is often the largest component of a slip and fall settlement, which is exactly why insurance companies fight it so hard.
Anxiety about returning to the place where you fell. Depression from being unable to work or enjoy activities. PTSD from the trauma of the fall. Fear about falling again. Embarrassment about what happened.
These psychological injuries are just as legitimate as broken bones, and they deserve compensation. Don't let anyone minimize them.
If your injuries prevent you from activities you loved before the slip and fall – playing with your children, working in your garage, going fishing, traveling, whatever brought you happiness – you can recover damages for that lost quality of life.
I've helped Bedford Park clients recover compensation for not being able to work on their hobbies, not being able to attend family gatherings, not being able to go to Cubs games with friends. These things are important. Your life matters.
Permanent scars from the fall, especially on visible areas like the face, neck, and arms, can cause ongoing emotional distress and impact your self-confidence, your relationships, and even your employment. These are compensable damages under Illinois law.
Your spouse can file a separate claim for loss of companionship, intimacy, affection, and the support you used to provide your family due to your injuries. It's a separate claim with separate compensation.
This recognizes that slip and fall injuries don't just affect you – they impact your entire family.
Winning a slip and fall case in Bedford Park requires proving four essential elements under Illinois premises liability law:
We must demonstrate the property owner or business had a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions. For most commercial and industrial properties in Bedford Park, this is straightforward – businesses owe customers and visitors a high duty of care.
Illinois law recognizes different levels of duty based on why you were on the property. Customers and invited guests ("invitees") receive the highest protection. People just passing through ("licensees") receive less. Trespassers receive almost none.
We must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn about it. This is where evidence becomes absolutely critical.
How long was that oil spill in the parking lot? Did maintenance workers walk past it repeatedly without cleaning it? Was there ice on the walkway for days that nobody bothered salting? These questions need answers.
We must establish a clear connection between the property owner's negligence and your injuries. This requires medical evidence linking your current problems to the fall, and often expert testimony from physicians.
Insurance companies will try claiming your injuries are pre-existing or from something else. We need solid medical proof that the fall caused your problems.
We must document your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages with concrete evidence. This means keeping every medical record, every bill, every receipt, every piece of documentation related to your slip and fall.
Without documented damages, you don't have a case. It's that straightforward.
The actions you take in the next hours and days after a slip and fall will dramatically impact your case value and your ability to get compensation. Here's what I tell every Bedford Park client:
Even if you feel okay, go to the emergency room or urgent care right away. Some injuries like concussions, internal trauma, and soft tissue damage don't show symptoms immediately. You might feel fine after the fall, then wake up the next morning unable to move.
Insurance companies will argue that if you didn't seek immediate treatment, you weren't really injured. Don't give them that weapon. Get evaluated right away.
Inform the property owner, facility manager, or security immediately. Insist they create an incident report. Get a copy if possible. Get the name of whoever you reported it to.
If they refuse to document it, write down their refusal. Note who you talked to, the time, and what they said. This becomes evidence later.
Don't let them brush you off. Insist on a formal incident report.
This is absolutely critical. Take photos of the exact location where you fell and what caused it – oil, water, debris, uneven pavement, ice, whatever. Take photos from multiple angles. Photograph any visible injuries. Photograph your torn clothing or damaged property.
Get contact information from anyone who witnessed what happened. Get full names and phone numbers if you can.
Do this immediately if possible. Property owners have been known to "fix" dangerous conditions within hours to destroy evidence. That oil spill gets cleaned up. That ice gets salted. That broken concrete gets patched. Then they claim there was never a hazard.
Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing when you fell. Don't wash them. They can become critical evidence showing the conditions at the time of your fall.
Keep all medical records, bills, prescriptions, and receipts. Document missed work. Keep everything related to your Bedford Park slip and fall.
The property owner's insurance company will contact you quickly, usually within a day or two. They'll act friendly and helpful. They'll say they just need to "understand what happened" or "get your version of events."
DO NOT give them a recorded statement. Everything you say will be recorded and used against you to minimize or deny your claim.
One careless statement like "I should have watched where I was going" can destroy your entire case, even if that's not what caused the fall.
Politely tell them to contact your attorney. Then call me at 312-500-4500.
The insurance company might send you forms to sign, especially medical authorization forms requesting access to your medical records.
DO NOT SIGN without having me review them first. These forms often grant them access to your ENTIRE medical history going back decades – including psychiatric records, substance abuse treatment, everything.
They'll comb through your entire medical past looking for anything to deny your slip and fall claim or reduce its value. Don't give them that opportunity.
This is huge. Anything you post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, anywhere – it can all be used against you in your Bedford Park slip and fall case.
A simple photo of you smiling at a cookout? Insurance claims you're not actually injured. Posted at a restaurant? They say you're not really in pain. Shared a photo from a family event? They argue your injuries aren't severe.
Just stay completely off social media until your case resolves. I'm serious. I've seen solid slip and fall cases get destroyed because someone posted an innocent photo that insurance twisted into "evidence" they were faking injuries.
Get a complete medical evaluation within 24-48 hours of the slip and fall, even if you went to the ER immediately after. Then attend every single appointment, complete all physical therapy sessions, and follow every treatment recommendation your doctor gives you.
Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to deny your claim. They'll argue "If he was really in that much pain, why did he skip three physical therapy appointments?"
I understand – life happens. You have to work. You have kids to care for. Medical appointments are expensive. But do everything possible to follow your doctor's orders, because your case depends on it.
If you're having trouble affording treatment, call me. I can help connect you with doctors in the Bedford Park and Cook County area who will treat you on a lien.
Write down how you feel each day. Document your pain levels, activities you can't do anymore, how your injuries affect your daily life, what medications you're taking, what side effects you're experiencing.
This journal becomes powerful evidence of your pain and suffering when we're negotiating your settlement or presenting your case to a jury.
The sooner you have a Bedford Park slip and fall lawyer on your side, the better. I can guide you through the process, preserve evidence before it disappears, handle all insurance communications, protect your rights, and prevent mistakes that damage your case.
Call 312-500-4500 anytime, day or night. The consultation is completely free, and there's zero obligation.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Let me show you exactly what happens when you file a slip and fall claim in Bedford Park or anywhere in Cook County, so you understand what you're facing.
The insurance company – whether it's State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Travelers, or any of the others – has ONE objective: Pay as little as possible.
They're not villains. They're not evil. They're just a business trying to maximize profits. And every dollar they pay YOU is a dollar less for their shareholders.
So here are the games they play with Bedford Park slip and fall victims:
This is their go-to tactic, and it works far too often.
They'll claim you weren't paying attention. You were looking at your phone. You were wearing the wrong shoes. You should have seen the hazard. You were moving too fast. You were distracted.
Illinois follows "modified comparative negligence." If you're 50% or more at fault for the slip and fall, you recover nothing. Zero. If you're 30% at fault, your compensation gets reduced by 30%.
So insurance companies work overtime to exaggerate your percentage of fault. I fight back aggressively against these blame-the-victim tactics.
Under Illinois law, property owners generally aren't liable for hazards that are "open and obvious." Insurance companies love arguing that oil, water, or whatever caused your fall was clearly visible and you should have avoided it.
But this defense isn't absolute. Even "open and obvious" hazards can create liability if the property owner should have eliminated them or if you were distracted by something else the property required you to do.
For example, if you fell on ice in an industrial parking lot, they might claim the ice was "open and obvious." But if you were carrying boxes or watching for truck traffic, you might not have seen it. The property owner still had a duty to salt that ice.
They'll say you're exaggerating or that your injuries existed before the fall. They'll hire their own doctors – physicians who work for insurance companies and get paid to minimize injuries – to examine you for 15 minutes and write a report claiming you're completely fine.
Meanwhile, your own doctor who's been treating you for months says you have serious injuries and chronic pain. But insurance will believe their hired gun doctor over yours every time.
That's why you need a lawyer who knows how to counter these hired gun doctors and prove your injuries are legitimate.
Within days of your Bedford Park slip and fall, the insurance adjuster will contact you with a settlement offer. It'll usually cover your current medical bills (maybe) and a small amount extra – like $3,000 or $7,000.
They'll say things like "This is fair" or "This is the maximum we can offer" or my personal favorite: "If you hire a lawyer, they'll just take a third anyway, so you might as well settle with us now and keep all the money."
It's all lies. Don't believe it.
Once you sign that settlement release, it's finished. Done. Over. You can't come back three months later when you realize your pain isn't improving. You can't ask for more money when you discover you need surgery. You're stuck with whatever they gave you.
They'll hire private investigators to follow you around Bedford Park and video you. They'll watch your house. They'll follow you to the store. They'll document every move.
Picked up groceries? They claim you're not really injured. Played with your kids? They say you're faking. Went to a family event? They argue your injuries aren't serious.
It doesn't matter that picking up those groceries put you in bed for three days. They don't show that part in their surveillance video.
They'll search your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn – every social media account. They're looking for any photo, any post, any comment to use against you.
That's why I tell all clients to stay completely off social media during their case. It's not worth the risk.
They know you need money. Medical bills are piling up. You're missing work and can't pay bills. You're desperate.
So they delay. They "need more information." They're "still investigating." They're "waiting for supervisor approval."
It's all deliberate. They're hoping you'll get so desperate that you'll accept whatever lowball offer they eventually make just to get SOMETHING.
That's exactly why you need me fighting for you from day one. I know all these tactics, and I counter them at every turn.
Slip and fall accidents can cause a wide spectrum of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. Here are the most common injuries I see in Bedford Park slip and fall cases:
Wrists, ankles, hips, arms, legs – broken bones are extremely common. You instinctively extend your hands to break the fall, often resulting in broken wrists or arms. Hip fractures are especially common in older victims and can be life-threatening.
These injuries often require surgery, pins, plates, months of recovery, and can lead to permanent limitations.
The impact of hitting the ground can cause herniated discs, compressed vertebrae, spinal cord injuries, and chronic back pain. These injuries affect everything – sitting, standing, walking, even sleeping.
Insurance companies are experts at convincing a jury that back injuries are trivial. You deserve an advocate on your side to make sure your back injury is taken seriously.
Hitting your head when you fall can cause concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries. Sometimes symptoms don't appear immediately, which is why you need evaluation even if you feel okay after the fall.
Brain injuries can have lasting effects on memory, concentration, personality, and ability to work.
The violent jarring of a fall can cause neck injuries ranging from temporary whiplash to serious damage requiring injections or surgery. These injuries can result in chronic pain and permanent limitations.
You never realize how much you use your shoulders until you injure one. Slip and fall accidents commonly cause rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and other shoulder injuries requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Torn ligaments, meniscus tears, dislocated kneecaps, and fractures are common knee injuries from slip and falls. These often require surgery and can lead to early arthritis.
Falling on broken concrete, sharp metal edges, or other hazards can cause deep cuts requiring stitches and leaving permanent scars, especially on visible areas like the face and hands.
Sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and muscle damage can be just as painful and limiting as broken bones, even though they don't show up on X-rays.
Most cases have a Statute of Limitations. For most slip and fall cases in Illinois, the deadline is 2 years from the date you were injured.
There are numerous exceptions to this, and I encourage you to at least consult with me about this because if you miss this deadline, chances are, your case is finished for good. Call me at 312-500-4500 for a free consultation.
Nothing upfront. Not a dime.
I work on a contingency fee on slip and fall cases – no fee unless I get you a settlement or verdict. It is industry standard (and set by law) one third (33 1/3%) up to 40% for slip and fall cases, depending on whether we have to go to Court or trial.
I even advance all case costs. In other words, the cost of obtaining your medical records, the cost of filing a lawsuit, paying your doctors for their depositions, hiring expert witnesses. Things like that. All of that is advanced by me.
This way, you never have any out of pocket costs to work with me. In fact, you never pay out of pocket. I only get paid if you get paid first.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Very common question, but there is no way for me to tell you that without A LOT of information about your case.
Even then, there's a range of value depending on you as the client, the facts of the case, the severity of your injuries, your doctor, and your medical outcome once you have recovered as much as you can from your injuries.
This may be a disappointing answer, but it's the truth. And you should think twice before hiring someone who tells you that you have a million dollar case before knowing any of the details.
The best thing to do is call me at 312-500-4500 and we'll talk about your specific Bedford Park slip and fall and what it might be worth.
You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Illinois uses what's called "modified comparative negligence."
This means if you're 20% at fault for the Bedford Park slip and fall, you recover 80% of your damages. If you're 49% at fault, you recover 51% of your damages. But if you're 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
The insurance company will try to exaggerate your percentage of fault to pay you less. That's why you need a strong slip and fall lawyer fighting for you. Even if you think you might share some blame, call me. Let me evaluate the situation.
Illinois has what's called the "natural accumulation rule." Property owners generally aren't liable for natural accumulations of ice and snow. But there are significant exceptions.
If the property owner created the hazard – like piling snow in a walkway or letting water from a downspout create ice – they can be liable. If they partially cleared ice or snow and created a more dangerous condition, they can be liable. If enough time passed that they should have cleared it, they can be liable.
These cases are complicated, and insurance will fight hard claiming the natural accumulation rule applies. That's why you need an experienced Bedford Park slip and fall lawyer who knows how to overcome this defense.
This depends. If you're an employee, you're generally limited to Workers' Compensation benefits and can't sue your employer directly. However, if a third party (like a property maintenance company or another contractor) caused the hazardous condition, you might have a separate personal injury claim against them.
These cases can get complicated fast. Call me and let's talk about your specific situation.
Under Illinois law, property owners are liable if they either knew about the hazard OR should have known about it through reasonable inspection.
If oil was on that floor for 45 minutes and workers walked past it multiple times, the owner should have known about it. If ice was in the parking lot for three days, the owner should have known about it.
We prove "should have known" through investigation – obtaining surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, checking maintenance logs, and documenting how long the hazard existed before you fell.
I once settled a case in 30 minutes. I have settled several in several months. Most slip and fall cases that settle can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. If a case goes into suit and we have to file a lawsuit, it can be 2 years until we get a trial date.
I always push my cases forward, because you do not get paid waiting, and neither do I. I do not get paid anything out of your pocket on contingency fee cases, just when I win your case by settlement or verdict.
Once I know some more details of your Bedford Park slip and fall case, I'll be in a better position to give you a time estimate.
When you have no insurance, a doctor can file a lien (pronounced "lean") which is a legal document saying that if you get money out of your lawsuit, the doctor has to be paid a portion of it for his bill.
The doctor does not have a "stake" in your case, because you still owe the doctor for the bills whether you win your case or not. The law limits how much they can get out of your settlement.
From here, it gets quite complicated. I have extensive experience working these things out, and it can get very complex, beyond what I can answer in a brief FAQ.
If you have health insurance, use it for treatment after your slip and fall. Many times, my client's health insurers never contact them about being paid back for the medical care covered by the health insurance. When they DO contact my office or you, then yes, we do have to work out a deal with them. I handle that, and I can usually get you a favorable deal.
What if I had a pre-existing injury before the Bedford Park slip and fall?
Not a problem at all. But we must be 100% upfront and honest about your medical condition before your slip and fall.
Even if you had the same or similar problem before, the law allows us to make a claim for the aggravation of a pre-existing injury – for a problem becoming worse. The insurance company is going to find out about your prior injury anyway, and honesty is the best policy.
I know how to prove that the Bedford Park slip and fall made your condition worse and that you deserve compensation for it.
Hard to say, but maybe 2-3 times before the trial, and then you have to be present for the entire trial, start to finish. This is not gospel, but it's a reasonable estimate.
That said, most cases settle. About 90% of my slip and fall cases settle without going to trial. But the reason they settle is because the insurance company knows I'm not afraid to go to court if they won't make a fair offer.
I represent people all the time who hire me AFTER they sign insurance papers and give a recorded statement on the telephone. Usually I can fix it. When I cannot fix it, we have to live with it and do the best we can.
It may not be a big deal at all – but it can be a case-killer depending on what you said. It is one of the first things I investigate once I take over a case.
That's why it's so important to call a Bedford Park slip and fall lawyer BEFORE you talk to any insurance adjuster. But if you already talked to them, don't panic. Call me and let's see what we can do.
NO. Call me first at 312-500-4500 before you accept anything.
Insurance companies make lowball offers hoping you'll take the money and disappear. Once you sign that settlement release, it's finished. You can't come back later for more money, even if your injuries turn out to be much worse than you thought.
Let me review any settlement offer before you accept it. The consultation is free. What do you have to lose?
You might be wondering: What does a slip and fall lawyer actually DO? Good question. Here's the honest answer:
You provide me the basics of how your Bedford Park slip and fall occurred, where it happened, who the witnesses are, what doctors you're seeing. You sign my initial paperwork, like information releases so I can get your medical records.
I always have clients sign a written agreement outlining our arrangement in plain English. No tricks, no fine print, just a straightforward agreement.
Your job is to tell me if you change jobs or addresses or phone numbers, keep me updated as to your medical treatment, send me anything you get in the mail related to your injuries or the slip and fall, and cooperate with my office as we collect your medical records, bills, and other information necessary to push your case forward.
If we file a case, you might have to come downtown to my office or the courthouse a few times, but the day-to-day heavy lifting is all done by my office.
Once you hire me, the insurance adjusters call ME, not you. You don't have to deal with their tricks and games anymore. You don't have to stress about saying the wrong thing or getting recorded saying something they'll use against you.
I become the buffer between you and the insurance companies. That's my job.
I get the incident report from the property owner. I interview witnesses who saw what happened. I visit the accident scene – whether it's an industrial facility, warehouse, restaurant, wherever – and document the conditions. I review surveillance footage from the property. I gather all available evidence.
Sometimes I hire accident reconstruction experts to analyze exactly how the fall happened. I check weather records if ice or snow was involved. I look at the property's maintenance history and previous complaints.
I don't just take your word for what happened – I build a comprehensive case with solid evidence that proves your version of events and the property owner's negligence.
If you're having trouble finding doctors in the Bedford Park or Cook County area who will treat you on a lien, I can help. If your health insurance is giving you problems covering treatment, I can help with that too.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall and want to get compensation for your injuries, you have to get treatment or there is no way to prove your case. I make sure you get the medical care you need.
I Calculate the Full Value of Your Case
I work with medical experts, economic experts, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to determine exactly what your Bedford Park slip and fall case is worth – not just your current bills, but your future medical needs, your future lost earnings, your pain and suffering, everything.
Insurance companies will only look at what you've spent so far. I look at what you'll need for the rest of your life.
I don't settle cheap just to close the case and move on to the next one. I fight for every single dollar you deserve.
And insurance companies in Bedford Park and throughout Cook County know that I'm willing to go to trial if they won't make a fair offer. That gives us serious leverage in negotiations.
Even though most slip and fall cases settle, I prepare every single case as if it's going to trial. That means developing a trial strategy, identifying and preparing witnesses, working with experts, creating demonstrative exhibits, and building the strongest possible case.
When insurance companies see that level of preparation, they usually make reasonable settlement offers rather than risk going to trial against me.
I have been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998. I had my first jury trial in a personal injury case after one month of practice.
After about 1 1/2 years, I went to a large defense firm and worked for insurance companies and saw how they operate from the inside. (Terrible!) My sympathies were always with the middle class, working class, regular people over big companies, so I returned to doing injury work for injured people.
I quickly realized that there are many injury firms out there that treat their clients terribly, but their Associates even worse. So I started building a practice mainly on word of mouth and excellent, respectful service. That is the foundation of my firm, and it is my promise to all of my Bedford Park clients.
Sure, I have had more than 30 jury trials, and probably 100 arbitrations, hundreds of depositions. I have more trial experience than lawyers twice my age, because I am not afraid to go to trial when my client's case merits it.
In fact, MOST lawyers retire without ever even having HALF the trials I have had.
Insurance companies in Bedford Park and throughout Cook County know this. They know I'm not bluffing when I say I'll take them to court. And that's why they make better settlement offers when they see my name on a case.
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 regularly serve slip and fall victims throughout Bedford Park and the surrounding Cook County communities.
Of course, I visit my clients all over Bedford Park, Cook County, and the suburbs. We can meet at your home, at your workplace, at a coffee shop near you – really, anywhere you're comfortable.
Or we can handle everything by phone, email, or Zoom if that's easier for you. You don't need to be tech-savvy to work with me. I accommodate whatever works best for you.
I serve slip and fall victims throughout Bedford Park and nearby communities including:
And throughout all of Cook County and the southwest Chicago suburbs.
No matter how you got hurt in a slip and fall in Bedford Park, Burbank, Bridgeview, Justice, or anywhere in Cook County, I truly hope to hear from you to see how I can help.
You can call my office any time, night or day.
Why not get a free consultation?
Here's how it works:
You call for free (or I can call you).
I listen to your story about the Bedford Park slip and fall.
I answer your questions & concerns.
I tell you my plan for your case.
You can hire me or not hire me, your choice.
Either way, we end up as friends.
Sound good?
The call and consultation are always 100% free and no obligation.
Please realize that I am here to help, whether you have a viable slip and fall case or not. Feel free to call.
I have handled thousands of personal injury cases of all types in Bedford Park and throughout Cook County, and I've recovered millions for my clients. I can probably help you too.
Are you ready to talk about your Bedford Park slip and fall?
Give me a call or tell me about your case and I'll call you.
Call me right now at 312-500-4500.
I answer my phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call any time – 3 AM on Sunday, 9 PM on Saturday, Christmas morning, doesn't matter.
The consultation is 100% free. Zero obligation. We'll talk like friends about what happened in your Bedford Park slip and fall and whether I can help you.
You have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.
There is one particular slip and fall lawyer I'd like you to call. I'll let you guess who that is. (Yes, that's my sense of humor showing.)
But seriously – if you've been hurt in a slip and fall in Bedford Park or anywhere in Cook County, don't wait. Don't let the insurance companies take advantage of you. Don't try to handle this alone.
Call me. Let me fight for you.
Your fight is my fight.
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
