I'll never forget the call I received one evening from a family in Bridgeport whose father had been seriously injured on a crowded Red Line platform during rush hour. He was a construction worker with three young kids and a stay-at-home wife, and a sudden surge of commuters had caused him to fall onto the tracks just as the train was pulling in. The family was terrified—not just about his recovery from multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury, but about how they'd keep their home and feed their children while he couldn't work. The CTA's insurance team had already started calling with questions that felt more like interrogations than genuine concern.
As a CTA personal injury lawyer in Chicago, I've seen how complex these cases become. Good people who depend on the CTA to get to work, to school, or to medical appointments get hurt every single day, and suddenly they're facing a government agency with teams of lawyers whose job is to minimize what they pay out. You're worried about medical bills, lost income, and whether you'll ever fully recover, and the last thing you need is to navigate a complicated legal maze alone.
That's why I've dedicated almost 30 years to fighting for injury victims across Chicago. Whether you've been hurt on the Blue Line in the Loop, on a bus traveling through Pilsen, or at a platform in Rogers Park, you deserve an attorney who understands both the transit system and the legal complexities of CTA injury claims. Here's my promise: no money out of pocket, no fee until we win your case. I also offer free consultations 24/7/365—because injuries don't happen on a convenient schedule, and you shouldn't have to wait for business hours to get legal help.
The Chicago Transit Authority operates one of the largest public transportation systems in the country, serving over 1.5 million riders daily. With that volume comes risk. CTA accidents can happen in countless ways, and understanding the type of accident you've experienced is crucial to building a strong case.
Bus accidents are among the most frequent CTA incidents I handle. These include collisions with other vehicles, sudden stops that throw passengers forward, and slip and fall accidents while boarding or exiting. I've represented clients injured when a bus driver slammed on the brakes on Western Avenue, when passengers were thrown during a collision on Michigan Avenue, and when someone slipped on icy steps getting off a bus in January.
Train accidents present their own unique dangers. Platform incidents are particularly common—overcrowding during rush hour can lead to people being pushed or falling onto tracks, escalator malfunctions cause serious injuries, and gaps between the platform and train have trapped countless riders. I've also handled cases involving train derailments, door malfunctions that trapped or injured passengers, and collisions at intersections where trains cross street traffic.
Station accidents extend beyond just the platforms. Elevator failures, poorly maintained stairways, inadequate lighting, and slippery floors in stations from the Red Line at 95th Street to the Brown Line in Ravenswood have all caused injuries to riders I've represented.
The injuries I see in CTA cases range from relatively minor to catastrophic. Broken bones and fractures are extremely common, especially wrist and arm fractures from trying to brace during a sudden stop. Traumatic brain injuries occur when passengers hit their heads on poles, windows, or the ground during falls. Spinal cord injuries can result from serious platform falls or major collisions, potentially causing permanent paralysis.
Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, torn ligaments, and back injuries may seem minor initially but can cause chronic pain and disability. I've also worked with many clients who suffer from emotional trauma and PTSD after being involved in a serious CTA accident, particularly those who've witnessed or experienced a platform fall.
Filing a personal injury claim against the CTA isn't like suing a private company or individual. The CTA is a government entity, which means your case falls under different legal rules and faces unique challenges that can trip up even experienced attorneys who don't regularly handle these claims.
Illinois tort immunity laws provide government agencies like the CTA with certain legal protections that private defendants don't enjoy. While the CTA can be held liable for injuries, there are specific exceptions and limitations that determine when they're responsible. Understanding these nuances is critical—the wrong legal approach can result in your case being dismissed before you even get your day in court.
The notice requirements for CTA claims are particularly strict. You typically have only one year from the date of injury to file a notice of claim with the CTA, and two years to file a lawsuit. Miss these deadlines by even a single day, and you could lose your right to compensation entirely. The CTA doesn't send friendly reminders about these deadlines—in fact, they count on injured people not knowing about them.
The CTA's claims process is designed to protect the transit authority, not you. Their insurance adjusters are experienced professionals trained to minimize payouts. They'll ask you to give recorded statements, sign medical releases, and may offer a quick settlement that sounds good but is actually far less than your case is worth. Having a CTA personal injury lawyer in Chicago who knows their tactics levels the playing field and protects your rights from day one.
When you hire me to handle your CTA injury case, you're getting almost three decades of experience fighting for injured Chicagoans against powerful defendants who'd rather not pay what they owe.
I start every case with a thorough investigation. This means obtaining CTA incident reports, gathering surveillance footage from buses and trains before it's deleted, interviewing witnesses who saw what happened, and working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. The CTA has teams documenting these incidents from their perspective—you need someone doing the same from yours.
Once I take your case, you don't have to talk to CTA insurance adjusters or deal with their legal team. I handle all communication, ensuring you don't inadvertently say something that could harm your claim. This also means you can focus on your medical treatment and recovery while I handle the legal battle.
Winning a CTA injury case requires solid evidence. I work with medical experts who can document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life. I gather employment records to prove lost wages and diminished earning capacity. I collect evidence of the specific CTA negligence that caused your injury, whether it was a poorly maintained platform, an undertrained driver, or inadequate safety protocols.
Most CTA injury cases settle before trial, but that doesn't mean accepting the first offer. I negotiate aggressively with CTA insurance teams, using the full value of your claim—including future medical expenses and long-term impacts—to push for maximum compensation. My reputation for being willing and able to take cases to trial gives me leverage at the negotiation table.
If the CTA refuses to offer fair compensation, I'm fully prepared to take your case to trial. I've litigated personal injury cases in Cook County courts throughout my career, and I'm not afraid to let a jury decide what you deserve. The CTA knows this, which often motivates them to make better settlement offers.
Understanding what you can recover in a CTA injury claim helps you evaluate whether settlement offers are fair. In Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation for multiple categories of damages.
Medical expenses include everything from emergency room treatment to ongoing rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical devices, and future medical care you'll need because of your injuries. Lost wages cover not just the income you've already lost but also future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work. Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life your injuries have caused. If you've suffered permanent disability or disfigurement, you can seek compensation for the lasting impact on your life. In cases where the CTA's conduct was particularly reckless or willful, punitive damages may be available.
If you've been injured on the CTA, the actions you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. First, seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor—some serious injuries don't show symptoms right away, and delayed treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren't that serious.
Document everything you can. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any conditions that contributed to the accident. Get names and contact information for witnesses. Note the time, location, bus or train number, and any details about what happened. File an incident report with CTA personnel immediately. Make sure you get a copy or at least a report number. Report the accident to CTA's claims department as soon as possible.
Preserve all evidence, including the clothes you were wearing, damaged personal belongings, and any physical evidence from the scene. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, expenses, and how your injuries have impacted your daily life. Most importantly, contact a CTA personal injury lawyer in Chicago quickly. With strict notice deadlines and evidence that can disappear fast, early legal representation protects your rights and strengthens your case.
I've spent almost 30 years representing injured people across Chicago because I believe that regular working people deserve the same caliber of legal representation that big corporations and government agencies have. When you're hurt on the CTA, you're facing the government's lawyers—you need someone who knows how to fight back.
My specific experience with CTA cases means I understand the unique challenges these claims present. I know the relevant laws, I'm familiar with how CTA handles claims, and I have relationships with the experts needed to prove these cases. I've successfully recovered compensation for clients injured on every line of the CTA system, at dozens of platforms and stations, and in buses throughout Cook County.
My promise to you is simple: no money out of pocket, and no fee until we win. You don't pay me anything unless I recover compensation for you, which means I'm as motivated as you are to win your case. I'm available 24/7/365 because I know injuries don't happen during business hours, and you shouldn't have to wait days to talk to your attorney.
I know Chicago because I've lived and worked here for decades. Whether you were injured in Lakeview, Bronzeville, Wicker Park, or anywhere else in the city, I understand the neighborhoods, the transit lines, and the courts where these cases are resolved.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
If you've been injured on the CTA, time is not on your side. Surveillance footage gets deleted, witnesses' memories fade, and legal deadlines approach faster than you think. Don't let the CTA's insurance team pressure you into accepting less than you deserve, and don't face this fight alone.
Call me today for a free consultation. Tell me what happened, and I'll give you honest answers about your case and your options. There's no obligation and no cost for this initial conversation. From the South Loop to Lincoln Square, from Chinatown to Ukrainian Village, I'm here to fight for injured Chicagoans who've been hurt on the CTA through no fault of their own.
Your recovery is the priority. Let me handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. Call anytime, day or night—I'm ready to help.
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1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
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