I'm Scott DeSalvo. I handle missed diagnosis cases in Chicago.
Last winter, I met with a family from Lakeview. The dad went to Northwestern three times with a bad cough. Coughing up blood. They kept telling him bronchitis and sent him home. No X-ray. Nothing.
Eighteen months go by. Different doctor finally orders a CT scan. Lung cancer. Everywhere.
Should've been 80% survivable if they caught it early. Instead, it's a death sentence.
That's what happens when doctors don't do their job.
Look, diagnostic errors kill more people than any other type of medical mistake. More than surgery errors. More than medication errors. It's the number one problem.
If a Chicago doctor missed your diagnosis, you can sue. You should sue. You deserve every dollar the law allows.
I don't charge you anything upfront. I don't get paid unless you get paid. And call me any time—seriously, I mean any time. Middle of the night, holidays, whenever. Medical problems don't keep business hours and neither do I.
312-500-4500. Let's talk.
Doctors make mistakes. I get it. Nobody's perfect.
But there's a difference between trying your best and just not giving a damn.
A missed diagnosis is when your doctor fails to catch something that any reasonable doctor should have caught. In Illinois, when that hurts you, it's malpractice.
They tell you nothing's wrong when something definitely is. You go to Stroger's ER with chest pain. They say indigestion, go home. Heart attack.
They diagnose you with the wrong thing. Stroke symptoms. Doctor says migraine. You're losing brain cells while they waste time.
They figure it out eventually, but way too late. Your cancer gets found at stage 3 when it should've been caught at stage 1 six months ago.
They catch one thing but miss the related problem. They treat your high blood pressure but never test for diabetes even though they usually go together.
They don't order the obvious tests. Clear symptoms. No MRI. No CT scan. No blood work. Nothing.
They misread your results. Radiologist looks at your X-ray and misses the tumor sitting right there.
Your results get lost or nobody follows up. Test shows something abnormal. Doctor never calls you. Never orders more tests. Just nothing.
I've done this for years. Here's what I see over and over:
With cancer and stroke, timing's everything. Stage 1 cancer might be 90% survivable. Stage 4 might be 10%. When Northwestern, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, Advocate, Loyola—when these places fail to diagnose on time, they're stealing your best chance.
When I was nine, my dad got hurt bad at work. His case took 17 years. At the end, his own lawyer sued him for more money.
I watched what that did to us. The money problems. The stress. Everything.
So yeah, I know what you're dealing with.
When diagnosis gets missed, your condition gets worse. What was treatable becomes terminal. Treatments that would've worked don't help anymore.
I've had clients who:
Medical bills explode. Chemo you didn't need for stage 1 now costs hundreds of thousands for stage 4. Hospital stays drain savings fast.
Families across Chicago deal with:
The psychological part might be harder than the money.
Anger. Betrayal. Guilt. Fear. Grief. Depression.
Kids watch parents die. Spouses become caregivers. Parents bury children.
That's why I do this. Your family deserves compensation for everything, not just medical bills.
You live in Chicago. Illinois law gives you rights. Here's what that means.
You were officially under a physician's care. Pretty straightforward.
We show your doctor didn't do what a reasonable doctor would do. Like they didn't:
The screw-up has to be what hurt you. Missed diagnosis let your condition worsen, forced more aggressive treatment, reduced survival chances, caused additional damage.
Actual losses. Medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, disability, death.
Illinois doesn't cap medical malpractice damages. You can recover:
Jury can award whatever they think is fair. Could be $500,000. Could be $5 million. No cap.
Illinois gives you two years from when you discovered the missed diagnosis to file. Some exceptions exist but that deadline's absolute.
Miss it and you're done. Case over. No compensation.
Call me now. 312-500-4500. Day or night. Every day that goes by puts your case at risk.
Medical malpractice cases are complicated. Hospitals have unlimited money and teams of lawyers trying to pay you nothing.
You need someone who'll fight.
My dad—truck driver, Teamster—got hurt bad at work when I was nine. Case took 17 years. His own lawyer sued him at the end for more money.
That destroyed my family. We went from okay to poor when dad couldn't work.
I went to college and law school to make sure that never happens to your family.
That's why I only represent injured people. Never insurance companies. And I take tough cases other lawyers won't touch.
I spent over $100,000 flying around the country for advanced training most lawyers never get:
I did that so you get the best representation possible.
These cases need medical experts who can explain what went wrong. I work with board-certified doctors in every specialty. They review records, find where your doctor messed up, testify for you.
Northwestern Memorial, Advocate Christ, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, Loyola, Illinois Masonic, Mount Sinai, Stroger—I've got resources to take them all on.
Medical problems don't happen 9 to 5. Neither should access to your lawyer.
312-500-4500. Any time. 2 AM Sunday. Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve. Whenever. I'll talk to you. Not an answering service. Me.
Every case I take is contingency:
Every Chicago resident can afford top legal help this way, even against hospitals with unlimited money.
I don't run my firm like big downtown operations.
Three principles guide everything:
Check my reviews. Clients say I answer calls, address concerns, fight to the end.
Your fight is my fight.
Understanding how screw-ups happen helps prove your case. Here's what I see:
Doctors are supposed to order tests based on symptoms. When they don't:
Woman in 40s goes to Advocate clinic. Exhausted, thirsty all the time, peeing constantly. Classic diabetes. Doctor says stress, no blood test. Six months later she's in ICU with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Right tests ordered, somebody screws up reading them:
Guy gets chest X-ray at Northwestern. Report says suspicious lung nodule, recommends follow-up in three months. Doctor never reads full report. Patient never told. Year later, stage 3 lung cancer.
Test done. Results abnormal. Then nothing:
Patient at Rush gets MRI. Shows possible brain aneurysm. Report says immediate neurosurgeon follow-up. Poor communication, ordering doctor never sees it. Three months later, aneurysm ruptures. Massive stroke.
Healthcare pushes doctors to see more patients in less time:
Lots of people involved—doctors, nurses, specialists, labs. Communication breaks down:
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
If you think a doctor missed your diagnosis, here's what to do:
Your health first. See another doctor at different hospital. Get treatment.
Don't worry this hurts your legal case. It doesn't. Just get care.
Keep detailed records:
Medical:
Timeline:
Impact:
You might get contacted by:
Don't give statements. Don't sign anything. Don't agree to settlements.
Say: "I need to talk to an attorney first."
Then call me. 312-500-4500.
Sooner you call, sooner I preserve evidence.
Totally free, completely confidential.
How it works:
No pressure. No obligation. No cost.
312-500-4500. Any time, day or night.
You might if: doctor failed to diagnose something any competent doctor should've caught, that hurt you, and you have real damages.
Best way to know is let me look at your records. Call for free evaluation. 312-500-4500.
Missed means doctor never figured it out or got it wrong. Delayed means they eventually got it right but way too late.
Both can be malpractice if it hurt you. Cancer caught at stage 3 instead of stage 1 six months ago—that delay caused serious harm even though diagnosis eventually correct.
Illinois gives you two years from when you discovered the missed diagnosis. Also a hard 4-year limit in most cases.
These deadlines are strictly enforced. Miss them and rights gone forever. Don't mess around. Call now. 312-500-4500.
No. Malpractice is about negligence, not intent. Don't have to prove doctor deliberately tried to hurt you.
Just need to prove they didn't meet standard of care and that hurt you. Most missed diagnoses happen from mistakes, laziness, carelessness—not evil intent.
Consent forms don't prevent lawsuits. Those say you understand treatment risks and give permission for procedures. Not get-out-of-malpractice-free cards.
If doctor was negligent diagnosing you, consent forms don't protect them.
You can still pursue case. Illinois law lets estate and surviving family file wrongful death claims.
Can recover funeral costs, medical bills before death, lost financial support, loss of companionship, more. Same two-year deadline though. Call immediately. 312-500-4500.
Every case different. Depends on: how serious condition is, how much additional treatment needed, permanent disabilities, lost income, age and life expectancy, quality of life impact, evidence strength.
Illinois doesn't cap damages. Compensation can range from hundreds of thousands to multiple millions. I can give better idea once I look at your situation.
Most cases settle 1-3 years. Complex cases can take longer. Trial might stretch to 3-4 years.
About 95% settle before trial. But I prepare every case like we're going to trial—that's what gets insurance companies to make fair offers.
Maybe. If we go to trial, yes, you'll testify about injuries and how they affected your life.
But most cases settle through negotiation before courtroom. And even if we do trial, I'll prepare you thoroughly. Lots of clients find testifying empowering—chance to tell their story and hold people accountable.
Yes you can. I handle every case on contingency—no fee unless we win.
Nothing upfront. I advance all costs. Don't recover compensation, you owe me nothing. This way every Chicago resident can access top legal help regardless of finances.
You can switch. If unhappy with current attorney, you have right to change. I've taken over plenty of cases from other lawyers and resolved them successfully.
Call me. Let's talk. 312-500-4500.
Two-year clock usually starts when you discovered error—not when mistake happened.
Radiologist missed cancer on 2020 X-ray but you didn't find out until 2024 when someone finally diagnosed it—two-year clock might start 2024. But complicated rules exist.
Call right away so I can evaluate your timeline. 312-500-4500.
Any Chicago-area hospital. Northwestern Memorial, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, all Advocate facilities (Christ, Illinois Masonic, Lutheran General, Good Shepherd, Good Samaritan, Trinity), Loyola, Mount Sinai, Stroger, Jesse Brown VA, Lurie Children's—all suburban hospitals and clinics too.
No facility too big for me to fight.
Doctor's screw-up doesn't have to define your life.
Don't go through this alone. Don't let hospitals and insurance push you around. Don't settle for less.
✓ Free consultation—no cost, zero obligation
✓ Available 24/7/365—call 3 AM on holiday if you need
✓ No money out of pocket—I cover costs
✓ No fee until we win—don't pay unless I get you compensation
✓ Honest evaluation—I'll tell you straight if you have case
✓ Protect your rights—two-year clock ticking
✓ Preserve evidence—every day makes case harder to prove
Downtown to every neighborhood—Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Bronzeville, South Shore, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Edison Park, Jefferson Park, Albany Park, Rogers Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, Gold Coast, River North, West Loop, South Loop, Chinatown, Little Village, Brighton Park, Garfield Park, Austin, Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village.
Also throughout Cook County and suburbs: Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles.
Scott DeSalvo: 312-500-4500
Available 24/7/365.
Your fight is my fight.
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.
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
