Look, I'm going to tell you something that happened to me that changed everything.
When I was nine years old, my dad got hurt. Bad. He was a truck driver and a Teamster, and one day at work, something went terribly wrong. The injuries to his neck, back, and spine were permanent. He was never the same man after that day.
But here's the thing that really messed our family up: he hired the wrong personal injury lawyer. These people were rude to him, didn't explain a damn thing, and worst of all, they left money on the table that should have gone to our family. His case dragged on for seventeen years. Seventeen years. And at the end of it all? His own lawyer sued him for more fees.
We grew up poor after my dad couldn't work anymore. I watched my mom struggle. I watched my dad suffer, not just from his injuries, but from the betrayal of a legal system that was supposed to help him.
That's why I worked through high school, put myself through college and law school, and dedicated my entire career to making sure what happened to my family never happens to yours.
Now, you might be wondering why I'm telling you this on a page about Oak Brook injury cases. Here's why: a few months back, I got a call from a family right there in Oak Brook. They'd been in a serious crash near 22nd Street and Route 83, right by Oakbrook Center. Their daughter was hurt, and three other law firms had already turned them away. They felt like nobody would listen.
I met them at a coffee shop on Butterfield Road. We sat down, went over everything, and I told them the truth about their case. Six months later, we got them a settlement that covered every medical bill and gave their daughter the financial security she needed to focus on getting better instead of drowning in debt.
That's what I do. I help people in Oak Brook and throughout DuPage County who've been hurt and need someone who actually gives a damn about them.
You shouldn't have to empty your bank account just to get a lawyer when you're already dealing with medical bills and can't work. That's why I work on contingency. No money out of your pocket. No fee until we win. And you can call me any time—literally 24/7/365—because injuries don't wait for business hours.
Here's something most injury lawyers won't tell you: where you practice matters. A lot.
I'm not just some downtown Chicago lawyer who shows up in Oak Brook when there's a case. I know this area. I know that York Road gets crazy during rush hour. I know the traffic patterns around I-88 and the Tri-State. I've handled cases involving accidents at Oakbrook Center, crashes on Route 83, and incidents in the Butler neighborhood.
When you work with someone who knows the local courts in DuPage County, knows the judges, and understands how cases move through the system here, you're getting a real advantage. I've been practicing injury law since 1998—that's over 27 years—and I've spent plenty of that time in the DuPage County courthouse.
The insurance industry counts on people not knowing their rights. They count on you accepting whatever lowball offer they throw at you because you're desperate for money to pay your medical bills.
I've seen it a thousand times. Someone gets hurt in Oak Brook, the insurance adjuster calls all friendly-like, and before you know it, they've got you on a recorded statement saying things that wreck your case.
That's not happening on my watch.
I know every trick these companies use because I used to work for them. Yeah, that's right. Early in my career, I worked for a big defense firm representing insurance companies. I saw how they operate from the inside. It was ugly. That's exactly why I came back to representing injured people—regular folks like you and me who deserve better.
Oak Brook sees a lot of traffic because of Oakbrook Center and all the major highways that run through or near here—I-88, I-294, Route 83. That means car accidents happen. A lot.
I handle every kind of car crash you can imagine:
People think car accident cases are simple. They're not. There are a million ways the insurance company can screw you if you don't know what you're doing.
When a commercial truck is involved, everything changes. These aren't just bigger vehicles—they're governed by federal regulations, they have corporate ownership structures, and the insurance policies are completely different.
I've handled truck accident cases involving:
The thing about truck cases is you need a lawyer who understands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and knows how to go after the trucking company, not just the driver. Most lawyers don't know how to do that. I do.
There's a prejudice against motorcyclists and cyclists. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Juries sometimes think, "Well, they chose to ride a motorcycle" or "They shouldn't have been on that road."
That's garbage. Motorcyclists and cyclists have every right to use the roads safely, and when a careless driver hits them, they deserve full compensation for their injuries.
These cases require a lawyer who's going to fight against that bias and make sure you're treated fairly. The injuries from motorcycle and bike accidents are often catastrophic because you have zero protection. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries—I've seen it all, and I know how to prove these cases.
Oakbrook Center brings thousands of people into the area every day. More people means more pedestrians, and unfortunately, that means more pedestrian accidents.
If you were crossing the street legally and got hit by a car, you have a case. If you were walking through a parking lot and a driver wasn't paying attention, you have a case. These injuries can be severe, and you need someone who's going to take them seriously.
Oak Brook has corporate headquarters, office buildings, retail centers, and construction sites. People get hurt at work every single day.
Here's what you need to know about workers' comp in Illinois: you're entitled to benefits under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, but the insurance companies will fight you on it unless you have a lawyer.
I handle:
In workers' comp cases, my fee is set by the state at 20%, and I make sure you get every benefit you're entitled to—medical care with the doctor of your choice, two-thirds of your salary while you're off work, and a settlement at the end reflecting your permanent injury.
People hear "slip and fall" and think it's easy money. It's not. These cases can actually be harder to win than car accident cases.
Property owners in Oak Brook have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe. When they don't, and you get hurt because of a wet floor, broken stairs, poor lighting, or ice and snow they didn't clear, they should be held accountable.
The key to winning these cases is getting the evidence fast—before the property owner fixes whatever caused your fall and claims it never existed. That's why you need to call me right away if you've been hurt in a fall.
Doctors aren't perfect. I get that. But when a doctor makes a mistake that any competent doctor in their field would have avoided, and you get hurt because of it, that's malpractice.
I handle cases involving:
Medical malpractice cases are expensive to bring and require expert witnesses. A lot of lawyers won't touch them. I will, if your case has merit. My fee on med mal cases is 33 1/3%, which is standard.
This is one of the most heartbreaking types of cases I handle. You put your loved one in a nursing home thinking they'll be safe, and instead, they suffer from abuse or neglect.
I've seen bedsores that went down to the bone because staff didn't turn patients. I've seen malnutrition and dehydration because nobody bothered to feed or give water to residents. I've seen physical abuse by staff members who should never have been hired in the first place.
If your loved one has been hurt in a nursing home in or around Oak Brook, please call me. These cases require compassion and professionalism, and I promise you'll get both.
Losing someone you love because of another person's negligence is something I can't even put into words. It's a pain that never really goes away.
Illinois law allows certain family members to bring wrongful death claims to recover for their loss and to hold the responsible party accountable. These cases can involve:
I handle these cases with the respect and seriousness they deserve. You don't have to go through this alone.
Some injuries change your life forever. A traumatic brain injury can affect your personality, your memory, your ability to work. A spinal cord injury can leave you paralyzed. An amputation changes everything about how you move through the world.
These cases require a lawyer who understands the long-term financial impact of your injury. We're not just talking about your medical bills from the hospital—we're talking about a lifetime of care, modifications to your home, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering that will never go away.
I've been trained by some of the best trial lawyers in the country, including at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College and The Edge program. Not one in 10,000 lawyers has completed that level of training. I did it so I could handle exactly these kinds of serious cases and get you every dollar you deserve.
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For workers' comp cases, it's three years, but you have to notify your employer within 45 days of your injury.
I know two years sounds like a long time, but it's not. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget what happened. And the insurance company gets more aggressive the longer you wait.
Don't blow this deadline. If you miss it, your case is over. Done. No second chances.
A lot of people think they can only recover their medical expenses. That's wrong. You can also recover:
The insurance company isn't going to tell you about all these things. That's why you need a lawyer who will.
Here's how it usually goes: you get hurt, and within a few days, an insurance adjuster calls you. They're friendly. They're sympathetic. And they want to offer you money right away to settle your case.
Sounds great, right? Wrong.
Those early offers are always—and I mean always—way less than what your case is actually worth. They're hoping you don't know any better and that you're desperate enough for money to take whatever they offer.
Once you sign that release and take their money, you can't come back later and ask for more, even if you discover your injuries are worse than you thought.
Don't sign anything. Don't agree to anything. Call me first. The consultation is free, and I'll tell you what your case is really worth.
Here's how it works when you call me:
I'm not going to pressure you. I'm not going to hustle you. We're going to talk like normal people, and I'm going to give you straight answers. That's how I operate.
If you hire me, I get to work immediately. I'm talking about gathering evidence before it disappears:
My office has proprietary case management software that I developed in-house. It helps us move cases faster and more efficiently than other law firms. We discover more about your case earlier, which means better results for you.
Your health is priority number one. I'll help you find appropriate medical care if you need it.
If you have health insurance, use it. If you don't, I can connect you with doctors who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to get paid out of your settlement at the end of the case.
And here's the important part: I make sure all your treatment is properly documented so we can prove your case.
Once you're finished with treatment (or you've reached maximum medical improvement), I calculate the full value of your case and send a detailed demand to the insurance company.
I've negotiated thousands of these cases. I know what they're worth, and I don't back down.
Most of my cases settle during this phase—about 90% of them. But that doesn't mean I roll over. It means I negotiate aggressively and get you a fair settlement without putting you through the stress of a trial.
If the insurance company won't be reasonable, I file a lawsuit. Some lawyers are scared of the courthouse. I'm not.
My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Ste 204, Oak Brook, Illinois 605623.
I've had more than 30 jury trials in my career, plus about 100 arbitrations and hundreds of depositions. A judge once said my presentation was one of the best he'd ever seen. I have more trial experience than lawyers twice my age because I'm not scared to fight for my clients.
Whether we settle your case or win at trial, my goal is always the same: get you every dollar you deserve.
When we win, I take my fee (which comes out of the settlement or verdict), deduct the case costs I advanced, and the rest goes to you.
If we lose—which is rare—you don't pay me anything. That's the deal.
Let me be crystal clear about money because I know that's on your mind.
You pay me nothing out of pocket. Zero. I advance all the case costs—filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, all of it.
I only get paid if you get paid first.
For workers' comp cases, my fee is 20% (set by state law). For regular injury cases, it's 33 1/3%, or 40% if we have to file a lawsuit or go to trial. Medical malpractice cases are 33 1/3%.
These are standard rates in Illinois. If we lose your case, you owe me nothing. I eat the costs I've advanced. That's the deal.
Pretty good, rightI'm Available 24/7/365—Call Anytime
Injuries don't happen during business hours. You might be lying in a hospital bed at 2 a.m. with questions. You might get a call from an insurance adjuster on Sunday morning and not know what to say.
Call me. I'm available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I mean that. When you call, you get actual help, not some voicemail or answering service.
Most lawyers go to law school, pass the bar, and think they're done learning. Not me.
I've spent well over $100,000 flying around the country to study with the best trial lawyers in America. I'm a graduate of the world-famous Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College. I've completed The Edge program, which is one of the most prestigious trial training programs in existence.
Not one in 10,000 lawyers has done this level of training.
Why did I do it? So you get the absolute best representation possible. When you're up against insurance companies with teams of lawyers, you need someone in your corner who knows what they're doing. That's me.
When my dad got hurt, his lawyer treated him like garbage. I promised myself I would never do that to anyone.
Everyone on my team is trained to understand that winning your case while treating you with respect and honesty is our number one goal. You'll get your phone calls returned. You'll know where your case stands. You'll have your questions answered.
I don't run a mill. I personally handle your case. When you hire me, you work with me, not some paralegal or junior associate who doesn't know your name.
You know those lawyers who call you repeatedly after you've been in an accident? Or the ones who show up at the hospital? That's not me.
I never chase clients. I never hustle or harass people. If we're going to work together, it's because you want to, not because I pressured you.
We talk like friends. I give you straight answers. You make your own decision. And honestly, even if you don't hire me, I want us to end the conversation as friends. That's how I operate.
If a lawyer is putting pressure on you or acting like a jerk, ask yourself: is that really who you want representing you?
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Even if you think you're fine, go to a doctor right away after an accident. Some injuries don't show symptoms immediately—whiplash, soft tissue injuries, even traumatic brain injuries can take days or weeks to become apparent.
If you wait to get medical treatment, the insurance company will argue you weren't really hurt. They'll say, "If they were actually injured, they would have gone to the ER right away."
Don't give them that ammunition.
Insurance adjusters will call you shortly after your accident, acting all friendly and concerned. They'll ask if you're okay and if you wouldn't mind giving a recorded statement about what happened.
Don't do it.
These adjusters are trained to ask questions that make you say things that hurt your case. They'll get you to minimize your injuries, accept partial fault, or say things that sound innocent but are actually case killers.
Just politely tell them you need to speak with a lawyer first, then call me.
Insurance companies hire people to monitor your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter—all of it. They're looking for anything they can use against you.
That photo of you smiling at your kid's birthday party? They'll use it to argue you're not really in pain.
That post about going to the gym? They'll claim your injuries aren't serious.
The best policy is to stay off social media entirely until your case is resolved. If you can't do that, at least don't post anything about your accident, your injuries, your activities, or anything else that could be twisted against you.
I already mentioned this, but it's worth repeating: the insurance company's first offer is always way too low.
They're counting on you being desperate for money or not knowing what your case is worth. Don't fall for it.
Before you accept any settlement offer, call me. I'll tell you if it's fair or if they're trying to rip you off.
The other driver's insurance company is not your friend. They don't care about you. Their job is to pay you as little as possible—ideally nothing.
They might seem nice. They might tell you that you don't need a lawyer and that they'll take care of everything. They're lying.
Don't talk to them. Let me handle all communication with the insurance companies. That's what I'm here for.
My office is located at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Ste 204, Oak Brook, IL 60523.
Whether you live in Oak Brook itself or nearby communities like:
I'm here to help you.
And here's the thing: I know getting to a lawyer's office can be tough when you're injured. If you can't come to me, I'll come to you. We can meet at your home, at a coffee shop, or even at the hospital if necessary.
The point is to make this as easy as possible for you during a difficult time.
If you've been hurt in Oak Brook or anywhere in DuPage County, you need to act now. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies get more aggressive.
Call me right now for your free consultation. I'm available 24/7/365.
Here's what happens when you call:
Remember: no money out of pocket, no fee until we win.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by calling.
Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you during this vulnerable time. Get an experienced Oak Brook injury lawyer who actually cares about you on your side.
Your fight is my fight.
Call me now: (312) 500-4500
I look forward to hearing from you and learning how I can help.
For most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of your injury. For workers' comp cases, it's three years, but you must notify your employer within 45 days of the accident.
There are exceptions to these rules, which is why you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, your case is over for good.
Nothing out of pocket. I work on contingency, which means I only get paid if you get paid first.
For workers' comp cases, my fee is 20% (set by state law). For personal injury cases, it's 33 1/3% or 40% if we have to file a lawsuit. Medical malpractice cases are 33 1/3%.
If we lose, you pay me nothing.
It's not ideal, but I can usually work with it. Sometimes those statements don't hurt your case at all. Other times they can be a problem.
The important thing is to call me now so I can review what you said and figure out the best way forward. Don't give them any more statements without talking to me first.
Yes. Illinois follows a rule called "modified comparative negligence." As long as you're less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. Your award will just be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you're found to be 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you'd recover $80,000.
Don't let that stop you from getting medical care. There are doctors who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to get paid out of your settlement at the end of the case.
I can help connect you with these doctors if you need it.
It depends. I've settled cases in a few months, and I've had others take two years or more.
The timeline depends on factors like:
What I can promise is that I push every case as hard as possible because you don't get paid waiting around, and neither do I.
Maybe not. About 90% of my cases settle without going to trial.
If we do have to file a lawsuit, you might need to come to court 2-3 times before trial for things like depositions. And if we go to trial, you'll need to be there for the entire trial.
But most cases never get that far.
It's not a deal-breaker. The law allows you to make a claim for an "exacerbation" of a pre-existing condition—meaning your injury made an existing problem worse.
The key is being 100% honest about your prior injury history. The insurance company is going to find out anyway, and honesty is always the best policy.
No. It's a violation of federal law for an employer to fire or retaliate against you for filing a workers' comp claim.
Now, proving that you were fired for filing a claim (and not some other reason) can be tricky. But I handle these "retaliatory discharge" cases and know how to prove them.
You might still be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. This is coverage you buy on your own auto policy that protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
A lot of people don't realize they have this coverage. I check every policy carefully to find all possible sources of recovery.
>> Go To Main Topic Page
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
