Just last month, I got a call from a woman who'd been seriously hurt when a CTA Red Line train hit another train near Clark/Division during the morning rush. She had three fractured vertebrae in her back and couldn't work as a nurse anymore. You know what the transit authority's insurance company offered her? $47,000. That wouldn't even cover her first surgery.
After she hired me, we got her over $800,000.
See, that's the thing. These insurance companies think they can lowball injured people and we'll just take it. Not on my watch.
I've been doing this for almost twenty years now. I've seen what happens when someone gets hurt on the Blue Line heading out to O'Hare, or on a Metra train, or on Amtrak at Union Station. These accidents mess up people's lives. And honestly? I've learned how to beat these companies at their own game.
Think about it—you're just trying to get to work one day, and suddenly everything changes. You're looking at surgeries, medical bills piling up, maybe you can't even go back to your job. Meanwhile, CTA, Metra, Amtrak—they've all got teams of lawyers working to protect them the second an accident happens. Shouldn't you have someone fighting just as hard for you?
Here's what I promise you:
CALL NOW: 312-500-4500
Look, Chicago's got one of the biggest public transit systems in the country. Every single day, over 1.6 million people ride CTA trains and buses. Another 300,000+ are on Metra. Then you've got Amtrak running through Union Station. That's a LOT of people who could get hurt.
Here's the thing nobody tells you:
When you get hurt in a train accident, you're not dealing with some regular insurance claim. These insurance companies and transit authorities? They've got every advantage. They've got lawyers on speed dial. They've got investigators who show up at accident scenes before the ambulance even leaves. And they've got these "government immunity" defenses that can kill your case dead if you don't know what you're doing.
So yeah, I've invested a ton—thousands of dollars and weeks of my time every year—flying all over the country to learn from the best trial lawyers in America. I graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College. I went through "The Edge" program. Not even one in 10,000 lawyers has done what I've done.
Why'd I do all that? Simple. So when you hire me, you're getting someone who knows how to beat these companies. Someone who's studied every trick they use and learned how to counter it.
I've helped people who got hurt on every CTA line you can think of—from the Brown Line up in Lincoln Square all the way to the Orange Line out by Midway. Here's what I see happening:
Red Line: This is the busiest line. Runs 24/7 from Howard down to 95th. With over 250,000 people riding it every day, things get crazy during rush hour. I've handled cases where people got thrown into poles when the train stopped suddenly. Door accidents at packed stations like Fullerton and Belmont. People slipping and falling on those elevated platforms. It happens more than you'd think.
Blue Line: Remember that bad derailment at O'Hare back in 2014? 34 people got hurt. I've handled cases from that crash and other Blue Line accidents since then. This line runs from O'Hare all the way through downtown to Forest Park, so you've got tourists and commuters packed in there every day.
The Other Lines—Brown, Orange, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow: Each one's got its own problems. The Brown Line's got those tight curves on the elevated tracks. Orange Line's got grade crossings near Midway where cars can get hit. I know all these lines because I've represented people hurt on every single one.
Metra's got 11 different lines and over 240 stations. But here's the scary part—these trains can hit 79 mph. When something goes wrong at that speed? People get hurt badly.
And here's what makes Metra cases tricky: Who do you sue? Depends on the line. Could be Metra. Could be Union Pacific. Could be BNSF Railway. Could be all of them. Most lawyers don't know the difference. I do, because I've been doing this forever.
I've handled cases on:
Amtrak's a whole different animal because it's federal. Union Station's the big hub here in Chicago, with trains going everywhere at high speeds.
I've dealt with Amtrak derailments, crashes with freight trains, people getting hurt on platforms at Union Station, getting hurt getting on or off trains—you name it, I've probably handled it.
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. When trains crash, people get really hurt. We're talking thousands of tons of metal colliding or stopping suddenly. The human body wasn't made for that kind of force.
Here's what I see all the time:
Brain Injuries: People get thrown into poles, seats, windows—you name it. One of my clients hit her head during a sudden stop on the Blue Line. Now she needs someone with her 24/7 because she can't think straight anymore. We got her over $2.1 million to cover the care she'll need for the rest of her life.
Spinal Injuries and Paralysis: A Metra train derailed and this guy ended up paralyzed from the waist down. Can you imagine? One minute you're going to work, next minute your whole life is different. We got him $3.4 million for medical care, making his house wheelchair-accessible, all of it.
Broken Bones: Woman got her leg caught when CTA doors closed on her. Broke both ankles. Had to have three surgeries. $675,000 settlement. But you know what? Even with all that money, she still walks with a limp.
Amputations: Sometimes people lose limbs. It's as bad as it sounds, and they deserve every penny they can get.
Internal Injuries: You might not even know you're bleeding inside until it's almost too late. That's why you go to the ER right away, even if you feel okay.
Bad Cuts and Burns: Broken glass, twisted metal, electrical stuff. I had a guy who got facial scars from a CTA window that shattered. Got him $485,000, but he's still self-conscious about how he looks.
PTSD and Mental Stuff: This is real. People get so scared of trains after an accident, they can't even ride them anymore. In Chicago, where most people need the L or Metra to get around? That messes up your whole life.
Wrongful Death: This is the worst. When I have to call a family and tell them their loved one didn't make it... I've recovered millions for families, but no amount of money brings someone back.
Bottom line? The insurance company is never going to tell you what your case is really worth. That's literally my job—to make them pay.
Want to know what YOUR case is worth? Call me: 312-500-4500
Here's something most people don't realize: train accident cases usually involve a bunch of different defendants. And each one might have their own insurance policy. That means more money available for you.
So who might we be going after?
When CTA screws up, you can sue them. Maybe the train operator was texting. Maybe they didn't train their people right. Maybe the tracks or platforms were dangerous and they didn't fix them. Maybe those doors that close? They're supposed to have sensors so they don't slam on people. When those don't work, that's on CTA.
But here's the catch: You've only got ONE YEAR to file a claim against CTA. Not two years like regular injury cases. ONE. Miss that deadline and you're done. Game over. This is why you need to call me right now, not next month.
Metra's complicated. Some lines, Metra runs them. Other lines? Union Pacific or BNSF runs them under contract. So depending on where you got hurt and what went wrong, we might be suing one, two, or all of them.
Federal government stuff here. Different rules, different courts. Most lawyers have never handled a federal case. I have.
Sometimes it's not the train operator's fault—the equipment's just defective. Brakes fail. Wheels crack. Doors malfunction. Signal equipment breaks. When that happens, we go after the manufacturer too.
When a car hits a train at a crossing, yeah, sometimes that driver's at fault too. We sue them as well.
Yep. Illinois has this thing called "comparative negligence." As long as you're not more than 50% at fault, you can still collect money. They just reduce what you get by your percentage of fault.
Example: You win $500,000 but the jury says you were 20% at fault. You still get $400,000.
Now, CTA and these other companies? They're gonna TRY to blame you. "Oh, you were standing too close to the platform edge." "You weren't holding the handrail." "You were on your phone."
That's where I come in. I shut that stuff down.
If you work for CTA, Metra, Amtrak, Union Pacific, BNSF, or any railroad, you're covered by something called FELA instead of regular workers' comp.
And honestly? FELA is way better:
By the way, you've got THREE YEARS to file a FELA claim—longer than most injury cases. But don't wait. The sooner we start, the better.
Railroad worker who got hurt? Call me: 312-500-4500
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
What you do right after you get hurt can make or break your case. So here's what you gotta do:
Even if you think you're okay, go to the ER. I've seen people walk away from accidents thinking they're fine, then find out later they've got internal bleeding or a concussion or something. Adrenaline hides the pain.
Plus, going to the hospital creates a record that you got hurt in this accident. Trust me, the insurance company WILL try to say your injuries came from somewhere else if you wait.
Tell a CTA worker, or Metra staff, or Amtrak personnel. Call customer service if you have to. Get an incident report number. Get a copy if they'll give you one.
If you can (and you're not too hurt), pull out your phone:
Write down what happened while you remember it. Details fade fast.
Anyone see what happened? Get their names and phone numbers. These people disappear quick, and CTA sure isn't going to help you track them down.
Here's what's gonna happen: someone's gonna approach you—maybe at the scene, maybe at the hospital, maybe they'll call you at home. They're gonna be real nice. They're gonna offer you money to settle quickly.
DON'T DO IT. Don't:
Just say "My lawyer will be in touch" and call me at 312-500-4500.
I'm serious. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok—stay off all of it. The insurance company IS watching. They'll take a picture of you smiling at your kid's birthday and use it to say you're not really hurt.
I've seen it happen. Don't let it happen to you.
Missing appointments or not following what your doctor says? Insurance companies LOVE that. They'll say "See? They're not really hurt. If they were hurt, they'd go to the doctor."
Don't give them that ammunition.
Before that one-year deadline runs out. Before evidence gets lost. Before you forget stuff. Before the insurance company tricks you into saying something stupid.
First call is free. I don't get paid unless you win. 312-500-4500
Every case is different, but here's what we can go after:
Your Medical Bills:
Your Lost Money:
Look, I can't promise you'll get what someone else got. But here's what I've done:
The insurance company will lowball you every time. My job is to make them pay what they should.
Want to know what YOUR case might be worth? Call: 312-500-4500.
Alright, let me be real with you for a minute.
When I was nine years old, my dad—a truck driver and a Teamster—got really badly hurt at work. His neck, back, spine—all messed up permanently. He was still young. He should've had his whole life ahead of him.
Then he hired the wrong lawyer. These people were jerks to him. Wouldn't explain what was going on. Didn't go after all the money he should've gotten. The case dragged on for 17 YEARS. And at the end? His own lawyer tried to take MORE of his settlement money.
So you know what I did? I worked through high school. Put myself through college and law school. And I promised myself that what happened to my dad would NEVER happen to anyone I represent.
I Got Training Most Lawyers Will Never Get:
I didn't do this because I had to. I did it because YOU deserve the best lawyer you can get.
I've Got Results:
1. I Treat You Like Family
Your phone calls get answered. You get a lawyer you can actually talk to and trust. You always know what's going on with your case. Your fight is my fight. Period.
2. I'm Really Good at What I Do
I spent two decades learning from the best lawyers in America so when you hire me, you're getting someone who knows how to win.
3. I Work Fast and Get Results
I've got systems and processes that let me figure out your case faster than other lawyers. That means we get to settlement faster, and you get more money.
I only represent injured people. NEVER insurance companies. I even take cases other lawyers think are too hard or too small, because I remember what it was like when my family needed help and couldn't get it.
Go read my reviews if you don't believe me. My clients know I'm there for them every step of the way.
For CTA: ONE YEAR. That's it. Miss it and you're screwed. Forever.
For Metra: Depends on the line. Some are one year, some are two.
For Amtrak: Usually two years under federal law.
Bottom line: DON'T WAIT. Call me right now at 312-500-4500.
You can still win. In Illinois, as long as you're not more than 50% at fault, you can still get money. They just take off your percentage.
Like this: You win $500,000 but the jury says you were 20% at fault. You get $400,000. Still a lot of money.
Doesn't matter. CTA still has to operate safely. If bad equipment, or a careless operator, or something dangerous caused your injury, you've got a case. Period.
Depends on a lot of stuff—how bad you're hurt, your medical bills, whether you can work again, all of it.
Want to know about YOUR case specifically? Call me for a free evaluation.
Yes. Even when it's obvious they're at fault, insurance companies have a million tricks to pay you less. They'll say you're exaggerating. They'll blame it on something else. They'll say you could've gone back to work sooner.
I make sure you get every dollar you deserve.
You can afford me. Here's how it works:
NO. Call me first. I can't tell you how many times I've seen insurance companies offer $25,000 for injuries that are really worth $500,000.
Once you sign their paperwork, that's it. You can never get more, even if you find out later you're way more hurt than you thought.
Let's be real here. When you file a claim against CTA, Metra, or Amtrak, you're going up against huge entities with basically unlimited money.
That's where I come in. I've been fighting these companies for almost twenty years. I know all their tricks. And I know how to beat them.
Ready to fight back? Call me: 312-500-4500
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.
If you or someone you care about got hurt in a train accident anywhere in Chicago or the suburbs, call me right now at 312-500-4500.
Don't wait until that deadline passes. Don't wait until evidence disappears. Don't wait until the insurance company talks you into taking some tiny settlement.
You can call me:
When you call, you talk to ME—not some secretary, not a paralegal. Me. I'll listen to what happened and tell you straight up whether you've got a case.
✓ I'm always available ✓ Calling me is free ✓ Hiring me is free ✓ You only pay if we win ✓ I work fast to get you results ✓ I'll shoot straight with you
The transit companies got their lawyers working right now to protect them. Don't you deserve someone fighting just as hard for you?
Sound fair?
CALL NOW: 312-500-4500
Doesn't matter where your train accident happened—I can help.
All over Chicago: Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, South Shore, Beverly, Austin, Humboldt Park, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown, Andersonville—all 77 neighborhoods.
The Suburbs: Oak Brook (that's where my office is), Hinsdale, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Berwyn, Cicero, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn—basically everywhere in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane Counties.
Wherever you are, I can help.
Find out if you have a good case, or a tough one...for free!
I get it. Maybe you're still in the hospital. Maybe you're not sure you even need a lawyer yet. Maybe you just want more info first.
That's fine.
Just fill out the form on this page and tell me what happened. I'll look it over and get back to you with my honest take on your case. No pressure. No sales pitch.
I wrote a guide for people who got hurt in train accidents. It's got everything:
And it's free. You can download it right now.
"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."
Richard Lange Fall Down Case
"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."
Geannine Rowe Car Crash Victim
"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."
Lisa Hibbard Pedestrian Accident
Look, train accidents are devastating. I know because I've been helping injured people for nearly two decades, and I've seen the toll these accidents take.
But here's what I also know: with the right lawyer fighting for you, you CAN get justice and fair compensation.
You didn't ask to be injured. You were just going to work, or coming home, or traveling to see family. Then in one terrifying moment, everything changed.
The transit authorities and their insurance companies will try to minimize what happened to you. They'll offer you pennies on the dollar and hope you go away.
That's not going to happen on my watch.
When you hire me, you get someone who will fight to the end for your rights. Someone who treats you like family. Someone with world-class training and nearly two decades of experience. Someone who genuinely cares about your outcome.
Your fight is my fight. You can count on my team to help you in your time of need.
Don't let the transit authority's insurance company take advantage of you. Get the experienced legal help you deserve.
CALL NOW: 312-500-4500
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
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