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"My Injury Guy" Scott DeSalvo
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Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney

Injured and Need Legal Help?

When you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who understands this unique northwest suburban community where Cook and Lake Counties meet and knows how to secure maximum settlements for injured families, you've found the right advocate. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney with over 27 years of experience practicing throughout Cook County, Lake County, and the northwest suburbs, I've represented everyone from restaurant workers injured along Milwaukee Avenue's bustling commercial corridor to warehouse employees hurt in the industrial areas near Palwaukee Airport, and I fight relentlessly for maximum compensation for every client. Whether you were injured in a collision on I-94 or Milwaukee Avenue, hurt at work at one of Wheeling's diverse businesses, or suffered harm anywhere in this thriving village, hiring an experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney means the difference between accepting whatever insurance companies offer and fighting for full compensation you deserve. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I understand that recovering from serious injuries is challenging enough without the added stress of fighting insurance companies alone.

The Moment I Knew This Was My Calling

A Promise I Made to Myself

Let me tell you about Michael.

He worked as a line cook at one of the restaurants in Wheeling's Restaurant Row—the stretch of Milwaukee Avenue known throughout the northwest suburbs for incredible dining. Hardworking guy—supported his wife and two kids, worked doubles when necessary, took pride in his craft. One evening during dinner rush, another cook carrying a pot of boiling stock slipped on an unmarked wet floor. The pot flew through the air and drenched Michael's arms, chest, and face. The burns were horrific. Second and third-degree burns covering 35% of his body.

The restaurant's insurance company offered him $45,000.

Forty-five thousand dollars for injuries requiring multiple skin graft surgeries, months of excruciating treatment, permanent scarring that would affect him for life, and psychological trauma that haunted him every time he saw his reflection. He was 38 years old. The scarring on his hands meant fine motor skills would never fully recover. His career as a line cook—requiring precision knife work and handling hot equipment—was essentially over.

Michael felt hopeless. He figured a restaurant worker like him couldn't win against a big restaurant corporation with expensive lawyers. He almost accepted that insulting offer because he needed money desperately for his mounting medical bills and couldn't work.

That's when his wife's coworker gave her my number.

I took one look at this case and immediately recognized employer negligence. The restaurant had documented wet floor incidents in the same area before. Staff had complained to management about inadequate non-slip mats. The night manager had failed to put up warning signs despite knowing the floor was wet. Most damning—the restaurant's own safety manual required slip-resistant mats in the exact location where this happened, but management had ignored the requirement to save money.

We rejected their insulting offer. Filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court. Discovered through depositions that multiple employees had reported the safety hazard. Proved management knew about the danger and consciously chose to ignore it. Obtained testimony from the restaurant's regional safety director admitting the location violated company policy. Sixteen months later, we settled for $875,000.

Michael called me from the vocational rehabilitation center where he was retraining for restaurant management work he could do despite his limitations. That settlement meant he could support his family during his long recovery. It paid for the ongoing medical care and psychological counseling he needed. It provided compensation for permanent scarring that would affect every aspect of his life. Most importantly, it held a negligent employer accountable for prioritizing profit over worker safety.

That case crystallized exactly why I became a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney. Because working people in the service industry deserve lawyers who fight just as hard for them as for corporate executives. Because employers who cut corners on safety must face consequences when workers get permanently injured. Because justice means making victims whole—not accepting whatever insurance companies offer hoping injured workers will go away quietly. When you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who genuinely understands working families and fights relentlessly for maximum compensation, experience and dedication matter enormously.

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Why Wheeling Cases Require Understanding This Unique Northwest Suburban Community

Wheeling Sits at the Intersection of Cook and Lake Counties

Wheeling isn't just another northwest suburb—it's a unique community straddling the Cook County and Lake County border with specific characteristics creating distinct injury scenarios. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, understanding this dual-county jurisdiction is absolutely essential.

This community presents particular injury risks and legal considerations:

  • Dual-county jurisdiction means strategic decisions about where to file suit can significantly impact case outcomes
  • Milwaukee Avenue commercial corridor creates constant traffic collision risks and premises liability cases
  • Restaurant Row dining district employs hundreds of service workers facing workplace injury risks daily
  • Industrial areas near Palwaukee Municipal Airport see manufacturing and warehouse workplace injuries
  • I-94 corridor through Wheeling creates serious highway collision cases
  • Large retail centers like Wheeling Town Center generate premises liability cases
  • Diverse population requires cultural sensitivity in legal representation

When you hire a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who actually practices regularly in both Cook County and Lake County courts, you're getting someone with genuine dual-jurisdiction expertise. I know both court systems intimately. I understand which venue offers strategic advantages for different case types. I've handled hundreds of cases in both Cook and Lake County courthouses. As an experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I know that choosing the correct jurisdiction can make thousands of dollars difference in case outcomes.

Lawyers who don't regularly practice in these specific dual-county communities don't have this critical advantage. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney with deep Cook and Lake County roots knows how to maximize outcomes by strategically selecting the best venue for your specific case circumstances.

Restaurant Industry Workplace Injuries Are Prevalent

Here's something crucial about Wheeling: Restaurant Row along Milwaukee Avenue makes this a hospitality industry hub employing hundreds of cooks, servers, bartenders, and support staff.

Restaurant workers face injury risks most people never consider. Kitchen burns and cuts. Slip and fall accidents on greasy floors. Back injuries from lifting heavy supplies. Repetitive stress injuries. Violence when intoxicated customers become aggressive.

If your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney doesn't understand restaurant industry workplace hazards and employer obligations under Illinois law, injured workers get shortchanged. They accept inadequate workers' compensation settlements. They don't realize potential third-party claims against equipment manufacturers or food suppliers. They miss crucial evidence about safety violations.

I've handled restaurant workplace injury cases throughout my entire career. I know OSHA hospitality industry regulations. I understand kitchen safety requirements. I know when employers have violated their duties. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, that specialized industry knowledge directly benefits restaurant workers seeking maximum compensation.

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Injury Cases I Handle Throughout Wheeling

As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I handle every variety of injury case:

Milwaukee Avenue Commercial Corridor Traffic Collisions

Milwaukee Avenue through Wheeling carries relentless traffic creating constant collision risks. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've seen countless serious accidents on this busy corridor.

Common Milwaukee Avenue accidents include:

  • Rear-end collisions at the numerous traffic signals and congested intersections
  • Left-turn accidents as drivers cross multiple lanes to access businesses
  • Parking lot accidents at restaurant and retail centers
  • Pedestrian accidents as people cross this busy road to access businesses
  • Bicycle accidents as cyclists navigate heavy traffic
  • Delivery truck accidents serving area restaurants and businesses

Milwaukee Avenue accidents often result in serious injuries because traffic moves quickly despite heavy congestion. Whiplash injuries. Broken bones. Concussions. Spinal damage. These accidents require immediate investigation before evidence disappears.

That's when you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who knows how to build compelling cases through witness interviews, accident scene investigation, and aggressive negotiation with insurance companies. An experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney understands that Milwaukee Avenue cases often involve disputed liability requiring thorough investigation and expert testimony.

Restaurant Row Workplace Injuries

Wheeling's Restaurant Row creates unique workplace injury scenarios for kitchen staff, servers, bartenders, and support workers. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney specializing in hospitality industry cases, I know these injuries intimately.

Common restaurant workplace injuries include:

  • Severe burns from hot oil, steam, and cooking equipment
  • Deep cuts from knives and food preparation equipment
  • Slip and fall accidents on greasy kitchen floors
  • Back and shoulder injuries from repetitive lifting
  • Repetitive stress injuries from constant chopping, stirring, and carrying
  • Assault injuries when customers or coworkers become violent
  • Parking lot accidents when leaving late-night shifts

Here's what restaurant workers need to understand: you have rights under Illinois Workers' Compensation Act regardless of your position, income level, or immigration status. Many restaurant workers fear reporting injuries or think they have no legal recourse. That's wrong.

As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who has represented countless restaurant workers, I ensure you receive proper workers' compensation benefits including medical care, wage replacement, and permanent disability settlements. I also investigate potential third-party claims that could provide additional compensation beyond workers' comp.

I-94 Highway Collision Cases

I-94 through Wheeling carries massive traffic volumes creating serious collision risks. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney handling highway cases knows these accidents often involve catastrophic injuries.

I-94 accidents include:

  • Multi-vehicle pileups during rush hour or poor weather
  • High-speed rear-end collisions
  • Lane-change sideswipe accidents
  • Commercial truck accidents
  • Construction zone accidents
  • Wrong-way driver accidents

Highway accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities because of high speeds. Traumatic brain injuries. Spinal cord damage. Multiple bone fractures. Internal organ injuries. Death.

These complex cases require a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who knows how to handle multi-party litigation involving multiple insurance policies and potentially multiple defendants. I've handled dozens of serious highway collision cases throughout my career and know how to maximize compensation.

Industrial and Warehouse Workplace Injuries Near Palwaukee

Wheeling's industrial areas near Palwaukee Municipal Airport host warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities creating serious workplace injury risks. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I handle these industrial cases regularly.

Industrial workplace injuries include:

  • Forklift accidents in warehouse facilities
  • Loading dock falls and injuries
  • Machinery accidents causing amputations or crush injuries
  • Repetitive stress injuries from assembly line work
  • Back injuries from lifting heavy materials
  • Chemical exposure injuries
  • Slip and fall accidents in manufacturing facilities

Industrial accidents often involve both workers' compensation claims and potential third-party liability. Equipment manufacturers may be liable for defective machinery. Maintenance contractors may be liable for unsafe conditions. Staffing agencies may share liability for inadequate training.

An experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney knows how to identify all potentially liable parties and pursue maximum compensation through both workers' comp and third-party claims. I work with industrial safety experts who can prove OSHA violations and employer negligence.

Wheeling Town Center and Retail Premises Liability

Wheeling Town Center and other retail areas create premises liability scenarios requiring skilled legal representation. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I know how to prove property owner negligence.

Retail premises liability cases include:

  • Parking lot slip and fall accidents during winter weather
  • Trip and fall accidents on damaged walkways
  • Inadequate lighting creating dangerous conditions
  • Shopping cart accidents
  • Falling merchandise injuries in stores
  • Escalator and elevator accidents
  • Inadequate security leading to assault or robbery injuries

Property owners have legal duties to maintain reasonably safe conditions. When they fail through negligent maintenance, inadequate snow removal, poor lighting, or failure to repair known hazards, they must be held accountable. The challenge is proving they knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.

That's why you must contact a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney immediately after any premises accident. Security footage often gets deleted within 72 hours. Witnesses leave and become impossible to locate. Property owners sometimes fix hazards and claim they never existed. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who acts quickly can preserve crucial evidence before it disappears forever.

Palwaukee Municipal Airport Area Accidents

Palwaukee Municipal Airport creates unique injury scenarios in Wheeling. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney familiar with airport-area cases, I understand these specialized claims.

Airport-area injuries include:

  • Vehicle accidents in congested airport access roads
  • Parking facility accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents at airport businesses
  • Workplace injuries for airport employees and contractors
  • Aviation-related ground accidents

Cases involving airports or aviation can be complex with questions about federal versus state jurisdiction and specialized liability rules. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney with experience in these cases knows how to navigate the complications.

Medical Malpractice at Area Healthcare Facilities

Wheeling area healthcare facilities generally provide quality care—but medical errors happen, and victims deserve justice. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I handle medical malpractice cases when they have genuine merit.

I handle medical malpractice involving:

  • Surgical errors
  • Diagnostic failures and delayed diagnoses
  • Medication errors
  • Anesthesia mistakes
  • Birth injuries
  • Emergency care negligence

Medical malpractice cases are extraordinarily expensive and complex requiring expert witnesses and extensive medical record review. Most personal injury lawyers avoid them. I don't—when cases have clear merit. My fee is 33⅓%, which is standard for medical malpractice.

Senior Living Facility Neglect and Abuse

Wheeling area senior living facilities serve elderly residents who deserve dignity and quality care. Unfortunately, as a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've seen heartbreaking cases of neglect and abuse.

Nursing home cases include:

  • Pressure ulcers from inadequate turning and repositioning
  • Falls due to insufficient supervision
  • Medication errors
  • Dehydration and malnutrition
  • Physical and emotional abuse by staff
  • Wandering incidents and elopements

If your loved one has been harmed in a Wheeling area senior care facility, call me immediately. These cases require urgent action to preserve evidence and protect vulnerable residents.

Wrongful Death Claims

Losing a family member because of someone else's negligence creates indescribable pain and suffering. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I handle wrongful death cases with appropriate compassion while fighting aggressively for accountability.

Illinois wrongful death law allows certain family members to recover compensation for:

  • Medical and funeral expenses
  • Lost financial support and benefits
  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and society
  • Mental anguish and grief

Wrongful death cases arise from:

  • Fatal traffic accidents on I-94 or Milwaukee Avenue
  • Workplace fatalities
  • Medical malpractice resulting in death
  • Nursing home neglect causing death
  • Premises liability fatalities
  • Defective products

These cases demand both compassion and fierce advocacy. I handle wrongful death claims with dignity while pursuing maximum compensation for grieving families.

Catastrophic and Permanent Injuries

Some injuries permanently alter every aspect of your life:

  • Traumatic brain injuries affecting cognition, personality, and memory
  • Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
  • Amputations from machinery or vehicle accidents
  • Severe burn injuries requiring multiple surgeries
  • Permanent disabilities preventing employment

Catastrophic injury cases require a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who understands lifetime economic impact. We're calculating not just current medical bills but decades of future care, lost earning capacity, home modifications, assistive technology, and pain that never ends.

I've invested over $100,000 in elite trial training including graduation from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College and completion of The Edge program. Fewer than one in 10,000 lawyers complete this advanced training. I pursued this intensive training specifically to handle catastrophic cases at the highest level and secure maximum compensation for severely injured clients.

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How Insurance Companies Operate—And Why You Need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney

They're Professionals at Minimizing Payments

Insurance adjusters aren't your friends—they're trained professionals whose primary job is paying you as little as possible while appearing sympathetic and helpful. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who has negotiated with every major insurance company, I know their tactics intimately.

They sound sympathetic when they call. They seem genuinely concerned about your wellbeing. They're playing you.

Every dollar they avoid paying you increases their company's profit and their personal performance metrics. They count on injured people not knowing their rights, not understanding case values, and being desperate enough financially to accept inadequate settlements just to get some money quickly.

I used to work for large defense firms representing insurance companies early in my career. I saw the training manuals. I attended their strategy sessions. I know every tactic they use. That's exactly why I switched to representing injured people exclusively—because I saw how corporations and insurance companies exploit vulnerable people.

They Exploit Restaurant and Service Workers

Here's an insurance company tactic specific to communities like Wheeling with large hospitality industry employment: they exploit restaurant and service workers who often have limited legal knowledge and fear employer retaliation.

They pressure workers to give recorded statements immediately after injuries when pain medications cloud judgment. They schedule "independent" medical examinations with doctors who consistently minimize injuries. They imply that workers' compensation is the only remedy when third-party claims might exist. They use language barriers to confuse non-native English speakers.

This exploitation is predatory and unethical. Every worker in Illinois has legal rights regardless of job title, income level, or immigration status.

As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I protect workers from insurance company exploitation. I ensure you understand your rights. I prevent them from pressuring you into inadequate settlements. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who understands the restaurant and hospitality industry knows how to counter these specific tactics.

Initial Settlement Offers Are Designed to Exploit Desperation

Insurance companies make quick lowball settlement offers for one strategic reason: most injured people accept them out of financial desperation. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've seen this tactic destroy countless cases.

They're betting you don't know your case's true value. They're betting medical bills are piling up and you need money desperately. They're betting you won't hire a lawyer. They're betting fear will override logic.

Here's the devastating trap: once you accept their settlement and sign the release, it's final and irreversible. You can't return later when you discover your injuries are worse than initially understood. You can't renegotiate when you realize the settlement didn't cover your bills. You can't change your mind when you learn what your case was actually worth.

Never accept an insurance settlement without consulting a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney first. My consultations are completely free with zero obligation. I'll tell you honestly whether their offer is fair or exploitative.

Recorded Statements Become Weapons Against You

When adjusters call requesting recorded statements, they're not trying to help you understand your rights or ensure fair treatment. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I know exactly what they're doing.

They're trained to ask seemingly innocent questions designed to elicit case-destroying answers:

  • "You're feeling better now, right?" (Minimizing injury severity)
  • "How fast were you traveling?" (Establishing comparative fault)
  • "Did you see the hazard before you fell?" (Suggesting you could have avoided injury)
  • "Have you had similar pain before?" (Building pre-existing condition defenses)

Everything gets recorded, transcribed, and used against you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Even innocent statements get twisted to minimize your claim.

Politely decline to give recorded statements. Tell them you need to speak with a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney first. Then call me immediately at (312) 500-4500.

They Use Dual-County Jurisdiction to Their Advantage

Here's an insurance company tactic specific to Wheeling cases: they try to dictate which county jurisdiction applies knowing one court system might be more favorable to them.

Defense lawyers understand that Cook County and Lake County courts have different characteristics, different jury pools, different judge assignments, and different verdict histories. They'll argue for whatever venue benefits them most.

That's why you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who practices regularly in both Cook and Lake County courts. I know which jurisdiction offers strategic advantages for different case types. I understand local court procedures, judge preferences, and jury demographics in both counties. As an experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I make venue decisions strategically to maximize your compensation—not let insurance companies choose what's best for them.

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What You Can Actually Recover in a Wheeling Injury Case

It's About Much More Than Just Medical Bills

Most injured people think compensation is limited to medical expenses and maybe some lost wages. That's completely wrong and exactly what insurance companies want you to believe. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I ensure clients understand the full value of their claims.

Illinois law allows recovery for:

  • Medical expenses: Past and future treatment costs including surgery, therapy, medications, and assistive devices
  • Lost wages: Income missed while unable to work during recovery
  • Lost earning capacity: Reduced future earnings from permanent limitations or inability to return to previous occupation
  • Pain and suffering: Physical pain endured both past and future
  • Emotional distress: Mental anguish, depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma
  • Loss of normal life: Activities and hobbies you can no longer enjoy
  • Permanent disability: Compensation for lasting physical impairment
  • Scarring and disfigurement: Permanent visible injuries affecting appearance and self-esteem
  • Loss of consortium: Impact on spousal relationship

Insurance companies won't voluntarily tell you about these additional damage categories. That's why you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who will pursue every dollar you're legally entitled to receive. A Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who truly fights for clients doesn't leave money on the table.

My Job Is Maximizing Your Full Recovery

I never settle cases for less than their actual worth. Roughly 90% of my cases settle without trial—but that reflects aggressive negotiation from strength, not weakness or fear of courtrooms. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I'm always prepared to try cases if necessary to secure fair compensation.

Insurance companies recognize which lawyers fear courtrooms and which ones don't. They adjust settlement offers accordingly. I've tried more than 30 jury trials, plus approximately 100 arbitrations and hundreds of depositions throughout my career. A Cook County judge once described my trial presentation as among the finest he'd witnessed in his years on the bench.

When you're represented by a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney insurance companies actually fear going to trial against, you receive significantly better settlement offers. My trial experience and reputation directly benefit your bottom line. Insurance adjusters know I'm not bluffing when I say we'll try the case if they won't make reasonable offers.

Aren't All Injury Lawyers Basically The Same...?

Knowledgable, Professional, Caring
"I was viciously attacked by a dog while running in my neighborhood, sending me to the hospital. While recovering I contacted Mr. DeSalvo. He's a knowledgeable , personable and trustworthy attorney. Scott and his team were very professional and caring while representing and advising me during my personal injury case."
Scott L

How My Legal Process Works—From First Contact to Final Settlement

Step One: Free Consultation (Honest Assessment, Zero Pressure)

When you call me as your potential Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, here's exactly what happens:

  1. We discuss your situation in complete detail without rushing
  2. I answer all your questions honestly and thoroughly
  3. I assess whether you have a valid case and provide realistic value estimate
  4. You decide whether to hire me with zero pressure from me
  5. Either way, we part as friends

I never chase clients or use high-pressure sales tactics. We talk like normal people having an honest conversation. I give you straight answers based on 27 years of experience. You make your own informed decision. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I believe in treating potential clients with respect—not pressuring them.

Step Two: Immediate Investigation

If you hire me as your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I begin working immediately:

  • Obtaining police reports and official accident documentation
  • Interviewing witnesses before memories fade or people become unavailable
  • Photographing accident scenes and documenting evidence
  • Securing surveillance footage before automatic deletion
  • Collecting all medical records and bills
  • Reviewing all applicable insurance policies
  • Consulting with necessary medical and technical experts
  • Sending evidence preservation letters to prevent destruction

Evidence degrades rapidly after accidents. Witnesses forget crucial details. Video footage gets automatically deleted. Property owners fix hazards and claim they never existed. Witnesses move or become unreachable. Speed matters critically, and as your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I move fast to preserve evidence.

Step Three: Your Medical Treatment Comes First

Your health is absolute priority number one. I'll help connect you with appropriate medical providers if needed. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I have relationships with excellent doctors throughout the northwest suburbs.

If you have health insurance, use it. If you don't, I can refer you to quality doctors who treat on a lien basis—providing care now and receiving payment from your settlement later.

All treatment gets thoroughly documented to prove your case and maximize compensation. I ensure you're seeing appropriate specialists and receiving care you actually need.

Step Four: Comprehensive Demand and Aggressive Negotiation

Once treatment is complete (or you've reached maximum medical improvement), I calculate full case value and send a detailed demand package to the insurance company. As an experienced Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've negotiated thousands of these demands.

I've negotiated thousands of injury cases throughout my career. I know their true value based on similar case outcomes. I understand every insurance company tactic and delay strategy. I absolutely don't back down from aggressive adjusters. Most cases settle during this negotiation phase through persistent, aggressive advocacy.

Step Five: Filing Suit When Necessary

If insurance companies won't make reasonable settlement offers, I file suit without hesitation. Some lawyers fear courtrooms and trial work. I don't. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney with extensive trial experience, I'm always prepared to take cases to verdict.

My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Suite 204, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. I handle cases in both Cook County and Lake County courts regularly. I know both judicial systems intimately, which is crucial for Wheeling cases that might be filed in either county.

Step Six: Settlement or Trial Verdict

My goal remains constant throughout representation: secure every dollar you deserve as quickly as possible without leaving money on the table.

When we win your case through settlement or verdict:

  • I take my fee (20% for workers' compensation, 33⅓% or 40% for personal injury cases depending on whether litigation was necessary)
  • Case costs I advanced get deducted (expert fees, filing fees, record costs)
  • All remaining money goes entirely to you

If we lose—which is rare—you owe me absolutely nothing. No fee. No cost reimbursement. Zero. That's my guarantee as your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney.

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Why Hiring Me Is Different From Other Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney Options

No Fee Unless We Win—Guaranteed

You pay nothing upfront. Nothing out of pocket. Zero consultation fees. I advance every case expense including expert witnesses, filing fees, and medical records. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I shoulder all financial risk.

I only get paid when you get paid first.

For workers' compensation cases, my fee is 20% (set by Illinois statute). For personal injury cases, it's 33⅓%, or 40% if lawsuit filing becomes necessary. Medical malpractice cases are 33⅓%.

These are standard Illinois rates. If we lose your case, you owe me zero. I eat all costs I've advanced. That's the deal every Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney should offer—but not all do.

Available 24/7/365—I Genuinely Mean It

Injuries don't respect business hours or weekend schedules. You might be hospitalized at 3 a.m. with urgent questions. You might receive an adjuster's call Sunday morning and not know how to respond. You might need immediate advice after a late-night accident.

Call me anytime—24 hours daily, 7 days weekly, 365 days yearly. When you call, you get real help and answers—not voicemail, not answering services, not callbacks days later. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I'm genuinely available when you need me.

I Personally Handle Your Case

I don't run a high-volume mill where paralegals handle cases and lawyers barely know client names. When you hire me as your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, you work directly with me throughout the entire process.

You'll get returned phone calls promptly. You'll know your case status. You'll have questions answered thoroughly. When you hire me, you work with me—not some associate who's never tried a case.

Dual-County Jurisdiction Expertise

Wheeling's unique position straddling Cook and Lake County boundaries creates strategic opportunities most lawyers don't understand. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who practices regularly in both counties, I provide genuine dual-jurisdiction expertise.

I know both court systems intimately. I understand which venue offers strategic advantages for different case types. I have relationships with judges in both counties. I know jury demographics and verdict histories in both jurisdictions.

When venue selection could make tens of thousands of dollars difference in case outcome, you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who understands both Cook and Lake County courts.

Restaurant and Hospitality Industry Specialization

Wheeling's Restaurant Row makes hospitality industry expertise crucial for many cases. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who has represented countless restaurant and hospitality workers, I understand this industry intimately.

I know OSHA hospitality regulations. I understand kitchen safety requirements. I know when employers have violated their duties. I've handled burn cases, cut injuries, slip and fall cases, and assault cases involving restaurant workers.

When you work in the restaurant or hospitality industry, you need a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who understands your specific workplace hazards and employer obligations.

Elite Trial Training Most Lawyers Never Receive

I've invested over $100,000 traveling nationwide to study with America's premier trial lawyers:

  • Graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College
  • Completed The Edge advanced training program
  • Trained by national leaders in personal injury law
  • Continuous professional development in trial advocacy

Not one in 10,000 lawyers completes this elite level of trial training. I pursued this intensive education specifically so I could handle the most serious cases at the highest level. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, you benefit directly from this advanced training.

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Common Mistakes That Destroy Wheeling Injury Cases

Delaying Medical Treatment

Even if you feel relatively okay, see a doctor immediately after accidents. Some serious injuries don't show immediate symptoms. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've seen insurance companies destroy cases based on treatment delays.

Whiplash symptoms might not appear for days. Concussion symptoms can be subtle initially. Internal injuries might not cause pain immediately. Psychological trauma often develops gradually.

If you delay medical treatment, insurance companies argue you weren't really injured seriously. They claim, "If they were actually injured, they would have sought emergency care immediately."

Don't provide that argument. Get examined promptly even if you think you're fine. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I'll help you find appropriate medical providers.

Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters

Never give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney first. This mistake destroys more cases than almost any other.

Adjusters are trained professionals who know exactly how to ask questions that elicit case-destroying answers. They'll get you to minimize injuries, accept partial fault, or make statements that sound innocent but are actually devastating to your claim.

Just politely decline. Tell them you need to speak with a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney first. Then call me immediately at (312) 500-4500.

Posting About Accidents on Social Media

Insurance companies actively monitor Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok—all social media platforms. They're searching for anything usable against you. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I've seen social media destroy strong cases.

That photo of you smiling at your child's birthday party? They'll argue you're not really in pain. That post about going to the gym? They'll claim your injuries aren't serious. That check-in at a restaurant? They'll say you're exaggerating limitations.

Best policy: avoid social media entirely until case resolution. If you absolutely must use it, don't post anything about your accident, injuries, activities, or anything potentially misinterpretable.

Accepting Initial Settlement Offers

Insurance companies' first offers are always inadequate—I mean always. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney who has negotiated thousands of claims, I've never seen an initial offer that was actually fair.

They're counting on you being desperate for money or not knowing true case value. They're hoping fear and financial pressure will make you accept anything offered.

Before accepting any settlement offer, call me for a free consultation. I'll tell you honestly whether their offer is fair or exploitative. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I'll never sugarcoat reality.

Talking to the Other Party's Insurance Without Legal Representation

The other party's insurance company is absolutely not your friend. They don't care about your wellbeing. Their job is minimizing payments to you—ideally paying nothing.

They might seem friendly and helpful. They might tell you that you don't need a lawyer and that hiring one just complicates things. They're lying to protect their interests.

Don't talk to them without a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney representing you. Let me handle all insurance communications. That's what I'm here for.

Missing Critical Legal Deadlines

In Illinois, you typically have two years from injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. For workers' compensation, it's three years, but employer notification must occur within 45 days.

Miss these deadlines and your case dies permanently. No exceptions. No second chances. The courthouse doors close forever.

Don't risk it by waiting. Call a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney today to protect your rights.

Settled Quick, Kept Me Informed
"For one I liked that my case settled quickly and that the office always answered my questions and kept me informed about my case. I would recommend them to friends and family.."
Mercedes Thervil

Your Legal Rights After Wheeling Injuries

Understanding Illinois Personal Injury Law

Illinois law protects injured people through several legal theories:

  • Negligence: When someone fails exercising reasonable care causing injury
  • Strict liability: In specific cases like dog bites or defective products
  • Premises liability: When property owners fail maintaining safe conditions
  • Workers' compensation: Providing benefits to injured workers regardless of fault
  • Wrongful death: When negligence causes death

You don't need legal expertise to pursue claims—that's your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney's job. Understanding you have rights is crucial. I'll explain everything in clear, understandable language.

Comparative Fault in Illinois

Illinois uses "modified comparative negligence" rules. Provided you're less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. Your award simply reduces by your fault percentage.

Example: You're 30% at fault in an accident. Total damages are $200,000. You recover $140,000 (70% of total).

Insurance companies love inflating your fault percentage to reduce payments. That's why you need a skilled Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney fighting for accurate, fair fault allocation.

The Statute of Limitations

Generally, you have two years from injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. Workers' compensation provides three years, but employer notification must occur within 45 days of injury.

Two years sounds lengthy—it's not. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies grow more aggressive. Legal issues require investigation time.

Don't miss this deadline. If you do, your case ends permanently regardless of injury severity or defendant liability. As your Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I ensure all deadlines are met.

Workers' Rights Under Illinois Law

Illinois Workers' Compensation Act protects all workers injured on the job. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney specializing in workplace injuries, I ensure workers understand their rights:

  • Right to file workers' compensation claims
  • Right to receive medical care for work injuries
  • Right to choose treating doctor after initial employer-directed care
  • Right to receive two-thirds of salary while unable to work
  • Right to permanent disability settlements reflecting lasting impairment
  • Protection from employer retaliation for filing legitimate claims

These rights apply regardless of immigration status, job title, or income level. Every worker in Illinois enjoys these protections.

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Help And A Great Settlement Are Just One Click Away

Serving Wheeling and Northwest Suburban Cook and Lake Counties

My office is at 1000 Jorie Blvd, Suite 204, Oak Brook, IL 60523—convenient to Wheeling and surrounding northwest suburban communities including:

  • Buffalo Grove
  • Arlington Heights
  • Prospect Heights
  • Mount Prospect
  • Des Plaines
  • Northbrook
  • Palatine
  • Rolling Meadows
  • Elk Grove Village
  • Glenview

I handle cases throughout Cook County, Lake County, and surrounding areas. As a Wheeling Personal Injury Attorney, I know both jurisdictions intimately and practice regularly in both court systems.

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About Scott DeSalvo

Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.

No Fee Unless You Win | Free Consultation | 24/7 Availability Call or Text: (312) 500-4500

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Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC

Main Office:
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 312-895-0545
Fax: 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com

Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
By Appointment Only

Check Us Out On Social Media

I host HUNDREDS of videos that explain how injury cases and claims work. They are free for injured people. Check them out.
None of the above is legal advice. Every case is different. Nothing above should suggest the promise of any particular outcome on your case. If you need a lawyer, it is an important decision you must consider carefully. This website contains promotional and informational material only. If you need a lawyer or have a case, seek the advice of an attorney immediately. Do not rely on the information contained on this website alone. It cannot take the place of the knowledge, experience, advice and judgment of a skilled, aggressive and ethical attorney. Copyright ©2025 DeSalvo Law - Full Disclaimer: desalvolaw.com/disclaimer