Chicago • Medical Malpractice

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Chicago

If a medical error harmed you or a loved one, our Illinois-licensed attorneys can help. We investigate misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, surgical mistakes, birth injuries, medication and anesthesia errors, ER negligence, and failures to obtain informed consent. Whether you searched for chicago medical malpractice lawyer, medical malpractice lawyer chicago, medical malpractice lawyer chicago il, or medical malpractice lawyer in chicago, you can start with a free, confidential case evaluation—no fee unless we recover.

Physician & Nursing Experts
Affidavit of Merit (735 ILCS 5/2-622)
Hospital & Provider Claims
24/7 Free Consultations

What Counts as Medical Malpractice in Illinois?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care and that deviation causes injury. Proving malpractice typically requires expert testimony explaining (1) the standard of care, (2) how it was breached, and (3) how the breach caused your injuries and damages.

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Common Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle

Misdiagnosis / Delayed diagnosis (cancer, stroke, sepsis, heart attack)
Surgical errors & retained foreign objects
Birth injuries (HIE, shoulder dystocia, cerebral palsy)
Medication & pharmacy errors (wrong drug/dose, interactions)
Anesthesia mistakes & airway management failures
Emergency department negligence & failure to triage
Hospital-acquired infections & sterile technique lapses
Pressure ulcers & nursing negligence
Lack of informed consent / failure to disclose risks

How We Prove Medical Negligence

Illinois law requires an Affidavit of Merit (735 ILCS 5/2-622) supported by a qualified health-professional report. Our team obtains and reviews your complete records and consults with independent experts to evaluate:

  • Standard of care: what a reasonably careful provider would have done in similar circumstances.
  • Breach: specific actions/omissions (e.g., missed red flags, wrong technique, monitoring failures).
  • Causation: how the breach led to injury, disability, or death (differential diagnosis, timeline, physiology).

Key Evidence We Secure

  • Complete EMR, audit trails, orders, MARs, flowsheets, imaging and labs.
  • Hospital policies, credentialing files, and incident reports when discoverable.
  • Expert opinions from relevant specialties (OB, anesthesia, ED, oncology, surgery, nursing, pharmacy).

Compensation You May Recover

Available damages depend on the facts and injury severity, and may include:

Past & future medical expenses, rehab & home care
Lost wages & diminished earning capacity
Pain & suffering, disability & loss of normal life
Disfigurement & scarring
Wrongful death damages
No statutory cap on non-economic damages in Illinois (current law)

What’s the Process & Timeline?

After intake and record collection, we consult experts and prepare your Affidavit of Merit. Once filed, discovery includes depositions of providers and experts, written requests, and motion practice. Many cases resolve via negotiation or mediation; others proceed to trial. Major Chicago hospitals include Northwestern Memorial, Rush, UChicago Medicine, and Stroger—venues and judges can influence case timing.

Illinois Deadlines for Medical Malpractice

In Illinois, most medical malpractice cases must be filed within 2 years of when you knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and that it may have been wrongfully caused (the “discovery rule”), and no later than 4 years from the date of the alleged malpractice (statute of repose). For minors, suit generally must be filed within 8 years of the act/omission but not after the child’s 22nd birthday. Special rules can apply—speak with a lawyer promptly.

General information only—not legal advice. Deadlines are fact-specific and can change.

Chicago Medical Malpractice FAQ

? How much does a medical malpractice lawyer cost?
We work on contingency—no upfront fees. You pay attorney’s fees only if we recover for you.
? Do I need an expert and an affidavit in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires an Affidavit of Merit supported by a qualified health-professional report (735 ILCS 5/2-622).
? Are there caps on pain and suffering in Illinois?
No. Illinois currently has no statutory cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases.
? How long do these cases take?
Complex cases often take many months to a few years depending on records, experts, court schedules, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.

Disclaimer

Chicago Injury Help connects you with Illinois-licensed attorneys for a free consultation. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes.