If someone else’s negligence left you hurt, Illinois law lets you recover far more than your medical bills.
So what can you actually claim? We put the question to three of our attorneys. Our senior attorney, Stephen D. Phillips, starts things off.
Three Phillips Attorneys on What You Can Recover
Stephen D. Phillips — Senior Attorney
“If you’re injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, the elements of damage in Illinois are your economic losses — your medical bills and your lost wages, the time you missed from work — as well as what’s called pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. Those are the human losses. That’s the harm caused to you as an individual, as a person.”
Stephen J. Phillips
Stephen J. Phillips breaks down the same question in the video above, walking through the kinds of losses an injured person can be compensated for.
Terrence M. Quinn
“In Illinois, the law allows for a broad range of damages. On one side there are economic damages — the tangible losses, like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. On the other side are non-economic damages — the intangible losses that affect your day-to-day life, such as pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Either way, talk to a personal injury attorney so you recover the maximum you’re owed.”
The Two Kinds of Damages in an Illinois Injury Claim
Illinois sorts injury compensation into two buckets.
Economic damages are the losses you can put a number on:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury
Non-economic damages cover what doesn’t come with a receipt:
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
There’s no tidy formula for that second bucket. That’s where an experienced attorney earns their keep — proving what the injury really cost you as a person, not just as a line on a bill.
Talk to a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
Every case is different, and the value of yours depends on the specifics. The best way to know what you’re owed is to ask. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers will review your case for free.
Call (312) 346-4262. There’s no fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on personal injury compensation in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, so there’s no fixed ceiling on what you can recover for your medical costs, lost income, or pain and suffering.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Illinois?
In most cases you have two years from the date of the injury. Some situations shorten or extend that window, so it’s worth confirming yours early.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
No. We work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
