Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

Restoring Your Life After an Accident: Chicago Injury Attorneys Who Fight for You

The moments following a serious accident are often a blur of sirens, hospital hallways, and profound uncertainty. You went from going about your day—perhaps commuting on the Kennedy, walking through Lincoln Park, or simply doing your job—to suddenly facing a future that feels physically and financially fragile. The pain is real, but the stress of what comes next can be even more paralyzing. You are likely wondering how you will pay your medical bills, how you will support your family while you are unable to work, and who will hold the person who caused this accountable.

At Paul Padda Law, we understand that you aren’t just looking for “legal services.” You are looking for a way to get your life back. Our firm is built on a philosophy that goes beyond the transaction of a settlement: “It’s not about the injury; it’s about the recovery”. While other firms may see you as a case number, we see you as a neighbor in a city we deeply care about. We are here to act as your shield, handling the aggressive insurance adjusters and complex legal filings so you can focus on the only thing that truly matters: healing.

A Homecoming for Justice

For our founder, Paul Padda, representing clients in Chicago is a homecoming. Paul is a proud alumnus of the University of Chicago and earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. After building a reputation as a relentless Federal Prosecutor and establishing a powerhouse firm in the West, Paul has brought his “Recovery” mindset back to Illinois.

We combine the intellectual rigor and resources of a large Wacker Drive firm with the personal attention and grit of a neighborhood practice. We know the streets of Chicago, we know the judges at the Daley Center, and we know how to win.

The Leader of Your Recovery Team

"Being a lawyer allows me to be a voice for the voiceless."

- Paul Padda, J.D.

More About Paul

Why Chicago Chooses Paul Padda Law

In a city with thousands of lawyers, why should you trust us with your case? Because when you are up against major insurance carriers or the City of Chicago, you need more than just a lawyer, you need a litigator.

1. Intellectual Rigor Meets Street-Smart Advocacy

Chicago’s legal market is sophisticated. We match that sophistication with a team that understands the nuances of Illinois tort law. We don’t just “process” files; we build strategies. Whether it involves complex accident reconstruction or navigating the distinct procedural rules of Cook County courts, we bring an elite level of preparation to every case.

2. We Know Cook County Courts

The Circuit Court of Cook County is one of the largest and busiest court systems in the world. Navigating it requires local knowledge. We understand the specific pacing, procedures, and preferences of the judges here. We know how to move cases efficiently through the system so you aren’t left waiting years for a resolution due to bureaucratic gridlock.

3. Not Just a “Settlement” Firm

Chicago is full of “high-volume” law firms that rely on quick, cheap settlements to pay their advertising bills. Insurance adjusters in Illinois know exactly who these firms are. They also know who the trial lawyers are.

Because Paul Padda is a former federal prosecutor with extensive trial experience, we prepare every case as if it is going to a jury verdict. This aggressive posture often forces insurance companies to offer maximum value to avoid facing us in court.

4. No Win, No Fee

We handle all Chicago personal injury cases on a strict contingency basis.

• No Retainer Fees.
• No Hourly Billing.
• We cover all upfront costs (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval).
• You only pay us a percentage of the settlement or verdict we win for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Cases We Handle in Chicago & Illinois

The hazards in Chicago are different than anywhere else. We have specialized experience handling the types of accidents that happen in the Windy City.

Car Accidents (City & Suburbs)

From stop-and-go traffic on the Dan Ryan and the Eisenhower to high-speed collisions on I-294, we handle all motor vehicle claims. We are well-versed in:

• Winter Weather Crashes: Proving negligence even when roads are slick.
• Pothole & Road Defect Accidents: Cases where poor city maintenance contributed to the crash.
• Distracted Driving: Drivers on their phones during rush hour.

CTA & Public Transit Accidents

Chicagoans rely on the CTA, Metra, and Pace buses, but when these massive vehicles cause injury, the legal battle is different. Suing a municipal entity like the CTA involves strict deadlines and complex immunity laws. We know how to preserve “black box” data from buses and secure platform footage from the L-train before it is deleted.

Trucking Accidents

As a major logistics hub, the Chicagoland area is flooded with 18-wheelers and delivery trucks. These are not standard car accidents; they involve Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. We investigate driver fatigue, improper loading at distribution centers, and maintenance failures.

Premises Liability (Slip, Trip & Fall)

Chicago property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises. We handle cases involving:

• Ice and Snow: Investigating “unnatural accumulation” cases where property owners failed to clear entrances properly.
• Porch Collapses: A tragic but common issue in older Chicago multi-unit buildings.
• Negligent Security: Injuries occurring at bars, clubs, or apartments due to lack of security.

Medical Malpractice

We represent victims of negligence at major institutions like Northwestern, Rush, U of I Health, and Cook County Health. Whether it is a surgical error, misdiagnosis, or birth injury, we have the resources to hire the top medical experts needed to prove malpractice in Illinois.

Nursing Home Abuse

Illinois has a high population of seniors in care facilities. We aggressively pursue cases of bedsores, medication errors, and physical abuse under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, which provides powerful protection for our elders.

Free Case Review

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(312) 702-7000

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Understanding Your Rights Under Illinois Law

Illinois law has specific statutes that can make or break your case. Here are three critical concepts every Chicago injury victim needs to know.

1. The Statute of Limitations (The Clock is Ticking)

Generally, in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

HOWEVER: If your injury involves a government entity, such as a CTA bus, a City of Chicago vehicle, or a slip on public property, then the statute of limitations is often reduced to just one year. If you miss this deadline, your case is over. This is why calling a lawyer immediately is crucial in Chicago.

2. Modified Comparative Negligence

Illinois follows the “51% Rule” (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 51% responsible.

• Example: If you are found 30% at fault for a crash, your payout is reduced by 30%.
• The Danger Zone: If you are found 51% at fault, you get zero. Insurance adjusters will try to trick you into admitting just enough fault to hit that 51% threshold. We protect you from this trap.

3. Illinois “Dram Shop” Laws

In Illinois, a bar, restaurant, or liquor store can be held liable if they sold alcohol to an intoxicated person who later injured you (for example, in a drunk driving crash). This is known as the Dram Shop Act. We look beyond just the driver to find every source of liability to ensure you are fully compensated.

Maximizing Your Compensation: “Loss of a Normal Life”

In Illinois, we fight to recover damages for every way the injury has impacted you. This includes:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of hiring help for household tasks.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony and emotional trauma of the event.
• Loss of a Normal Life: This is a specific Illinois legal term (formerly “disability”) that compensates you for the temporary or permanent inability to pursue the pleasurable aspects of life, such as hobbies, exercise, or playing with your children.

Fighting Chicago Insurance Giants

Many of the nation’s largest insurance carriers have massive operations right here in the Midwest. They employ teams of adjusters and defense lawyers whose only job is to deny your claim.

They often use “Midwestern Nice” as a tactic—acting friendly to get you to lower your guard.

• Do not give a recorded statement.
• Do not sign medical authorization forms without a lawyer reviewing them.
• Do not accept the first “quick cash” offer.

At Paul Padda Law, we handle all communication with the insurers. We know their playbook, and we force them to treat you fairly.

Talk to a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

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(312) 702-7000

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Visit Our Chicago Office

Our office is located in the heart of the Loop, easily accessible from all parts of the city and suburbs.

Paul Padda Law
155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 702-7000
Fax: (312) 702-7001

Getting Here:

• CTA: We are steps away from the Brown, Purple, and Orange lines (Quincy/Wells stop) and the Pink/Green lines (Clinton stop).
• Metra: We are a short walk from Chicago Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center.
• Parking: Several parking garages are available on Wacker Dr. and Franklin St.

Let’s Begin Your Recovery

You live in a tough city, but you don’t have to tough this out alone. Whether you were hurt on the job, on the road, or on someone else’s property, you deserve a legal team that fights with intelligence and intensity.

Contact Paul Padda Law today for a free, confidential case evaluation. Let us handle the legal battle so you can focus on getting better.

Call us 24/7 at (312) 702-7000 or fill out our online contact form to get started.