We are in the time of year when we get a lot of calls from people who have sustained injuries due to slip and falls. It’s not just a result of snow, ice or slush, but also of wood that gets worn down or it being dark early on which hides defects on some properties.
A recent caller wanted me to tell them who the “best slip and fall attorney is in Chicago” and specifically wanted someone near her on the northwest side of town.
What I told her is that nobody is the “best” but it depends on the facts of your case. There are so many variables that determine who I as a lawyer would recommend to you if you were hurt. They include:
Who is the defendant? If you are suing a big box store that can require a different type of lawyer than if you are suing your landlord.
What is your injury? There are some amazing Chicago slip and fall attorneys who won’t take a case that is worth less than $250,000.00. If you shattered your hip, they might be right for you, but if you fell and broke your hand you likely need someone different. You can still get a great attorney, but it would be one who is used to handling injuries worth around $50,000 and will still fight hard for you. The lawyer who handles seven figure cases isn’t going to care much about your case if your accident resulted in a broken hand or not a lot of medical care.
How did you get hurt? These are not easy cases, especially when your accident is a result of snow or ice. We try to evaluate the likelihood your case may have to go to trial when determining who we’d recommend for you. Some lawyers are great at negotiating, but don’t love to try tough cases. The best one for you depends on where the case is likely headed.
What is unique to you? Maybe you only speak Spanish. Maybe you are more comfortable with a female lawyer. This all goes toward getting the best one for you.
The bottom line is that there is no “top attorney” but instead you want the top one for you.
As far as the caller’s wish to get someone near them, in my opinion, based on lots of evidence, the most successful Chicago lawyers are downtown because that is where the courthouse is. While things have changed a bit with Covid, in general if you are going to court a lot you want to be near the Daley Center. Neighborhood based attorneys tend to take all sorts of cases. We recommend that you get a lawyer who only handles injuries. The good news though is that you almost never have to travel and often the lawyer will come meet you in person. Just like you’d want to get the right doctor for your treatment, getting the right lawyer is important too even if they aren’t up the street from you.
I hope this helps. If you have any questions or want a free lawyer referral, call us at 312-346-5320 any time.