Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys

We’re with you. On your side. By your side.

When you’re injured and overwhelmed with hospital bills, missed work, anxiety about your future, and insurance adjusters pushing you to settle, the last thing you need is a law firm that treats you like a case number.

With Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys, you work directly with two experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys who collaborate on your case from the first phone call, answer when you reach out, and will drive across Illinois to visit you when you can’t come to us.

We represent individuals and families across Cook County in cases involving car accidents, truck collisions, burn injuries, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, and other serious injuries caused by negligence. Call (312) 448-8181 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and will come to you.

Millions Recovered for Injured Clients | 5-Star Rating Across 92 Reviews | No Fee Unless We Win

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Why Chicago Injury Victims Trust Kennedy Watkins

Attorneys Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins work every personal injury case together. That collaborative approach means two experienced attorneys are reviewing your case, challenging the insurance company, and preparing for settlement or trial. Their clients get twice the attention without paying a penny more.

Proven Results Across Chicago

Our case results include a $34,000,000 wrongful death verdict, a $10,000,000 pedestrian recovery, an $8,500,000 verdict, a $7,500,000 result for a surgical error, and a $7,365,000 verdict for a fatal truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect how seriously we prepare.

24/7 Availability and We Come to You

Whether you are recovering at Stroger Hospital, Northwestern Memorial, Rush, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, or at home anywhere in Illinois, our attorneys will meet you wherever works best. We answer calls around the clock.

No Fee Unless We Win Your Case

We handle every case on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, no hourly rates, and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Our Clients Say About Kennedy Watkins

Kennedy Watkins holds a 5-star rating across 92 client reviews. Here is what some of our clients have said.

“To have lawyers who really care about the outcome of your case is a great deal.”

“It only took 5 months for me to get my settlement for my injury.”

“Both Daniel and Jack took the time to come to visit me in the hospital.”

“Professional. Efficient. Personable. The rapport and guidance was outstanding at all times.”

Our office is at 350 N. Orleans Street, Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654, in River North.

What’s the Benefit of Working With a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney?

The team of Chicago personal injury attorneys at Kennedy Watkins will handle the insurance companies, calculate the full cost of your injuries, and build an evidence-backed case that holds the responsible party accountable.

Without legal representation, you are negotiating alone against adjusters whose job is to minimize your payout. An injured person’s vulnerability and lack of legal experience are two things insurance adjusters routinely take advantage of.

But does hiring a law firm to handle your claim pay off?

Research published by Forbes shows that your chances of securing compensation are significantly higher when working with a lawyer vs. working without one (91% to 51%, respectively). Even after paying attorney fees, represented clients took home roughly three times more.

Here are some of the things the Kennedy Watkins team of personal injury lawyers does:

• We identify every liable party and every insurance policy that applies to your case
• We collect medical records, accident reports, security and traffic footage, witness accounts, and other evidence to back your claim.
• We work with accident reconstructionists, vocational experts, medical professionals, financial experts, and others to calculate the true value of your injuries, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
• We handle all communications with the insurance adjusters so they can’t pressure you to make a recorded statement, accept a lowball offer, frustrate you with delays, or have you sign away your rights.
• We prepare your case for trial at the Cook County Circuit Court if the insurer refuses to offer you a fair deal.

When you work with Kennedy Watkins, cofounders Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins will collaborate on your case from the beginning. That means two experienced legal minds reviewing every detail, challenging every insurer tactic, and preparing for every possible outcome.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Does Kennedy Watkins Handle in Chicago?

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers represent clients across a wide range of serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout Cook County and the surrounding communities.

Car Accidents

Crashes on the Dan Ryan, Kennedy Expressway, Lake Shore Drive, and at congested intersections across Chicago injure thousands of people every year. We handle all types of car accident claims, including drunk driving crashes, hit and runs, distracted driving accidents, crashes caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers, and more.

Truck Accidents

Commercial truck crashes involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and large insurance policies. We secured a $7,365,000 verdict for the family of a man killed in a truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists face serious risks on Chicago’s expressways and neighborhood streets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies motorcyclists as among the most vulnerable road users. The injuries from these crashes are often catastrophic, and insurers frequently try to shift blame to the rider.

Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian has almost no protection from the impact of a vehicle. We recovered $10,000,000 for a pedestrian struck by a CTA bus and $2,100,000 for a pedestrian hit by a motorist.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists on Dearborn, Milwaukee Avenue, and the Lakefront Trail are vulnerable to collisions with distracted drivers. We fight to make sure injured cyclists receive fair compensation.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft crashes involve layered insurance policies and corporate legal teams. Our rideshare accident attorneys know how to cut through that complexity and hold the right parties accountable.

Burn Injuries, Fires, and Explosions

Burn injuries demand experienced legal representation because of the long-term medical care they require. Our $34,000,000 verdict and $600,000 church fire recovery reflect our commitment to these cases.

Nursing Home Abuse

Discovering a loved one was abused or neglected by a nursing home you trusted leaves you deeply unsettled and feeling guilty and afraid for your loved one’s safety. When a facility fails to protect its residents, we hold them accountable for neglect, abuse, medication errors, and wrongful death.

Premises Liability

Property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions can be held responsible. The National Safety Council reports that falls are among the leading causes of preventable injury deaths in the United States. We handle slip and fall cases, negligent security claims, and unsafe building conditions throughout Chicago.

Medical Malpractice

When a doctor, surgeon, or hospital makes a mistake that changes a patient’s life, the consequences can be permanent and devastating. Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys have recovered $7,500,000 for a child injured by a surgical error and $2,100,000 for a patient whose infection went undiagnosed until it caused serious harm.

Construction Accidents

Construction workers face some of the most dangerous conditions of any profession, and a serious jobsite injury can end a career overnight. Our personal injury attorneys at Kennedy Watkins help injured workers pursue both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party claims against contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers.

Police Misconduct

Families who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury at the hands of law enforcement deserve attorneys who are not afraid to hold powerful institutions accountable. We secured an $8,500,000 verdict for a Chicago family whose 18-year-old son was shot by a police officer.

Wrongful Death

No amount of money can ease the grief of losing a loved one, especially when their passing resulted from someone else’s carelessness. But we do believe the right compensation can lift some of the stress and financial strain from your family during an already difficult time.

What Should I Do After a Serious Injury in Chicago?

If you have already been to the emergency room or are receiving medical care for your injuries, you have taken the most important first step. But there are other steps that can protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim if you decide to pursue compensation.

• Hire a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your Kennedy Watkins legal team can begin preserving evidence, communicating with the insurance company, and building your case while you focus on your recovery. The sooner we are involved, the more we can do to protect your claim.
• Keep every medical appointment and follow your treatment plan. Insurance adjusters look for gaps in treatment as evidence that your injuries are not serious. Consistent medical care creates the documentation your attorney needs to prove the full extent of your injuries.
• Keep a daily journal of your pain, symptoms, and limitations. Write down or record a short video each day describing how you feel, what you cannot do, and how your injuries are affecting your work, sleep, and daily life. This kind of personal record provides strong evidence to support your claim for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Save every medical bill, receipt, and record of missed work. These documents form the foundation of the economic damages in your claim. Your attorney will use them to calculate the full financial impact of your injuries.

Each small step helps you claim control over your case while we coordinate with your medical providers, organize your documentation, and make sure no piece of evidence is overlooked while you are recovering.

Call Us 24/7: (312) 448-8181 | 350 N. Orleans St., Suite 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654 | Get in Touch With Us Today

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Ask Kennedy Watkins About Your Chicago Personal Injury Case

Q: Is it worth suing for personal injury in Illinois?

A: Yes, if your injuries caused you to suffer physical, emotional, or financial damages. Illinois personal injury claims allow you to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by someone else’s negligence.

Our personal injury attorneys at Kennedy Watkins can evaluate your specific situation during a free consultation and give you an honest assessment of whether a claim makes sense.

Q: What if the insurance company already made me a settlement offer?

A: You should speak with a personal injury attorney before accepting any offer. Early offers from insurance companies are designed to close your case quickly for less than it is worth. Once you sign an offer, you cannot pursue additional compensation even if your medical costs end up far higher than expected.

Q: Can I file a personal injury claim if I was injured as a passenger?

A: Yes. Passengers have some of the strongest injury claims because they are almost never at fault. You can pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance regardless of which vehicle you were riding in. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers at Kennedy Watkins handle these claims regularly.

Q: What if I do not know who was at fault for my injury?

A: Identifying fault is part of what our personal injury attorneys do. We review police reports, medical records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert analysis to determine who is responsible.

If you were injured in a hit and run accident, you may still have sources of compensation available. You do not need to have every answer before calling us.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Chicago Personal Injury Case?

Illinois personal injury victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. There is no cap on compensatory damages in Illinois, so the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life and ability to work.

Economic Damages	Non-Economic Damages
Medical bills, past and future	Physical pain and suffering
Surgery and rehabilitation costs	Emotional distress and anxiety
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity	Scarring and permanent disfigurement
Prescription medications and medical devices	Loss of enjoyment of life
In-home care and assistance	Loss of consortium for a spouse

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your total award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

The Kennedy Watkins team of personal injury attorneys in Chicago works with medical professionals, economists, and vocational specialists to calculate the full lifetime cost of your injuries. That includes future care you have not yet received and expenses you may not have anticipated.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?

Illinois gives personal injury victims two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If someone died from their injuries, the family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

Claims against the City of Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Cook County, or other government entities carry a shorter deadline of one year. State agencies and institutions also require a notice of claim (filing a written notice of your intent to file a claim) within months of the injury. Failing to do so means the end of your claim.

There are many other reasons to act quickly after an accident. Evidence fades quickly. Surveillance footage from businesses along Michigan Avenue or near the Chicago Loop gets deleted. Witnesses forget what they saw. Important electronic data and communications may be erased. Contacting us early gives us the best chance to preserve the evidence your case needs.

Talk to a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Kennedy Watkins Today

If you have been injured and you’re dealing with the financial stress of medical bills and missed work, our personal injury attorneys at Kennedy Watkins are ready to help.

We will review your case, deal with the insurance companies, and position your claim for the outcome you need. We settle only for your full and fair recovery, not for the amount the insurance company says you need.

Call (312) 448-8181 or get in touch with us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are available around the clock and will come to you.

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