Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Chicago, IL (2026)
To build this evidence-based 2026 list of Chicago malpractice lawyers, we looked at published results and practice focus alongside client reviews and professional history.
The list starts with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Alongside its long operating history, it publishes a $14 million birth injury result, and reviewers describe getting helpful explanations. Before calling about your particular injury, ask whether the firm handles it and who would review your records. For the filing rules to discuss with a lawyer, see the Illinois malpractice guide.
4.81,737 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 1737 reviews
Best for: Birth injuries and nursing home neglect
Among the notable outcomes Pintas & Mullins Law Firm publishes on its site is a $14 million birth injury result. When a nursing home resident's bedsore required surgery, the firm says the case settled for $1 million. Its history begins in 1985.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and its years of experience.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.91,128 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 1128 reviews
Best for: Delayed cancer diagnosis claims
After doctors failed to diagnose a woman's breast cancer in time, attorney Elise Blandin secured a $12.35 million settlement for her family, according to the result Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, Ltd. publishes. Its history begins in 1924. Alongside medical malpractice, the Chicago office takes other injury cases and handles workers' compensation claims.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.8604 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 604 reviews
Best for: Birth injury and HIE claims
Delayed C-section deliveries and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) appear in several birth injury outcomes that Levin & Perconti publishes. Surgical errors and delayed diagnosis also appear in the Chicago practice's listings. Steve Levin and John Perconti are listed attorneys, as is Daisy Ayllon.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Not sure who to call first?
Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Chicago can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
4.73,516 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 3516 reviews
Best for: Injuries during surgical procedures
After a woman's bladder was damaged during a routine hysterectomy, Disparti Law Group reports that her medical malpractice case produced a $1.1 million verdict. You have a specific case to ask about if a surgical injury concerns you. There's a Chicago office here.
Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.85,401 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 5401 reviews
Best for: Missed diagnoses involving children
Malman Law's published results include $6 million for an infant's brain damage from undiagnosed meningitis and a $5 million settlement over a boy's death after a delayed tumor diagnosis. Those cases make diagnostic failures a clear reason to consider its Chicago office. Steven J. Malman and Jason Kellerman are among its listed attorneys.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Where they are in Chicago
What clients say about these Chicago lawyers
Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.
MC
Miranda C.
November 2026 · Chicago, Illinois
“My experience with Malman Law was fantastic. My attorney was Dana Kieras and the case manager was Yulema Silerio, both were completely on top of things. Yulema always made sure to communicate with me on every step of the case, making me feel like my questions were heard and everything was explained to me so I could...”
“Bob is a smart, strong and compassionate lawyer. He has been with me since we started my case in 2016. The opposing counsel has used every last desperate attempt at delaying the inevitable payment, but Bob has continued to push forward and communicate where we are at in this process. I would definitely recommend...”
“I am very happy and very pleased to have dealt with Jacob at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. He is a very well spoken, professional, knowledgeable and very well informed gentleman! He was very kind, pleasant and very patient with me. Very easy young man to deal with. He took his time and explained things with the matter...”
Tell the lawyer when you learned about the injury and what happened. When you have that knowledge or written notice, Illinois generally starts its 2-year filing deadline, subject to a 4-year outer limit after the act or omission.
Gather the medical records
To assess your concern, what records does the lawyer need? Name the hospital as you describe the diagnosis or procedure. For a claim involving a child, ask about the cutoff at the 22nd birthday as well as the 8-year limit.
Arrange the medical review
Before filing in Illinois, a qualified health professional must review the case and write a report finding a reasonable and meritorious cause to file. Before that review, ask how the lawyer arranges it and what you might pay.
File the complaint
Filing a complaint begins the lawsuit. Along with it, the attorney must attach the required affidavit and report. If the deadline is near, a 90-day extension is available, but ask an Illinois lawyer whether you can use that provision.
Discuss resolution or trial
Alongside jury verdicts, these firms publish settlements they've reached. Before settlement discussions or a decision to go to trial, ask what your lawyer would weigh. You can't predict your claim's outcome from what another client received.
Malpractice claims in Chicago: the rules that matter
The filing deadline in Illinois
The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
At the very most4 yearsafter the treatment, with a few exceptions
Limits on damages in Illinois
Pain and sufferingNo cap
All damages togetherNo overall cap
Punitive damagesNot allowed
Expert paperworkThe plaintiff's attorney must attach an affidavit that a qualified health professional reviewed the case and found in a written report that there is a reasonable and meritorious cause for filing, with the report attached.
A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
If the claim fails, there's no lawyer fee at the eight listed firms that say they work on contingency; otherwise, they take a share of what's recovered. Costs are a separate matter. Before you sign, ask about record expenses and medical opinions, along with the court fees. If the firm advances those costs, will it deduct them from a recovery? If the claim fails, could you still owe them? Later expenses aren't free just because the consultation is. Before agreeing, get the fee terms in writing so you can see how the lawyer calculates their share and who pays each expense.
A free consultation is offered by nine of the ten listed firms, they say. Contingency work is listed by eight.
What to bring to your first call
Any medical records already in your hands, including delivery notes for an injury that occurred at birth
When you received treatment and the date you learned about the injury
Which doctors and hospital were involved, by name
Bills for medical care involving the injury
Any written notice of the injury, especially in letters from the hospital or insurer
What happened, written as a brief timeline
Any photos that help you explain the injury
If the claim involves a child, the date your child was born
Questions to ask a lawyer
1For this diagnosis or procedure, have you handled a claim before?
2Who works on my file, including the person who'll review my medical records?
3When do I need to file in my situation?
4Who arranges the qualified health professional's review, and how?
5How much is your contingency fee, and how's it calculated?
6Who pays the case costs if there's no recovery?
7When I have questions or need updates, how will I hear from you?
8How will you tell me your decision about taking my case, and when will you make it?
Choose for your medical issue, not the biggest verdict
Your injury comes first. Because a missed cancer diagnosis isn't like a delivery injury or medication error, the questions differ; several Chicago firms here publish results in those areas. Before asking which records they'd need to assess the claim, find out whether the lawyer has handled your diagnosis or procedure. You can't use a large published result to predict your recovery (it belongs to another family's case).
Put the filing date on the agenda
When you knew or reasonably should have known of the injury, or received written notice of it, Illinois generally starts the 2 years you have to file. You also face an outer limit of 4 years after the act or omission. The later date isn't necessarily your filing deadline. Along with the treatment date, bring any letter that alerted you to the injury. Because this is general information rather than legal advice, ask an Illinois lawyer to explain how these rules apply to you.
Ask how the case review works
Before filing, Illinois requires an attorney's affidavit saying a qualified health professional reviewed the case and found a reasonable and meritorious cause to file. The professional's written report has to accompany it. Find out who arranges and pays for that review. If the deadline is near, a 90-day extension is available, but have a lawyer assess whether you can use it in your situation.
When the lawyer isn't available, who will answer your questions, and who else will work on your file?
Before submitting your case, ask how you'll hear the firm's decision. Reviewers of some listed firms describe long gaps or explanations they couldn't follow.
Don't lump case expenses in with the lawyer's contingency fee. Before agreeing, get a written explanation of who pays costs if the claim fails.
A free consultation is something most firms here say they offer. Although you can discuss a possible claim, the firm hasn't necessarily agreed to take it. If the claim fails, there's no lawyer fee under a contingency arrangement; otherwise, the lawyer receives a share of the recovery. Be wary if someone promises a result or pushes you to sign before explaining the costs. You should be able to ask what an unclear term means without anyone making you feel rushed.
Questions people ask
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Chicago?
When you knew or reasonably should have known of the injury, or received written notice of it, Illinois generally starts the 2 years you have to file. You generally also face a 4-year outer limit after the act or omission. So an Illinois lawyer can explain how the rules apply, give them both dates for your case.
Can I speak with a Chicago malpractice lawyer for free?
A free consultation is offered by nine firms on this list, they say. Since that information isn't listed here for Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, ask the firm directly. If the consultation is free, there's no consultation charge for talking through your concern. That doesn't mean, though, that the firm has agreed to handle your case or pay later expenses.
What does a contingency fee mean for my family?
If your claim fails, a contingency arrangement means no lawyer fee; if there's a recovery, the lawyer takes a share of it. That arrangement is what eight firms here say they use. Expenses aren't included. Before signing, find out who pays for records and medical opinions, and whether you'd still owe those costs if you don't recover anything.
What medical review does Illinois require before filing?
To file, the attorney must attach an affidavit saying a qualified health professional reviewed the case and found a reasonable and meritorious cause to file. Alongside that affidavit, they must attach the professional's written report. If the deadline is near, Illinois makes a 90-day extension available. Before arranging the review, ask a lawyer how they'll handle it and whether the extension applies to you.
Do children have a different malpractice filing deadline?
They do. If the claim involves a child in Illinois, suit must be filed within 8 years of the act or omission, never after the 22nd birthday. Among several firms here handling birth injury claims are Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. and Levin & Perconti. So the lawyer can assess the deadline, give them the treatment dates and the date your child was born.
Does Illinois limit medical malpractice damages?
No enforceable damage caps apply to medical malpractice cases in Illinois. You can't receive punitive damages. Because neither rule tells you what your particular claim might recover, ask an Illinois lawyer to explain what they mean for your circumstances. Don't read the firms' published settlements and verdicts as promises of payment; they came from past cases.
How long will a malpractice case take?
You won't learn how long your case will take from this list. While some firms' reviewers describe delays during initial review, others say communication was prompt. Before expecting a decision, ask what the firm needs to accept your case and how it'll report progress to you afterward. An estimate of when the case will finish isn't the same as your deadline to file it.
What should I do before calling a lawyer?
Before gathering the medical records and any written notice you already have, write down your treatment dates and when you first learned about the injury. Find out which other records the lawyer needs. If you think you're close to the filing deadline, tell the lawyer as soon as the call starts. You don't need every document before calling.
Can a lawyer review a claim if my loved one died?
Wrongful death appears among the practice areas several firms here list. Among their published outcomes are Malman Law's settlement over a boy's death after a delayed tumor diagnosis, alongside Kreisman Law Offices' verdict involving a mismanaged delivery and wrongful death lawsuit. Although those results don't establish whether your family has a claim, an Illinois lawyer can assess what happened to you and explain which filing rules apply.
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