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Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.
Read Bio
Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.
Hiring a medical malpractice attorney is one of the biggest decisions you will make if you believe a doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider harmed you or a loved one. The firm you choose will investigate what happened, work with medical experts, and decide how your case is presented, often over months or years.
Not every firm handles these types of cases the same way. Some focus on medical malpractice, while others take it on alongside many other kinds of cases. Some try cases to verdict, and others settle most claims. Fees, costs and the way you work with your legal team can differ too.
Asking questions up front is the simplest way to see those differences before you commit. The answers show how experienced a firm is, who will do the work, what you will owe, and how the firm will approach your case. These are eight questions to ask any firm, with our answers.
Experience and results
How many medical malpractice cases has Levin & Perconti handled?
We have handled thousands of medical malpractice cases over the history of the firm. These cases are complex and are usually firmly defended, so it is fair to ask any firm how many they have handled and what came of them.
How many cases have you taken to jury verdict, rather than settling?
We have won 39 jury verdicts across all of our practice areas. Fifteen were medical malpractice or birth injury cases, totaling about $135.9 million. A verdict record shows a firm is prepared to try a case when an insurer will not offer a fair settlement. The medical malpractice and birth injury verdicts below span from 1997 to 2023.
Does Levin & Perconti specialize in medical malpractice?
Yes. Medical malpractice is a core part of our practice, along with nursing home abuse, trucking and auto accidents, group home abuse, birth injury and sexual assault. Focus matters because these claims turn on detailed medical records, expert testimony and legal rules that differ from other injury cases.
Your legal team
Who will personally handle my case?
You will be assigned an attorney based on the nature of your case. Some cases are handled by one attorney, and others by a team of two to four. When you first meet with us, ask who will be on your team so you know who to contact with questions.
Do you have access to medical experts?
Yes. We have access to leading medical experts across the country. Medical malpractice claims generally depend on expert opinions about what the standard of care required and whether it was met. We have built relationships with these experts and know how to work with them as a team on your case.
Fees and getting started
What is the contingency percentage, and who pays litigation costs if the case loses?
Our contingency fee is typically 33% of the result. It can vary by case, but that is what we usually charge. A contingency fee means the firm is paid from the result of your case rather than by the hour. If the case is not won, Levin & Perconti pays the litigation costs. Whichever firm you choose, ask for the fee and cost terms in writing.
Will you obtain and review the complete medical chart before asking me to sign?
We need you to sign before we can request your medical records. If you can get your records yourself, we can review them as part of your intake before you sign. Otherwise, once you sign, we open our investigation and retrieve the records for you. That investigation is how we decide whether a case should be filed.
Choosing the right attorney
The right attorney is the one who answers these questions clearly and directly. Ask each firm you are considering the same questions, then compare the answers side by side. Notice not only what each firm says but how they answer the questions.
Look for a firm that explains their experience and results plainly, tells you who will handle your case, and puts its fee and cost terms in writing. Be cautious of any firm that cannot or will not answer. A firm that is upfront about what they cannot know early on, such as needing your medical records before they can evaluate a case, is giving you an honest picture.
The time limits for filing a medical malpractice claim can be short, so it is worth asking these questions soon after you feel like you were involved in medical malpractice. Taking a few consultations to compare firms can help you make the right choice.
To schedule a free consultation, call (312) 332-2872 or reach out online today.
