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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.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, the financial pressure you’re facing can be just as hard as the physical challenges. It’s natural to ask if you need a lawyer for personal injury claims or if you will get more money if you hire a personal injury lawyer, especially when finances are already tight.
An experienced injury attorney will understand the legal process and how insurance companies may try to minimize your payout. They can help to protect your rights and seek the maximum compensation available for your losses and suffering.
At Levin & Perconti, we can explain your legal options after an accident, helping you make the best decision for you and your family.
How Hiring an Attorney Affects Your Settlement
Research consistently shows that working with a personal injury lawyer can increase the likelihood of receiving higher compensation than those who do not hire an attorney. According to a Martindale-Nolo personal injury survey updated in 2023:
- The average amount individuals received for a personal injury claim when they represented themselves was $17,000.
- The average personal injury lawyer settlement amount was substantially higher at $77,600.
Even after a personal injury lawyer’s contingency fees, which are typically between 30% to 40%, are deducted from the settlement, the amount is still likely to be more than they would have recovered without legal representation.
The survey results also found that about 91% of personal injury victims who worked with a lawyer recovered compensation, while only 51% of victims without a lawyer received a payout. These numbers may indicate that working with an attorney can put you in a better position to reach a favorable settlement.
How Levin & Perconti Fights to Maximize Your Recovery
With over $1 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, our personal injury attorneys know what steps to take to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Calculating Your Damages
Our lawyers carefully identify and calculate the value of your damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
While you can claim compensation for current expenses and financial losses caused by your injuries, you may also be entitled to compensation for ongoing care and future medical needs, your physical and emotional suffering, and other ways your life has been affected. We include all damages in your claim and negotiate a fair settlement that accurately reflects the full scope of your losses.
Countering Insurance Tactics
The insurance company may try to pay less than your claim is worth by using different tactics, which may include:
- Offering a low settlement, knowing that many people are intimidated or unaware that they can negotiate
- Delaying a payout or pressuring the injured person to accept a settlement offer because of their financial situation
- Claiming that the person’s injuries are not as serious as described
- Arguing that the person already had the injuries or another incident caused them
Our team knows the potential tactics insurers use to unfairly delay or deny claims, and we put our experience and skills to work to protect our clients. We push back against low settlements and are prepared to take your case to court when the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer.
Injured in Illinois? Find Out What Your Case May Be Worth
When deciding whether hiring a personal injury lawyer is worth it or not, you may have a lot of questions. Our attorneys offer free case evaluations to walk you through your options, discuss what your claim may be worth, and provide answers that can help you decide how to move forward.
Call our Chicago personal injury lawyers at 312-332-2872 or reach out to us online to schedule a risk-free consultation today. If you decide to work with us, you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
