Brandenburg & Rees helps injured people across Central Illinois and the Metro East reclaim their lives after serious accidents. With deep roots in Carlinville and a reputation built on thorough preparation, we are the firm people call when the insurance company stops returning calls.
What you can recover
Illinois law allows an injured person to recover the full measure of what a negligent party's conduct cost them, including:
- Medical expenses, past and future, including surgery, therapy, and equipment.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity when injuries keep you from working.
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll.
- Loss of a normal life, the Illinois term for a diminished ability to enjoy everyday activities.
- Disfigurement and property damage.
Injury cases we handle
Motor vehicle collisions
Car, commercial truck, and motorcycle crashes make up the largest share of our injury practice. See our dedicated car accident page for the Illinois rules that matter most in the first days after a crash.
Medical negligence
Misdiagnosis, surgical error, medication mistakes, and failures to monitor. These cases require expert review and a physician's report before filing, and they carry a shorter outside deadline than most injury claims. Our largest published recovery, $1,705,000, was a medical negligence case.
Nursing home abuse and neglect
Bedsores, falls, dehydration, medication errors, and abuse by staff. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act gives residents specific rights and allows recovery of attorney fees in appropriate cases. We investigate staffing records, care plans, and state survey findings.
Unsafe premises and slip and fall
Property owners and businesses must keep their premises reasonably safe. Ice, spills, broken stairs, and poor lighting cause serious injuries every winter across our region. A $700,000 slip and fall recovery is among our published results.
Workplace injuries and workers' compensation
Injured workers are entitled to medical care and wage benefits through the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission regardless of fault. When a third party such as a contractor, equipment maker, or driver caused the injury, a separate injury claim may also be available.
Police misconduct and Section 1983 claims
Excessive force, unlawful arrest, and other civil rights violations by law enforcement can be pursued under federal law. James Brandenburg has litigated these claims in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
When the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own policy's UM/UIM coverage may be the source of recovery. Your insurer will treat the claim adversarially. We handle the claim and any arbitration.
Wrongful death
When negligence takes a life, surviving family members can pursue a claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. See our wrongful death page.
How an injury case works
- Free consultation. You meet with the attorney who will handle your case. Bring what you have; we will help gather the rest.
- Investigation. We collect police reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and, where needed, expert opinions, and we send preservation letters so evidence is not lost.
- Demand and negotiation. Once your medical picture is clear, we present a documented demand to the insurer and negotiate from a position of preparation.
- Litigation if necessary. If the insurer will not pay what the case is worth, we file suit. Insurers know which firms try cases, and it changes how they negotiate.
No fee unless we win
You pay nothing up front and nothing at all unless we recover money for you. We advance the costs of pursuing your case, including filing fees, medical records, court reporters, and experts. When the case resolves, our fee is a percentage of the recovery, usually one-third, plus reimbursement of those costs. Lawyers call this a contingency fee. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing.
Common questions
What is a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal action by someone injured through another party's negligence or wrongdoing, seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the injury.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Illinois?
Most Illinois injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury. Claims against local government bodies carry a one-year deadline, and medical negligence claims have their own rules. Speak with an attorney early; evidence disappears long before the deadline.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. Illinois reduces your recovery by your share of fault, which is why statements at the scene and to insurers matter.
Do I need a lawyer for a personal injury claim?
You are not required to have one, but insurers pay less to unrepresented people. An attorney handles the insurer, deals with medical liens and subrogation, and knows what a claim is worth.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring whatever you have: police report, photos, insurance information, medical bills, and any letters from insurers. Do not worry if you are missing items. We will tell you what we need and can usually obtain it ourselves.
Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
Not before talking to a lawyer. Early offers arrive before the full extent of your injuries is known, and signing a release ends your claim permanently.
This page provides general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Brandenburg & Rees, LLP. Laws change and every situation is different; consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.
