Serving clients across Illinois since 1969, Benjamin and Shapiro Ltd is an established plaintiffs’ trial practice focused on personal injury and wrongful death matters. The firm has represented thousands of individuals and families and prioritizes clients’ rights and concerns throughout each case. Drawing on decades of experience in the Chicago area, its attorneys pursue fair compensation for injuries and offer free consultations, with no fees charged unless recovery is obtained. The practice welcomes clients from surrounding counties and handles a range of matters, including transportation litigation, premises incidents, animal attacks, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation disputes. Founded by Fred Benjamin and Stuart Shapiro, the firm continues under the leadership of managing director Corey Benjamin, who brings extensive trial experience and a results-focused approach to advocacy.
The Work of a Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury attorneys advocate for clients harmed physically, emotionally, or financially through negligence or wrongful actions. Working within tort law, they pursue compensation rather than criminal penalties while protecting victims’ rights throughout the civil justice process.
Personal injury cases involve proving negligence, recklessness, strict liability, or intentional harm across diverse situations, including car accidents, premises incidents, medical errors, and product defects. Retaining legal counsel provides victims with dedicated representation to hold responsible parties accountable for breaching their duty of care.
A personal injury lawyer’s duties vary by case type and circumstances. However, certain fundamental steps apply across most claims. Effective legal representation starts with a thorough investigation to establish liability and preserve evidence before it disappears. Attorneys obtain records such as police reports, surveillance footage, and scene documentation. They also collect witness statements that support clients’ accounts and strengthen credibility. Photographs of hazardous conditions or vehicle damage help reconstruct the incident accurately.
After gathering initial evidence, lawyers review medical records to link injuries to accidents through clinical documentation. They also work with third-party specialists. Accident reconstruction analysts examine crash mechanics. Medical experts confirm trauma severity and causation. This careful preparation turns raw information into compelling narratives that withstand legal examination.
These professionals also value claims to quantify immediate and future losses. They calculate claim value to ensure complete compensation and separate tangible economic losses from non-economic impacts. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost income. Permanent disability cases require projecting diminished earning capacity and ongoing care.
Non-economic damages are not easily quantifiable. These include subjective harms like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. Demonstrating these effects often requires expert testimony or psychological evaluations. These show how injuries disrupt daily functioning. Attorneys also assess loss of consortium, which arises when injuries or wrongful death harm family relationships. Accurate valuation prevents clients from accepting settlements that fail to account for long-term personal and financial consequences.
Additionally, attorneys shield clients from insurance companies, managing all communications to prevent adjusters from exploiting victims. Some insurers may employ tactics such as denying liability, offering inadequate settlements, or delaying claims, eventually minimizing payouts. Legal representation eliminates direct contact, ensuring statements aren’t manipulated to devalue claims.
Negotiation starts with a demand letter detailing damages and compensation justification. Lawyers then bargain through counteroffers, seeking fair settlements outside court. Skilled negotiators leverage policy knowledge and evidence to challenge lowball offers, while their willingness to sue pressures insurers toward better settlements.
When negotiations with defendants or entities like insurance companies fail, personal injury attorneys initiate litigation by filing complaints and pleadings with the appropriate court, placing cases on the docket, and triggering procedural requirements. The discovery phase follows, during which attorneys exchange evidence and prepare clients for depositions, or sworn out-of-court testimony, to clarify and narrow disputed facts.
If cases proceed to court, lawyers assume courtroom advocate roles, presenting evidence to juries, cross-examining witnesses, and delivering persuasive arguments to establish fault. This trial navigation capability proves essential for securing judgments when defendants refuse fair compensation.
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees and require no upfront costs. In this “no win, no fee” system, lawyers earn payment only by securing settlements or verdicts. They typically receive 25 to 40 percent of the final court award or settlement. This arrangement removes financial barriers, allowing victims to pursue justice regardless of their economic status. Conditional compensation also aligns attorneys’ interests with maximizing client recovery and encourages diligent advocacy, since firms assume litigation risks and expenses upfront.
About Benjamin and Shapiro Ltd
Benjamin and Shapiro Ltd is a plaintiffs’ trial law practice serving clients across Illinois since 1969. Its attorneys represent clients in personal injury and wrongful death matters and handle cases involving transportation incidents, unsafe premises, animal attacks, medical malpractice, defective products, and workers’ compensation disputes. The firm offers free consultations and charges no legal fees unless compensation is recovered. Founded by Fred Benjamin and Stuart Shapiro, it is led today by managing director Corey Benjamin, who has brought more than 80 cases to verdict.
