Smith LaCien LLP - Chicago, IL

Taking Your Case Seriously

Injury victims throughout Chicago, Illinois, often struggle to receive the compensation they deserve, but not when Smith LaCien LLP takes on their case. As a premier personal injury practice, our attorneys take your situation personally, fighting tirelessly for you and your family's rights after suffering a catastrophic injury or wrongful death. With decades of experience and a proven track record of successful verdicts and settlements, we ensure your voice is heard and justice is served. Our Chicago-based team has built a reputation for tenacious advocacy, meticulous preparation, and unwavering dedication to maximizing our clients' recovery in even the most challenging cases.

Keeping Your Needs A Priority

The aftermath of an accident creates overwhelming challenges, especially when serious injuries affect you or your loved ones. Beyond the physical and emotional trauma, financial concerns about making a living and covering mounting medical expenses can feel insurmountable. Smith LaCien LLP works diligently to address your needs by holding negligent parties accountable. Our experienced Chicago attorneys have successfully confronted:

• Insurance companies attempting to minimize payouts
• Businesses responsible for unsafe conditions
• Medical institutions involved in negligent care
• Private individuals whose actions caused harm

Illinois law provides pathways to fair compensation, and we work tirelessly to secure the financial recovery you rightfully deserve. From your initial consultation through the resolution of your case, our attorneys remain accessible, responsive, and committed to your well-being.

Our Practice Areas

Personal Injury

At Smith LaCien LLP, our Chicago personal injury attorneys have secured millions for clients suffering from life-altering injuries caused by negligence. Whether you've been harmed in a vehicle collision, workplace accident, or through a defective product, our legal team investigates thoroughly, builds compelling cases, and fights relentlessly for maximum compensation. Our personalized approach ensures your specific circumstances receive the attention and expertise needed to achieve justice in the Chicago courts.

Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of incidents where negligence leads to harm. Our attorneys understand the nuances of Illinois personal injury statutes, including comparative negligence rules that can affect your compensation. We meticulously document all aspects of your damages—from medical expenses and lost wages to pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. Smith LaCien LLP's reputation for excellence in personal injury litigation often motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than face us in court. However, we always prepare each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring we negotiate from a position of strength and readiness. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have the resources, experience, and determination to handle cases of any complexity or scale throughout Illinois.

Car Accidents

Smith LaCien LLP's Chicago car accident attorneys bring decades of experience to victims injured on Illinois roadways. Our firm handles everything from rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents to multi-vehicle pileups and fatal crashes. We understand how Chicago's congested streets and highways create unique circumstances that contribute to serious accidents, particularly on major thoroughfares like I-90, I-290, and Lake Shore Drive.

Our car accident attorneys conduct comprehensive investigations that go beyond police reports, often uncovering critical evidence through accident reconstruction, witness interviews, surveillance footage, and vehicle data analysis. We identify all potential sources of compensation, including not just the at-fault driver's insurance but also your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and potentially third parties like vehicle manufacturers or government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions.

Illinois follows modified comparative negligence rules, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault (up to 50%). Our Chicago car accident lawyers expertly navigate these complexities while addressing insurance companies' tactics to minimize your claim. We fight for compensation covering medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost income, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Smith LaCien LLP's reputation for achieving exceptional results in car accident cases throughout Chicago and Illinois gives clients confidence during a challenging recovery period.

Truck Accidents

The Chicago truck accident attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP possess specialized knowledge crucial for these catastrophic cases. Commercial truck accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers create devastating consequences due to the immense size and weight difference between these vehicles and passenger cars. Our legal team understands the unique aspects of truck accident litigation that distinguish these cases from ordinary vehicle collisions.

We immediately deploy investigators to preserve critical evidence like electronic logging devices (ELDs), driver qualification files, maintenance records, and black box data before it can be altered or destroyed. Our attorneys identify all potentially liable parties—not just the driver, but also trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers. This comprehensive approach maximizes your potential compensation sources.

Smith LaCien LLP's truck accident lawyers navigate the complex web of federal regulations governing the trucking industry, including hours-of-service rules, weight restrictions, and maintenance requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We routinely uncover violations of these regulations that contribute to accidents, strengthening your claim against negligent parties.

Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care. Our Chicago attorneys work with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to calculate the true long-term costs of your injuries, ensuring any settlement or verdict adequately addresses your future needs. With trucking companies and their insurers deploying aggressive defense tactics, having Smith LaCien LLP's experienced truck accident attorneys advocating for you throughout Illinois levels the playing field and maximizes your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Aviation Accidents

The Chicago aviation accident attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP bring specialized expertise to these complex cases involving commercial airlines, private aircraft, helicopters, and charter planes. With Chicago being a major air transportation hub hosting O'Hare and Midway International Airports, our firm has developed particular insight into aviation litigation. We investigate thoroughly, work with industry experts, and navigate the intricate federal regulations governing air travel to identify liability and secure justice for victims and their families following these devastating incidents.

Aviation accident cases demand attorneys with specialized knowledge of federal aviation regulations, aircraft operations, and the technical aspects of flight. Our legal team collaborates with former pilots, aviation engineers, maintenance specialists, and air traffic control experts to determine exactly what went wrong and who bears responsibility. Whether the cause was pilot error, mechanical failure, improper maintenance, air traffic control mistakes, or manufacturing defects, we identify all liable parties.

These cases often involve multiple jurisdictions and complex questions about which laws apply. Smith LaCien LLP's aviation attorneys navigate these legal intricacies while advocating for victims and families dealing with catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. We understand the unique aspects of aviation insurance and the tactics employed by aircraft operators and manufacturers to avoid liability.

Our Chicago aviation accident lawyers have successfully represented clients in cases involving major commercial airlines, private charter operations, helicopter tours, and recreational aircraft throughout Illinois and beyond. We fight for compensation that addresses the often life-changing consequences of these traumatic events, providing compassionate guidance through an overwhelming process while pursuing the accountability and justice you deserve.

Birth Injury

When medical negligence turns what should be a joyous occasion into a lifetime of challenges, Smith LaCien LLP's Chicago birth injury attorneys stand ready to help. We represent families whose children have suffered conditions like cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or hypoxic brain damage due to obstetrical mistakes. Our legal team works with medical experts to establish how proper care would have prevented these life-altering injuries, fighting to secure compensation that covers specialized care, therapy, adaptive equipment, and the lifetime support your child deserves.

Cerebral Palsy

Smith LaCien LLP has extensive experience representing Chicago families whose children developed cerebral palsy due to medical negligence during labor and delivery. This permanent neurological disorder affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination, often resulting from oxygen deprivation during birth. Our attorneys work with neurologists and obstetrical experts to demonstrate how proper monitoring and timely intervention could have prevented your child's condition. We pursue compensation that addresses the substantial lifetime costs of caring for a child with cerebral palsy, including specialized medical treatment, physical therapy, adaptive equipment, educational support, and potential lost earnings. Our Chicago birth injury lawyers understand the emotional and financial toll this diagnosis takes on families throughout Illinois and fight passionately to secure the resources needed for your child's best possible quality of life.

Shoulder Dystocia

Our Chicago attorneys have successfully handled numerous cases involving shoulder dystocia, a serious birth complication that occurs when a baby's shoulder becomes lodged against the mother's pubic bone during delivery. When medical professionals fail to properly anticipate this risk or respond appropriately when it occurs, devastating injuries can result. Smith LaCien LLP works with medical experts to analyze whether your healthcare providers followed proper protocols for identifying risk factors, implementing appropriate delivery techniques, or performing a timely cesarean section. We understand how these preventable errors can lead to permanent nerve damage, broken bones, and even brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. Our Illinois birth injury team pursues comprehensive compensation that addresses both immediate and long-term consequences of shoulder dystocia injuries.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Smith LaCien LLP's Chicago birth injury attorneys have specialized knowledge regarding brachial plexus injuries, including Erb's palsy and Klumpke's palsy. These conditions result from damage to the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand, often occurring during difficult deliveries when excessive force is applied. Our legal team consults with leading neurologists and obstetrical specialists to demonstrate how proper risk assessment, delivery planning, and appropriate techniques could have prevented these injuries. We understand that while some brachial plexus injuries resolve over time, many require extensive physical therapy, specialized medical care, and potentially surgical intervention. Our Illinois attorneys fight for compensation that fully addresses your child's needs, including ongoing medical expenses, therapeutic services, and the emotional impact on your family.

Our Chicago birth injury practice extends beyond these specific conditions to encompass all forms of obstetrical negligence. Smith LaCien LLP provides compassionate, knowledgeable representation to Illinois families facing the devastating consequences of preventable birth injuries, working tirelessly to secure the financial resources needed for your child's care and your family's future.

Brain Injury

The Chicago brain injury lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP understand the profound impact traumatic brain injuries have on victims and their families. Whether caused by falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or medical malpractice, we recognize how these injuries often require lifetime care and support. Our attorneys work diligently with neurologists, life-care planners, and rehabilitation specialists to document the full extent of your injury and secure compensation that addresses your immediate needs and long-term challenges throughout your recovery journey in Illinois.

Brain injuries present unique legal challenges because their effects can be subtle yet devastating. Our experienced Chicago attorneys understand how to demonstrate the full impact of cognitive impairments, personality changes, memory problems, and other "invisible" symptoms that profoundly affect your daily life and future prospects. We employ advanced medical imaging, neuropsychological assessments, and expert testimony to establish the true extent of your injury when insurance companies attempt to minimize your condition.

Smith LaCien LLP recognizes that brain injury recovery often involves extensive rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, occupational assistance, and potentially lifelong supportive care. We calculate damages that account for these ongoing needs, as well as lost earning capacity, diminished quality of life, and the emotional toll on both victims and their families. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients with concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, penetrating head wounds, and anoxic brain injuries throughout Illinois.

With medical knowledge constantly evolving regarding brain trauma, our legal team stays current with the latest research and treatment approaches. This commitment ensures we can effectively advocate for clients whose injuries might have been underestimated or misunderstood in the past. Smith LaCien LLP's Chicago brain injury attorneys provide compassionate, informed representation that acknowledges the unique challenges these cases present while pursuing the substantial compensation necessary for your best possible recovery and future quality of life.

Medical Malpractice

Smith LaCien LLP has established itself as a leading Chicago medical malpractice firm, holding healthcare providers accountable when they breach standards of care. Our attorneys handle cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and negligent treatment that result in serious harm or wrongful death. With Illinois having specific procedural requirements for medical malpractice claims, our experienced legal team navigates these complexities while building strong cases supported by qualified medical experts to secure the justice and compensation Chicago patients deserve.

Medical malpractice litigation demands attorneys with both legal expertise and substantial medical knowledge. Smith LaCien LLP's Chicago lawyers have developed deep understanding of various medical specialties through decades of experience representing injured patients. We collaborate with respected physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide expert testimony establishing the appropriate standard of care and how your provider's actions deviated from acceptable medical practice.

Illinois law requires medical malpractice plaintiffs to obtain an affidavit of merit from a qualified health professional, confirming the case has reasonable merit, before proceeding. Our firm efficiently handles this requirement and all other procedural hurdles unique to these cases. We understand the strict statutes of limitations that apply to medical malpractice claims in Illinois and ensure all deadlines are met to preserve your right to compensation.

Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys have successfully represented clients in cases involving:

• Surgical errors and wrong-site surgeries
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer and other serious conditions
• Medication errors and dangerous drug interactions
• Anesthesia complications
• Hospital-acquired infections resulting from negligence
• Emergency room errors and patient dumping
• Nursing home abuse and neglect

Smith LaCien LLP recognizes that medical malpractice cases are often emotionally charged, involving a profound breach of trust between patient and provider. We approach these matters with sensitivity while still aggressively pursuing the substantial compensation needed to address medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our reputation for achieving exceptional results in complex medical malpractice litigation throughout Chicago and Illinois gives clients confidence during an extremely challenging time.

Making A Difference for Injury Victims

Smith LaCien LLP believes in truly listening to each client's story. We offer free consultations and convenient virtual appointments to understand you and the details of your case. With Todd Smith recognized among the Best Lawyers in America and Brian LaCien bringing over 20 years of dedicated practice experience, you can trust our Chicago attorneys to make a meaningful difference in your case. Our commitment to personalized representation, combined with our extensive resources and proven results throughout Illinois, ensures your injury claim receives the professional advocacy it deserves.

Our Chicago legal team approaches each case with compassion, understanding that behind every file is a person and family experiencing one of life's most challenging moments. We handle the legal complexities and aggressive insurance companies so you can focus on healing. Smith LaCien LLP's record of substantial verdicts and settlements across Illinois demonstrates our ability to achieve exceptional results, but our greatest satisfaction comes from knowing we've helped clients rebuild their lives after devastating injuries.

Contact our Chicago office today to discover how Smith LaCien LLP can help you navigate the path to recovery and justice after a serious injury in Illinois.