The #1 Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At TorHoerman Law, our Chicago-based team of attorneys is dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by medical negligence pursue justice and financial recovery.

Eric Terry leads our medical malpractice team, bringing years of experience handling complex personal injury cases involving surgical mistakes, failure to diagnose, medication errors, and wrongful death.

Eric and our attorneys take a collaborative approach—working together to investigate malpractice claims, challenge negligent health care providers, and seek full and fair compensation for the harm caused.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that medical errors can take, and we approach every case with a deep sense of responsibility and care.

Our team includes experienced trial lawyers and legal professionals with backgrounds in medical malpractice litigation, personal injury law, and claims involving negligence at some of Chicago’s most prominent hospitals.

Here are several key members of our firm who support clients in medical malpractice lawsuits:

• Steve Davis: With more than 30 years of legal experience, Steve Davis has built a strong reputation for representing victims of serious negligence. His litigation experience and attention to detail make him a reliable advocate in complex malpractice cases across Illinois.
• Alan Holcomb: Alan brings over a decade of trial experience to the firm and has handled cases in more than 20 states. His focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death—including medical malpractice—positions him to go head-to-head with powerful healthcare systems and insurers.
• Ken Brennan: Known for his litigation insight and defense strategy analysis, Ken Brennan is an asset to the team. His deep understanding of how medical institutions approach these cases helps strengthen our arguments and prepare for every possibility in court.
• Chad Finley: Chad combines legal expertise with medical insight, allowing him to evaluate the long-term implications of injuries caused by negligence. He plays a key role in calculating damages related to future medical costs, lost income, and permanent disability.
• Tyler Schneider: As managing partner, Tyler Schneider guides the firm’s client-first approach and oversees the team’s development of strategy, communication, and case management. His leadership helps ensure every client receives attentive and effective representation.
• Alexis Robinson: Alexis contributes to the litigation process through research, discovery, and document preparation. Her organization and attention to detail help strengthen the foundation of each malpractice case.

Together, our Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers offer the legal knowledge, trial experience, and personalized care needed to help medical malpractice victims move forward.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer from TorHoerman Law?

Hiring a medical malpractice lawyer from TorHoerman Law costs nothing upfront.

If you are a victim of medical malpractice, we represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we successfully recover compensation in your case.

Hiring an attorney on a contingency fee basis eliminates financial barriers and allows you to pursue justice without taking on additional costs.

Our fee is a percentage of the final recovery, and if we don’t win, you owe nothing.

This arrangement gives injured patients and their families access to experienced legal representation regardless of their current financial situation.

Medical malpractice isn’t always obvious right away.

For some injured victims, it becomes clear only after experiencing unexpected complications, prolonged recovery times, or worsened conditions after a routine medical procedure.

Signs of malpractice may include receiving conflicting diagnoses, poor communication from medical providers, or unexplainable outcomes following treatment.

In more serious cases, patients may suffer from surgical procedures performed incorrectly, medication errors, or injuries that could have been avoided altogether.

Families may also suspect negligence if a loved one dies suddenly under questionable medical circumstances.

Not all poor outcomes indicate malpractice, but persistent or unexplained harm should prompt closer evaluation.

Reviewing your medical records and seeking a second opinion can be important early steps.

An experienced attorney can assess whether your case meets the legal standard for medical negligence and help gather the necessary documentation.

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, take the following steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – If your condition has worsened, get treated by another medical provider to prevent further harm.
2. Obtain Copies of All Medical Records – These documents are essential in reviewing the care you received and identifying errors or omissions.
3. Document Everything – Write down your symptoms, any conversations with healthcare providers, and the timeline of your treatment.
4. Do Not Confront the Negligent Doctor or Facility – Let your attorney handle communication to avoid jeopardizing your case.
5. Consult a Medical Malpractice Lawyer – A legal professional with experience in medical negligence cases can review the facts and determine whether you have a valid claim.

Gathering Evidence for a Medical Malpractice Case

In medical malpractice cases, the burden of proof lies with the injured patient, which makes strong, well-documented evidence critical.

Medical records, provider notes, and expert evaluations can help establish whether a health care professional deviated from the accepted standard of care.

Medical experts and expert witnesses often play a key role in explaining how those deviations caused harm.

Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure that the right evidence is preserved and presented clearly.

Important evidence in medical malpractice cases includes:

• Complete Medical Records – Documentation of diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and provider notes.
• Test Results and Imaging – Lab work, scans, and other diagnostic results that show how your condition was managed or mismanaged.
• Statements from Other Health Care Professionals – Second opinions or follow-up assessments that identify errors in care.
• Expert Witness Testimony – Qualified medical experts who can explain how the standard of care was violated.
• Timeline of Symptoms and Treatment – A written account of your experience that details delays, complications, or inconsistent care.
• Photographs or Visual Evidence – Images of injuries or surgical results that support claims of harm.

Medical Malpractice Damages: What Can You Claim?

In a personal injury lawsuit, “damages” refer to the financial and personal losses that result from someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions.

In medical malpractice cases, these damages reflect the harm caused by negligent treatment, including both the physical consequences and the financial burden of corrective care.

Whether the injuries stem from a misdiagnosis, surgical error, or another form of medical negligence, injured patients may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

An experienced attorney can help you document and calculate the full extent of your damages to pursue fair compensation.

Damages in a medical malpractice case may include:

• Medical Care Costs – Past and future expenses for hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and corrective treatment.
• Lost Wages – Income lost while recovering, including diminished earning capacity if you’re unable to return to work.
• Pain and Suffering – Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life – For limitations in daily activities or long-term impairments that affect quality of life.
• Disfigurement or Disability – Compensation for permanent injuries that alter appearance or function.
• Wrongful Death Damages – If the patient died due to medical negligence, surviving family members may recover for funeral expenses and loss of support.

Illinois laws set specific standards and procedures for filing a medical malpractice claim.

To bring legal action, an injured patient must show that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure directly caused harm.

Under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/13-212), individuals have two years from the date they knew, or reasonably should have known, of an injury caused by medical negligence to file a lawsuit.

However, this statute also imposes a statute of repose, barring any claims filed more than four years after the alleged malpractice occurred, regardless of discovery date.

Additionally, per 735 ILCS 5/2-622, plaintiffs are required to submit an affidavit of merit alongside their complaint.

This affidavit must declare that a qualified health professional has reviewed the case and determined there is a reasonable and meritorious cause for the lawsuit.

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled on many malpractice issues, shaping the requirements for expert testimony and the scope of damages.

These rules are meant to balance patient rights with protections for health care providers while holding negligent parties accountable.

Given the complexity of medical malpractice in Chicago, including the involvement of large hospital systems, proper preparation and legal representation are highly important.

An experienced attorney can help you evaluate hospital quality, gather the required documentation, and take your claim through the proper legal channels.

Steps in the legal process include:

1. Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney – Start with a consultation to determine if your case meets the legal criteria for malpractice.
2. Obtain Medical Records – Gather all relevant documentation from hospitals, clinics, and other medical providers.
3. Secure an Affidavit of Merit – A medical expert must review your case and confirm that malpractice likely occurred.
4. File a Complaint in Court – Your attorney prepares and files a formal lawsuit in civil court.
5. Discovery Phase – Both sides exchange information, including depositions, expert opinions, and medical evidence.
6. Settlement Negotiations or Mediation – Many cases are resolved without trial through settlement discussions.
7. Trial – If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to trial where a judge or jury determines liability and compensation.
8. Appeals (if applicable) – Either party may appeal the outcome to a higher court, depending on the circumstances.

What is Considered Medical Malpractice in Chicago?

Medical malpractice in Chicago occurs when a health care provider breaches the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient.

Under Illinois law, doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other medical professionals are expected to provide care consistent with what a reasonably competent provider would offer under similar circumstances.

When that standard is violated—through negligence, omission, or error—the result may be considered malpractice if it directly causes injury or death.

Examples include misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and failure to obtain informed consent.

To qualify as medical malpractice, the patient must have suffered significant harm that would not have occurred without the provider’s error.

A successful claim requires evidence of the provider’s negligence, the injuries sustained, and a clear link between the two.

Who Can Be Sued for Medical Malpractice in Illinois?

In Illinois, several different parties can be held legally responsible in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Any licensed healthcare provider who breached the standard of care and caused harm may be named in a claim.

This includes:

• Doctors and Surgeons – for errors during diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedures.
• Nurses – for mistakes in administering medication or failing to monitor a patient properly.
• Hospitals and Clinics – for systemic issues, negligent hiring, or understaffing that leads to patient harm.
• Pharmacists – for dispensing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage.
• Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and Specialists – for negligent treatment or failure to refer a patient when necessary.

A thorough investigation by your attorney will determine which individuals or institutions contributed to the malpractice and should be held liable.

Medical malpractice and medical negligence occur when healthcare professionals fail to provide care that meets the accepted standard, causing harm to patients.

In Chicago and throughout Illinois, these errors can lead to serious injuries, long-term complications, or even death.

Whether in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, negligent actions can happen during diagnosis, treatment, or post-operative care.

Some of the most common examples involve errors that could have been prevented with proper attention, skill, and communication.

Administering the wrong medication, performing a procedure incorrectly, or ignoring critical symptoms can all constitute medical negligence.

Victims of these mistakes often face long recoveries and costly medical bills.

Identifying the specific failure is essential to building a strong malpractice claim.

Examples of medical malpractice and negligence include:

• Wrong medication or dosage administered
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Surgical errors or operations on the wrong site
• Failure to monitor a patient’s condition
• Birth injuries caused by improper delivery procedures
• Infections due to poor hospital sanitation
• Failure to order necessary diagnostic tests
• Nursing home abuse and neglect by staff
• Anesthesia errors during medical procedures
• Ignoring or dismissing patient symptoms

Potential Injuries Resulting from Medical Malpractice and Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice and negligence can result in a wide range of serious and life-altering injuries.

When healthcare professionals fail to meet the accepted standard of care, patients may suffer permanent damage, disability, or even death.

Brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating outcomes, often requiring long-term care and significantly impacting a person’s quality of life.

In birth injury cases, medical negligence can lead to lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy, placing emotional and financial strain on families.

Common injuries caused by medical malpractice and negligence include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Cerebral palsy
• Organ damage or failure
• Severe infections or sepsis
• Paralysis or partial loss of mobility
• Disfigurement or loss of limb
• Chronic pain and neurological disorders

To determine whether you qualify for a medical malpractice lawsuit, certain legal and medical criteria must be met.

First, there must be a clear doctor-patient relationship, meaning the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care.

Second, you must be able to show that the provider violated the accepted medical standard of care during your diagnosis, treatment, or procedure.

This breach must have directly caused you harm, whether through physical injury, emotional distress, or financial loss.

Common signs include unexpected complications, delayed diagnoses, or worsening conditions after routine procedures.

Medical experts are typically required to support your claim and prove that malpractice occurred.

If these elements apply to your situation, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit and recover compensation.

If you’re looking for a local Chicago law firm with decades of experience handling medical malpractice claims and securing significant financial compensation for injured victims, TorHoerman Law is here to help you.

Our team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll these cases can take on victims and their families.

We work closely with medical experts to evaluate the conduct of medical professionals and build a strong case on your behalf.

As a nationally recognized law firm with deep ties to the Chicago area, we’ve helped malpractice victims recover compensation in cases involving surgical errors, birth injuries, misdiagnoses, and more.

Every case we take is handled with precision, compassion, and a focus on securing the best possible outcome.

Contact the Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at TorHoerman Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Let us help you take the first step toward justice and recovery.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a medical malpractice case instantly.