Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer
You trusted your doctors with your health—with your life. You believed they would uphold their oath to “first, do no harm.” They broke that promise, and they left you to deal with the pain, suffering, and health complications that they caused. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries.
You don’t have to face this alone.
“I’m Howard Ankin. If a doctor’s mistake or hospital’s negligence has turned your life upside down, you deserve answers, accountability, and justice, not excuses. At Ankin Law, ‘Injury Law Made Personal’ means we take the time to understand your story, your treatment, and the impact this malpractice has had on your life. We stand up to hospitals, insurers, and corporations to make sure your voice is heard, and your losses are fully valued.”
~ Howard Ankin, Chicago car accident lawyer, founder of Ankin Law.
As an injured patient, your case demands experienced medical malpractice lawyers who have the knowledge, skill, and resources to stand up to healthcare providers and their attorneys and demand that they take responsibility for their actions. You need Ankin Law.
Why Hire Us?
When doctors and hospitals fail to meet the standard of care expected of them, and they make mistakes that harm their patients, our attorneys hold them accountable. We’ve successfully tried complex malpractice cases against major Chicago hospitals. We have over 150 years of combined experience representing the people of Illinois, and we’ve recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of our clients.
- We Offer FREE consultations
- We’re available 24/7
- We will come to you if you are unable to get to our Chicago offices.
Timing Is Critical. Let’s Get Started With Your Claim
If you or your loved one suffered harm because of a doctor, nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist, or another medical professional, you need to take action now.
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a medical malpractice claim. Injured patients in Illinois generally have just two years to take legal action. Exceptions may apply that shorten or extend the deadline in your situation, however. As such, it is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney at our law firm as soon as you realize you may have a claim.
Contact us today for your free case evaluation. Call (312) 600-0000.
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Injured at the hands of a health care professional?
Get Top Medical Malpractice Attorneys On Your Side
If you suffered injuries that were caused by your medical provider, seek advice and legal representation from a skilled attorney right away. You’ll need a lawyer who has the experience, assertiveness, and resources to protect your rights.
At Ankin Law, we are dedicated to holding negligent health care providers accountable for their mistakes. Whether through negotiation and settlement, or trial in an Illinois courtroom, our job is to make sure negligent doctors, nurses, hospitals, and others pay for the harm they’ve caused.
We Have Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars on Behalf of Our Clients
Our lawyers have earned a reputation for taking on some of the most challenging personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Illinois – and winning. We have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- $17M as co-counsel for medical negligence
- $10M as co-counsel for misdiagnosis resulting in above-the-knee leg amputation
- $6M as co-counsel for a client who suffocated and died while cleaning her tracheotomy
- $5.6M as co-counsel for anesthesia death
We handle medical malpractice cases in Chicago, Cicero, Chicago Heights, Schaumburg, Joliet, Waukegan, Wheaton, Rosemont, Naperville, Elgin, Morton, Orland Park, Bartonville, Eureka, Bloomington, Galesburg, and the surrounding communities.
Get Your FREE Case Evaluation. Call (312) 600-0000.
We Are the Malpractice Attorneys Chicago Trusts
Highly Recommended!!
Did an awesome job helping my Husband with his case. Very professional and always getting back to us with an answer. Karolina, thank you for all your help on always getting back to us when we had questions. Definitely will go back if I needed a lawyer again. Very patient with us and did not pressure us at all!
Ankin Law is one law firm that I would recommend anyone to use for cases of injuries. They are very thorough when working on your case and very professional. Their legal assistant Alex Quigley is a very polite and a pleasant person to work with. She is very thorough, very professional and very patient. If there were any problems that came about with your case, she would be right on it, and she would get the matter resolved. She cares about her/their clients, and she does her all to make you feel comfortable working with the law firm. Alex, continue to do what you do.
I was told to go to Ankin Law because they were the best, and they truly did not disappoint! Upon getting in contact with Ankin, I was introduced to one of their OUTSTANDING employees, Kat McHenry. Kat helped me get all the information I needed regarding my insurance issue and has helped me immensely with a plan to move forward. I would recommend both Kat McHenry and Ankin Law to anyone I know. Thanks for being so amazing!
We are your voice when you or your family member suffers a personal injury or wrongful death caused by a medical provider.
What Qualifies As Medical Malpractice?
Malpractice happens when a medical care provider fails to meet the standard of care expected of them in the health care setting. Malpractice includes acts or omissions that lead to misdiagnosis, failing to provide appropriate treatment for a condition, or a delay of treatment that leads to personal injury or wrongful death for the patient.
Medical malpractice may occur in a variety of situations. It can happen when patients suffer harm because:
- The provider does not provide proper care prior to, during, or after surgery.
- Test results are misinterpreted or tests are not performed properly.
- Medicine is improperly prescribed or incorrectly administered.
- Doctors fail to inform patients about the risks involved with their treatments or alternative treatments that are less risky.
- Treatment does not follow the same standards that other medical professionals in the same circumstances would have followed.
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim in Illinois?
You may have a medical malpractice claim in Illinois if a doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and their negligence caused you harm. To prove malpractice, you’ll need to show that a provider-patient relationship existed, the provider acted negligently, that negligence directly caused your injury, and that you suffered measurable damages such as additional medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim in Illinois?
Medical malpractice can take many forms. Some of the most common examples include surgical errors, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, birth injuries, medication mistakes, anesthesia errors, and hospital-acquired infections caused by poor hygiene or inadequate staffing. Even small mistakes in a hospital or clinic can have life changing consequences.
Hospital Malpractice
Medical staff may fail to perform diagnostic testing or follow up on test results, ignore safety guidelines that require them to sanitize equipment or wash their hands, use defective medical equipment, or diagnose and treat patients for the wrong medical condition. When medical staff members like nurses and aides, physician assistants, medical technicians, or others engage in negligent behaviors or their care is substandard, patients may have a hospital malpractice case. The health care facility may be held liable for negligence under the legal theory of vicarious liability.
Emergency Room Malpractice
Medical mistakes are common in the high-pressure environment of the emergency room. When emergency room professionals fail to provide the level of care expected and injuries or death occur, they can be held accountable. Providing the wrong treatment, failing to diagnose a heart attack, stroke or other life-altering or life-threatening condition, and failing to order crucial diagnostic tests are common emergency room errors.
Delayed Diagnosis
Mistakes made when interpreting tests or evaluating a patient’s symptoms, and failing to explore all possible health conditions, may lead to a delay in diagnosis and accurate treatment. When diagnostic errors cause serious injuries or death, professionals can be held liable.
Medication Errors
Giving a patient the wrong dose, failing to administer prescribed medication, or prescribing the wrong medication can cause irrevocable harm to the patient. These medication errors can be attributed to medical staff or pharmacists.
Radiology Malpractice
Radiologists play a crucial role in diagnosing medical conditions accurately and early. When they misread X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or mammograms, patients can be left untreated or given the wrong care plan. Radiology errors often contribute to missed diagnoses of cancer, fractures, or internal injuries.
Pediatric Medical Malpractice
Children depend on medical professionals to provide specialized, attentive care. Pediatric malpractice can occur when a doctor fails to diagnose an illness, administers the wrong medication dosage, or mismanages childbirth-related conditions that affect infants. When a child’s injury or long-term health condition results from a provider’s negligence, parents have the right to seek justice.
Surgical Errors
About 24% of medical malpractice cases filed are connected to surgical errors. Wrong-site surgeries, retained foreign objects such as surgical instruments and sponges, performing the wrong surgery and causing damage to organs or nerves are all common examples of surgical malpractice.
Substandard Care
Medical professionals have a responsibility to provide their patients with quality care. When they fail to provide the same level of care that other medical professionals faced with the same circumstances would have provided, they can be held liable for errors made in diagnosis, birthing processes, prescriptions, treatment and surgical procedures.
Medication Errors
Giving a patient the wrong dose, failing to administer prescribed medication, or prescribing the wrong medication can cause irrevocable harm to the patient. These medication errors can be attributed to medical staff or pharmacists.
Cancer Misdiagnosis
When doctors fail to recognize early warning signs, misread test results, or neglect to order necessary imaging or biopsies, cancer can progress beyond the point of effective treatment. A cancer misdiagnosis may occur with conditions such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, or skin cancer. If your cancer was diagnosed too late or misidentified as another illness, you may have a cancer misdiagnosis malpractice claim.
Plastic Surgery Errors
Plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures require precision and adherence to strict safety standards. When plastic surgeons make mistakes, such as operating on the wrong area, causing nerve damage, or failing to monitor anesthesia, severe injury, paralysis, or even death can occur.
Failure to Diagnose
A doctor’s failure to diagnose a serious medical condition in time can lead to irreversible harm. This often occurs when physicians dismiss symptoms, fail to order proper tests, or overlook key findings in lab or imaging results. From heart attacks and strokes to infections and cancers, delayed diagnosis can drastically reduce a patient’s chances of recovery.
What You Should Know About Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Filing a lawsuit can help ensure that medical doctors, dentists, specialists, psychiatrists, nurses, hospitals and facilities, and other health care providers are held liable for their incompetence, mistakes, or negligent actions that cause injuries to you or your loved ones. A settlement or jury award can help you get your medical bills paid, replace your lost income, and compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Medical Malpractice Claims and Lawsuits?
Various types of medical providers can be held liable in medical negligence cases in Chicago. Common types of defendants include medical professionals like:
- Doctors
- Surgeons
- Nurses
- Anesthesiologists
- Dentists
- Midwives
Hospitals, clinics, government-run healthcare facilities, birthing centers, surgical centers and other types of facilities whose negligent or substandard care causes injury or death to patients can also be held accountable for medical malpractice.
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Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Learn MoreRequirements for a Successful Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
For a health care provider to be held liable for injuries or fatalities, four elements must exist.
Duty of Care:
Your malpractice attorney must show that the medical professional or facility owed a duty of care to the victim. This is typically established by showing the existence of a provider-patient relationship.
Causation:
The healthcare provider’s failure to provide appropriate care to the patient must have caused the injuries suffered by the patient. Again, expert testimony by other relevant medical professionals is typically required to prove this element.
Breach of Duty:
Your lawyer will present evidence to demonstrate that the medical professional or health care facility provided substandard care when providing treatment to the patient. Testimony from medical experts is almost always required.
Damages:
It is not enough to show that the medical provider provided substandard care. Substantial injuries must have been sustained due to the health care provider’s medical mistake or negligence for your medical malpractice claim to be viable.
Do I Need an Affidavit of Merit for a Medical Malpractice Case?
Yes, you need an Affidavit of Merit for a medical malpractice case in Illinois. State law requires that your attorney file an affidavit, along with a written report from a qualified healthcare professional, certifying that your claim has merit. This expert must review the facts of your case and confirm that the medical care you received likely fell below the accepted standard of care.
The affidavit helps prevent frivolous lawsuits and ensures that your case is backed by legitimate medical evidence. If this document isn’t filed within the required timeframe, your case could be dismissed.
How Do You Prove a Doctor Was Negligent?”
To prove negligence in an Illinois medical malpractice case, your attorney must establish that a doctor or medical professional failed to meet the accepted standard of care. This is done by presenting testimony from qualified medical experts, reviewing medical records, and comparing the provider’s actions to what a competent practitioner would have done in the same situation.
At Ankin Law, we use expert witnesses, depositions, and medical documentation to demonstrate how the provider’s actions directly caused your injuries and losses. Our detailed case preparation helps ensure that negligent healthcare providers are held accountable for the harm they cause.
When possible, request copies of your medical records right away. Hospitals and clinics sometimes delay or redact records after a malpractice claim is filed. Having your documentation early gives your attorney a stronger foundation for investigation.
Getting Medical Treatment As An Injured Patient in Chicago
Chicago was ranked as the 54th best city in the United States for hospital quality and overall quality of health care. Although the city is home to some of the best medical providers in the world, it’s also host to a multitude of negligent doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals and facilities. In fact, Medicare ranked three prominent Chicago hospitals with the lowest, one-star grade.
As a victim of medical malpractice, this is especially alarming. You’ve already suffered harm at the hands of a doctor you trusted, so it’s even harder to trust someone with your medical care. Whether you receive treatment at the best, or the worst hospital, the risk of medical malpractice is real.
Some of Chicago’s most highly-regarded medical facilities include:
- Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
- Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
- Alexius Medical Center
- NorthShore Evanston Hospital
- Alexian Brothers Medical Center
Don’t discuss your potential malpractice case with insurance companies or hospital representatives before consulting an attorney. Anything you say can be used to limit your claim later.
We Can Help You Recover
Every year, nearly 100,000 patients die as a result of preventable medical mistakes. Countless other victims are severely injured. The consequences of medical mistakes are often catastrophic.
Recovering financial compensation through a successful medical malpractice claim or lawsuit can help patients like you access the resources needed to recover emotionally, physically, and financially.
“You should never have to pay for the negligence of your health care providers. Our Chicago law firm helps ensure that patients like you receive appropriate financial compensation for the damages they suffer. In Illinois, there is no cap for medical malpractice damages.”
Negligent health care providers can be held liable to pay financial compensation for:
Medical negligence often leaves patients with physical or emotional conditions that require extensive, ongoing treatment, specialized equipment, and/or round the clock care. Over the course of a lifetime, medical costs can skyrocket.
In many cases, medical negligence leads to wrongful death. Surviving family members can recover compensation for the loss of companionship, loss of financial support that the deceased provided (and was expected to provide in the future), funeral and burial expenses and more.
Medical errors or negligent acts frequently leave disabling injuries in their wake. Many victims find themselves unable to return to work, placing their financial security in jeopardy. When family members are financially dependent on mom, dad, or a spouse, and that person dies because of medical malpractice, the loss of income, health care coverage, and other benefits can be catastrophic.
Medical negligence often prevents victims from doing the things they enjoyed prior to the incident. Participating in sports, playing with the kids, enjoying a family vacation, or even taking an evening stroll can suddenly seem out of reach. In some cases, pain and discomfort make even simple tasks almost unbearable. Our attorneys recognize the seriousness of losing enjoyment in life. We consider this factor when calculating award amounts.
Illinois Courts may hold medical providers liable for the physical pain and suffering their acts or negligence cause. The amount of pain and suffering that is awarded in a medical malpractice case largely depends on the severity of injuries and how they impact the victim’s daily life.
The spouse of a person who is seriously injured or killed because of medical errors can recover damages for the loss of marital benefits. Loss of affection, loss of emotional support, and loss of sexual relations are often experienced by spouses of malpractice victims.
What Sets the Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Ankin Law Apart from the Rest?
At Ankin Law in Chicago, we provide superior service and personal attention to every case. You’re not just another number at Ankin Law. You’re family.
If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. When you hire our firm, an attorney will meet with you to discuss your case in the privacy of your own home, hospital room, or another agreed upon location.
Our Chicago attorneys have access to a vast network of experts who can help uncover medical mistakes, determine negligence and provide compelling testimony about the cause and severity of your case. With their help, we expose every aspect of the circumstances that led to your injuries, holding negligent healthcare providers responsible.
Retaining the services of Ankin Law won’t cost you anything up front. Legal representation is on a contingency basis, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win.
We have a strong track record of obtaining successful results for injured victims in Chicago. Client testimonials and case results speak for themselves.
Our Trusted Chicago Law Firm Is Featured by Leading News Outlets
Ankin Law has been recognized and featured by some of Chicago’s most trusted media outlets. Our attorneys are frequently asked to provide legal insight on high-profile cases and consumer issues involving personal injury and workers’ rights.
You may have seen us on:
Why File a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Medical malpractice lawsuits send a message to healthcare providers that medical negligence will not be tolerated. While successful plaintiffs can recover significant amounts of monetary compensation, they also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that they helped to prevent similar acts from happening to someone else.
Illinois medical malpractice cases often hinge on expert testimony. Hiring a firm with access to qualified medical experts, like Ankin Law, can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful settlement.
How much will a medical malpractice lawsuit cost me?
Our team provides a free initial consultation to malpractice victims, and we can go over the estimated cost of your case when we meet. We offer legal representation to malpractice victims on a contingency basis, and our fees are subtracted from your settlement or jury award. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
How long do medical malpractice lawsuits usually take?
The length of time it takes for a malpractice lawsuit to resolve is impacted by various factors. If medical negligence is obvious, and medical evidence is readily available, your claim will move faster through the system. Depending on whether a lawsuit is settled out of court or a full trial progresses, it can take weeks, months, and often years to resolve a malpractice case.
How much money can I recover for my injuries?
There is no cap on medical malpractice damages in Illinois. Awards are typically determined based on the severity of injuries and losses, and the impact they have on a victim’s life. If you suffered a severe personal injury at the hands of a doctor, or your loved one is the victim of wrongful death caused by a negligent medical provider, your attorney can estimate the value of your claim during your free consultation.
How Our Malpractice Team Builds Your Case
At Ankin Law, “Injury Law Made Personal” means a meticulous, evidence-driven approach tailored to your story.
We immediately secure complete medical records, imaging, hospital policies, device logs, and provider notes to prevent alteration or loss.
We consult qualified, independent specialists to compare your care against the accepted standard and identify where it fell short.
Our team connects the negligent act to your harm using timelines, imaging comparisons, and life-care plans that quantify future medical needs and lost earnings.
We press for full value in negotiations. If the defense lowballs, we are ready to try your case in an Illinois courtroom.
Illinois Deadlines for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits (Statute of Limitations & Repose)
In Illinois, most medical malpractice claims must be filed within 2 years of when you knew or should have known of the injury and that it may have been caused by negligence, and no later than 4 years from the date of the negligent act (the “statute of repose”).
Special rules for minors
Claims for patients under 18 generally must be filed within 8 years of the negligent act, but not after the patient’s 22nd birthday.
Wrongful death cases
If medical negligence results in death, families typically have 2 years from the date of death to take legal action.
These rules have exceptions. To protect your rights, speak with Ankin Law as soon as you suspect malpractice.
Evidence We Use to Prove Medical Negligence
- Complete medical records, imaging, lab trends, medication administration logs
- Hospital protocols, staffing schedules, device maintenance records
- Expert testimony from board-certified specialists
- Prior complaints or discipline involving providers (when available)
- Life-care planning and economic analyses to document future costs and lost income
Keep a simple journal of symptoms, appointments, and out-of-pocket costs. These details strengthen your damages claim.
What to Bring to Your Free Consultation
- Photo ID and insurance information
- Medical records or patient portal downloads (if you have them)
- A list of providers, facilities, and dates of care
- Medication list and any device/equipment details
- Bills, EOBs, and receipts
- A brief timeline of what happened and how your life changed
We’ll take it from there. Our team will order complete records and consult independent experts.
Suing Government-Run Hospitals or Federally Funded Clinics
Claims involving state, county, or federal facilities (like VA hospitals or FQHCs) may have special notice rules and shorter deadlines under the Illinois Court of Claims Act or the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). These cases also follow unique procedures (administrative claims first, then court). If your care involved a government facility or a provider covered by FTCA, contact Ankin Law immediately so we can preserve your rights.
Will My Case Settle or Go to Trial?
Maybe. Most medical malpractice cases settle after expert discovery clarifies liability and damages. Your case is more likely to settle for full value when we demonstrate:
- a clear standard-of-care breach
- direct causation
- well-documented lifetime damages.
If the defense refuses to pay what your case is worth, Ankin Law is prepared to take the case to trial.
Chicago-Area Hospital & Facility Negligence: Local Experience Matters
From teaching hospitals to community clinics, every facility must follow safety protocols. We handle malpractice cases across Chicago, Cook County, and surrounding counties, including care at major academic centers, suburban hospitals, surgical centers, dialysis facilities, and radiology groups. If negligence occurred in any Illinois facility, Ankin Law is ready to help.
Do Consent Forms Waive My Right to Sue for Malpractice?
No. A consent form acknowledges known risks; it does not excuse negligent care that falls below the accepted standard.
Can I Sue for a Delayed Diagnosis if I Already Had the Underlying Disease?
Yes. If a delay or misdiagnosis worsened your outcome by allowing disease progression or causing more invasive treatment, you may have a malpractice claim.
Who Pays My Bills While the Case Is Pending?
Health insurance, MedPay, or other benefits may pay first. In settlement or verdict, the negligent parties are held responsible for past and future medical costs and related losses.