Experienced Representation for Injury Victims in Joliet and Will County
When you are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, the consequences reach every part of your life — mounting medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, and the uncertainty of whether you will fully recover. Insurance companies move quickly to minimize what they pay. You need an attorney who understands how to build a case that reflects the full extent of your losses and who will fight for compensation that covers your actual needs.
Attorney Jack Zaremba represents injury victims throughout Joliet, Will County, Grundy County, and the surrounding communities. With more than 20 years of legal experience — including time as a Will County prosecutor and Illinois Assistant Attorney General — he brings a thorough understanding of Illinois negligence law and courtroom experience to every personal injury case.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Auto and Motorcycle Accidents
Car and motorcycle crashes are the most common source of serious personal injury in Will County. Illinois follows a fault-based system, meaning the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages. We handle collisions involving distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, failure to yield, and rear-end accidents on I-80, I-55, Route 30, and throughout the Joliet area.
Commercial Trucking Accidents
Crashes involving semi-trucks and commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Trucking cases involve federal regulations, hours-of-service logs, black box data, and potentially multiple liable parties including the driver, trucking company, and cargo loaders. Will County’s position along major interstate corridors means trucking accidents are unfortunately common.
Wrongful Death
When negligence causes a fatality, Illinois law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). Compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is 2 years from the date of death.
Slip and Fall / Premises Liability
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions on their premises. When they fail — through icy sidewalks, wet floors without warning signs, broken stairs, poor lighting, or other hazards — and someone is injured as a result, the property owner may be held liable. We handle slip and fall cases at commercial properties, apartment buildings, parking lots, and government-owned facilities throughout Joliet and Will County.
Workplace Injuries
Illinois workers’ compensation provides benefits for employees injured on the job, including medical expenses, temporary disability payments, and permanent disability compensation. Under 820 ILCS 305, you must notify your employer within 45 days of the injury. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within 3 years of the injury or 2 years from the last benefit payment. In cases involving third-party negligence — such as a subcontractor’s error on a construction site — a separate personal injury lawsuit may also be available.
Medical Malpractice
When a healthcare provider’s negligence causes injury — through surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, birth injuries, or emergency room mistakes — the consequences can be life-altering. Illinois medical malpractice claims are governed by 735 ILCS 5/13-212, with a 2-year statute of limitations from discovery and a 4-year statute of repose from the date of the negligent act.
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home residents are entitled to proper care, dignity, and safety. When facilities fail to provide adequate staffing, nutrition, hygiene, or medical attention, residents suffer preventable injuries including falls, bedsores, infections, dehydration, and medication errors. We hold negligent facilities accountable for the harm they cause to vulnerable residents in Will County and surrounding areas.
Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
Understanding filing deadlines is critical. If you miss the statute of limitations, your right to compensation is permanently lost regardless of the strength of your case:
- General personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202)
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death (740 ILCS 180/2)
- Medical malpractice: 2 years from discovery, 4-year maximum from the act (735 ILCS 5/13-212)
- Workers’ compensation: 3 years from injury or 2 years from last benefit payment (820 ILCS 305/6(c))
- Claims against government entities: 1 year, with written notice required within 45 days in some cases
- Minors: Statute of limitations is tolled until the child turns 18
Compensation Available in Illinois Personal Injury Cases
Illinois personal injury victims may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses — past and future, including surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and ongoing care
- Lost wages and earning capacity — income lost during recovery and diminished future earning potential
- Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
- Loss of normal life — inability to enjoy activities and daily routines you participated in before the injury
- Disability and disfigurement — permanent impairments resulting from the injury
- Loss of consortium — impact on your relationship with your spouse
Illinois does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, meaning juries can award the full amount of proven losses. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence standard — you can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, with your recovery reduced by your percentage of fault.
Why Hire a Former Prosecutor for Your Injury Case
Attorney Zaremba’s background as a prosecutor — including experience with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office — provides skills that directly benefit personal injury clients. Prosecutors are trained to build cases methodically: gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing expert testimony, and presenting complex facts clearly. These are exactly the skills needed to hold negligent parties and insurance companies accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Illinois
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois?
Two years from the date of the injury for most cases under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Wrongful death claims have 2 years from the date of death. Medical malpractice has a 2-year discovery rule with a 4-year maximum. Claims against government entities may require notice within 45 days and filing within 1 year.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence. You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the strength of the evidence establishing the other party’s negligence. Illinois does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. We evaluate every case individually during a free consultation.
Do I need to go to court?
Most personal injury cases settle through negotiations with the insurance company without a trial. However, having an attorney who is prepared and willing to take your case to trial gives you significant leverage during negotiations. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know the attorney on the other side has courtroom experience.
Contact a Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a family member has been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Joliet, Will County, Grundy County, or the surrounding areas, contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. at 815-740-4025 for a free consultation. We evaluate your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.