Chicago, IL

Quick checklist before you book

Educational checklist. We do not rank providers. Use official sources and written terms.

• Confirm identity and licensing: use your state bar directory and the firm's official website.
• Ask who will handle the case: lead attorney vs team, and who you can contact day-to-day.
• Request a written fee agreement: contingency percentage, how costs are handled, and what happens if you switch counsel.
• Clarify costs and liens: filing fees, medical records, experts, and whether medical liens may apply.
• Discuss timelines realistically: what typically drives duration (treatment, records, negotiations, litigation steps).
• Get the communication plan: update cadence, preferred channels, and response expectations in writing.
• Bring documentation: incident report, photos/videos, witness info, insurance details, and treatment providers.
• Check conflicts and scope: confirm what is included (property damage, rentals, lost wages) and what is not.
• Verify marketing claims: treat "best/top" language as advertising; rely on credentials and written terms.