Medical Malpractice Is A Breach Of Trust. If You Suffered Injury, You Have The Right To Recover.
You trust doctors and other medical professionals with your life. When their negligence injures you or a loved one, the results can be catastrophic. The frustrating part is that these injuries are preventable.
I am attorney Roger Rudich and have handled medical malpractice and other personal injury cases for those in the Chicago area for many years. I have made claims against:
- Doctors
- Hospitals
- Nurses
- Surgeons
- Nursing home staff
- Hospital staff
- Assisted living facilities
What Are The Most Common Medical Errors?
It is important to understand that people will sometimes become sick and die even when doctors do everything right. The problem lies in injuries that occur due to negligence rather than a simple mistake.
There are many ways that medical professionals can commit egregious errors, but they all tend to fall into seven major categories:
- Birth injuries. Even with our modern technology, labor can still be dangerous, and sometimes an error can have a lifelong effect.
- Surgical errors. This can include actions like a nicked vein or operating on the wrong body part.
- Medication errors. This may include an adverse drug reaction, like a drug allergy or a bad combination of medications, or an error in prescribing or administering a drug.
- Misdiagnosis. A misdiagnosis may cause a delay in treatment or a completely inappropriate treatment plan.
- Falls. Falls are a concern in hospitals, but even more so in nursing homes and assisted living facilities where a fall can be fatal to an elderly person.
- Laboratory errors. A lab error can lead to another error, such as misdiagnosis or a medication error.
- Infections. Unfortunately, hospitals and health care facilities are full of harmful bacteria. When health care personnel do not take proper precautions to not spread the bacteria, patients pay the price.
Many of these mistakes result from a failure to communicate properly, either with the patient or among staff. They also stem from a lack of good record-keeping. Medical staff could avoid these mistakes with proper time and attention.
Everything You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice in Illinois
When Medical Care Falls Short
Not every poor outcome is caused by malpractice, but legal action may be justified when a provider’s actions fall below professional standards and result in serious harm. I’ve represented clients throughout Chicago who were injured because something preventable happened. These are not simple errors—they’re failures that carry consequences.
When I review a case, I look at what care was expected, what happened, and whether that gap directly caused the injury.
Why Medical Errors Happen
In many cases I’ve handled, providers missed clear warning signs, failed to follow up on abnormal results, or didn’t communicate with other staff. I’ve seen surgical tools left behind, medications improperly prescribed, and infections ignored until they became life-threatening. Often, it’s not one mistake but a chain of events that should have been avoided.
If you’ve been hurt under these circumstances, I can assess whether the standard of care was breached. As a medical malpractice lawyer, I work to identify where the process broke down and who is responsible.
What You Can Recover
Medical negligence can have lasting effects. I’ve helped clients who needed follow-up surgeries, long-term care, or had to stop working altogether. Illinois law allows you to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and future care needs.
As a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer, my role is to ensure that all forms of harm—financial and personal—are documented and reflected in your claim. I consult with outside experts to present your case clearly and thoroughly when necessary.
What to Do Right Away
If you suspect malpractice, request your medical records and keep a personal log of symptoms, diagnoses, and any comments from your providers. These notes often reveal what went wrong and when. I use this information to compare your care to accepted medical standards.
Once I have the whole picture, I’ll explain whether the law supports a claim and what steps come next. As your medical malpractice attorney, I’ll manage communications, filings, and medical reviews so that you can focus on healing.
What to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes I see is waiting too long. Illinois law has firm deadlines, and delays can make a case more complicated to prove. I also caution against speaking with insurance representatives or hospital risk managers alone. Their goal is to protect the provider, not you.
I handle those conversations so nothing gets said or signed that could harm your case. You shouldn’t have to defend your experience alone while trying to recover.
Understanding the Timeline
These cases are rarely resolved overnight. Some settle in a matter of months, but others take longer, especially if expert opinions or trial preparation are involved. I’ll keep you informed at every step so you’re never guessing about your case status or next move.
Legal Deadlines in Illinois
You typically have two years from when you discovered the injury to file a claim. However, the law also sets a strict four-year limit from the treatment date, no matter when the harm became obvious. Certain exceptions apply for minors or individuals who couldn’t take legal action themselves, but the safest approach is to act early. I’ll confirm which timeline applies to you and ensure it’s met.
Let Me Assess Your Case. You Have Nothing To Lose.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury at the hands of any medical professional, let an experienced lawyer assess your case. I know the law, procedures and rules, and have handled cases just like yours.
Call me today at 312-236-5406 to set up a consultation.
I offer free consults and do not charge a fee unless I recover payment for you. You have nothing to lose.
You can also contact me online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim?
You generally have two years from when you discovered the harm, but no more than four years from the date of the incident.
Can I still file if I had a prior condition?
Yes. You may still have a strong claim if the provider’s actions made it worse or caused a new injury.
What type of attorney should handle these cases?
You want someone focused on these cases. I’ve worked as a medical malpractice attorney for years and understand what it takes to prove fault.
Is there a consultation fee?
No. I offer free consultations and only get paid if I win your compensation.
What should I bring to our meeting?
Any medical records, prescriptions, and a written summary of what happened are a good place to start.
Communities We Serve
Roger D. Rudich, Ltd. proudly serves individuals and families across Chicago and surrounding communities who need trusted support after medical harm. We frequently assist clients in:
- Cicero
- Berwyn
- Oak Park
- Evanston
- Skokie
- Lincolnwood
- Elmwood Park
- Forest Park
- River Forest
- Park Ridge
- Niles
- Maywood
