SHAMMAS LAW OFFICE
  • Home
  • Practice Areas
  • Michael A. Shammas
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • SHAMMAS LAW OFFICE
    PERSONAL INJURY LAW
    FREE CASE EVALUATION NOW
    Click Here
    FREE CASE EVALUATION
    CLICK HERE

DON'T DELAY CALL NOW!

PRACTICE AREAS

Car Accidents
CTA Bus & Train Accidents
Wrongful Death
Trucking Accidents
Construction Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Car Accidents

 Car Accidents

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic event.  It can also be an overwhelming experience to deal with insurance companies, figuring out who will pay medical bills, property damage, lost time from work, and more. However, there are steps that you can take immediately after an accident to help add value to your case, such as:

  1. Do not admit fault or agree to pay for anything
  2. Call the police and make a report
  3. Exchange personal information and insurance information. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company and policy number
  4. Take photos of the damage to all cars involved and any visible injuries
  5. Go to the emergency room for any pain or discomfort you are feeling, even if it seems minor or you think it will go away. Make sure you tell the doctors at the ER all pain and discomfort you are feeling, even if some areas are not as bad as others.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
  6. Call Shammas Law Office so you can get the proper guidance and advice on how to move forward with your injury and property damage claims.
CTA Bus & Train Accidents

 CTA Bus & Train Accidents

Living in Chicago presents a higher risk of injury due to bus and train accidents.  CTA bus and train operators are held to an even higher standard because they transport the public.  Injuries can be sustained whether a bus or train operator is guilty of negligent driving, or if the bus or train has not been maintained properly.  Because of the size of buses and trains, the resulting injuries can be very extensive.

Wrongful Death

 Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is never easy.  It can be especially devastating when the death comes unexpectedly due to the careless acts of another.  Often times, a family is not only losing a loved one, but also a provider of income, and a provider of care and companionship.  The family of a person killed due to the wrongful conduct of another is eligible to receive money damages for economic loss, pain and suffering, grief, sorrow, and loss of companionship.

Trucking Accidents

 Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents are different from car accidents because the trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Government.  Many truck accidents occur because of driver fatigue, improper loading techniques, negligent truck maintenance, improper training, and other acts of negligence.  The Federal Trucking Regulations place certain requirements on truck drivers and truck companies to guard against accidents, and many times, trucking accidents occur because one or more Federal Regulations have been violated.  It is important to hire an experienced attorney who knows how to take the proper steps to preserve critical evidence and use the proper investigation techniques in building a trucking case.

Construction Accidents

 Construction Accidents

Men and women involved in construction perform their jobs in an environment where slight carelessness or oversight can lead to disastrous consequences.  This is because often times construction projects involve heavy machinery, several different types of equipment and other objects in the area, and various individuals from several trades working in coordination at the same time.  Constructions workers injured on the job usually have two separate cases that can be filed.  Since the person was hurt on the job, they can file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer.  Since a workers’ compensation claim is not based upon fault, the injured worker can also bring a claim against the general contractor of the project or another company who caused or contributed to the injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents

 Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are especially high in a busy city like Chicago.  With heavy vehicle, taxi, bus, bike, and train traffic, pedestrians are often forgotten or just not seen and become the victims of awful injuries as a result.  Common causes leading to pedestrian injuries include:

  • Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
  • Drivers failing to stop at stop signs or red lights
  • Distracted drivers
  • Fatigued drivers
  • Drunk drivers
  • Drivers who are fatigued
Slip & Falls
Medical Malpractice
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Motorcycle Accidents
Product Liability
Workplace Accidents
Slip & Falls

 Slip & Falls

Many injuries occur because of a dangerous condition on a property.  Whether somebody slips on a liquid substance, or trips over an object or other dangerous condition, usually the injured person can recover if they can establish that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, and failed to take the appropriate steps to fix it.  The same applies for dangerous conditions in the actual structure of the building, or with improper inspections and maintenance of a property that lead to injury.

Medical Malpractice

 Medical Malpractice

We place our trust in doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to use their education, training, skills, and judgement when providing care.  Many times doctors and other health care professionals fail to provide the “standard of care” required when providing treatment.  “Standard of care” means the standards that are generally-accepted within the medical community.

A doctor or other health care professional may have failed to meet the standard of care if he/she failed to provide the care or treatment that a reasonable medical professional would provide under the same circumstances.  Common types of medical malpractice cases include:

  • Providing improper treatment
  • Providing the wrong treatment
  • Failure to diagnose
  • Delayed diagnosis
  • Missed diagnosis
  • Surgical errors
  • Medication errors
  • Birth injuries
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

 Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be the most difficult choice a person has to make.  You place your trust in the nursing facility to care for your loved one with dignity, and to follow the plan of care to ensure they are being treated and monitored properly.  Nursing home cases can be brought for many different types of situations, including injuries or death due to falls, pressure sores, malnutrition, abuse, and more.  Sadly, many nursing home residents do not communicate instances of abuse or neglect out of fear, embarrassment, and often times, because they no longer have the mental capability to communicate it.  However, there are some signs to look out for when visiting your loved one in a nursing home, such as:

  • Pressure sores and open wounds
  • Bruising
  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Changes in emotional behavior
  • Sudden decreases in weight
  • Poor hygiene
  • Irritable behavior
Motorcycle Accidents

 Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are no exception to the rules of the road.  Whether you were hurt while riding the motorcycle, or hurt by an individual riding the motorcycle, your rights are the same and you should follow the same steps provided above with car accidents.

 

Product Liability

 Product Liability

Companies that design and manufacture products have a responsibility to make sure that the products are free from defects in the design and manufacturing of the product.  Usually these cases are proved by showing that the company designed or manufactured a product that was unfit for its intended purpose.  Sometimes, fault can be established by showing that a company could forsee that a product would be used in a way that was unintended.

Workplace Accidents

 Workplace Accidents

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act covers employees injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault.  Usually, employees can have their medical bills paid and can recover a percentage of their wages until they return to work.  Employees who may not be able to return to work after a serious injury can receive a percentage of their wages permanently.  The amount and duration of the benefits received for wages and medical costs depends upon a number of factors.  For this reason, it is best to consult a knowledgeable attorney who can explain how the Workers’ Compensation Act will apply in your specific case.

MICHAEL A. SHAMMAS

ABOUT MICHAEL

Michael is a personal injury trial attorney who has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for his clients. His results, and his aggressive and passionate representation have earned him several awards and honors from the legal community, and excellent reviews from his clients.

SHAMMAS LAW OFFICE COMMITMENT

Representing injury victims requires an extreme level of dedication, attention to detail, knowledge of medicine, and sensitivity to a client’s situation. Clients typically approach me during the most difficult times in their lives, and place their trust in me to fight for them, obtain justice, and guide them through an unfamiliar process. I pride myself on aggressively building every case, with all available evidence secured, every witness interviewed, top expert witnesses retained, and with no stone left unturned. There is no better feeling than securing maximum compensation for clients so they can regain control of their normal life.

–Michael A. Shammas

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

In 2016, Michael was featured in Chicago Magazine as one of the “Top Attorneys in Illinois.” This award is based upon a survey of Illinois attorneys and judges, and given to less than 2% of all attorneys in Illinois.

Michael has also been recognized as an “Emerging Lawyer,” by Leading Lawyers Magazine. This distinction was based upon a survey of Michael’s peers, and awarded to less than 2.5% of all attorneys in Illinois.

Michael has also been named as one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” in the nation by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

TESTIMONIALS

Must Hire

My husband and I were on vacation when things turned ugly. I had an accident and broke my ankle. Needless to say our vacation was ruined! My son recommended Michael to handle my injury case, which turned out to be the best suggestion ever given to me!

During our first conversation, Michael calmed my nerves and took the time to explain the process of going through an injury case, and answered all my questions. He would call to give me regular updates on progress, and also just to check up on me and see how I was doing with my recovery. I felt like I was dealing with a friend and not just some typical attorney. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the injury and the medical aspects of my case. He fought extremely hard for me. The responsible company (large multinational corporation) tried to low ball me with their offers, but Michael never backed down and kept fighting. When we settled (6 figures) it was much more than I could have imagined!

I would highly recommend Michael to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney. Dealing with an injury is very tough both physically and emotionally. Michael really stepped up for us. I am very thankful for his dedication to my case!

-Janice K.

Awesome Work! Awesome Attorney!

Michael was amazing from beginning to end. He was truly invested in our case (car accident with head injury). He was always available, kept us informed on the status of the case, and always explained all the angles and possible scenarios. There were times when me and my wife were worn out but he was our rock. He never gave in after our first offer and even the second and third, but he always stayed aggressive to get us what we deserved, and he did that and more. He got us the maximum six-figure amount the insurance company had! I will always recommend him to anybody who needs an injury attorney.

-Randy O.

The Best!

I can’t say enough great things about Michael and his firm. Throughout my case, he was always caring, available to answer any questions, and kept in regular contact. Most importantly, he DELIEVERED EXCELLENT RESULTS! He also moved very fast and resolved the case much quicker than I expected after I finished with my medical treatment. It was great to have a lawyer who never filled me with BS or legal talk that I couldn’t understand. He was always straightforward, professional, and aggressive in handling the case. I wouldn’t want to be on the other side! I would recommend Michael to anyone.

-David C.

Michael Shammas is an Excellent Attorney

Michael helped my daughter after she was injured. After I contacted Michael he immediately reassured myself and my husband that he would take on our case, and he walked us through the entire process and was very compassionate with our situation. He worked diligently and very hard for our family. We are extremely grateful for being able to have him represent her/us. I would absolutely recommend Michael to anyone who is looking for help for themselves or their loved ones.

-Elizabeth N.

Great Lawyer

Since day one Mike was over and above on making me feel comfortable with the process and walking me through everything. My health and happiness was first to him, there was definitely more of a caring dynamic. No shady business with this guy. If you’re in the process of selecting an attorney for your case, please take into consideration this guy. I hope my high praise has helped you to see that Michael Shammas is probably the right attorney for you.

-Matteo D.

Highly Recommended

I highly recommend Michael for any personal injury matter. I was in a car accident where I had an injury to my knee and hand. I had been turned away from a few attorneys before contacting Michael. They told me the case was too difficult, and I would probably not get any money. Michael accepted the challenge and not only did he get me a great recovery, he got me the best recovery possible! He made the insurance company pay the maximum $250,000.00 available under the policy.

-Deb O.

Best Lawyer in Town

Michael went above and beyond to settle my case. He’s hardworking and motivated to ensure that you get what you deserve. I love his personality! Bonus, Michael knows how to surprise you with good news. Thanks for all your help Michael. If anyone needs a lawyer, I won’t hesitate to send them your way.

-Susy M.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How soon should I contact an Attorney?
Should I get Medical Attention?
Should I talk to the Insurance Company?
How much does it cost?
How soon should I contact an Attorney?

 How soon should I contact an Attorney?

As soon as possible.  Being injured in any type of accident is a traumatic experience, and contacting an attorney may not be something on your mind at first.  However, the first few days after an accident are often  the most important.  Critical evidence must be preserved, key witnesses must be interviewed, and timely court procedures must be conducted to ensure that you will have all the necessary evidence to present the best case possible.   

Should I get Medical Attention?

Should I get Medical Attention?

Yes.  If you are feeling pain or discomfort after an accident, it is important to get medical attention right away.  Don’t minimize or downplay your pain and think it will go away. The pain and functional limitations after an accident can remain and may even get worse.  Getting examined in the emergency room, or as soon as possible after the day of accident, will allow doctors to properly identify the problem and create the appropriate treatment plan.  Make sure you tell the doctors that you were in an accident, and make sure you tell them all the pain and limitations you are experiencing, even if it seems minor.

Should I talk to the Insurance Company?

Should I talk to the Insurance Company?

No.  You should not speak with any insurance company, including your own, until you first speak with your attorney.  Insurance companies can use your statements against you later.  Often times statements are made with honest intentions, but might be twisted around later by the insurance company to suggest something that was not intended, or to possibly take advantage of confusion.  It is best to allow your attorney to take over communication with the insurance company.

How much does it cost?

How much does it cost?

Nothing.  Shammas Law Office only gets paid if you receive money for your injuries.  There are no out-of-pocket costs to you.    

 

FREE CASE EVALUATION

SHAMMAS LAW OFFICE

161 North Clark Street
Suite 3050
Chicago, IL 60601

Tel: (312) 971-5959
Fax: (312) 940-1929

Email: michael@shammas-law.com

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram

© 2018 Michael Shammas Law Office | Crafted By Raging Rocket Web Design, LLC