If you are searching for a dedicated Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer, we have the experience and resources to handle your case from start to finish. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our team is ready to stand up for your rights and fight for the outcome you deserve. Helping Chicago accident victims recover compensation for soft tissue injuries requires a law firm that understands both the physical toll and the financial strain these injuries can cause.
$175,000 Settlement – Couple Hurt in Rear-End Collision Caused by Distracted Teen Driver
Alex and his wife were stopped at a red light on North Ashland Avenue in Chicago, waiting to make a left turn, when a teenage driver–distracted by a phone call–plowed into the back of their vehicle. The crash left both with soft tissue injuries to their necks and backs, along with painful scrapes on their arms and legs.
What makes Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers the best choice for anyone seeking a top Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer is our track record and recognition across the legal community. Our catastrophic injury attorneys have earned distinctions such as membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, listings in Super Lawyers, and recognition for outstanding verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases.
Soft tissue injuries can happen in almost any setting, but certain accidents are especially common in Chicago.
In Chicago, collisions on busy roads like the Kennedy Expressway or Lake Shore Drive often lead to soft tissue injuries. Rear-end crashes, side-impact collisions, and sudden stops can cause whiplash, muscle strains, and other tissue damage, sending victims to local hospitals such as Northwestern Memorial or Rush University Medical Center.
Soft tissue injuries frequently occur when someone slips on wet floors in stores along the Magnificent Mile, icy sidewalks in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, or poorly maintained entryways at CTA stations. Slips and falls can cause sprains, strains, and deep bruising that require medical attention and physical therapy.
Chicago employees in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing face high risks for soft tissue injuries from lifting heavy objects, repetitive motion, or sudden impacts. Incidents at job sites near Fulton Market or on large infrastructure projects can cause severe pain, requiring medical treatment, lost work time, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often causing significant pain and limiting mobility. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries include:
In Chicago, victims with soft tissue injuries may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury case.
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses such as medical bills, the cost of physical therapy, and lost income from time away from work. These damages can also include future medical expenses if the injury leads to long-term complications or ongoing treatment needs.
Non-economic damages compensate for the personal impact of the injury, including physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of normal life. These address how the injury affects daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help ensure victims receive maximum compensation for both types of damages.
According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, soft tissue injury payouts in Chicago range from $977 to $13,003,023, with an average award of about $147,840 and a median of $17,024.
The amount a victim may recover can vary significantly based on factors such as:
$13,003,023.99 – Forklift Accident at Menards Causes Severe Foot Injury
Julian Andrades, a 21-year-old security guard, suffered severe soft tissue and nerve damage to his left foot when a forklift ran over it at a Menards in Morton Grove. Treatment included months of therapy, multiple nerve-block injections, and a permanent neurostimulator. He continues to face chronic pain, emotional distress, and the need for lifelong medical care. A jury found Menards primarily liable for creating unsafe conditions in the store’s lumber yard.
$10,000,000.00 – Worksite Truck Accident Results in Amputation
Victor Calderon, 26, had his left foot and ankle crushed by a cement mixer truck at a Chicago job site, leading to an above-the-ankle amputation. He underwent multiple surgeries, rehabilitation with a prosthesis, and treatment for phantom pain. Calderon also developed PTSD and anxiety linked to the accident. Experts found the truck driver negligent, while the defense claimed he acted under a supervisor’s direction. The case was resolved before trial.
$3,340,000.00 – Bar Flap Malfunction at Chicago Restaurant Injures Bartender
Bartender Philip Lipari, 48, suffered a concussion, soft tissue injuries, and lasting neurological symptoms when a 75-pound bar flap fell on his head at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House. He reported headaches, migraines, reduced senses of smell and taste, and memory deficits. A structural engineer determined that the bar flap’s hinge was improperly installed. The jury found the installer primarily responsible, though the award was reduced based on partial fault.
$2,480,547.00 – CTA Train Operator Injured in Collision with Police Vehicle
Jeffery Bryant, 48, was operating a CTA Brown Line train when a police officer drove through lowered crossing gates into the train’s path. Bryant sustained lumbar disc herniations and soft tissue injuries, requiring surgery, injections, and years of rehabilitation. He has been unable to return to work. The jury determined the officer acted with conscious disregard for safety and awarded damages for pain, suffering, and loss of normal life.
$1,600,000.00 – Falling Iron Rod at Construction Site Injures Carpenter
Coyo Lomeli, 35, was struck in the back by a falling 10-foot iron rod at a casino construction site in Des Plaines. The impact aggravated a preexisting spinal condition, leaving him with chronic pain and unable to return to carpentry work. He underwent physical therapy and epidural injections. The defense disputed liability and the extent of the injury, but the matter was resolved in a pretrial settlement.
Soft tissue injuries can be challenging to prove because they often do not appear on X-rays or other standard imaging tests. Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity, leaving injury victims without fair compensation. A skilled Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer can help bridge that gap.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work closely with orthopedic specialists, pain management doctors, and physical therapists to thoroughly document your injuries, treatment progress, and long-term prognosis. This evidence strengthens your case and helps ensure you can seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on your daily life.
Soft tissue injuries–such as sprains, strains, tears, and contusions–are among the most common injuries in Chicago workplaces and accident cases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons make up about 43% of all work-related injuries.
They also account for nearly 30% of cases involving days away from work, with an incidence rate of 27.2 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. The median recovery time is around 12 days, though many injury victims require ongoing physical therapy and other medical treatment before returning to normal activities.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) holds property owners and occupiers responsible for maintaining safe conditions for lawful visitors. If a soft tissue injury is caused by hazards like slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting, an injury victim may file a personal injury claim under this statute to seek compensation.
If a defective or dangerous product causes soft tissue injuries–such as faulty exercise equipment, workplace machinery, or automotive parts–735 ILCS 5/2-21 allows victims to pursue claims against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers. Claims may involve design defects, manufacturing flaws, or inadequate safety warnings.
Illinois’ Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) governs the operation of motor vehicles in Illinois. When a driver violates traffic laws–such as speeding, distracted driving, or running red lights–and causes a car accident resulting in soft tissue injuries, the injured party can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit based on these violations.
Employees who sustain soft tissue injuries while performing job duties are covered under the Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), which provides benefits regardless of fault. Covered benefits may include medical expenses, wage replacement for lost income, and rehabilitation costs. It applies to workplace injuries from sudden accidents or repetitive strain.
In most personal injury cases, including those involving soft tissue injuries, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 gives victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Under 820 ILCS 305/6(d), injured workers generally have three years from the date of the injury, or two years from the last payment of benefits–whichever is later–to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Liability for a soft tissue injury in Chicago depends on how the injury occurred and who was responsible.
In Illinois soft tissue injury cases, defendants often argue that the injury was pre-existing, pointing to past medical records to suggest symptoms existed before the accident. Another common defense is disputing whether the injury occurred during the alleged incident, especially since soft tissue injuries may not appear on imaging tests.
Citing Illinois’ Comparative Negligence Law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), the defense may also claim the victim was partly at fault. If a plaintiff is found more than 50 percent responsible, they cannot recover compensation; otherwise, damages are reduced in proportion to their share of fault.
To strengthen a soft tissue injury case in Chicago, seek immediate medical attention and follow all recommended treatment plans. Prompt care helps connect the injury to the accident and supports your personal injury claim.
Keep organized records of medical bills, diagnoses, and progress notes. If possible, document the accident scene with photos or videos and gather witness statements. This evidence can help your personal injury lawyer build a strong case and secure fair compensation.
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources to handle every stage of a soft tissue injury case. We investigate the accident thoroughly, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records to establish how someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.
We work closely with orthopedic specialists, pain management doctors, and physical therapists to document the severity of your condition and its impact on your daily life. Whether negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement or presenting your case in Cook County courts, we are committed to helping you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs.
No. Broken bones are orthopedic injuries involving the skeletal system, while soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, both can occur in the same accident, and a personal injury claim may cover compensation for each if they were caused by someone else’s negligence.
Our Chicago soft tissue injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. The lawyer’s fee is a percentage of your recovery, and if you don’t win your case, you owe no attorney fees. We also offer a free consultation.
Proving soft tissue damage often involves medical records, diagnostic imaging, and expert testimony. While some injuries may not appear on X-rays, MRI scans, or physical exams, documented symptoms from treating physicians can confirm the diagnosis. Detailed records of treatment and recovery also help strengthen your personal injury case.
Soft tissue damage can cause temporary or permanent disability, depending on severity and recovery. Severe injuries, such as torn ligaments or chronic conditions like complex regional pain syndrome, may limit mobility or function long-term.
The timeline varies. Some cases resolve in a few months if liability is clear and injuries are well-documented, while others take a year or more, especially if litigation is necessary. Factors include injury severity, treatment duration, insurance company cooperation, and whether the case proceeds to trial.
If you or a loved one has suffered a soft tissue injury in Chicago, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation to review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options. Our Chicago-based team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
We have the experience, resources, and local knowledge to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the fair settlement you deserve. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out /contact-us/ to speak directly with an experienced Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer about your rights.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.