How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney at Collins Law?

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Illinois?

Most personal injury claims in Illinois have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury. Some exceptions apply, including claims against government entities which have shorter deadlines.

What should I do immediately after an accident?

Seek medical attention right away, report the accident to police, photograph the scene and your injuries, obtain witness contact information, and contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies.

How is the value of my personal injury case determined?

Case value depends on injury severity, medical costs (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, permanence of injuries, pain and suffering, and the defendant's degree of fault.

Relentless in the Pursuit of Justice

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$1.5 Billion in
Verdicts &
Settlements

$363M
Environmental Cancer Verdict

$250M
Resolutions of Credit Facilities

$94.5M
Chemical Explosion Class Action

$43M
Toxic Tort Settlement

$40M
Recovered in Arbitrations

$34.5M
Vapor Intrusion Case

$16.9M
Groundwater Contamination Case

$10M
Environmental Class Action

$8.5M
Wrongful Death Bus Accident Case

$8.1M
Environmental Contamination

$7.5M
Erisa Class Action

$7.2M
Toxic Tort Personal Injury Case

$7.2M
Environmental Class Action

$5.7M
Environmental Class Action

$5.5M
Groundwater Contamination Case

$5M
Toxic Exposure Case

$5M
Commercial Law Settlement

$4.7M
Medical Negligence Claim Case

$4M
Property Damage Case

$3M
Property Damage Case

$2.8M
Wrongful Death Case

$2.6M
Toxic Tort Case

$2.5M
Premises Liability Case

$2.5M
Personal Injury Case

$2.35M
Business Dispute Case

$2M
Asbestos/
Mesothelioma Settlement

$2M
Birth injury
wrongful death settlement

$1.9M
Groundwater Contamination Case

$1.8M
Breach of Contract

$1.8M
Defective Product Recovery

$1.6M
Car accident
jury verdict

$1.5M
Drunk driving
accident settlement

$1.4M
Product Liability Case

$1.4M
Truck crash
settlement 

$1.3M
Car Accident

$1.35M
Car Accident

$900,000
Assault settlement

$700,000
Sexual assault settlement

$550,000
Slip and fall
accident settlement

$550,000
Personal injury settlement

Illinois
Personal Injury Lawyers

After a catastrophic injury, the difference between firms can be the difference between a settlement that covers the next decade and one that doesn't.

Collins Law Group is an Illinois personal injury and wrongful death law firm representing the seriously injured and the families of those killed by negligence. Our trial lawyers handle catastrophic cases throughout Illinois and nationally. Commercial truck accidents. Rideshare, autonomous vehicle, and car crashes. Medical malpractice and birth injuries. Defective products and negligent design. Environmental contamination that causes cancer or other serious illness.

Three things separate us from other personal injury firms.
We try cases. Most plaintiff firms do not, and insurance carriers know which ones will. That changes what every case is worth from the first demand.

We prepare. Experts, investigation, and case work-up are done at the front end, not scrambled at the end. Defense counsel can tell the difference.

We treat our clients as people in the worst moment of their lives, not file numbers. Your calls will be returned. You will know who is handling your case.

Our verdicts and settlements rank among the highest in Illinois and the country. Our attorneys are recognized among the top personal injury and environmental lawyers in the state.

Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.

Record-Setting

$363 Million

Verdict

For a client who contracted breast cancer after breathing a toxic chemical emitted by a local sterilization company for over 20 years.

$408 Million

Settlement

For nearly 900 residents who contracted cancer after being exposed for years to carcinogenic ethylene oxide emissions.

RELENTLESS = RESULTS

We’re very proud of the results we’ve achieved. The companies we sue have taken something valuable from our clients that didn’t belong to them – life, health, property, safety, peace of mind. And money – in the form of compensation – is how those companies must pay for what they took. Here are just some of our results:

$95 million recovered for damage to our clients’ property values, caused by polluters recklessly disposing of industrial chemicals.

$47 million car, truck, and motorcycle accidents

$17.8 million Wrongful death cases

$15 million negligence (premises liability, dog bites, failure to warn, etc.)

$14.5 million medical malpractice and nursing home abuse and neglect

$13.1 million in settlements for individual toxic exposure cancer cases.

$7.25 million defective products cases

top recognition for our results

Our record-setting $363 million cancer case verdict was honored by Top Verdict as:

#1 verdict in Illinois in ALL PRACTICE AREAS
#1 PERSONAL INJURY verdict in Illinois
2nd highest PERSONAL INJURY VERDICT in the United States
10th highest jury verdict in ALL PRACTICE AREAS in the United States.
This record setting verdict was also the LARGEST EVER single plaintiff verdict in Illinois.

Our car and truck accidents results have also been recognized by Top Verdict as:

Top 20 Illinois PERSONAL INJURY settlement
Top 100 US MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT settlement

Recognized
for Excellence
Nationwide

Our firm has been recognized as a national finalist in The National Law Journal‘s Elite Trial Lawyers Awards.

For years, we have also been ranked nationally and as a “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers, including these rankings since 2024:

Nationally

Recognized for Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions.

Chicago Region

Recognized for Personal Injury Litigation, Environmental Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions.

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Cases We Handle

personal injury | environmental

Truck
Accidents

Car
Accidents

Wrongful
Death

Medical Malpractice

Environmental
Contamination

Toxic Chemical
Exposure

Defective
Products

Business
Litigation

View All Practice Areas

Awards & Memberships

attorney badge top 10 personal injury settlements

Best Lawyers recognizes Collins Law Firm

Shawn M. Collins recognized by best lawyers

Our Client Reviews

Delivered Results that Truly Made a Difference for Our Family.

What stood out most was John's professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family.

If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.

Dwayne K.

If you're considering a firm for your personal injury case, don't hesitate to reach out to Collins.

Ed Manzke is a lifesaver. We will forever be grateful to him for handling our case (and us!) with empathy, compassion, and grace. During the most stressful and uncertain time of our lives, Ed was supremely helpful. He went above and beyond for us, balancing our needs with the practical considerations of our situation. If you're considering a firm for your personal injury case, don't hesitate to reach out to Collins, and know that you'll be in excellent hands with Ed!

AMELIA V.

Incredibly satisfied with our experience!

We were incredibly satisfied with our experience with Collins Law. We worked closely with Ed Manzke and found that he had a personal touch and truly got to know us in addition to being knowledgeable and effective in his field. The caring and individual attitude helped us tremendously throughout the entire process and we always felt like our case was in safe hands. We would highly recommend Collins Law for both its stellar work and dedicated employees.

M.A.

Very professional

Ed Manzke at Collins Law was recommended to us after a bad car accident. It was the best advice we received. Everything was handled very professionally and we were kept up to date during the process. We would definitely encourage anyone needing legal advise to consult with this law firm.

Cathy Gratton

I Highly Recommend This firm After my Semi-Truck Crash

Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed Manzke ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!

N.E.

10 out of 10 recommended!

10 out of 10! I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation! John Risvold went above and beyond and is very professional and top-notch! Morning day or night, he always found time and made time to answer my questions every step of the way. Never left me in the dark and always acted in a timely manner! Do not hesitate, if you need legal representation, John is the real deal and is honest, transparent, and straightforward every step of the way!

Brent C

An outstanding legal firm

Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies.

Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients.

L.P.

Impressive Expertise and Heartfelt Dedication

John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.

Will B.

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Environmental and Personal Injury Blog

The Supreme Court Just Changed the Game for Trucking Crash Victims

May 15, 2026 | by: John Risvold

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court handed down one of the most significant trucking liability decisions in decades. The ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, No...

No Fee Unless We Win

Collins Law operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and environmental cases, meaning clients only pay legal fees if we win your case.

175+ Years of Combined Experience

Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients with personal injury, environmental contamination, and business claims. Understanding the intricacies of these cases allows us to achieve better outcomes.

Proven Track Record

With a history of successful cases, Collins Law proves their ability to get results for their clients.

Flexible Consultations

Understanding the challenges clients may face following an injury, Collins Law offers flexible consultation options, including home and hospital visits. We will come to you.

Client-Centered Approach

At Collins Law, clients always come first. We prioritize individual needs and concerns, recognizing that each case is unique and deserves personalized attention.

Free Consultation - Available 24/7

Collins Law offers free consultations anytime, making legal advice accessible when it's needed.

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$1.5 Billion in Verdicts &Settlements

IllinoisPersonal Injury Lawyers

Recognized for ExcellenceNationwide