VanDerGinst Law is made up of experienced, well respected, and award winning attorneys and staff. We know that legal problems can be intimidating and time consuming. We try to alleviate your stress and make the process as easy as possible, while at the same time working hard to win your case.

Our website is full of useful information about a variety of legal and consumer issues. In addition, we have provided information about our law firm so that you can make an informed decision as to whether our experience and qualifications can assist you with whatever legal problem you might face. Our site is updated with new information frequently and we encourage visitors to return for the latest legal developments.

You may have legal questions the information presented on this website can answer. However, you can also submit e-mail inquires if you would like more information. Otherwise, simply call toll free 1-866-843-7367 to speak to someone from our office. Many times we may be able to answer your questions on the phone. Your first consultation is always free and there is never an attorney fee on injury cases unless we are able to win your case.

At VanDerGinst Law, if you need us, we would be honored to help.

Should I Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
If you are ever injured as a result of the actions or negligence of others, you will probably ask yourself: “Do I need to hire an attorney to represent me?” The answer to that question is yes. An attorney specializing in personal injury law has the experience and knowledge to protect your interests and obtain [...] Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

Harmful Products, Strict Liability, and Chicago Personal Injury Law
Lead in the paint on our children’s toys. Packaging plastics that leech chemicals into our food. Recalls on all types of pharmaceuticals. Unsafe produce, dog food, and automobiles. It seems that as consumers, everywhere we turn we encounter potential dangers. We find ourselves watching the nightly news to see if any of our trusted products [...] Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

How Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Help Clients Who Can Not Afford An Attorney
Too often, people who know they need a Chicago personal injury lawyer do not contact a law firm because they believe they cannot afford the legal fees of a successful attorney. However, in personal injury law, most attorneys work on what is known as a contingency fee basis. This article explains how contingencies work, and how victims can hire an accomplished attorney, even if they have no money. Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

Cordless Screwdrivers Recalled by Menards Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
Menards has announced the recall of approximately 42,000 units of the MasterForce 3.6-volt Cordless Screwdriver due to a potential fire and burn hazard. The recall is effective immediately. The Menards Company, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, imports the products from the Great Star Industry Co., of China. The screwdrivers were manufactured without any protective device on the [...] Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

DUI Fatalities Down Nationwide
New statistics released by the federal government show a significant decline in drunken driving-related fatalities.Â The figures reflect a decrease in deaths in 32 states as well as an overall reduction nationwide. These statistics, for 2007, show a 3.7 percent decline in fatalities as compared with 2006.Â This means that nearly 500 fewer individuals lost their [...] Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

Risk of Lead Exposure Causes Children?s Cosmetics Accessory Bag Recall
Accessory bags for children’s cosmetics have been recalled due to the presence of high levels of lead in the bag’s handle clasps.Â These clasps pose a poisoning risk if swallowed.Â It is reported that just under one million units (about 945,000) are part of this recall.Â The bags were sold under the Bonne Bell name [...] Read the rest of this blog and post comments.

VanDerGinst Nets Record Recovery

Dennis VanDerGinst recently settled a personal injury claim on behalf of an anonymous local man for $1.2 million. The amount represents the highest reported recovery for an injury of its kind in Illinois and Iowa. Payment of the settlement will be structured in such a way that the plaintiff will actually be guaranteed over $2 million over the course of several years.

The plaintiff, anonymous for privacy reasons, suffered a ruptured left eye requiring a prosthetic implant as a result of a low impact automobile accident. The collision triggered the plaintiff’s airbag to deploy which in turn caused the enucleation of the eyeball. Because the plaintiff’s vehicle was an older model there was no cause of action available against the manufacturer. However, the “at fault” driver had reasonable liability and umbrella insurance coverage which allowed for the settlement.

For this type of injury the settlement amount is the largest ever reported in Illinois, outside of Chicago. And it is the second largest in Illinois history. The only larger recovery in Illinois for this type of injury was reported last year in Chicago. However, that was a high speed collision resulting in multiple facial fractures; surgeries and scarring that were not present in this case.

New Paralegals Join the VanDerGinst Law Team

Paralegals Debbie Hansen and Teresa Trice have joined VanDerGinst Law's personal injury litigation department. Together, they represent nearly thirty years of legal experience.

VanDerGinst Law “Giving Program”

VanDerGinst Law is a law firm with a big heart. The firm prides itself on its “Giving Program”, which organizes countless efforts to give back to the community. Over the years the firm has donated thousands of hours in free legal work to people in need of help who had no money to pay for a lawyer. The firm, free of charge, offered services to victims of 9-11. The firm raised thousands of dollars to assist victims of Katrina. In the last few years the firm has donated over 10,000 bicycle helmets to children via its “Hard Headed Kids” campaign. Read more about the "Giving Program".

VanDerGinst Recognized As Top Lawyer

Dennis VanDerGinst

Dennis VanDerGinst has been recognized as one of the top lawyers in Illinois as reported by “Crain’s Chicago Business”. The selection comes in response to survey results of attorneys throughout the state. VanDerGinst concentrates his practice in the area of personal injury law.

VanDerGinst Law Joins National Crime Victim Bar Association

VanDerGinst Law has become a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. It is the nation's only professional organization dedicated to helping victims of crime obtain justice through the civil legal system. Monetary compensation may be available to victims of sexual assault, inadequate security, negligent hiring, drunk-driving crashes, school or campus violence, battery, nursing home abuse, financial fraud and numerous other types of crimes that harm people. As part of its commitment to this important legal arena, VanDerGinst Law will be hosting an upcoming conference for crime victim advocates and crime victims themselves.

VanDerGinst Attends Inaugural Trucking Litigation Conference

Dennis VanDerGinst, of VanDerGinst Law, P.C., recently attended the inaugural conference for the Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. This is a new legal association consisting of attorneys who concentrate a portion of their practice to representing persons who have been harmed by unsafe trucking companies. Due to the vast array of trucking regulations attorneys who practice in this area need specialized training. In addition to his membership in the AITLA VanDerGinst has long been a member of the Interstate Trucking Litigation Section for the American Association for Justice. He has represented plaintiffs in numerous trucking accident cases.

VanDerGinst Moderates Attorney Conference

Dennis VanDerGinst recently moderated a national conference of personal injury attorneys sponsored by Professionally Speaking, Inc., in New Orleans. The conference, entitled “Practices Made Perfect”, addressed practical issues affecting today’s personal injury law firm. Topics included law firm management, client services, and new “hotbeds” of personal injury law. VanDerGinst also spoke on the use of the Internet for the delivery of legal services.

VanDerGinst Addresses Attorney Conference

Dennis VanDerGinst

Attorney Dennis VanDerGinst of VanDerGinst Law, P.C., gave a presentation recently in Oak Brook, IL, at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association seminar entitled “Current Issues in Professional Responsibility”. ITLA’s membership is comprised of attorneys who primarily represent parties who have sustained injury or death due to negligence, hazardous product or professional malpractice. VanDerGinst is also a member of the Board of Managers for the association.

VanDerGinst Law Bolsters Hispanic Services

Tiffany Tapia

VanDerGinst Law has recently hired Tiffany Tapia in an effort to improve its services to the Hispanic community. Ms. Tapia is fluent in Spanish as well as English and fills the role of legal secretary and intake manager for Spanish speaking clients. She becomes the third bi-lingual specialist for the firm.

VanDerGinst Elected to Trial Lawyer Board

Dennis VanDerGinst

Attorney Dennis VanDerGinst of VanDerGinst Law, P.C. has been elected to serve on the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, a position that he has filled each year since 2002. The Board governs the largest trial lawyer organization in the state. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is also one of the largest state trial lawyer associations in the country. With respect to personal injury cases, the members of the association exclusively represent people who have been injured or harmed by someone else’s wrongdoing.

Legal-Nurse Consultant Joins VanDerGinst Law

Tammi Lewis

Legal-Nurse Consultant, Tammi Lewis, has recently joined VanDerGinst Law. Ms. Lewis has been a registered nurse for approximately eight years. Her prior experience includes inter-disciplinary care as a case manager in both home and clinical settings, and as a Quad City emergency room nurse. She is a certified Legal-Nurse Consultant and will be working in that capacity at the firm. Her concentration will be devoted primarily to medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.