Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.
Johanna Bukowski
2 months ago
Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.).
What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served.
I highly recommend Collins Law!
Jeff Matticks
3 months ago
I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way.
Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.
Ella Folson
3 months ago
Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!
J. Savv
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.
Unique Morris
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.
Nick Erlenbaugh
3 months ago
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 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!
Dwayne Kurfirst
4 months ago
I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way.
What stood out most was his 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.
Helen Montague
5 months ago
We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.
Matthew Malone
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.
Ronnie Sanchez
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)
Maddie Scheele
6 months ago
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.
Leticia Pink
7 months ago
Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) 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.
We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.
Megan
7 months ago
I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered.
His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.
David Bretti
7 months ago
(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻
(Original)
Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻
Jas R.
7 months ago
Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.
Amy Ressen
9 months ago
I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my
Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!
Lauren Dryanski
9 months ago
I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm .
A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands.
Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know.
Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free.
I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!
Will Brooks
10 months ago
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.
Icela Hernandez
0 years ago
If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .
Nursing Home Abuse Prevention
How Can You Prevent Your Loved One from Becoming a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
There are several things that you can do to keep your loved one, who is entering a nursing home, or who is already a resident, from becoming a victim of elder abuse.
Check out potential nursing homes completely. Ask to see the different areas in the facility. Keep an eye out for the condition of the rooms and the other patients. Talk to other residents. Do they seem alert and engaged? Are they well taken care of?
Before making a decision, look for resources on nursing home facilities like Nursing Home Compare , a Medicare website which rates different aspects of individual nursing homes, or the Illinois Department of Public Health Nursing Home Violations Report , which lists violations at specific nursing homes, classified as type AA, the most severe, type A, type B or type C, the least severe.
Become involved in the care planning process right away, and let the staff know that you intend to be involved along the way. Attend care meetings and ask questions about the plan for your loved one’s care and treatment. Make sure all key players will attend the meeting so everyone is on the same page regarding your loved one’s care. Request concrete, measurable plans and a timetable for treatment.
Visit often, without advance notice, at different times of day and on different days of the week. In this way you can interact with all the different staff members who deal with your loved one. This will give you a full picture of the patterns of care and the performance and attitudes of care staff on different shifts.
Get to know all the key staff who will be taking care of your loved one on different shifts. Give them information that will help them take care of your loved one, and praise them when they provide good care. Don’t forget to develop a good working relationship with administration and supervisors. Know the policies that apply in the event you have concerns.
Monitor your loved one’s care closely. Maintain close contact with the doctor, and take notes when talking to staff and medical personnel. Check records to make sure the plan is being followed. Get a second opinion if you have any doubts about a diagnosis or treatment plan. Insist on being told about any significant changes in your relative’s physical, mental or behavioral condition or their treatment plan, as soon as possible. Lastly, check prescribed medications and notice how they affect your relative.
Look for any of the warning signs of abuse. Listen to your loved one carefully and take their concerns seriously. Make a physical inspection of your relative. Take action immediately if you suspect anything.
Act as an advocate for your loved one, by knowing their rights . Follow up on all concerns you have and ask for meetings with key staff who can address any problems right away. If you do not get satisfactory action from the staff, contact the Illinois Long Term Care Ombudsman, and file a complaint with the proper agency, if necessary. Get to know the laws that protect nursing home residents, including nursing home standards of care and patient’s rights. (See sections below)
What Should You Do if You Suspect or See your Loved One Being Abused?
Evaluate the situation: Has your loved one talked to you about her or his treatment at the nursing home? Have you seen abuse firsthand or have you seen signs of neglect or abuse such as cuts, bruises or bedsores? If so, ask your loved one what happened, when the abuse occurred and who inflicted the harm. Check to see if any other residents experienced similar harm. When you are satisfied that you have as many answers as you can get, write a summary of the situation. You should also decide if you believe your loved one is in imminent danger. If so, you should move them to a safer facility as soon as possible.
Take Your Concerns to the Nursing Home Administration: One of the first things you should do is tell the administration at the nursing home about the abuse or neglect. Perhaps this is an isolated incident--rather than a pattern of behavior--which they can correct. In other cases, they might not be aware of a dangerous situation. Hopefully the administration will take your concerns seriously and address the problem immediately. If they do not, you will have to pursue one of the following options, and even if they do, the abuse may be serious enough to warrant taking other action as well.
File a Complaint with the Senior Helpline or Your Local Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Once you believe that abuse has occurred you should file a complaint with your local Illinois Long Term Care Ombudsman . This is a program offered by the Illinois Department on Aging which investigates complaints of suspected abuse and neglect at nursing homes. You can find contact information for your Ombudsman here . You can also report the suspected abuse with the Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966.
File a Complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health: If you decide to file a complaint with the IDPH you can reach them at 1-800-252-4343. Download the Healthcare Facilities Complaint Form, on the IDHP Forms page and be prepared to: answer questions about your loved one; tell them what happened and who was involved; and give them information about the nursing home. Once you have made a report, the IDPH must complete an investigation within seven days. Note that the nursing home cannot retaliate against your loved one because you have filed an abuse complaint with IDPH.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer: It is important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your loved one is protected. Your lawyer can be the liaison between you, the nursing home and the IDPH during the investigation into the suspected abuse or neglect, and can even conduct a separate investigation into the situation on your behalf, if necessary. An experienced elder abuse attorney can advise you on your relative’s rights and how to proceed with a lawsuit against the caregivers and facility, if warranted given the facts. If you choose to pursue a legal remedy, your lawyer can help you get just compensation for your loved one for any emotional, physical, or financial harm that they have suffered. Call Collins Law Group at (630) 527-1595 for help or contact an attorney here.
Collins Law Group IL Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Attorneys
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Why Choose Collins Law Environmental & Personal Injury Lawyers
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.