michelle stump
24 days ago
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.
8 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
11 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
1 year 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 .
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Brain Injury Attorneys in Illinois
Injuries to the brain, despite being invisible, can be some of the most catastrophic injuries a person can endure. Most of us take our brain function for granted, until we suffer a serious head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and realize just how much is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, for the most part, brain cells cannot be replaced, especially if a large quantity of them are damaged or destroyed, which can happen with a traumatic brain injury. The result is that the effects of a brain injury—cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical-- can be permanent and life altering. That is why it is so important to get the best medical care and to find a knowledgeable brain injury attorney to protect your rights if you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Head trauma cases can be medically complex and legally challenging. Your attorney must be experienced with these kinds of cases and have access to doctors and experts who are up to date with the current science if you want to win your brain injury case. The compassionate brain injury attorneys at Collins Law Group understand the scientific and legal aspects involved, as well as the emotional impact that these kinds of injuries can have on the family. We encourage families and patients to seek emotional support--which is often necessary when they are dealing with the consequences of these injuries--while we guide them through the legal process and fight to secure the maximum compensation for their brain injury.
How Dangerous are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
What are the Major Causes of Brain Injuries?
What are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?
What are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
what-are-the-long-term-effects-of-Traumatic Brain Injury?
What are the Financial Costs of a Brain Injury?
Concussions, and the dangers they pose, are getting attention because of the studies on football players suffering from a debilitating brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of sustaining multiple concussions while playing professional football. But it is not just football players that need to worry about brain injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 68,663 TBI-related deaths in 2023, the most recent years for which data is available. That amounts to more than 586 hospitalizations and 190 deaths every day. These figures do not even include the many traumatic brain injuries treated only in emergency departments, urgent care, or primary care, or those that go untreated, so the true scope is larger. The leading causes of traumatic brain injuries include car accidents, serious falls, blows to the head (including sports injuries), and assaults. Adults aged 75 and older are at the highest risk, accounting for roughly 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations and 28% of TBI-related deaths. As these numbers make clear, the consequences of traumatic brain injuries can be very serious.
Motor vehicle accidents – A driver or passenger in a car or motorcycle can suffer a traumatic brain injury if their head slams into the car during a crash or they are thrown from a car or motorcycle on impact. Truck and auto accidents are the second most common cause of TBI-related hospitalizations nationwide, with the highest rates among people 15 - 34 years old, and account for about one fifth of TBI-related hospitalizations.
Serious falls – Another leading causes of traumatic brain injuries—falls--are responsible for almost half of TBI related emergency room visits. These can involve something as serious as falling down stairs or even something as simple as falling on ice or in a nursing home. These injuries occur most frequently in children and older adults over 65, and are the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations for the young and the elderly.
Birth injuries – These injuries are sustained by newborns as a result of medical negligence during childbirth, and can result in permanent brain damage with devastating, lifelong consequences. Improper force used on an infant’s head or lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain can result in permanent disability.
Bicycle accidents – Bike accidents are a significant source of traumatic brain injuries, especially when children are thrown over the handlebars. The danger is greatest among children who ride their bikes without a helmet.
Medical malpractice – Brain injuries and brain damage due to medical negligence usually involve a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can occur as a result of the improper administration of anesthesia, surgical errors, failing to diagnose a heart attack or stroke, medication errors, or failing to treat a brain infection.
Sports and recreation – Many athletes, young and old, suffer traumatic brain injury as a result of playing sports. Concussions are most likely in football, but basketball, soccer and even cheerleading account for a large number of concussions each year. It’s important to note that the damage multiplies with more than one concussion.
Trauma to the head – Traumatic brain injuries can occur during an assault, when a victim suffers a violent blow or strikes their head on an object after being knocked down. Other situations that can result in a TBI include child abuse, domestic violence, and shaken baby syndrome. Some of the most serious brain injuries occur when a victim suffers a gunshot wound to the head.
There are many types of brain injuries from mild to severe. Below are a few classifications of brain injuries:
Additional Symptoms of a Moderate to Severe Brain Injury
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is critical that you see a doctor immediately for an evaluation and treatment.
In addition to the symptoms that show up within the first few weeks after an injury, traumatic brain injuries can also have long lasting and sometimes permanent effects. Some of these can impair a person’s ability to work, participate in regular daily activities or live independently. Others may damage personal relationships. In any case, the costs of these injuries can be huge.
Long-term effects can include:
Life after a traumatic brain injury can be challenging, and can put tremendous mental and emotional burdens on a patient and his or her family. The financial burden of a traumatic brain injury can be just as significant. According to Chandi Edmonds, a professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the unemployment rate for adults with brain injury two years after diagnosis is 60 percent, while the lifetime cost of a patient’s treatment for a traumatic brain injury can total in the millions. The costs of TBIs are so high because they can include significant medical expenses, long term therapy, lost income, and possibly even lifetime care. These two factors together—lost income and huge expenses—can be financially devastating for most families. That is why it is critical to seek out an experienced brain injury attorney to fight for compensation and recovery of expenses.
Get the Legal Help You Need When You are Suffering
If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, please take it seriously. Seek medical help as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Be mindful that an emergency room cannot accurately diagnose a brain injury, so a visit with a physician who has experience with brain injuries is essential. After you have seen a doctor and been diagnosed, call our experienced brain injury attorneys at (630) 527-1595 for a free evaluation of your case. If we determine you have a legal claim, we will fight to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries, so you can focus on your recovery.
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common serious injuries we see after a crash. These cases often overlap with the following practice areas:
For more information, read our Brain Injury Blog.
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