Charles Candiano

• Free Consultation
  You and I will discuss your claim until I am satisfied that I can help and your questions are answered, WITHOUT cost or obligation.
• Contingent Fees
  Our fee on Personal Injury cases is 1/3 of the recovery and costs. Our fee on Workers' Compensation cases is set by statute at 20% of Settlement or Award and costs

Illinois

Since 1995

Indiana

Since 1996

Federal Circuit

Since 1995

Owner

Candiano Law Office

2013 - Current

Trial Attorney

The Margolis Firm, PC

2004 - 2013

Trial Attorney

Margolis & Velasco

2001 - 2004

Trial Attorney

Rusin, Patton, Maciorowski & Friedman

2000 - 2001

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Lake County Indiana

1996 - 1999

The John Marshall Law School

J.D. (1995)

Chicago Bar Association

Chair Professional Fees Committee

2017 - Current

Indiana State Bar

Member

2006 - Current

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

2001 - Current

Q. Seeking legal advice for severe mold and roof issues in Illinois condo, health impacts, and HOA liability.

April 30, 2025

A: How is the HOA liable? The HOA didn't do anything. On your facts, "roofers discovered an unconnected HVAC exhaust pipe releasing hot air into our attic, causing condensation and extensive mold growth." According to you, the individual or company responsible for disconnecting the HVAC exhaust is responsible. That said, even the most complex fact sets can be said plainly so that anyone can understand them. What exhaust are you talking about? Do you mean a bathroom exhaust? HVAC systems are closed systems. They don't "exhaust" anything anywhere. The only exhaust from an HVAC system is the furnace if it burns fossil fuels and that exhaust is to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide, not water vapor. Remember, to hold anyone liable in Court, you need to have an expert who can testify to your basic premise. You will also need the individual who discovered whatever was disconnected. Also remember that you need this information to remedy whatever caused your problem in the 1st place just as much as you need that information to prevail in Court.

No attorney can tell you whether you can hold anyone liable for the present problem until you are able to explain what caused the present problem. I strongly suggest that you gather all of the information that you have, including photographs of the damage and the alleged open unconnected HVAC exhaust. Take all that information to a local attorney who works with contractors and construction for an assessment of your options, if any. Good luck. ... Read More

Q. How to resolve delayed TTD payments after working for 10 days in Illinois?

April 28, 2025

A: I hate to repeat myself, but when you represent yourself in an Illinois Workers' Compensation claim, you are all but guaranteed a sub-optimal result, less money, and more problems. Why on earth would you wait an entire year? What have you done in the last year? What is your diagnosis? Have you undergone surgery? You say that you worked 10 days and another job. Was that job within your restrictions? If not, did you secure a release from your doctor to return to work against medical advice due to economic hardship? You have had 12 opportunities to file a motion for immediate hearing before the Commission. What has the arbitrator said on each of those 12 occasions?

You need to sit down with an experienced workers' compensation attorney who is willing and able to devote the time, effort, and money to properly prosecute your case. Large firms are geared to service more clients rather than optimize recovery for any client. If you think about it, it is impossible to service hundreds of clients without a score of attorneys and even more supporting staff. All of those individuals need to be paid, every 2 weeks and the rent for their suite needs to be paid every month.

Consult an experienced workers' compensation attorney ASAP and cross your fingers that it will be possible to undo most of the damage that you have most assuredly done. ... Read More

Q. Will paying a ticket for failing to yield risk my Illinois license suspension after past suspension?

April 27, 2025

A: I don't disagree with any of the facts stated by my colleague, Mr. Harvatin.

That said, there is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Accumulating multiple violations in the past should have taught you that lesson. The accumulation of multiple violations ALWAYS starts with one violation. If you have the option of attending driving school, it shouldn't even be a question. Attend driving school.

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