Robert D. Kreisman

Kreisman Law Offices is a Chicago-based personal injury firm that successfully uses a client-based approach to seek justice for victims nationwide. Robert Kreisman is an AV-rated attorney with over 37 years of experience litigating a variety of personal injury cases, including those involving medical malpractice, car accidents, wrongful death, and products liability. He works with some of the leading experts in the nation and employs the newest technology to seek the most favorable results possible for his clients. All cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless there is a recovery on your case. Please call the Kreisman Law Offices today to pursue the justice you deserve.

• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Elder Law
• Personal Injury
• Products Liability
• Workers' Compensation
• Business Law

• Birth Injury
• Anesthesiology Errors
• Brain Injury
• Car Accidents
• Pharmaceutical Litgation / Prescription Drug Side Effects
• Product Defects
• Truck Accidents
• Wrongful Death

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees

Illinois

Since 1976

Missouri

Since 1976

7th Circuit

Since 1976

Federal Circuit

Since 1976

Partner

Kreisman Law Offices Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Current

DePaul College of Law

LL.M. (1981)

1981

The John Marshall Law School

J.D. (1976)

1973 - 1976

Honors: with Honors

University of Missouri - Columbia

B.A

1972

President's Club

American Association for Justice

2006

Diplomat

American Association for Justice

2001

Peer Rating AV (Highest Rating)

Martindale-Hubbard Law Directory

1993

American College of Legal Medicine

Member

2006 - Current

Decalogue Society of Lawyers

Member

2000 - Current

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice

Member

1999 - Current

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Member

1993 - Current

American Association for Justice

Member

1992 - Current

Illinois State Bar

Member

1976 - Current

Missouri State Bar

Member

1976 - Current

American Bar Association

Member

1976 - Current

Chicago Bar Association

Member

1976 - Current

Bar Association of Metropolitain St. Louis

Member

1976 - Current

Creditor Are Not Freeloaders: The Common Fund Doctrine Does Not Apply To Hospital Lienholders

Illinois Bar Journal

Case Themes with Impact: It’s a Great Time to Fly

ATLA Annual Convention

July, 2006

Where’s the Surprise? For Practice or for Keeps; Focus Groups Compared to Trial

Trial Journal

2004

Out of Order: The Unpredicted Story Order

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Seminar

January, 2003

My Fair Witness- The Metamorphosis- The Critics Rave

ATLA Case Workshop

2001

The Deposition Gift

ATLA Annual Meeting

July, 2000

Jury Selection: Who Chooses Whom?

Trial Magazine

January, 2000

Voir Dire

ATLA Seminar

March, 1999

Successfully Handling Medical Negligence Cases, AAJ Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA

July 24, 2016

American Association for Justice

Moderator for Professional Negligence Section seminar

Mediation Skills

Northwestern University

Diplomate

American Association for Justice

Q. Can a relative be given Power of Attorney, to help another relative in a different state.

3 January 2019

A: The first issue is whether the injured party is of sound mind and memory and/or has the capacity to sign a POA. If the injured person hires an attorney, then that attorney would be empowered by the attorney-client contract in most instances to handle most of the issues you raise excepting the decisions on health care. I believe that a POA for health care signed in another state or jurisdiction would likely be honored in another state. By all means check with an attorney in your area who would be familiar with the state laws regarding POAs.

Q. Any way to keep my nephew from benefitting from my sister's death?

3 January 2019

A: I'm not familiar with North Carolina's law on wrongful death claims. In many jurisdictions there are wrongful death acts that give weight to the relationship that a "next-of-kin" has with the decedent. In other words a court and/or jury would consider what if any relationship each person who is considered a "next-of-kin" claiming the loss of the death had with the decedent. If your sister survived this incident for any length of time before her passing then a survival claim could be made. In that scenario your nephew would be an heir to his mother's estate and would receive a percentage of any recovery that resulted from the survivorship claim. If your sister's death was immediate, then there would not be a viable survivorship claim to be made. I would encourage you to speak to a local lawyer who practices in the area of injury and wrongful death cases.

Q. Someone hit my car in a parking lot. I have provided him with two written estimates and now he refuses to respond.

3 January 2019

A: Assuming you reported this to the local police and your insurance company, if your collision insurance does not cover this incident for some reason, you can file a property damage claim. You would need to either repair the damage and have a paid bill or have an estimate of the cost of the repair.

Q. Do you think I have a good chance of winning a lawsuit for medical malpractice and pain and suffering?

2 January 2019

A: The case of medical malpractice is about the negligence which includes damages. Most of these cases are enormously expenses to prosecute. It seems from your description of your possible case that you have made a decent recovery. In my opinion, this would not be a case we would take on. Please don't be discouraged. Perhaps you will find another attorney in your area with a different view. Much depends on how you end up after the ordeal you went through.

Q. Can a monetary tort claim be amended even if I've filed my lawsuit already and I discovered new evidence to ask for more

16 November 2018

A: In most jurisdictions a complaint may be amended anytime up through judgment as long the amendment conforms to the proofs. In your situation depending on your state's procedural law, I think it would be routine to amend your complaint to raise the ad damnum (or the claim for damages) that are in keeping with what you believe to be your damages for your injuries. In my county where I principally practice, a complaint for damages other than in contract would be alleged to be an amount in excess of $50,000. That is the jurisdictional limit for cases handled in the law division as opposed to the municipal department that handles cases valued at less than that amount.

Q. when you sign settlement paper how many days must you legally wait before you get the check??

16 November 2018

A: It depends on the law in your jurisdiction. For example, Illinois has law directly on point of your question. You should ask this question to the lawyer handling your case or an attorney in your area.

Q. How does one select a mediator? What if we can't agree on using the same person?

18 August 2018

A: There are many neutral arbitration/mediation organizations in the Chicago area and around Illinois that provide solid work. It would be very strange if the lawyers involved couldn't agree on a mediator. In some cases, a mediation might be set by the presiding judge, sending the case to another judge to mediate. Assuming the mediation envisioned is nonbinding i can't imagine why a mediator couldn't be agreed upon and in the case of an impasse like the one you describe, I would ask your lawyer to bring this problem to the judge who is overseeing your case. Maybe the judge can break the logjam.

Q. Do people usually use the same lawyers for their appeals or is it better to hire someone else who specializes in it?

18 August 2018

A: I would suggest that it is generally better to hire an attorney who specializes in appellate work. There are just too many possible technical requirements in appellate work that if not met could foil your case .

Q. If someone is killed by a drunk driver, does the state file charges or are we able to sue for wrongful death?

17 August 2018

A: A civil wrongful death lawsuit would not be prevented in the event the state brings a criminal action against the drunk driver. The two actions are completely separate. Whether there would be a criminal action filed depends on the facts and the investigation handled by the police/state.