Introduction
Ankin Law, based in Chicago, Illinois, has long established itself as one of the premier personal injury and workers’ compensation firms serving clients throughout the city and surrounding areas. Founded by attorney Howard Ankin, the firm has grown into a well-recognized name in Illinois law through decades of advocacy on behalf of accident victims and injured workers. With its central office in downtown Chicago, the firm has handled thousands of cases and has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for its clients.
Howard Ankin, along with a team of seasoned attorneys, has become a fixture in the Chicago legal landscape. The firm emphasizes both depth of experience and trial readiness, maintaining a reputation for its ability to litigate complex cases to jury verdict when necessary. Over the years, Ankin Law has secured life-changing awards in matters ranging from catastrophic injury to wrongful death, and from medical malpractice to work-related accidents. This breadth of practice and record of results has made Ankin Law a trusted resource for Illinois residents navigating the legal system after serious injuries.
Areas of Practice
Ankin Law represents clients in a wide spectrum of personal injury and work-related cases. The attorneys at the firm have developed specialized knowledge across the following areas:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents – The firm represents clients injured in car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, and pedestrian accidents. These cases often involve distracted or impaired drivers, complex insurance disputes, or crashes resulting in severe spinal and brain injuries. The attorneys work to reconstruct accident scenes, consult with experts, and ensure victims obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs.
- Construction Accidents – Chicago’s active construction industry brings significant risk to workers and bystanders alike. Ankin Law has handled claims arising from scaffolding collapses, machinery malfunctions, unsafe worksites, and OSHA violations. The firm pursues both workers’ compensation claims and third-party liability suits to maximize financial recovery for injured construction professionals.
- Premises Liability – The firm takes on slip and fall cases, negligent security claims, and property-related accidents. Whether the incident occurs in a retail store, apartment complex, or public facility, Ankin Law holds property owners and managers accountable for failing to maintain safe premises.
- Medical Malpractice – Cases involving negligent medical treatment require both legal and technical expertise. The firm pursues claims related to surgical errors, delayed diagnoses, birth injuries, anesthesia mistakes, and other forms of provider negligence. By working with medical experts, Ankin Law builds strong evidence to support victims of malpractice.
- Wrongful Death – When negligence results in the loss of life, the firm represents surviving family members in claims for wrongful death. These lawsuits aim to recover damages for lost financial support, loss of companionship, funeral costs, and emotional suffering.
- Catastrophic Injuries – Ankin Law regularly handles cases involving life-altering harm such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and severe burns. The attorneys focus on long-term recovery costs, vocational limitations, and future care requirements to ensure clients receive adequate compensation.
- Workers’ Compensation – A core strength of the firm, Ankin Law is widely recognized for its representation of injured workers across Illinois. The attorneys manage claims involving repetitive stress injuries, workplace accidents, and occupational illnesses. They ensure clients secure the benefits guaranteed by law, including medical coverage, wage replacement, and disability awards.
This combination of practice areas allows Ankin Law to serve a broad client base, from individuals injured in motor vehicle crashes to employees facing resistance from employers and insurers in workers’ compensation matters.
Case Results
Ankin Law has recovered significant verdicts and settlements across its practice areas, consistently delivering seven- and eight-figure outcomes. Illustrative results include:
- $10 million settlement in a medical malpractice case involving birth injuries.
- $7.5 million recovery for a client paralyzed after a workplace accident.
- $6 million verdict in a trucking collision resulting in wrongful death.
- $4.8 million settlement for a construction worker severely injured in a scaffolding collapse.
- $3 million settlement in a premises liability case involving a defective stairway.
- Numerous multimillion-dollar workers’ compensation awards for injured employees in manufacturing, transportation, and service industries.
These results reflect not only the trial readiness of the attorneys but also their ability to negotiate substantial pre-trial settlements when insurers recognize the firm’s track record.
Legal Philosophy
Ankin Law’s guiding philosophy centers on thorough preparation and client-focused representation. Every case is developed with the assumption it may proceed to trial. This “trial-first” mindset ensures that no detail is overlooked, and that insurance carriers and opposing counsel recognize the seriousness of the firm’s advocacy.
The attorneys emphasize contingency fee representation—clients pay no fees unless a recovery is secured. This approach ensures access to justice regardless of financial means. The firm also collaborates with a wide range of experts, including physicians, accident reconstructionists, engineers, and economists, to support claims with credible, technical evidence.
At its core, the philosophy of Ankin Law is client-centered advocacy. Attorneys maintain direct communication with clients rather than relying solely on staff or intermediaries. This personal involvement provides transparency, builds trust, and ensures that legal strategies align with the goals and needs of each injured individual or family.
Recognition
Over the years, Ankin Law and its attorneys have received substantial professional recognition. The firm’s accolades include:
- Listings in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for excellence in personal injury and workers’ compensation law.
- Membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reserved for attorneys who have achieved significant verdicts and settlements.
- Recognition by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 for trial advocacy.
- AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting both legal skill and ethical standards.
The firm’s attorneys have also been quoted in media and invited to speak at professional conferences, underscoring their role as thought leaders in the field of injury and workers’ compensation law.
Client Experience
Client service is central to Ankin Law’s operations. The firm emphasizes transparency throughout the legal process, providing clients with updates on case progress and clear explanations of legal strategy. Many clients describe the attorneys as approachable, responsive, and deeply committed to securing favorable outcomes.
The firm recognizes the diversity of Chicago and provides bilingual legal services to better serve Spanish-speaking clients and other communities. Testimonials often highlight the compassion shown by the attorneys and staff, noting that the firm treats clients with the same level of dedication as family members.
By maintaining this level of accessibility and personal commitment, Ankin Law ensures that clients not only receive strong legal representation but also feel supported during what is often one of the most stressful times of their lives.
Offices and Contact Information
Ankin Law maintains its primary office in downtown Chicago, serving clients throughout Cook County and across Illinois.
- Chicago Office:
Ankin Law, LLC
10 North Dearborn Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 600-0000
Clients can contact the firm directly by phone or through its website for free consultations. The firm also offers hospital and home visits when clients are unable to travel.
Website:
ankinlaw.com
Conclusion
Ankin Law stands as a cornerstone of personal injury and workers’ compensation practice in Chicago. With decades of experience, hundreds of millions recovered, and a philosophy grounded in trial readiness and client-centered advocacy, the firm has consistently demonstrated its capacity to achieve meaningful results for those harmed by negligence or unsafe working conditions.
By blending courtroom strength with compassionate client care, Ankin Law reinforces its role as one of Illinois’s leading personal injury firms. For accident victims and injured workers in Chicago, the firm provides not just skilled representation but also a trusted ally committed to securing justice and financial recovery.