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Illinois · medical negligence

Medical negligence settlements
in Illinois.

By 6 min read

Illinois applies modified-51 comparative fault and has no statutory cap on non-economic damages following the 2010 Lebron decision striking down the medical-malpractice cap. For medical negligence claims specifically, the band is built from the state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps framework and then adjusted for Illinois's modified comparative — 51% bar.

Illinois applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. A medical negligence claimant who is 50% at fault still recovers 50% of damages; one assigned 51% recovers nothing. This is slightly more claimant-friendly than the 50% bar applied in some neighbouring states, and it leaves room for negotiation in mixed-liability medical negligence cases where the comparative-fault split is close to even.

Illinois does not impose a state-specific statutory cap on the standard heads of damage in medical negligence cases. The band is constrained primarily by jury verdict ranges, insurance policy limits, and the strength of the medical paper trail. Catastrophic medical negligence claims with documented future care needs can clear the upper end of the band without bumping into a statutory ceiling.

band · US federal frame
$30,000 – statutory cap
Medical negligence (non-fatal)
State medical-malpractice cap as in force on the date of injury

The US band is the starting point. Illinois's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.

IL · statute of limitations
2 years from date of injury

735 ILCS 5/13-202

IL · fault rule
Modified comparative — 51% bar

Modified comparative — recovery barred at 51% claimant fault.

medical negligence · same region & fault regime

Compare to like jurisdictions.

How Illinois's fault rule and limitation period compare to jurisdictions in the same US region and to those running the same fault rule for medical negligence claims.

JurisdictionFault ruleLimitationMedical negligence page
Illinois · you are hereModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injury
IndianaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIN · medical negligence
IowaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIA · medical negligence
KansasModified comparative — 50% bar2 years from date of injuryKS · medical negligence
MichiganModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryMI · medical negligence
MinnesotaModified comparative — 51% bar6 years for personal injury (uncommonly long); 4 years for medical malpracticeMN · medical negligence
MissouriPure comparative negligence5 years for personal injury; 2 years for medical malpracticeMO · medical negligence
MassachusettsModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryMA · medical negligence
MontanaModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryMT · medical negligence
NevadaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years for personal injury; 3 years for medical malpracticeNV · medical negligence
New HampshireModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryNH · medical negligence
KentuckyPure comparative negligence1 year for personal injury (one of the shortest in the US)KY · medical negligence
LouisianaPure comparative negligence1 year (la prescription) — extended to 2 years by Act 423 (2024) for tort claims accruing on or after July 1, 2024LA · medical negligence
IL · medical negligence · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer is independently coherent and references the relevant statute or authority document.

editorial note

Figures on this page are starting points: the US band adjusted for Illinois's statutory framework. They are not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult an attorney admitted in Illinois. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.