Scott DeSalvo settles Chicago security guard assault case after another firm declined it

Chicago personal injury attorney Scott DeSalvo settled a negligent security claim for a man attacked by a convenience store security guard on the city’s Near North Side. The case ended with a confidential payout, full medical bills paid, and a new free legal guide on negligent security claims.

Why it matters: - The case shows that assaults by security personnel can support negligent security claims under Illinois law. - The settlement paid the client far more than he expected and covered his medical bills in full. - The result may matter for injury victims who were told their cases had too little evidence to pursue.

What happened: - Scott DeSalvo settled a negligent security claim for a man attacked by a security guard at a neighborhood convenience store on Chicago’s Near North Side. - Another law firm had previously declined the case. - The settlement terms are confidential. - The client later received a recovery several times greater than he had anticipated.

The details: - The client suffered a head injury in the attack, and the injury affected his memory. - Two witnesses gave accounts that contradicted the client’s version of events. - The earlier law firm declined the case, citing limited evidence and believing surveillance video could not be recovered. - The insurance company initially offered nothing. - DeSalvo said his office conducted its own investigation and recovered the surveillance video. - After extended negotiations, DeSalvo delivered a final settlement demand on the eve of filing suit and included a copy of the lawsuit he was prepared to file. - The case settled shortly after. - DeSalvo said the disputed facts and lack of an initial offer made the matter a case that needed an investigation rather than an immediate rejection. - DeSalvo has more than 25 years of experience helping Illinois injury victims and is a Trial Lawyers College graduate.

Between the lines: - The case highlights a common barrier in injury claims: victims may assume conflicting witness accounts or memory loss make recovery impossible. - Illinois premises liability law can cover both failures to protect visitors from foreseeable crime and injuries caused by guards, bouncers or loss prevention officers themselves. - In those cases, Illinois law can potentially hold the business, property owner and security company responsible for excessive force, negligent hiring, training or supervision. - DeSalvo said injured people often blame themselves or assume nobody will believe them when a person in a security uniform causes the harm.

What's next: - DeSalvo has published a free educational guide at desalvolaw.com explaining negligent security claims, responsible parties and evidence issues. - The guide says victims do not need a criminal conviction to bring a civil claim. - The guide also explains that being partly blamed for an altercation does not automatically bar recovery under Illinois comparative negligence law. - DeSalvo writes and publishes the resources personally and does not require readers to provide contact information. - DeSalvo continues to represent injury victims throughout Chicago, Oak Brook, Cook County, DuPage County and surrounding Illinois communities. - The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC offers free consultations and says there is no fee unless the case is won. - DeSalvo can be reached 24 hours a day at 312-500-4500 or through desalvolaw.com.

The bottom line: - DeSalvo’s win underscores that seemingly weak security-assault cases may be worth a deeper investigation, especially when video or other evidence can still be found.