$3+ Billion Recovered * 150+ Results that Exceed $1 Million
People who have been seriously injured, or those who have lost loved ones due to a medical provider’s negligence, may be entitled to compensation for their hospital and medical expenses, physical rehabilitation and pain and suffering. But, success in a court of law usually requires the savvy skills and expertise of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
The Chicago trial lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP regularly handle high-stakes cases for plaintiffs and their families who were harmed or even killed due to medical negligence. Without legal representation, they would not otherwise have an effective means to pursue a claim. The firm gets justice for their clients by holding the negligent parties accountable, and they only get paid if they win the case.
Exceptional Results for Plaintiffs
Every day, Smith LaCien lawyers face off against powerful insurance companies, large corporations, medical institutions and other entities that caused serious harm due to their careless actions. Attorneys at the firm have a long track record of achieving exceptional results for its clients, with more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements and over 150 cases that have resulted in outcomes exceeding $1 million.
While the numbers are impressive, that alone does not capture what the results mean for their clients. Fair and adequate compensation for their injuries and losses provide an important path forward so the victims can start rebuilding their lives and receive the care and services needed.
Founded by experienced, award-winning lawyers Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien, Smith LaCien has experience in every type of catastrophic injury case, from truck, pedestrian, bicycle and car accidents to airport and airplane crash injuries and fatalities, as well as medical malpractice, product liability and wrongful death cases. They have also handled mass tort and class action lawsuits, including litigation over faulty Takata airbags, the crash of the 737 Max passenger aircraft in Ethiopia and hair relaxer products that caused cancer.
Proving Liability
Proving liability in court requires the plaintiff to prove with a preponderance of evidence that the defendant was at fault due to an act of negligence or recklessness. Smith LaCien lawyers thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident to find evidence demonstrating that the at-fault party owed the plaintiff and others a duty of care to take reasonable measures and prevent harm. The firm has access to top resources and uses a litigation strategy that incorporates thorough research and esteemed expert witnesses when warranted.
Medical malpractice is where they excel. Smith LaCien LLP is considered a leader in the field of medical malpractice. In one recent case, they obtained a $20 million settlement for a college student who suffered brain damage while undergoing heart surgery. In another instance, a 74-year-old client suffered an adverse reaction to a pharmaceutical product, resulting in blindness. He was awarded a $10 million settlement. Results like these happen time after time.
Being Held Accountable
“When placing your trust in the care of doctors or a hospital, you expect to be taken care of,” says Smith, an award-winning attorney and bar leader, who has been practicing law for over 40 years. “When professionals you thought you could trust behave negligently or carelessly, it can have a major impact on all areas of life, leaving them suffocating under medical bills, hours of rehabilitation and physical therapy, and the inability to work.”
“Regardless of the circumstances leading up to the malpractice incident, health care providers and facilities must be held accountable for negligence that causes harm to patients in their care,” adds LaCien. “Surgical errors like wrong-patient and wrong-side surgeries and hospital staffing mistakes and omissions happen more often than you’d expect.”
Awards and Honors
For its success, Smith LaCien has been recognized with many awards and honors. Jury Verdict Reporter’s annual “Settlements Report” recognized the firm as one of Illinois’ Top 10 plaintiff’s injury law firms in 2024. Its largest settlement last year was $19 million, awarded to the family of a child who died from a birth injury, and more recently, in 2025, they recovered $30 million for a child injured at birth and $30.5 million in a work-related wrongful death of a 43-year-old iron worker.
Most recently, the firm was recognized by Best Law Firms® 2025, earning a Tier 1 ranking in Chicago for its work in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. They were also ranked Tier 1 in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs and Aviation Law. Four of its lawyers are on The Best Lawyers of America® 2025 list, and two are on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025 list.
For a free consultation or to learn more about Smith LaCien LLP, visit https://www.smithlacien.com or call (312) 509-8900.
Smith LaCien – Trial Lawyers LLP
Three First National Plaza, 70 West Madison, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60602
Office: 312-509-8900 | Website: www.smithlacien.com | E-mail: info@smithlacien.com
