Hurt in Wheaton, IL, and not sure what to do next? An injury can turn your life upside down in seconds. One minute you're driving down Roosevelt Road or shopping on Front Street, and the next you're hurt after a crash or a bad fall. Then come the medical bills, missed work, and an insurance adjuster who keeps calling. A Wheaton personal injury lawyer can take that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Those injuries lead to an ER visit, where you place plenty of trust in your doctors. Unfortunately, that trust is not always honored. When a misdiagnosis, surgical error, or medication mistake makes things worse, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick handles injury and malpractice claims in Wheaton.
The Affidavit Requirement Under Illinois Law
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, a plaintiff seeking damages for injuries or death by reason of medical, hospital or other healing art malpractice must file an affidavit attached to the complaint, along with a written report from a health professional who has reviewed the records and found a reasonable and meritorious cause for the action.
The reviewing professional has to be knowledgeable in the issues, must have practiced or taught in the relevant area within the last six years, and must satisfy the witness qualification standards the Code sets separately at 735 ILCS 5/8-2501.
A separate certificate and report are required as to each defendant named. Failure to comply is grounds for dismissal, which is why medical malpractice claims tend to begin with record collection.
Not Every Bad Outcome Is Malpractice
The affidavit exists as a screening step, and there is good reason for that. Medicine carries risk that competent care does not eliminate, and a poor result is not by itself evidence that the standard of care was breached.
What a reviewing physician looks for is a diversion from what a reasonably careful practitioner would have done, and a connection between that departure and the harm. Establishing both requires dedicated work and experience. Reviewing what our firm handles may help you decide whether to begin.
Where a Wheaton Case Is Filed
Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County, so personal injury and medical malpractice cases filed here go to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court at 505 North County Farm Road.
The DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk's office is in the same building, and that's where case files and court records are kept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a personal injury lawyer in Wheaton, IL to obtain the 2-622 affidavit?
In practice, yes. The affidavit is executed by an attorney and requires a reviewing health professional who meets statutory criteria.
How long does the review take?
It depends on the volume of records. The statute allows the certificate and report to follow the complaint in defined circumstances, but the records have to be gathered first.
How The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick Handles Injury Claims in Wheaton
At The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick, our lawyers strive to obtain the complete record set and arrange the qualifying review before filing, since a complaint filed without a compliant affidavit invites a dismissal motion.
Record collection and physician review both take real time, and that time runs inside the limitations period. There is no charge to have our team get started with your case assessment. You can contact us at (847) 807-8695.
Last reviewed: September 2026
This page was reviewed by Michael W. Kopsick, licensed in Illinois since 2014.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
