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Barry R. Chafetz, an experienced and accomplished Chicago personal injury lawyer, joined Corboy & Demetrio in 1994. A
graduate of the University of Illinois, College of Law, he concentrates his trial practice on the representation of injured
persons and their families, with an emphasis on medical negligence. He previously was in private practice in both Chicago
and Springfield, Illinois, and served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
A partner and trial attorney at the Chicago-based law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, Barry is recognized by plaintiff and
defense lawyers alike as an expert in identifying potentially meritorious medical negligence cases early in the review
process. He has secured numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts and has a number of record-setting verdicts.
His most recent verdict of $6 million, on behalf of a victim of medical malpractice, was the largest jury verdict in Lake
County, Illinois, for medical malpractice involving the death of an adult. Barry obtained a $9.5 million settlement for the
family of a child born with cerebral palsy as a result of a delivery performed by a nurse midwife, a $7.75 million
settlement for the family of an infant who now suffers from cerebral palsy and developmental delays as a result of not being
properly monitored or treated for high levels of bilirubin, and a $10.5 million verdict for a child who suffered brain
damage at birth due to a delayed delivery. In another case where an infant suffered permanent injuries during delivery
resulting in limitation in both arms and the need for a ventilator while sleeping, Barry secured a $20 million settlement.
In four separate jury trials tried by Barry, the jury returned a verdict for more than the amount requested.
Barry’s strong and unrelenting advocacy on behalf of his clients has resulted in more complete protection and compensation
for all plaintiffs who have, as a result of the negligence of another, an increased risk of injury in the future. In the
case of Dillon v. Evanston Hospital, Barry’s client was awarded $3.5 million for the medical malpractice of her doctor and
the risk that she would suffer future injuries because the doctor left a portion of a catheter in her chest that went
undiscovered for over a year. The case was appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court which overturned previous case law and
adopted the position advocated by Barry that plaintiffs, in addition to other elements of damages, should be able to recover
for an increased risk of future injuries. It was a victory hailed as one of the “most important decisions on the issue of
damages” and one “that will have an impact in many medical malpractice cases.”
Named one of the top 5% of all Illinois attorneys by the Leading Lawyers Network and designated an "Illinois Super Lawyer,"
Mr. Chafetz has also achieved the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. He has been inducted into the
American Board of Trial Advocates as an Advocate, an attorney who has a minimum of fifty (50) civil jury trials to a jury
verdict and is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Barry is a frequent speaker on issues relating
to trial practice and strategy and is a member of regional and national bar associations.
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by Barry Chafetz 
