Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.
Top rated Medical Malpractice attorney in Chicago, Illinois
Clifford Law Offices
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1984
Education: Northern Illinois University College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025 Call today:
312-815-7022
Clifford Law Offices
120 North LaSalle Street36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602 Visit website
Details
Of counsel at Clifford Law Offices, attorney Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D., offers his legal acumen to the Chicagoland area. His legal practice covers a variety of areas, including personal injury, with a focus on medical malpractice involving birth and brain injuries, diagnostic errors, and wrongful death cases. He is committed to holding negligent medical professionals and institutions accountable for harming patients through reckless actions.
Dr. Chessick is particularly dedicated to securing justice for infants with brain injuries and individuals affected by mismanaged blood clots and overlooked cancer diagnoses. A doctor and a board-certified surgeon accredited by the American Board of Medical Specialties, he is acutely aware of the devastating impact of medical negligence, which claims more lives annually in the U.S. than many significant diseases. His career is devoted to combating this widespread issue.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Chessick has secured several record-setting verdicts, including a $10 million verdict in Ogle County in 2001 and a $5.95 million verdict in Cook County for a wrongful death case related to the failure to diagnose breast cancer. He also achieved a $2 million verdict in Cook County for a similar case, among many others.
Dr. Chessick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and zoology from the University of Illinois in 1965, followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1968, supported by scholarships. He later earned his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1984. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Nevada.
An active contributor to both medical and legal discussions, Dr. Chessick has authored numerous articles and remains closely involved with Northern Illinois University (NIU). His contributions have been recognized with the NIU Alumnus of the Year award, and he holds positions on several boards at NIU. His philanthropic efforts led to the establishment of the Kenneth Chessick, M.D., J.D. Technology Center at the NIU College of Law, which aims to enhance legal practice through technology.
Additionally, Dr. Chessick has shared his knowledge through various seminars, focusing on medical negligence, personal injury law and trial techniques, helping to educate and refine the skills of legal professionals.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dental Malpractice, Dram Shop Laws, Informed Consent, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Defense, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 90% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1984, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.cliffordlaw.com/attorneys/kenneth-c-chessick/
- Nevada, 2000
- U.S. Federal Courts, 1985
- Illinois, 1984
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1984
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1984
- Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center, 2013
- Kenneth C. Chessick Bridge to the Bar Stipend Program, 2011-2012, 2011
- Restaurant.com Proffessorship of Interactive Marketing, 2008
- Kenneth C. Chessick Civil Justice Endowed Scholarship Program, 2007
- Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center, Kenneth Chessick Video Room, 2006
- Kenneth C. Chessick Legal Training Skills Center at the NIU College of Law, 2004
- 9/11 Survivor Fund, 2001
- President, American Cancer Society, Citrus County Chapter, 1977-1979, 1979
- Project Hope, Colombia, South America, 1967, 1967
- Kenneth Chessick is a strong supporter of public education, and in particular, Northern Illinois University, the NIU College of Law, and the University of Nevada. He maintains close ties to Northern Illinois University, and he has served on committees and boards, including the prestigious Board of Visitors, and has served as guest lecturer to law school classes. Dr. Chessick has served the College of Law as chairman of the prestigious Board of Visitors, as a Director of the NIU Foundation, as lecturer and moderator of legal seminars on Medical Negligence and Personal Injury Law to law students and the practicing legal community. Dr. Chessick was awarded the honor of being named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, 2001, by Nortthern Illinois University. The Kenneth C. Chessick Legal Training Center at the Northern Illinois University College of Law was created by Dr. Chessick to further the legal training of future lawyers. Dr. Chessick has also endowed numerous scholarships at the NIU College of Law and is also a benefactor of student-athletes at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Chessick is also founder and chairman of the Board of Director of Restaurant.com.
- Selected to Illinois Super Lawyers list, 2008-Present, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2025
- Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D., J.D. is well trained and experienced in all aspects of health care delivery and negligence law. A native Chicagoan, he graduated high school at the age of 16, finished college at the University of Illinois (Urbana) at age 19, and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine (which he attended on full scholarships) at age 23. Dr. Chessick completed his internship at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago; he performed his surgical residency in General Surgery at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital and the prestigious Boston City Hospital, considered among the best training hospitals in the world and home to the medicals schools of Tufts University, Boston University, and Harvard College. At Boston City Hospital, Dr. Chessick was awarded the highest position of Chief Surgical Resident in 1972-73. Dr. Chessick has taught medical students and resident surgeons from Harvard, Tufts, and Boston Universities. Dr. Chessick did a residency in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Florida Shands Teaching Hospital in 1979-80. Dr. Chessick has published numerous professional articles in both the medical and legal literature. Dr. Chessick is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a past Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a past president of a Florida chapter of the American Cancer Society, and he has lectured widely on cancer prevention and treatment. Dr. Chessick has special training in laser surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and the surgical and medical treatment of breast, thyroid, and colon and rectal cancer and other problems of the gall bladder, stomach, intestines, and rectum.Dr. Chessick attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law full-time and graduated CUM LAUDE in 1984. He maintains close ties to Northern Illinois University, and he has served on committees and boards, including the prestigious Board of Visitors, and has served as guest lecturer to law school classes. Dr. Chessick has served the College of Law as chairman of the prestigious Board of Visitors, as a Director of the NIU Foundation, as lecturer and moderator of legal seminars on Medical Negligence and Personal Injury Law to law students and the practicing legal community. Dr. Chessick has been honored as the NIU 2001 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Dr. Chessick is a member of the NIU Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Chessick has endowed a Legal Skills Courtroom and Training Center, an addition to the NIU College of Law in DeKalb, Illinois. Kenneth Chessick M.D., J.D., is an experienced trial attorney, admitted to the Illinois Bar and United States District Court. Consistent with his specialized medical training and forty year experience, his interests are medical negligence law and catastrophic injuries to people, usually as a result of medical negligence. Dr. Chessick has published numerous legal articles on these topics. Our clients have received compensation for injuries in excess of $200,000,000. The Law Office of Kenneth Chessick, M.D., has won numerous trials and appeals in varied courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court, a decision of which we are particularly proud. Dr. Chessick is also founder and chairman of the Board of Director of Restaurant.com., Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Northern Illinois University, 2001
- Northern Illinois University College of Law Patron Award, 1996, 1997, Northern Illinois University College of Law Patron Award, 1997
- Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois- J.D., Doctor or Jurisprudence cum laude
- University of Illinois, Chicago- M.D., Doctor of Medicine
- University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois- B.S., Bachelor of Sciences magna cum laude
- Kenneth Chessick, MD, JD, attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law full-time and graduated CUM LAUDE in 1984. Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D., J.D., a native Chicagoan, graduated Sullivan High School at the age of 16, finished college at the University of Illinois (Urbana) at age 19, and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine (which he attended on full scholarships) at age 23. Dr. Chessick completed his internship at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago; he performed his surgical residency in General Surgery at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital and the prestigious Boston City Hospital, considered among the best training hospitals in the world and home to the medicals schools of Tufts University, Boston University, and Harvard College. At Boston City Hospital, Dr. Chessick was awarded the highest position of Chief Surgical Resident in 1972-73. Dr. Chessick has taught medical students and resident surgeons from Harvard, Tufts, and Boston Universities. Dr. Chessick had further fellowship training in diseases of the heart, lung, chest, and blood vessels at the University of Florida Shands Teaching Hospital in 1979-80. Dr. Chessick has published numerous professional articles in both the medical and legal literature. Dr. Chessick is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a past Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a past president of a Florida chapter of the American Cancer Society, and he has lectured widely on cancer prevention and treatment. Dr. Chessick has special training in laser surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and the surgical and medical treatment of cancers of the breast, thyroid, colon and rectum, skin, and other problems of the gall bladder, stomach, intestines, and rectum.
- Guest Lecturer, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, Mortar Board Honor Society, October 24, 2013, “How an Ordinary Guy Does Extraordinary Things.”, Lecturer, How an Ordinary Guy Does Extraordinary Things, Northern Illinois University, 2013
- Guest Lecturer, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Advanced Civil Procedure classes, last April 7, 2000, Lecturer, Advanced Civil Procedure classes, Northern Illinois University, 2000
- Symposium Lecturer, Northern Illinois University College of Law 2002 Law Review Symposium, NIU Naperville Education Center, Naperville, Illinois, March 21, 2002, “Technology in Case Management and Trial.”, Lecturer, Technology in Case Management and Trial, Northern Illinois University, 2002
- Moderator, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Legal Education Seminar, NIU Hoffman Estates Education Center, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, May 21, 1994; “Pragmatic Issues in the Medical Negligence Trial.”, Moderator, Pragmatic Issues in the Medical Negligence Trial, 1994
- Lecture, Kiwanis Club of Elgin, Golden, K, Elgin, Illinois, September 15, 1993; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “Coming Health Care Reform in America.”, Lecturer, Coming Health Care Reform in America, 1993
- Lecture, Oakton Community College, Emeritus Encore Lecture Series, Skokie, Illinois, April 21, 1993; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.: “Decision Making and Medical Dilemmas.”, Lecturer, Decision Making and Medical Dilemmas, 1993
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, South America, March 18, 1992; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “Hospitals – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Picking a Hospital You Can Live With.”, Lecturer, Hospitals - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Picking a Hospital You Can Live With, 1992
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Salvador, Brazil, South America, March 20, 1992; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “Living Wills, Powers of Attorney for Medical Decisions, and the Health Surrogate Act.”, Lecturer, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney for Medical Decisions, and the Health Surrogate Act, 1992
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Dakar, Senegal, Africa, South America, March 21, 1992; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “Surgery without Incisions – The Explosion in Surgical Technology.”, Lecturer, Surgery without Incisions - The Explosion in Surgical Technology, 1992
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America, March 17, 1992; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “How to Find a Doctor You Can Trust.”, Lecturer, How to Find a Doctor You Can Trust, 1992
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Africa, March 22, 1992; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: “Medical Malpractice – The Problems, The Causes and The Solutions.”, Lecturer, Medical Malpractice - The Problems, The Causes and The Solutions, 1992
- “The Expert Witness – Deposition Skills and Pitfalls”, given to American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. OVERVIEW COURSE, October 12, 1991, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Century City, Los Angeles, California; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D., Lecturer, The Expert Witness - Deposition Skills and Pitfalls, 1991
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Los Angeles, California, November 22, 1990; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: Medical Malpractice: Greedy Lawyers or Bad Doctors?, Lecturer, Medical Malpractice: Greedy Lawyers or Bad Doctors?, 1990
- Lecture, Royal Cruise Line, Crown Odyssey, in Acapulco, Mexico, Central America, November 21, 1990; Lecturer, Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.; Topic: Common Complaints Where the Sun Don’t Shine., Lecturer, Common Complaints Where the Sun Don't Shine, 1990
- American Association of Justice Illinois Association of Justice American Bar Association Illinois State Bar Association Nevada Bar Association Past: American Board of Surgery Fellow, American College of Surgeons others
Office location for Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D.
120 North LaSalle Street
36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-815-7022
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025
