Michael L. Shanahan

About Us

About Michael

Michael L. Shanahan is a distinguished plaintiff"s personal injury and wrongful death trial attorney. Joining Gallagher Law Offices after a successful tenure as a Partner at prominent personal injury firm, Michael has built a strong reputation in the legal community for his client-centered approach and notable litigation outcomes.

Michael focuses his practice on representing victims of trucking accidents, medical and nursing home malpractice, construction accidents, products liability, and car accidents. He believes that a successful case begins with establishing a strong attorney-client relationship, prioritizing open communication, and ensuring that his clients feel supported throughout the judicial process. This approach has proven effective for the numerous personal injury and wrongful death clients he has successfully represented.

A graduate of DePaul University College of Law, Michael received his J.D. in 2013, where he was awarded CALI Excellence Awards in Trial Advocacy (2013) and Legal Drafting (2012). The CALI award is given to the student with the highest grade in the class. Prior to law school, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009.

Michael is a tenacious advocate for his clients, securing significant victories in both state and federal courts. He has secured over $50 million in settlements and verdicts, underscoring his exceptional ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.

Results

$8 million medical malpractice settlement during trial against a Chicago hospital for failure to diagnose and treat an obstructing kidney stone leading to urosepsis and death.
$3.8 million pre-trial settlement for a bicyclist struck by a motor vehicle resulting in multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury.
$2.5 million medical negligence settlement against an attending physician and a long-term care facility for its failure to manage anticoagulation medications leading to an ischemic stroke.
$2 million settlement for a developmentally disabled adult against a facility for negligence that caused a choking event resulting in an anoxic brain injury and death.
$1.75 million settlement for a chemical plant operator who suffered severe burns to her arm after an overhead chute pinned it inside a discharge hopper.
$1.5 million settlement for a disabled adult who suffered a choking event due to being left unsupervised and receiving food that did not meet his dietary restrictions.
$1.17 million medical malpractice verdict for an 80-year-old nursing home resident who suffered an ischemic stroke after her physician failed to restart her anticoagulation medication.
$1 million medical malpractice settlement against a Chicago hospital and physician for failing to recognize a post-operative neck hematoma leading to an anoxic brain injury and death.
$1 million nursing home negligence settlement for a resident who developed multiple stage 4 bed sores.
$800,000 settlement from a trucking crash in which the client's car was struck by a tractor-trailer that lost control resulting in rotator cuffs on both shoulders.
$750,000 nursing home negligence settlement for a resident who developed multiple stage 4 bed sores to her sacrum and buttocks.
$600,000 settlement against a health club for neglecting to repair a broken doorstop leading to a shattered glass door that caused a lacerated tendon in the hand.

Bar Admissions

State of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Education

DePaul University College of Law. Chicago, Illinois. J.D. - 2013; CALI Award Trial Advocacy II (2013), Legal Writing (2012)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. B.S. - 2009

Honors and Awards

Selected by his peers as an Illinois "Super Lawyers Rising Stars" (2019 - 2024)
Leading Lawyers magazine's 2021, "Illinois Emerging Lawyer"
2020 Law Bulletin Publishing Company's Top "Forty Under 40"

Professional Associations

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)
American Association for Justice (AAJ)
Chicago Bar Association (CBA)
Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)

No Attorney Fees Unless You Win

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