Similar personal injury attorneys in Chicago
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
About Edward Willer
Edward G. Willer is a Chicago personal injury lawyer representing individuals and families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases across construction negligence, product liability, premises liability, and vehicular negligence.
As Partner at Corboy & Demetrio, Mr. Willer has obtained nearly $270 million in verdicts and settlements. Recent major recoveries include a $14.5 million settlement in 2024 for a pickup truck driver struck in a construction zone, a $13.5 million settlement in 2023 for a scrapyard worker's family, and a $6.57 million settlement in 2022 for a machine operator with a mangled leg.
In 2021, Mr. Willer secured $10 million for a worker injured falling from a ladder after successful arguments before Illinois appellate courts, plus $4.25 million for a security guard injured in a trailer fall. He obtained $7.5 million for a laborer's family after a balcony fall death and $7.6 million after a 14-day jury trial for construction injuries. A $6 million settlement followed an oil refinery explosion death, successfully argued before state courts. He recovered $4.5 million in a backhoe-related construction death.
In product liability, Mr. Willer obtained $5 million for a maintenance technician caught between an automated vehicle and rack. For vehicular cases, he secured $4.75 million for a woman broadsided by an ambulance inappropriately using emergency signals. Mr. Willer has investigated cases internationally, deposing design engineers in Japan regarding lighter manufacturers and traveling to Germany to investigate strapping machine and conveyor system designs.
He joined Corboy & Demetrio in 1994 after practicing with Leonard M. Ring & Associates. He graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 1973, serving on Law Review and the International Moot Court Team. He is recognized as among the top 5% of Illinois attorneys by the Leading Lawyers Network and holds an AV rating, the highest possible, from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. He has been selected to Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders (2024), The Best Lawyers in America (since 2023), Illinois Super Lawyers (since 2013), Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers (2024), and National Trial Lawyers Civil Plaintiff Top 100 (since 2021).
Proven verdicts and settlements at Corboy & Demetrio
These results are credited to Corboy & Demetrio. A result appears under an attorney's own name only when a published source names them as counsel on the case.
A federal judge in Chicago entered a default judgment against the Islamic Republic of Iran for a 2009 roadside bomb attack in Iraq that killed Army Sergeant Joshua Soto and injured his platoon leader, First Lieutenant Miles Murray. Iran never appeared, and the court heard the plaintiffs' proof at a four-day evidentiary hearing. Murray was awarded $28 million, Soto's widow $32 million, and the couple's minor son $20 million, each including punitive damages.
Thomas Demetrio of Corboy & Demetrio represented seven of the people killed and injured when a suspended work platform fell from the John Hancock Center in 2002, part of a $75 million global settlement reached on the eve of trial.
A Cook County jury found Advocate Condell Medical Center responsible for the death of a 47-year-old quadriplegic father who suffered fatal baclofen withdrawal while waiting for a delayed surgery to replace his medication pump, and the verdict was later affirmed on appeal.
A Cook County jury awarded commuter Renea Poppel $29.6 million after a Metra Rock Island train took a 10 mph crossover at 69 mph and derailed, the largest Illinois verdict for one person injured in a mass-transit crash.
In May 1990 a Cook County jury awarded $22,358,814 to a 23-year-old flight attendant who was left an incomplete quadriplegic when a semitrailer struck her stopped car from behind in Highland Park, Illinois, in November 1987. The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed in January 1997 but cut the future medical care award by $1 million, so $21,358,814 stood.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
Practice areas
Education
Bar admissions & credentials
Other attorneys at Corboy & Demetrio
View firm →
Proven verdicts and settlements from other Chicago firms
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.