John A. Salzeider, Partner, Chicago Illinois

Being raised in a small town in South-Central Illinois taught John his strong work ethic, his compassion for the underdog and his undeniable ability to compete and win for his clients. As one of O’Connor & Nakos’s strongest litigators, John has been successful in handling many cases before the Appellate Court of Illinois, the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission as well as the United States Social Security Agency. John has lectured on many topics concerning workers’ compensation matters in the State of Illinois and currently co-chairs the Illinois Trial Lawyers Workers’ Compensation Committee.

John received his Doctorate of Law from Northern Illinois University and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University.

John has settled and tried hundreds of workers’ compensation cases in a career spanning over 18 years. Some of those highlights include:

• Established a medical relationship for a union millwright who caught a 110 pound steel beam as it fell from its perch and the one in a million diagnosis of his condition. Total settlement exceeded $450,000 in new money to the client.

• Established the medical relationship and causal analysis for a heavy equipment operator who fell into a rock hopper after Respondent denied over $200,000 in medical treatment because of Petitioner’s pre-existing alcoholism.

• Successfully represented a welder denied benefits for post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

• Successfully represented a laborer/truck/driver denied benefits because his employer claimed the accident never happened.

• Has settled or tried hundreds of cases exceeding $300,000 paid in Wage Differential or Permanent Total Disability Benefits during his twenty year career.

John’s no nonsense approach to litigation has earned him the respect of his peers and the reputation as a tireless advocate from his opponents.

Areas of Practice:
• Workers’ Compensation
• Social Security Disability
• Personal Injury
• Employee Rights

Education:
• Northern Illinois University College of Law, De Kalb, Illinois

Bar Admissions:
• Illinois, 1989