Block, Klukas & Manzella, P.C., has roots dating back to 1951, evolving into the present day law firm which focuses in complex personal injury and workers' compensation matters. Since its inception Block, Klukas & Manzella, P.C. has always been on the forefront of leadership in the field. For example, we were first in the country to win a jury case, which proved a chemically induced immuno-deficiency. We were also the first law firm to introduce PET scans into evidence in brain damage cases in Cook and Will Counties. We have successfully prosecuted all types of cases ranging from aviation crashes to maritime disasters to basic worker's compensation claims.
We are a mid-sized law firm with the experience, resources and versatility of a large firm and the accessibility, integrity and approachability of a small firm. Our attorneys and paralegals are always available and willing to answer your calls and questions. In the event your personal attorney is not immediately available, another member of the team will be happy to assist.
To maintain that promise of integrity and commitment, we have joined together a team of experienced and aggressive attorneys with a vast network of other legal resources. This winning combination means you, our client, will receive complete and dedicated attention in making all remedies under the law fully available to you.
In over 50 years of existence, the firm has undergone changes so as to better serve our clients. The original firm, founded in 1951, continued until 1968. In 1970, the firm's current senior partner, Michael Block, joined John Cirricione. He saw a void in the area of personal injury and workers' compensation, and immediately began practicing in that field. Between 1971 and 1976, his brother, Winston Block, and several other lawyers joined the firm and expanded the partnership. Winston had been decorated with a bronze star after serving his country as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corp of the Army in Viet Nam. In 1993, Elizabeth Klukas, named partner in the firm, joined after handling complex asbestos litigation for a downstate law firm.
In October 2001, our firm reorganized in order to focus our practice exclusively in the area of injury law, including workers' compensation. Two years later, Thomas Manzella joined our firm. He came to us with a broad background of practice including injury and workers' compensation. In October of 2007, Tom became a named partner. Jason R. Stetz joined our firm as an associate concentrating in workers' compensation in 2006. In April 2008, we opened a west side branch to better serve our clients.
As a group, the lawyers at Block, Klukas & Manzella, P.C., have over 75 years experience and, equally as important, have the dedication to do the hard work necessary to achieve top results for our clients. Our mission is to continue to be leaders in the fields of complex or catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and workers' compensation.
Our philosophy is that our clients define who we are and what we can accomplish. In order to foster the interests of our clients, all our lawyers have been active in the American Association for Justice, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Will County Bar Association. Michael Block has been on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice for over 10 years, and has been a director of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association for a similar period of time. Elizabeth Klukas has been chairperson of the Will County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee since 2006.
Both Mr. Block and Ms. Klukas have lectured before groups of attorneys on various issues relating to personal injury and workers' compensation throughout their careers. Our other attorneys bring professionalism to the practice and ensure that we give our own clients the best representation by staying on the top of the cutting issues.
