Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Did you recently suffer a spinal cord injury in an accident in Chicago, IL? A Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to learn how an experienced attorney can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Our lawyers have decades of experience fighting to help injured clients recover fair compensation for injuries caused by other people’s negligent, reckless, and wrongful acts.

Over the years, our law firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for victims, who have been involved in a medical malpractice case, Chicago wrongful death case, Chicago brain injury, truck accident, and slip-and-fall accident.

Now, we’re here to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact our law offices in Chicago, Illinois, at (312) 726-1616 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.

Why Should I Hire Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to Handle My Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Case?

Why Should I Hire Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to Handle My Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Case?

The most severe spinal cord injuries will turn your life upside down. These are the types of injuries that have the potential to be catastrophic. You’ll need time to adjust and recover. 

In the meantime, our Chicago personal injury lawyers will begin our fight to hold the responsible parties liable. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have been rated by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers of America. We’ve also earned a spot on the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

We’ll fight for you by:

  • Investigating to determine who is liable for your injuries
  • Compiling evidence to support your claim for compensation
  • Assessing your case value
  • Handling all paperwork and filings
  • Protecting you if you’re blamed for your injuries
  • Hiring experts and specialists when needed
  • Negotiating with the insurance adjusters on your behalf

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys know that the stakes are high. You’ll need money to cover medical bills and your expenses while you figure out what’s next. You can count on us to do everything possible to maximize your compensation award. Just call today to get started.

Spinal Cord Injuries: An Overview

The spinal cord is an 18-inch column that runs from the base of the neck to the tailbone. It is composed of nerves and tissue that are surrounded by bones called vertebrae. The spinal cord itself is responsible for relaying messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

The spinal cord is composed of four regions, including:

  • Cervical spine (C1-C7 vertebrae)
  • Thoracic spine (T1-T12 vertebrae)
  • Lumbar spine (L1-L5 vertebrae)
  • Sacral spine (S1-S5 vertebrae)

When the spinal cord is damaged, the ability of the brain to send messages to the body is compromised. Most injuries have the potential to impact all functions below the site of the injury. 

Our Attorneys in Chicago Handle All Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases

As an initial matter, spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. When a spinal cord injury is “complete,” the victim loses all function beneath the injury. When the injury is incomplete, the victim retains some level of function.

Our lawyers in Chicago handle all types of spinal cord injury cases, including those involving:

  • Paraplegia, or paralysis from the waist down
  • Quadriplegia or tetraplegia, which is paralysis from the neck down
  • Triplegia, or paralysis in three limbs
  • Herniated or ruptured discs

Generally speaking, the higher up the injury, the more serious the injury’s impacts will become.

Statistics on Spinal Cord Injuries in the U.S.

According to the United Spinal Association, about 294,000 Americans are currently living with spinal cord injuries. About 17,810 new spinal cord injuries are reported each year.

Unfortunately, about 30% of all spinal cord injury victims are re-hospitalized one or more times during any given year following the original injury.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Of course, the most dramatic spinal cord injuries are usually obvious immediately. However, the spinal cord is a complex system. Some injuries won’t be immediately obvious. Others may seem mild initially but can worsen over time.

That makes it especially important to pay close attention to any symptoms you experience after an accident or trauma.

Some of the most common signs that you have suffered a spinal cord injury include:

  • Weakness or paralysis
  • Extreme pressure or pain in the back, neck, or head
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs
  • Loss of control over the bladder or bowels
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Trouble with walking or balance

It’s always important to seek medical attention if you’ve suffered a trauma. Getting prompt medical care can prevent an otherwise minor condition from getting worse. It can also prevent the at-fault parties and their defense lawyers from claiming that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.

What Are the Possible Long-Term Consequences of Spinal Cord Damage?

Spinal cord damage can cause a variety of long-term consequences, which will depend primarily on:

  • The area of the spinal cord that was damaged
  • The type of injury involved
  • The severity of the damage

Of course, complete paralysis from the waist down or the neck down is always possible.

Some of the additional consequences that spinal cord injury victims often experience include:

  • Limited mobility
  • Dependency on wheelchairs and medical devices
  • Problems with circulation
  • Digestive problems 
  • Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
  • Loss of sexual function
  • Musculoskeletal diseases 
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Infections 
  • Nerve damage
  • Loss of fertility
  • Chronic pain and dependency on pain medications 
  • Low blood pressure
  • Inability to regulate blood pressure
  • Reduced life expectancy 
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Spinal cord injuries can create substantial hardships even if you don’t experience permanent paralysis. Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis will change your life forever. Our lawyers are here to help you recover fair compensation if you were injured due to someone else’s acts. Just contact our law firm in Chicago to schedule a free case review today.

What Causes Most Spinal Cord Injuries in Chicago, IL?

Most spinal cord injuries are caused by traumatic accidents. Any type of serious accident can leave victims struggling with spinal cord damage.

At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our team often represents clients in cases involving:

Speaking with an experienced lawyer after an accident is the best way to protect yourself. You can learn more about your right to compensation by calling our Chicago spinal cord injury attorneys for a free case evaluation.

What is My Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?

Some of the factors that our attorneys will consider when we prepare your case include:

  • The overall severity of the injury
  • How the injury has impacted your work and earnings
  • How the injury is likely to impact your future work
  • Damage to your quality of life and lifestyle changes
  • The circumstances of the injury and strength of your personal injury claim
  • Whether you share fault

You can count on us to take the time to thoroughly evaluate your case value. We’ll do everything possible to maximize your settlement or verdict.

What Types of Compensation Are Available to Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries in Chicago, Illinois?

There are two categories of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Under Illinois personal injury laws, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Wheelchairs and assistive devices
  • Rehabilitative care and therapies
  • Medications 
  • Nursing care
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Depression 
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Damages to personal relationships
  • And more

In cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, our lawyers will pursue punitive damages as punishment for the defendant’s actions.

Can Shared Fault Impact My Damages Award in Illinois?

If there’s any evidence that might show you share some blame for the accident, expect the insurance company to use it. You could end up with a reduced settlement. It’s possible that you could receive nothing at all.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence law with a 51% bar to recovery. Once your share of fault reaches 51%, you’re barred from seeking compensation. If your share of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury in Illinois?

After an accident, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. The statute of limitations typically starts to run on the date you suffer the injury. 

However, it’s possible that a different deadline may apply. It’s also possible that the statute of limitations won’t start to run until the date you discovered the injury.

Contact a Trusted Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, contact an experienced Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer today. At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis so you can get the legal representation you deserve. Call us at (312) 726-1616 to schedule a consultation.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Chicago, IL

Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys
Address:
10 S La Salle St STE 1230
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone:
(312) 726-1616

Business Hours:
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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