Spinal cord injuries are painful and debilitating and often lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. The damages can limit your ability to work, participate in activities you love, or even take care of yourself. When a person’s negligent actions cause an otherwise avoidable spinal injury, you have the right to hold them accountable.
Speaking with insurance companies or dealing with legal claims can be overwhelming after suffering a severe injury to the backbone. A hard-working Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer could conduct a thorough investigation to find the party or parties liable for the accident. If you need assistance with collecting compensation for your or your loved one’s damages, call today to set up an appointment with one of our catastrophic injury attorneys.
The spinal cord is a delicate but crucial part of the human body and has an essential job. It is a bundle of nerves, and its primary function is to carry signals from the brain to various body parts to control movement and for sensory function. Injuries can occur from a direct blow to the spinal cord or from damages to the tissue and bones that surround the backbone.
People can sometimes recover from spinal cord injuries, but they often cause long-term or permanent impairment. They require extensive medical care and follow-up, and the injured party will probably need time off work, if they can return at all.
Spinal cord injuries occur for many reasons and in a vast range of situations. A qualified Chicago back and spinal injury attorney could review the accident to identify the negligence involved. The two most common accidents that lead to spinal cord injuries are:
Many collisions are minor and do not lead to severe and life-altering spinal injuries. However, car and other vehicle crashes are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. When these accidents occur because of a negligent motorist, the court will hold them accountable for the damages.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents and falls from great heights are another common cause of severe spinal injuries in Chicago. When these accidents occur on someone’s property or at work, the property or company owner could be liable for the resulting damages.
In some spinal cord injury cases, a Chicago civil court may find that the plaintiff shares a portion of responsibility for the accident. Sharing a portion of liability does not bar the claimant from recovering damages in Chicago, as long as their portion of responsibility is not 50 percent or higher.
According to Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, if the plaintiff shares a portion of fault, the court will subtract that percentage from the total award amount. A Spinal cord injury lawyer in Chicago could answer questions on these legal concepts and help calculate damages under the modified comparative fault rule.
No matter where you are or what you are doing, state laws require that everyone behave responsibly and prevent foreseeable harm from befalling others. Civil law will hold them financially accountable when they are careless or reckless and cause others to suffer undue injuries.
The process to recover damages can be long and complex, and there is a higher chance of success with the help of a skilled legal professional. If you want more information on recovering damages, contact an experienced Chicago spinal cord lawyer to schedule a consultation.