Melrose Park Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Sustaining a catastrophic injury can have devastating consequences on your life and can potentially cause long-term or permanent disabilities. The resulting damage can require costly medical treatment, follow-up care, and procedures for years. These injuries can also prevent you from returning to work for extended periods or permanently.

When a person’s negligence causes an accident, and you suffer severe and life-threatening injuries and disabilities as a result, you have legal rights. Personal injury or tort laws could afford you the right to hold the at-fault person or organization financially liable for the damages you suffered due to their recklessness. Schedule to meet a Melrose Park catastrophic injury lawyer today.

Different Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries often change a person’s life temporarily or permanently, sometimes preventing them from returning to their normal routine. Common types of catastrophic injuries include the following:

• Severe burns that lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Sudden and traumatic amputation of a limb
• Sudden blindness or loss of hearing
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries

A skilled Melrose Park attorney could answer specific questions about the case after reviewing the details of the victim’s devastating injuries.

Recoverable Damages in Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits

Adjusting to life with a permanent disability from a severe injury is traumatic, and the needed healthcare costs are high. Therefore, the award for damages in these cases can often be significant. Some of the recoverable damages in catastrophic injury lawsuits include the following:

• Healthcare costs and ongoing medical care
• Emergency care, specialists, and surgery
• Lost salary and benefits and future missed pay
• Prescriptions and medical devices
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of the enjoyment of life and companionship

Beyond losing the ability to enjoy the things they once loved, the injured party may also lose the ability to handle daily tasks and care for themselves, requiring around-the-clock care. Therefore, settlement amounts can be significant.

The Time Limit to Commence Legal Action for a Civil Lawsuit

There is a strictly enforced expiration date for filing a civil case to recover damages in catastrophic injury cases. According to the Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 § 5/13-202, the deadline for commencing legal action is two years from the cause of the lawsuit. If the plaintiff does not know they sustained injuries immediately, they have two years from the date they reasonably discover the damage.

In most cases, missing the statute of limitations deadline could mean losing the ability to collect compensation from the at-fault party. That said, there are potential exceptions for plaintiffs under 18 and those suffering from mental disabilities. A capable lawyer in Melrose Park could answer questions, handle the claimant’s legal work, and ensure they file their catastrophic injury case within the appropriate deadlines.

Meet With a Knowledgeable Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Melrose Park

If you suffered severe injuries and losses because of carelessness or recklessness, personal injury laws could entitle you to collect financial payments from the person or entity that caused your damages. Catastrophic injuries often require lifelong medical care and procedures and keep you from working during your recovery.

A claim for damages could allow you to hold the responsible party accountable, ensure you get quality medical care, and take the stress of losing pay and benefits off your shoulders. Meet with a compassionate Melrose Park catastrophic injury lawyer to start working on your claim.