A spinal cord injury can be completely life-altering. A spinal cord injury can permanently impact your ability to live as you did before your accident and cause significant physical, emotional, and financial distress. That said, when you sustain a spinal cord injury from an accident caused by someone’s negligence, do not hesitate to inform yourself of the full scope of your prospective legal options.
A South Elgin spinal cord injury lawyer could offer the clarity and information you need to decide what to do next. Additionally, a skilled catastrophic injury attorney could investigate the details of your accident and review the evidence to identify liable parties and build the most robust case for compensation possible.
Spinal cord injuries can stem from a wide variety of negligent acts. Roadway incidents, such as car accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle collisions, and pedestrian crashes, are just a few examples. However, spinal cord injuries can also arise from severe falls or medical malpractice.
Determining the at-fault party in these cases often depends on the underlying circumstances that led to the spinal cord injury. However, several elements must be proven in any case founded on a negligence claim.
The injured party must establish that the alleged defendant owed them a duty of care. Moreover, that individual must have failed to observe that duty and, in doing so, caused the claimant’s injuries and verifiable damages. A diligent South Elgin attorney could evaluate the circumstances of a victim’s spine injury to determine the responsible parties.
Compensation in personal injury claims can fall into three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. The first two are the most common forms of compensation available.
For example, economic damages cover the financial losses such as medical bills, or wages forfeited due to time away from work because of the injury. On the other hand, non-economic damages do not have a specific amount and include compensation for losses like mental anguish, emotional distress, and lost life enjoyment.
Punitive damages are typically only awarded in unusual circumstances, such as when the at-fault party displayed criminal or gross negligence. These penalize the at-fault party for egregious behavior, while the other damages mentioned are intended to compensate the injured individual for their harm. A hardworking lawyer in South Elgin representing someone with a spinal cord injury could vigorously pursue all available forms of compensation on their behalf.
It is essential not to wait until the last moment to speak with a legal representative quickly after sustaining spinal cord damage: the law establishes particular time parameters in which a case must be initiated, or the injured party loses their right to seek monetary recovery.
The statute of limitations governing personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from when the physical harm took place. That said, there are exceptions to the two-year rule, such as when the injured individual was harmed due to medical negligence or was a minor.
When you or a family member are dealing with a spinal cord injury, you may feel overwhelmed about how to move forward with your case. No amount of money can take away the personal and emotional pain that these types of injuries can inflict. Still, a South Elgin spinal cord injury lawyer could help you see that the responsible party or parties answer for their negligence.
If you are interested in pursuing a personal injury claim for a recent spinal cord injury, discuss your potential case with a lawyer as soon as possible. Call now for a confidential consultation with a legal team member.