Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are devastating, often life-changing events. If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by a careless driver or property owner, or another party, our Skokie catastrophic injury lawyers can help. Conditions such as brain damage, severe burns, or paralysis may be permanent or fail to fully resolve with time, leaving you to deal with a lifetime of medical expenses. We understand how stressful this can be, which is why we will work diligently to make sure that you get fair compensation in your case. Time is of the essence in these cases, so it is important to act quickly.

Serious car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, defective products, and construction accidents can all cause catastrophic injuries. While there is no clear definition of the term ‘catastrophic injury’ under Illinois law, this type of injury typically refers to a serious event that results in long-term and permanent harm to the victim, such as disability or disfigurement. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury;
• Severe burns;
• Amputation or loss of limb;
• Coma;
• Paralysis or other spinal cord injuries;
• Broken bones;
• Deafness or blindness; or
• Organ damage.

If you have sustained a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing, you may be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party through a personal injury claim. This is usually based on the concept of negligence, or a failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. In order to prevail on a negligence claim, a catastrophic injury attorney in the Skokie area must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. They also need to show that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff, and the defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the accident that resulted in the plaintiff’s catastrophic injury.

In each Illinois personal injury case, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove the defendant’s negligence. As mentioned earlier, the standard by which the plaintiff must establish his or her case is known as the ‘preponderance of the evidence’ standard. This standard essentially requires the plaintiff and their Skokie catastrophic injury attorney to show that the greater weight of the evidence is in their favor. In other words, the plaintiff’s version of events must be more likely true than the defendant’s version of events.

Not only are catastrophic injuries extremely painful, but also they can take a serious emotional and psychological toll on the victim. All of these factors can make the condition extremely costly to treat. A patient may require long-term, even life-long therapy for the physical condition and the long-term services of a therapist to deal with the emotional impact associated with the injury. In Illinois, victims of catastrophic injuries may be able to recover a variety of damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, therapy costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, future medical expenses, property damage, and more. Each case is unique, and the exact amount of compensation that a plaintiff will be entitled to receive will depend on the nature and severity of the injuries.

Dealing with a catastrophic injury like brain trauma or severe burns is never easy, but you do not need to face it alone. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of negligence, we are ready to help. Our knowledgeable accident attorneys are committed to providing high-quality and compassionate representation to victims. You can trust that we will make every effort to get you the compensation that you need to deal with your injuries. We proudly represent people throughout Cook County, including in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Evanston, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, and Jefferson Park. To set up a free appointment, call (847) 982-9516 or (312) 929-3807, or contact us online.

When a brain injury occurs, the devastating effects on the victim and their family can be significant. There are two different types of brain injuries – one that occurs with direct force to the skull, and the other occurs when the brain is injured by coming into blunt contact with the inside of the skull, such in motor vehicle collisions or shaken baby syndrome.

No matter how a brain injury occurs, the effects can be severe. Adults and children who suffer from brain injuries can experience:

• Memory loss
• Loss of concentration
• Difficulty communicating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Inability to learn new things
• Poor judgement
• Seizures
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Visual disturbances
• Poor balance
• Hearing loss
• Changes in speech patterns
• Decreased motor control

Families that have been affected by brain injuries will likely have to live with the consequences for the remainder of their lives. Victims of brain injuries may not “seem” like they are the same person, and may be permanently disabled as a result. Lost wages and disabilities can put a severe financial strain on a family, in addition to overwhelming medical expenses. Couple that with the emotional hardship of brain injuries and it’s often too much for one person or family to bear.

The attorneys at the Injury Lawyers of Illinois, LLC are compassionate and caring, and are available now to support and assist you in seeking justice for the hardships you and your family now have to endure. We have won millions of dollars in settlement funds for our clients who have suffered from preventable brain injuries and would like to do the same for you.

Burn injuries that are severe almost always require extensive hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy and frequent other medical procedures. Many burn victims are required to be treated at special burn centers or hospitals with burn units that are designed specifically to treat victims with serious burns, and this often results in a victim being transported away from their homes and families. Burn injuries typically result in lost wages, significant medical expenses, psychological trauma and possibly even permanent disability. Suffice it to say that burn victims and their families will have their lives changed forever.

Common causes of burn injuries can include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Construction accidents
• On the job accidents
• Chemical burns
• Explosions
• Motorcycle accidents
• House or apartment fires
• Defective products
• Electrical burns
• Scalds from hot liquids

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a burn injury, the first thing you need to do following your medical condition being stabilized is to contact a qualified burn injury attorney who has the resources and skills to pursue financial compensation for your suffering. In the coming days, weeks, months and even years following the accident, you will likely require funds to cover medical expenses and lost wages. At the Injury Lawyers of Illinois, LLC, we believe these expenses should never have to be paid by the victim of the tragedy or their loved ones.

We have obtained millions of dollars in settlement funds for our burn injury clients and would like to do the same for you. Call us today.

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious types of injuries a person can be inflicted with, because they cannot be cured or repaired. The healing period after a spinal cord injury typically consists of the victim learning to live with their new limitations.

Typical consequences of a spinal cord injury can include:

• Paralysis
• Quadriplegia
• Paraplegia
• Loss of sensation
• Inability to control bodily functions
• Loss of sexual function

Victims of spinal cord injuries and their families often face:

• Emergency hospitalization
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Medications
• Home care
• Ongoing medical care
• Medical expenses that aren’t covered by the victim’s health insurance
• Travel expenses for medical care and for family members to visit while the victim is hospitalized and/or receiving medical care
• Counseling and emotional support for the victim and his or her family
• Lost wages
• Permanent disability and inability to work
• Funeral expenses in the event that the victim dies as a result of his or her injuries

If you or a family member have been the victim of a spinal cord injury that occurred as the result of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering. At the Injury Lawyers of Illinois, LLC, we understand how debilitating spinal cord injuries can be and we are committed to supporting you and your family in any way possible as you face the challenges ahead. We won’t give up when the going gets tough and will do everything we can to ensure that you receive the financial compensation you deserve.