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A spinal cord injury could cause severe psychological, physical and financial stress to an injured individual and their family. Your situation could be even more complicated if another party was the cause of your injuries.
Whether you sustained catastrophic injuries due to a car crash, a faulty product, or a fall on the property of another party, you have legal rights and options a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney could help you pursue. Speaking to a skilled Dolton spinal cord injury lawyer could help you to ascertain whether your case has merit and how to seek compensation from the responsible party.
The types of damages an individual may recover depends on the severity of the accident and the injuries sustained. In general, there are two types of damages that a victim may be able to recoup: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages represent the financial losses an injured individual has suffered. Lost wages (especially if the accident resulted in paralysis), medical expenses, nursing care, home modification, rehabilitation, and prescription expenses are all examples of this type of damage.
Non-economic damages do not have a specific value. They include intangible losses such as:
Since these damages do not have an inherent value, it could be difficult to determine how much a plaintiff should be compensated for them. Injured individuals should consult with a Dolton spinal cord injury attorney to determine what types of damages are available in their specific situation and how much they may be eligible to recover.
Sustaining a spinal cord injury could be overwhelming and confusing for both the victim and their family. Even though filing a claim may be the last thing on anyone’s mind following an accident, it is essential to be aware of the legal deadline for filing or settling such a case out of court.
As per 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/13-202, injured individuals have two years from the date of their injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failure to submit the claim within the deadline set by the statute of limitations may make an individual ineligible to seek compensation from the responsible party.
As an alternative to immediately taking a case to trial, a seasoned spinal cord injury lawyer in Dolton could also attempt to reach a settlement agreement with the defendant. The plaintiff may choose to settle at any time before the trial ends if they do not want to go through the sometimes long and emotional process of a trial. In many cases, settlements are also more cost-effective and convenient than going to court.
The chances of a successful settlement could depend on whether the defendant’s legal team believes the plaintiff would win a presumed court case. Plaintiffs should speak to an experienced attorney about determining a fair settlement for their losses, but at any point, the plaintiff has the sole right to accept or reject an offer from the defendant.
A Dolton spinal cord injury lawyer could investigate your claim to find out whether your case has merit and help you seek appropriate compensation for your damages. Let a tenacious attorney help you as soon as possible. Call today to take an important step towards recovering for your financial losses.