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Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can traumatize you, leaving you with impaired body function or even paralysis. If someone else caused your injuries, contact a Hazel Crest spinal cord injury lawyer to discuss your case. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney could guide you through the process of seeking the compensation you may need for a lifetime of care.
Once a spinal cord injury victim is safely transported to the hospital, a medical team will assess their injuries to determine how severe the injury. This can also be called ‘the completeness’ of the injury.
An SCI’s completeness is categorized as incomplete if the victim has some motor function and feeling, or complete if the victim loses all feeling and motor function below the injury. Paralysis from a spinal cord injury is categorized as tetraplegia (or quadriplegia), in which the paralysis affects the whole body, or paraplegia, in which the paralysis affects the lower body.
A local SCI attorney can review doctors’ records concerning the completeness and paralysis a victim is facing to help determine the nature of compensation that may be needed for rehabilitation, continued care, and specialized equipment.
Automobile and motorcycle accidents account for almost half of the head and neck injuries reported in the U.S. each year. Other causes include:
An attorney in the area could assess the facts of an spinal cord accident to help determine if a negligent person is responsible.
If a person’s spinal cord injuries are caused by a negligent party, compensation may be awarded to the victim. Compensatory damages are divided into economic and non-economic. Economic damages include lost wages and the cost of medical care. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, future lost wages, and loss of the enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are available only if the defendant’s actions are evil, wanton, willful, or egregious. Punitive damages are meant to punish defendants and hold them responsible for their conduct. A nearby lawyer experienced in spinal cord injuries can help determine what type of compensation, if any, a victim could pursue.
Illinois law generally gives a victim of a spinal cord injury two years from the day of the accident to file a lawsuit, though some exceptions may apply. An experienced lawyer can help victims file their SCI lawsuit in a timely manner.
Spinal cord accidents cause some of the most devastating injuries. A victim’s physical and emotional functions may never be the same. Fortunately, a Hazel Crest spinal cord injury lawyer can help you assess the severity of your case and determine how much compensation you will need. Call today for a free consultation.