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Spinal cord injuries primarily result from accidents, many of which are caused by the negligence of others. A person suffering from a spinal cord injury could require long-term medical treatment or continued care simply to return to a healthy state. This may be a devasting financial burden for victims and their families to bear by themselves.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury, you may wish to speak with an Orland Park spinal cord injury lawyer. A dedicated catastrophic injury attorney could not only advise you of your rights but may also be able to help you determine negligence and begin taking steps toward a positive result to your case.
Spinal cord injuries are commonly linked to motor vehicle accidents but could stem from any number of incidents, including:
Any of these situations could lead to a devasting spinal cord injury, which could lead to life-long pain or paralysis. It could be essential for a person to seek medical treatment following a spinal cord injury. The person could speak with a compassionate spinal cord injury lawyer in Orland Park after treatment to go over the events leading to the injury before considering potential settlements or next steps.
Given the life-long effects of a spinal cord injury, a person may be able to seek recovery from those who caused the injury. Plaintiffs in these cases usually seek compensation to help offset the cost of medical expenses or lost wages and to compensate for their pain and suffering.
A lawyer in Orland Park familiar with spinal cord injuries could help a plaintiff seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are generally quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses, costs of home modifications, or wages lost from work. Depending on the severity of the injury, non-economic damages may be awarded for intangible losses such as the pain a plaintiff feels, loss of enjoyment in life, or loss of consortium.
Illinois operates under a modified comparative negligence system. This means that even if a plaintiff is partially responsible for the accident that led to their injuries, they could still seek damages for injuries sustained.
If a plaintiff is found to be more than 50 percent at fault for their own injury, they may be barred from recovery entirely. Anyone who is unsure of fault should speak with an attorney to avoid an unwarranted comparative negligence claim.
Individuals who are found 50 percent or less at fault for their accident could be entitled to seek damages. Their recoverable damages may be reduced by an amount equal to the percentage of fault allocated to them for the accident. An individual who holds 20 percent fault for their own injury or accident may see their awarded damages reduced by 20 percent.
735 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/13 204 sets forth a statute of limitations that determines when injury plaintiff could file a lawsuit for any damages against a liable party. Anyone seeking recovery must file within two years of the date that the injuries occurred. Those who fail to file in this time frame may likely be unable to recover any damages.
When a catastrophic loss such as a spinal cord injury occurs, you may suffer permanent and life-altering consequences. If someone else’s negligent behavior directly caused you to suffer damage to your spinal cord, you might benefit from speaking with an Orland Park spinal cord injury lawyer.
A well-practiced attorney may be able to guide you through next steps and consult on actions for developing a favorable claim. Call today to discuss your case, review the best legal courses of action for your unique situation, and begin working towards recovery.