Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Home \ Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

If you’re a victim who sustained various injuries, ranging from minor scrapes to severe physical trauma that affects every aspect of your life, you might be entitled to recover damages. An experienced Chicago catastrophic injury attorney at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call us today at (312) 929-2884.

Our legal team will stand up for you and protect your right to a fair financial recovery. We have over 30 years of combined experience protecting injured people throughout Illinois. Since opening our law office in 2011, our attorneys have secured tens of millions of dollars in awards and settlements.

Contact our law office in Chicago for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll discuss your life-changing injury, how it has impacted your life, and your legal options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault party.

Table of Contents

How Can Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Help You With a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Chicago, IL?

Catastrophic injury cases often involve substantial amounts of money. You may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitative care. At the same time, you may be unable to earn a living or care for yourself without assistance.

When the stakes are high, insurance companies and other opponents will do everything possible to limit their financial responsibility. Experienced legal representation could mean the difference between a lowball settlement and an outcome that fully compensates you for all damages.

If you hire Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers, you can expect our Chicago personal injury lawyers to:

Listen to what happened from your point of view and learn how your injury has affected your daily life
Thoroughly investigate the incident that caused your catastrophic injury
Collect evidence – including medical records, photos, videos, and expert witness opinions – proving liability and the full extent of your present and future damages
Ensure that you receive the medical care and attention you need
Communicate with opposing parties and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf
File a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in Cook County court if necessary

You don’t have to deal with the aftermath of a catastrophic injury alone. Contact our law firm for a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Chicago, Illinois.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Illinois law doesn’t explicitly define what constitutes a catastrophic injury. However, it typically refers to an injury that is severe and life-altering. A catastrophic injury may impair your cognitive functions or impact your physical abilities temporarily or permanently. They often reduce a victim’s quality of life, preventing them from engaging in work and activities they once enjoyed.

Common types of catastrophic injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Paralysis, including quadriplegia, paraplegia, and other spinal cord damage
Severe burns
Amputations and loss of limbs
Blindness
Deafness
Multiple broken bones
Coma
Any other injuries that cause permanent impairment or disability

These severe injuries often require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care, costing victims tens of thousands of dollars. People may heal after rehabilitative services, or they may never completely recover from catastrophic injuries.

What Causes Catastrophic Injuries?

Any kind of incident can potentially lead to catastrophic injuries, depending on the severity of the accident and the victim. Examples include:

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Bicycle accidents
Other motor vehicle accidents
Dog bites and attacks
Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability matters
Construction accidents
Workplace accidents
Train accidents
Bus accidents
Assaults and other violent acts
Medical malpractice
Dangerous or defective products (product liability)

Many of these accidents are fairly common in Chicago – but suffering a catastrophic injury isn’t usually the outcome. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys can help regardless of how you were catastrophically injured.

How Much Is My Chicago Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?

Catastrophic injury claims tend to be worth more than other personal injury cases in Chicago. The more severe and life-altering your injury, the higher your medical costs and level of suffering.

For example, a severe spinal cord injury causing tetraplegia can result in lifetime costs exceeding $5.1 million, depending on your age. Traumatic brain injury survivors may incur over $1,875,000 over their lifetime.

So, when calculating the value of your personal injury claim in Illinois, our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys will evaluate the following factors:

The type of injury you sustained
Whether it causes permanent impairment, disability, or disfigurement
The medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses you’ve incurred
The impact of the injury on your overall quality of life
Your age when you were injured and life expectancy
Whether you’re able to continue earning a living and your lost income
The pain, physical discomfort, and mental trauma you’ve experienced
Whether you contributed to the cause of your catastrophic injury
Whether you support a family, and your ability to continue providing financial support

Our legal team will evaluate the circumstances of your situation to assess your case value. We’ll ensure that you receive compensation for the full extent of your losses, including future healthcare expenses.

What Compensation Can I Seek for a Catastrophic Injury in Chicago, Illinois?

Catastrophic injury victims in Chicago can pursue a monetary award for all of their losses. That includes financial (economic) and personal, more challenging-to-value (non-economic) damages.

For example, you may seek the following economic damages after a catastrophic accident in Illinois:

Medical bills for your ambulance transport, ER visit, surgery, treatment, etc.
Future medical expenses for your physical therapy, rehabilitation, ongoing care, etc.
Lost wages and job benefits
Reduced earning capacity
Out-of-pocket expenses for child care, household services, modifications to your home, nursing care, etc.

Examples of non-economic damages suffered due to a catastrophic injury include:

Permanent disability or impairment
Scarring or disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Chronic pain
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional distress and psychological trauma

In some catastrophic injury cases, an Illinois court may award punitive damages. These awards are granted to punish defendants who acted with outrageous and reckless indifference to the safety of others.

What If I’m Partially At Fault for Causing My Catastrophic Injury in Chicago?

Catastrophic injury victims in Illinois who contributed to the cause of their injuries can still recover compensation, but only if they are 50% or less responsible. Once your share of fault exceeds 50%, you’re prohibited from a financial recovery under Illinois law. This is known as a modified comparative negligence standard with a 51% bar to recovery.

For example, assume you’re assigned 40% of the blame for causing a truck accident because you were speeding. You’d only be entitled to recover 60% of your awarded compensation. If you were allocated 51% fault, you’d be entitled to nothing.

Don’t admit fault, even if you think you’re partially responsible for the Chicago accident. You can’t be sure of anything until your attorney fully investigates and identifies every potentially liable party. Contact a catastrophic injury lawyer in Chicago to help fight allegations of shared fault and seek compensation.

How Do I Prove My Chicago Catastrophic Injury Case?

Most Chicago catastrophic injuries are caused by another party’s negligence, meaning they could be avoided by using reasonable care and attention.

The plaintiff (injured person) has the burden of proving the following elements of negligence in a catastrophic injury case:

The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
The defendant breached their duty by acting unreasonably or carelessly in the specific situation
The breach of duty directly led to and caused the plaintiff’s injuries
The plaintiff sustained damages due to the defendant’s negligent actions

The following types of evidence may be useful in proving your catastrophic injury claim:

Medical records
Statements from your doctor regarding your prognosis and required treatment
Photos, videos, and surveillance of the accident
Eyewitness statements
Opinions and statements from expert witnesses
Pain and suffering journal entries
Employment records and pay stubs

Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Chicago will communicate with your physicians and healthcare providers to gather the evidence needed to prove your injuries. We’ll also consult leading experts, such as medical specialists and economists, to put a dollar value on your damages.

How Long Do I Have To File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?

Illinois law implements a statute of limitations that restricts your time to file a civil lawsuit. Most catastrophic injury victims have two years from the accident date to take legal action against the at-fault party. If your loved one ultimately died after suffering a catastrophic injury, you have two years from their date of death to pursue a wrongful death claim.

If you’ve sustained a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s actions, it’s vital to seek legal advice as soon as possible. It takes time to build a case and calculate damages – especially if you’re undergoing ongoing rehabilitation and medical treatment.

Contact a personal injury lawyer in Chicago to ensure you meet the applicable statutory deadline.

Contact Our Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation

If you sustained a catastrophic injury in Chicago, IL, you’re likely struggling with expensive medical bills while missing time from work. An experienced personal injury lawyer from Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the best possible financial recovery.

Contact our catastrophic injury lawyers in Chicago for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and the benefits of creating an attorney-client relationship.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Chicago, IL

Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
Address:
134 N La Salle St #2160
Chicago, IL 60602

Phone:
(312) 929-2884

Business Hours:
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Our personal injury law firm in Chicago, IL, also provides: