The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body. Along with the brain, the spinal cord is a major part of the central nervous system. If the spinal cord becomes damaged, your brain may be unable to communicate with the rest of your body, causing a loss of motor function or even total paralysis. You have the right to demand compensation through a dedicated personal injury attorney whenever you suffer an injury because of another party’s action—especially if it results in permanent damage like spinal cord injuries so often do. A Cook County spinal cord injury lawyer could help you investigate the details of your claim, place supporting evidence within the framework of relevant laws, and seek appropriate compensation needed to make them whole again. Call and schedule a legal consultation with a compassionate catastrophic injury attorney to start discussing your potential legal options.
The Role of the Spinal Cord
The spinal cord itself is a bundle of nerves supported by the vertebral bones. If these bones become crushed, thrown out of alignment, or twisted enough to cause an impingement, the effects can be devastating.
The spinal cord is essential to everyday bodily functions. While the brain is responsible for issuing messages to the rest of the body, the spinal cord serves as the messenger to carry those signals to a person’s limbs and organs. Without a properly functioning spinal cord, these signals become lost and the affected body parts may not be able to function.
Making matters worse, the human body is unable to regenerate nerve fibers. If these fibers in the spinal cord are damaged or destroyed, the damage is permanent. This means that if a victim suffers a loss of motor function or complete paralysis due to a damaged spinal cord, they will never be able to recover physically—although as a silver lining, they could definitely recover financially with a Cook County spinal cord injury lawyer’s help.
Ways that a Spinal Cord Injury Can Occur
A spinal cord injury can result from almost any type of incident that results in a personal injury. Even something as seemingly trivial as a slip and fall can place great strain on the disks that support the spinal column. A fall directly onto the back or a quick unexpected twist can cause these disks to misalign and leave the spinal cord vulnerable to impact.
Other common examples of incidents that may lead to a spinal cord injury include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Assaults
- Premises liability claims that result from injuries on others’ property
Regardless of exactly how the injury occurs, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Cook County could work to identify the allegedly at-fault party as legally negligent and hold them liable to compensate the plaintiff for all their losses. Recoverable damages could include payment of medical costs for both the past and future, restitution for lost income, and compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Potential plaintiffs must be aware of statute of limitations applicable to personal injury cases in the State of Illinois. According to 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/12-901, plaintiffs must act within two years of the date of their injury to pursue a successful claim. Because spinal cord injury cases can often be very complex, it is usually important that injured individuals get to work right away to ensure that they meet this deceptively short time limit.
Speaking with a Cook County Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
A spinal cord injury could have a devastating impact on not just your life but those of your family members as well. Since spinal cord injuries never heal, anyone who suffers from one must endure their losses for the rest of their life. These losses can necessitate constant medical care, cause a lifetime of lost earnings, and result in a significant drop in quality of life.
A Cook County spinal cord injury lawyer could be dedicated to helping you and your family formulate a strong civil case and pursue fair compensation to provide for your futures. Call today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
