Many kinds of incidents can cause spinal cord injuries, but the most common are traumatic events such as car crashes, falls, and sporting accidents. While the characteristics and severity of such an injury depend on the nature of the trauma, if it is the result of someone else’s negligence then you are entitled to compensation.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another person, contact a Lake County spinal cord injury lawyer today. The far-reaching effects of these injuries can be devastating and difficult to cope with. But by seeking an experienced catastrophic injury attorney, you can begin to move forward.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Depending on the circumstances in which one occurs, a spinal cord injury may cause partial bruising, a partial tear, or a complete tear of the spinal cord. While the causes vary greatly, some of the most common include:
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Violence
• Sports injuries
• Diving accidents
Since the spinal cord acts as the line of communication between the brain and body, damage can be life-changing. Not only that, spinal cord injuries often lead to costly medical bills both in the short-term and long-term.
Seeking Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
To receive compensation, Lake County spinal cord injury victims must prove that their injury was the result of negligence on behalf of the defendant. In cases where the plaintiff is partially at-fault, their compensation would be adjusted accordingly. For example, if a spinal cord injury victim was deemed 20 percent responsible for their own injury, they would only be eligible to recover for 80 percent of their total damages.
Since many spinal cord personal injury cases result from falls and accidents, hiring a Lake County spinal cord injury attorney is often extremely important for plaintiffs to avoid bearing too much personal liability. The defense in such cases typically tries to place some or all the fault on the victim, and Illinois state law prohibits any plaintiff found 51 percent or more responsible for their own injuries from recovering civil damages.
Statute of Limitations
Individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries due to another person’s negligence must file their lawsuit within two years as per 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/13-202. However, if the damage is discovered later than the date of the injury, this limitation can be extended.
Although spinal cord injuries are often immediately apparent to the victim, there are some situations where damages are more difficult to discern. In particular, cases of medical malpractice can cause unseen damage that only manifests physically at a later date. A qualified spinal cord injury lawyer in Lake County could help a plaintiff not only determine what damages they may be able to recover for, but also what the statute of limitations applicable to their particular case would be.
Get in Touch with a Lake County Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Hiring a Lake County spinal cord injury lawyer to present your case could not only take the weight off your shoulders during a very difficult time but also ensure that this weight is handled appropriately by a compassionate professional that understands your situation and its implications. Call today to begin discussing your options and start moving forward with your case.
