Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury is one that is considered to be extreme or particularly serious in nature. Typically, the consequences are so severe that the victim may never return to their previous way of life. While catastrophic injuries may not always cause permanent damage, it’s extremely rare to completely recover.
Catastrophic injuries typically cause victims to develop permanent disabilities. Not only do such injuries involve victims being unable to maintain regular employment, but they also face several years of very expensive rehabilitation and medical treatment.
Illinois Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Have you or a loved one suffered any kind of catastrophic injury as the result of another party’s negligence in Chicago or the Greater Cook County area?
Due to the nature of these injuries, and their long-lasting impact on both health and ability to earn a gainful living, it is imperative that victims not enter into any settlement negotiations without legal counsel. We must ensure that damages received cover not only current economic losses, but future projected losses and medical expenses that may result from those injuries.
Call (312) 588-9773 or visit our contact page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with our Chicago catastrophic injury lawyers. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis – meaning you pay nothing unless you win.
Overview of Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Illinois Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago Catastrophic Injury Resources
Susan Loggans Law
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries often involve serious and permanent harm to a critical area of a person’s body.
Some of the most common kinds of personal injury claims that our catastrophic injury attorneys at Susan E. Loggans & Associates handle include, but are not limited to:
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a long, thin structure of nervous tissue and support cells that is enclosed within the spinal column of a person’s backbone or spine. The level of sensory or motor function that exists below the neurological level of such an injury determines whether it’s a complete or incomplete injury. Common causes of spinal cord injuries include automobile, aviation and construction accidents.
Burn Injuries
Severe burn injuries create not only intense physical pain for injured persons but also extreme emotional consequences when they result in significant disfigurement. Serious burn accidents and injuries can cause permanent nerve damage, organ failure, or even death.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
One of the deadliest injuries you can sustain is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the term for any severe blow or penetration to the head. Harm to the brain can result in nausea, headaches, memory loss, convulsions, and other damaging symptoms. It can even lead to partial or complete paralysis if the motor control function of the brain is impaired.
Amputation
Amputations can cause serious lifelong hardships for victims. While broken bones can heal, any injury that requires the surgical removal of all or part of a person’s limb or extremity creates a series of physical and emotional challenges. Depending on the body part removed, and the nature of the amputee’s profession, a victim may be permanently unable to return to work.
Internal Organ Damage
Organ damage occurs when an internal organ’s function is severely impaired. The organs commonly susceptible to damage include the liver, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys. Damage can be permanent, requiring an organ transplant or lifelong medical care.
Neck Injuries
The severity of a neck injury can vary depending on the location of the injury and the level of trauma involved. Common neck injuries include neck strain, neck fractures, and nerve damage. It’s not uncommon for a neck injury to be paired with a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.
Disfigurement
Disfigurement refers to an undesired change in appearance that has far-reaching effects on the victim and their loved ones. Common types of disfigurement include scarring and loss of a body part, such as an eye or ear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a catastrophic injury?
The term “catastrophic injury” has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as courts in Illinois have offered differing interpretations of its definition under 820 Illinois Compiled Statute 320/10(a) in the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act.
Federal law states that a catastrophic injury is “an injury, the direct and proximate consequences of which permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work,” under 42 U.S. Code § 3796b.
By general definition, a catastrophic injury is one that leaves a victim with serious long-term, and often life-changing, impacts.
What damages are typically covered in a catastrophic injury case?
The amount of damages can vary by severity of the injury and its impact on future gainful employment. Typically losses recovered include medical bills, ongoing physical therapy expenses, long-term care costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Chicago Catastrophic Injury Resources
Illinois Public Safety Employee Benefits Act
View the full text of 820 Illinois Compiled Statute 320/10(a), which outlines employer responsibilities when a public safety employee suffers a catastrophic injury or is killed in the line of duty.
Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) | Rehabilitation Services
Find local rehabilitation services and resources from the State of Illinois’ lead agency serving individuals with disabilities.
City of Chicago | Disability Resources
Find disability resources within the City of Chicago, including transportation, in-home assistive devices, meal programs, and independent living tools.
Susan Loggans Law
Catastrophic injuries can completely alter one’s life. In addition to the emotional harm done to the victim and their loved ones, catastrophic injuries can bring a lifetime of difficult – and expensive – treatment.
If you or your loved one sustained a catastrophic injury due to another’s negligence, it is in your best interest to avoid making any kind of statement about the incident until you hire a Chicago personal injury lawyer and receive proper legal advice. It is imperative that you have an advocate who will fight for compensation that covers the long-term impacts of such an injury.
Call (312) 588-9773 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm in catastrophic injury claims, who will provide a complete evaluation of your case. We’ll fight the insurance companies to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.