At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our attorneys obtained the largest personal injury jury verdict in Illinois history on behalf of a man who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury.
Severe trauma from an auto accident, major fall, or any high-velocity accident can damage the spinal cord and cause acute long-term or permanent pain, dysfunction, or paralysis.
The experienced Chicago spinal cord injury lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates have represented thousands of individuals who suffered life-altering injuries. We understand the complex nature of cases involving a serious spinal cord injury. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Steps to take after being hurt
If you can follow these steps after being injured in an accident, you’ll help ensure you get the medical attention you need as quickly as possible. You’ll also help improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
1. Find a safe place away from the source of injury
The last thing you need is to risk being hurt even worse. If you can, get away from whatever caused your injury. This could be a piece of machinery that failed, the site of a car accident, or anything else.
2. Perform a self-evaluation
Check to see if you can tell how badly you’ve been hurt. Performing a self-evaluation will help ensure that the appropriate emergency personnel is dispatched to the scene to help you.
3. Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and the police
Tell the 911 dispatcher about the extent of your injuries and tell them how many other people were involved in the accident. They’ll also send a police officer who will investigate the accident and draft a report. This report could be critical to your chances of obtaining compensation.
4. Take notes and photos of the scene
If you can and it’s safe for you to do so, take photos and videos of the scene with your phone. These can be powerful evidence in your case.
5. Collect contact information from witnesses
If anyone saw what happened, ask them for their name, phone number, and email address. You don’t need to interview them – your Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer will take care of that.
6. Keep a written or digital record of your experience in the minutes, hours, and days after the accident
The more detailed your notes, the better the chances your attorney will be able to help you obtain full compensation. This money won’t just go toward your medical bills and lost wages. It can also compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ll experience.
7. Visit your primary care physician or specialist
You must see a doctor as soon as you can. The emergency medical professionals who arrive at the accident scene will strongly recommend you ride to the hospital in the ambulance provided.
If you choose not to follow their recommendation, at least go to your family physician or a specialist. They’ll put the best possible treatment plan together. Getting medical help will also establish your medical losses and damages.
8. Speak with an attorney
Talk to a Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as you can so they can investigate the accident. Your attorney will work to gather the evidence needed to make your case as strong as possible.
Don’t miss the deadline to file your claim
The Illinois statute of limitations in personal injury cases is two years. If you don’t take action within this time, you’ll be responsible for paying your medical bills and other expenses related to the accident.
Possible damages you can claim
A spinal cord injury can happen in a matter of seconds but can be debilitating and cause long-term changes to your health and life. Due to the severity of spinal cord injuries, skilled and competent legal representation from a Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer is crucial in order for you to obtain compensation for your damages.
Our team of skilled spinal cord injury lawyers are experts in this field. We understand that money will not make everything right again, but it can help make life easier.
Economic damages
Your medical expenses and lost wages are examples of economic damages. Since they’re tangible, they’re easier to prove than other types of damages.
Non-economic damages
These are subjective damages, such as emotional trauma, lost quality of life, and the pain and suffering mentioned earlier. Only a skilled attorney can prove non-economic damages.
Symptoms of spinal cord injury
The extent of damage depends on where on the spinal cord the injury occurred. If your spinal cord is damaged at the top (cervical) spine, you may suffer paralysis in most or all of your body. If the injury occurred lower on the spinal cord, you may suffer paralysis in your lower limbs.
Spinal cord injury can cause one or more symptoms, including:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Loss or change in sensation in the hands and feet
- Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
- Loss of movement
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
We’ll fight the insurance company to get you maximum compensation
If you work with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, you’ll be working with a law firm that has an extensive track record of defeating insurance companies.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
Personal injury cases can be complex for several reasons, one being that multiple parties might have contributed to an accident. You can take action against any person or entity that played a role in causing your injury.
How our attorneys prove liability
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates attorneys have a great deal of experience investigating accidents. We can obtain surveillance camera footage and phone records, talk to witnesses, and do many other things to get solid evidence.
Spinal cord injury lawsuit process
Here’s a quick look at some of the steps of a personal injury lawsuit.
1. Legal consultation
Speak with an attorney who will spell out the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
2. Accident investigation
Once you hire an attorney, they’ll immediately investigate the accident to determine who’s at fault and what other information they need to support your claim.
3. File a demand for compensation
Your attorney will send demand letters to all the parties that are liable for your injury.
4. Negotiation
The insurance companies of the liable parties will negotiate with your attorney and come to a fair settlement.
5. Take the case to trial
If the case doesn’t settle, your Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer will argue your case in front of a judge and jury to obtain the largest possible verdict in your favor.
Why it’s important to visit the doctor
If you don’t get medical help, the insurance company could deny your claim, stating you’re not hurt nearly as bad as you claim.
Cost of hiring a Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer
When you hire a Chicago personal injury attorney with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Why hire Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, your life has changed. Things that you once took for granted will now take a huge amount of effort and energy. Some may not even be possible. You will face new barriers going about your everyday business like working, driving, or recreational activities.
Our Chicago spinal cord injury lawyers are here to help
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates invites you for a free consultation to discuss your injury. You can also email us or even speak with us right now on LiveChat, located in the lower right corner of the screen. Even if you do not wish to retain a Chicago personal injury attorney, we can set you on the right path for free.
Most of our lawyers have more than 30 years of experience. We have an outstanding track record in helping our clients and therefore creating strong trust relationships, as you can see in our Success Record. Please call (800) 985-1819 to schedule your free consultation.
