Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Bloomington, IL
Spinal cord injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, and slip-and-fall accidents are some of the most catastrophic personal injury cases in Bloomington and the surrounding areas in Illinois.
The effect of such injuries on the lives of victims and their families can be devastating. If a third party was responsible for such accident injuries, victims should understand their legal rights and the best strategy to recover the maximum possible compensation.
With over 20 years’ experience in catastrophic personal injury cases, the spinal injury lawyers at Dodds Law Office, PC, provide seasoned legal representation for victims. We hold the responsible party accountable and do not settle for anything less than the substantial compensation you deserve. Call today at (309) 829-9300 for a free consultation.
Understanding Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Depending on the precise location and severity of your spinal cord injury, you may be in constant pain, unable to move or go to work, and your domestic life may need to change drastically, even after the injuries have been treated and medical costs mount up.
Such life-altering injuries seem particularly unfair when they are caused by the recklessness or negligence of another party. Yet insurance companies often fail to offer compensation that fairly reflects the injuries.
Our spinal injury lawyers will help you hold the responsible party liable and recover compensation based on the following types of injury:
Cervical Spine Injuries
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae (C1-C7) in the neck. Because injuries here are the closest to the nerve pathways that connect directly to the brain, they are considered the most severe type of spinal injury.
- Often results in disability.
- Quadriplegia affects all four limbs and often requires mechanical ventilation.
Thoracic Spine Injuries
Thoracic spine injuries affect the twelve vertebrae (T1-T12) in the upper and mid-back. Although upper body strength and function are usually preserved, disability can still result:
- Paraplegia affects the lower body and legs.
- Bowel and bladder control impairment are common.
Lumbar and Sacral Spine Injuries
The lumbar and sacral spine affects the L1-L5 and S1-S5 vertebrae in the lower back and pelvis.
- Injuries can cause paraplegia affecting the hips, legs, and feet.
- Motor and sensory functions in the lower extremities may be affected.
- Bowel, bladder, and sexual functions can be impacted.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are also classified as “complete” or incomplete”. This helps medical professionals develop suitable treatment plans and maximize rehabilitation outcomes. The classification also affects personal injury claims.
- A complete injury results in the total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site.
- An incomplete injury retains some motor or sensory function, increasing the patient’s degree of recovery.
Leading Causes of Spinal Injuries in Illinois
While medical conditions can sometimes lead to a gradual onset of spinal cord injuries, we generally see the following more sudden causes of such injuries in personal injury cases in the Bloomington area:
- Car, truck, and motorbike accidents: Nearly half of all spinal cord injuries are caused by the impact involved in motor vehicle accidents.
- Slips and falls: These are especially common among older adults, particularly involving the cervical and lumbar spine.
- Violent acts: Gunshot and stab wounds, in particular, can cause severe spinal injuries.
- Sports and recreational activities: Some sports like football, motorsports, and skiing carry a high risk of impact injuries or serious accidents, leading to spinal cord injuries.
Workplace accidents: Industries like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and anything involving heavy machinery, potential falls from height, or other hazards create a higher risk of spinal injuries.
What Symptoms are Associated with Spinal Cord Injuries?
With any traumatic injury involving high-impact forces, medical professionals should check for spinal cord injuries before moving or treating the patient. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, symptoms may include:
- Sudden loss of movement, sensation, or bodily function: From partial weakness to complete paralysis of areas below the injury site, as well as the inability to feel heat, cold, and touch below the spinal injury, and problems with walking, balance, and coordination.
- Impairment of bowel, lung, and/or bladder function: Numbness, tingling sensations, and disrupted nerve signals that affect key bodily functions are common, especially with a lack of control over the bowels, bladder, and breathing.
- Intense pain and discomfort: Severe pain or pressure sensations in the neck, head, or back are other symptoms of spinal injuries.
Call spinal cord accident lawyer Terry Dodds now at (309) 829-9300, if you have been injured in an accident.
Let’s get your compensation claim start right away. We offer free case evaluations.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for My Spinal Injury?
Illinois does not limit the damages you can recover in a personal injury lawsuit. The amount of compensation available for a spinal cord injury in Bloomington depends on three main factors:
- The severity of the injury.
- The extent of medical treatment required.
- The impact on the victim’s quality of life.
Compensation in personal injury cases involving spinal injuries usually includes both economic (monetary) and non-economic (intangible) losses. Economic losses include costs associated with past, present, and future medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, modifications to the home, loss of earnings, etc.
For serious injuries that require lifetime care, non-economic losses for pain and suffering can also be substantial, compensating the loss of quality of life, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, etc.
Many factors can be considered when calculating the value of a spinal injury claim—and you will only get a full indication of the value of your claim after discussing the details of your case with a qualified personal injury lawyer.
How We Will Maximize Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim
Our experienced spinal injury lawyers are well-versed in the strategies to maximize your compensation claim.
After investigating the accident and gathering evidence to prove liability, we will liaise closely with your medical team to fully understand the extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life.
In some cases, a medical professional will interview family members and specialists to provide a complete picture of the medical care, rehabilitation, and personal services required to live in optimal comfort for the remainder of your life.
Unfortunately, the insurance companies of at-fault individuals in serious accidents rarely offer a fair settlement without considerable efforts from your legal team. We always put that effort into achieving the best possible outcome for our clients…
Contact our spinal injury lawyer at Dodds Law Office, PC as soon as possible and let’s get started with your recovery. No upfront attorney fees.
I chose to retain Mr. Dodds after a long first conversation about my situation and what it ment for me. Every sense he has always taken the time to explain everything to me so that I understood what was going on, as well as having my best interest at stake. I am overall very pleased with my outcome and would recommend you retain him. He cares, and you can tell by the late hours he works/ responds to your communication to him as well as when he is speaking to you. 10/10 recommend.