Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Your spinal cord injury affects more than what is happening today. We’re here to make sure the people responsible answer for what it means for your future.
Our Chicago spinal cord injury lawyers look beyond the bills and lost income you have right now. We build your case around the full impact of your injury, including the medical care you may need, changes to your ability to work, and the support you may rely on for years to come.
Once your case is resolved, you do not get another chance to recover what was left out. Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 now.
- Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured people
- Available 24/7 to discuss your case
- Attorneys who can come to you if you cannot travel to our office
- FREE consultations
- NO attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you
“You’ve got enough to deal with after your spinal cord injury. Let us deal with the insurance company. Our job is to build your case, protect your rights, and make sure no one gets to minimize what happened to you.”
— Howard Ankin, Ankin Law
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Why Hire Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers?
Spinal cord injury cases leave very little room for getting it wrong. The evidence we preserve, the parties we identify, the insurance coverage we uncover, and the way your long-term losses are documented can directly affect what you are able to recover.
At Ankin Law, we do not rely on the insurance company’s version of what happened or its calculation of what your injury is worth. We build our own case. That means investigating what caused your injury, working with the right professionals, identifying every potential source of recovery, and preparing the evidence necessary to pursue your claim through settlement or trial.
We Have Access to Valuable Resources
Building your claim may require evidence from medical professionals, accident reconstruction professionals, investigators, and others. Ankin Law has represented injured people for decades and can draw on appropriate resources to investigate your accident, document your injuries, and establish how they may affect your future.
We Know What Evidence to Look for, and How to Find It
Police reports and insurance investigations may provide useful information, but they may not tell the entire story of your accident. Our lawyers can conduct an independent investigation and gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, photographs, video footage, employment records, and other documentation that may support your claim.
We Identify and Pursue Available Sources of Recovery
The person or company that caused your spinal cord injury may not be the only source of compensation. We investigate available insurance policies and determine whether additional claims may apply. With workers’ compensation lawyers, medical malpractice lawyers, personal injury attorneys, and Social Security Disability lawyers on our team, Ankin Law can evaluate the different legal options that may apply to your circumstances.
We Don’t Charge Upfront Attorney Fees
You do not pay upfront attorney fees when you hire Ankin Law to handle your spinal cord injury case. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
We Don’t Back Down
At Ankin Law, we don’t believe in backing down to insurance companies and large corporations just to get a case settled fast. We will negotiate with the liable party to obtain full and fair compensation on your behalf, but as trial lawyers, we know that sometimes it takes more than that to do right by our clients. If negotiations are unsuccessful, we will bring your case before the judge and jury, and we’ll fight for your rights in court.
What Are Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as complete or incomplete. The type and location of your spinal cord injury can affect your movement, sensation, medical needs, and other limitations. These factors may also affect the damages you can pursue in a personal injury claim.
What Is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?
A complete spinal cord injury causes a loss of motor and sensory function below the level of the injury. Complete injuries can result in paralysis, with the location of the spinal cord damage affecting which areas of the body are impaired.
What Is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some motor or sensory function remains below the level of the injury. You may retain some ability to move or experience sensation in affected areas. The extent of remaining function varies depending on the location and severity of the spinal cord damage.
The type and severity of your spinal cord injury can affect your medical care, ability to work, future needs, and the value of your claim. Ankin Law can document these losses and help you pursue compensation for the impact of your injury.
Types of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can affect movement and sensation in different ways depending on the location and extent of the damage. Types of incomplete spinal cord injuries that may arise in cases handled by catastrophic injury lawyers include:
Central Cord Syndrome
Central cord syndrome affects the center of the spinal cord. It can result from hyperextension injuries, including those caused by falls and other accidents. The condition may cause greater weakness or loss of movement in the arms than in the legs.
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Anterior cord syndrome involves damage to the front of the spinal cord. The injury can affect movement and the ability to sense pain, temperature, and touch below the damaged area.
Posterior Cord Syndrome
Posterior cord syndrome results from damage to the back of the spinal cord. It can affect proprioception, or your ability to sense the position and movement of your body, as well as your ability to perceive certain types of touch below the injury.
Brown-Séquard Syndrome
Brown-Séquard syndrome results from damage to one side of the spinal cord. You may experience impaired movement and proprioception on the same side as the injury, while your ability to sense pain and temperature may be affected on the opposite side.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, exceptions may apply based on the circumstances of the case. Contact our injury attorneys as soon as possible. Early consultation gives your legal team time to investigate how your injury occurred, preserve evidence, identify potentially liable parties, and determine which filing deadline applies to your claim.
Did another party’s negligence cause damage to your spinal cord? Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 for a consultation about your case.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result in medical expenses, time away from work, and costs that continue long after your accident. If another party is liable for your injury, you may be able to pursue compensation for your financial losses and the ways the injury has affected your life.
Economic damages may compensate you for measurable financial losses, including:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills and expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost earning opportunities
- Other direct costs resulting from the accident
Your claim may also include non-economic damages for losses that do not have a fixed dollar amount, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Resulting mental health conditions, such as PTSD
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
How your spinal cord injury occurred can determine who may be liable for your losses and which insurance coverage may apply. Spinal cord injury claims can arise from various causes, including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Spinal cord injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents are often life-changing. High-speed collisions and impact forces can lead to trauma, causing damage to the spinal cord. Depending on how the crash occurred, a negligent driver or another party may be liable for your injuries and resulting losses.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Spinal cord injuries from slip and fall accidents can have serious consequences. Falls, especially from heights or on slippery surfaces, may cause trauma to the spinal cord.
Sports/Recreational Activities
Falls, collisions, and other accidents during sports and recreational activities can damage the spinal cord. Whether another party may be liable depends on how the injury occurred and the circumstances surrounding the activity.
Medical or Surgical Errors
A medical or surgical error can cause damage to the spinal cord during treatment or a procedure. If a healthcare provider’s negligence caused your spinal cord injury, you may be able to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
Workplace Accidents
Falls, machinery accidents, vehicle crashes, and other workplace incidents can cause spinal cord injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a workers’ compensation claim as well as a potential claim against a negligent third party.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Cases
If you suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may have questions about the legal process, the evidence you need, and the compensation available. The answers below address common concerns that may arise as you consider a spinal cord injury claim.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
There is no fixed timeline for settling a spinal cord injury lawsuit. The length of your case may depend on the severity of your injuries, your ongoing medical needs, the evidence available, and whether the insurance company disputes liability or damages. A case may take longer if a lawsuit must be filed or the claim proceeds to trial.
What Evidence Is Needed for a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Evidence in your spinal cord injury case may include medical records, imaging, medical bills, accident reports, photographs, video footage, and witness statements. Employment and wage records can help document lost income or reduced earning capacity. Depending on your case, testimony from medical professionals and other qualified professionals may also help establish liability, future care needs, and damages.
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit Worth?
The value of your spinal cord injury claim depends on the specific losses caused by your injury. Relevant factors may include the severity and permanence of your injury, past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation needs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and how the injury affects your daily life. Available insurance coverage and evidence of the other party’s liability may also affect your recovery.
When I was injured in a hit-and-run last year by a stolen vehicle, I had no choice than to recover from my damages through my insurance. I received so many calls from attorneys looking to gain my business. I turned them all down. I chose Ankin Law because of my familiarity with the firm, as I’ve seen Mr. Howard Ankin active on my job campus and speaking to many of the union members. He’s always kind and informative, so there was no hesitation for me to reach out to his legal team. It was only right. I was connected with attorney Maria Merman. I initially misjudged her, thinking she was too nice and not aggressive enough to go up against my own insurance. Oh boy was I wrong. It took time, but it was well worth the wait, especially considering how low the first offer from State Farm was. She was able to get the best and final offer that surpassed the initial. She was great! And I recommend her and the Ankin Law team to all!
Talk to a Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer About Your Case
A spinal cord injury can affect your medical needs, ability to work, independence, and financial future. If another person, business, healthcare provider, or other party caused your injury, you may have options for pursuing compensation.
At Ankin Law, we investigate how your injury happened, identify potentially liable parties and available insurance coverage, gather evidence, and document the losses connected to your injury. We also consider future medical care, reduced earning capacity, and other long-term costs when evaluating your claim.
You do not have to determine what your case is worth or deal with an insurance company on your own. Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 for a consultation with a Chicago spinal cord injury lawyer about your case and the legal options available to you.