Suffering a catastrophic injury in Lake County, IL, is life-altering, affecting your health, livelihood, and future. At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the profound impact such injuries have on victims and their families. If you have experienced a severe injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Our dedicated Lake County catastrophic injury lawyers are here to guide you through this challenging time.
Contact our law firm at 847-513-9582 for a free consultation with a Lake County catastrophic injury attorney to take the next steps in pursuing the money you need to recover and move forward in Lake County, Illinois.
How Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After A Catastrophic Injury In Lake County
For 33 years, Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers has tirelessly advocated for injury victims and their families in Lake County, Illinois. With 64 years of combined experience and over $125 million recovered for our clients, we have the experience and resources to handle complex catastrophic injury cases.
When you hire our law firm, our Lake County personal injury lawyers are prepared to:
- Provide compassionate legal guidance tailored to your situation
- Advocate for you and protect your rights
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine liability
- Gather and preserve crucial evidence to support your case
- Collaborate with medical and financial experts to fully assess your damages
- Negotiate aggressively on your behalf to seek a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if necessary
Our goal is to alleviate the legal burdens you face, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery. We understand that you count on a financial recovery for your long-term financial stability and quality care. We will aggressively pursue maximum compensation to support your quality of life.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lake County catastrophic injury attorney to discuss how we can help you.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries are severe, life-altering injuries. There is no specific definition of what constitutes a catastrophic injury, but it’s typically any injury that causes long-term or permanent impairment or disability and significantly affects your daily life.
Catastrophic injuries often affect the brain or spinal cord or cause significant mobility issues or impairment of a major bodily system or organ. Many victims face life-long medical needs, extensive rehabilitation, and an inability to return to their jobs.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries In Lake County, Illinois
At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients who have suffered various types of catastrophic injuries. Below are some of the most common types of catastrophic injury cases we handle.
Brain Injuries
Every year, about 85,000 Americans suffer disabling brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the top cause of disability in people under the age of 45. Not all brain injuries are caused by trauma; there are about 655,000 non-fatal strokes in the U.S. each year.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts communication between the body and the brain at and below the site of the injury. These injuries result in loss of function and sensation below the injury that may be partial or complete. SCIs cause paralysis and may even affect breathing, and bladder and bowel control.
Traumatic Amputations
A traumatic amputation happens when a limb or body part is lost in an accident or needs to be surgically removed due to trauma. Many traumatic amputations are related to heavy machinery and crashes. There are about 83,000 traumatic amputations every year in the United States.
Severe Burns
Major burn injuries can be catastrophic and life-changing. Severe burns can cause scarring and contractures around joints that restrict movement and function.
Hearing Or Vision Loss
The loss of vision or hearing is considered a catastrophic injury. There are nearly 147,000 Americans currently living with blindness due to an eye injury. Injuries account for up to 10% of vision loss.
Hearing loss can be caused by long-term exposure to loud noise, head injury, and complications from certain medications.
Organ Damage
Damage to organs like the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen can have catastrophic consequences. Organ damage can be caused by blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, toxins, or overdose.
Fractures
Multiple or non-healing fractures, for example, may be severe. Fractures can also lead to damage to surrounding nerves, muscles, and other tissue which may cause functional impairment or loss of mobility.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries In Lake County, IL?
Most catastrophic injuries are caused by accidents. Below are the leading causes of severe injuries in Lake County, Illinois.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Traffic accidents are a leading cause of:
- Spinal cord injuries (38%)
- Brain injuries (17%)
- Traumatic amputation (51%)
- Organ damage from blunt trauma
Motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents are more likely to result in amputation and spinal cord injury than other types of crashes. Truck accidents are more likely than car crashes to cause severe injury due to the difference in size and weight between trucks and passenger vehicles.
Falls
Falls are a leading cause of severe injuries, especially among older adults. These accidents cause 32% of spinal cord injuries and 35% of traumatic brain injuries overall. Among older adults, slip and fall accidents cause three-quarters of SCIs and over 80% of TBIs.
Workplace Accidents
Catastrophic work-related injuries often involve:
- Machinery is the second leading cause of amputation after car accidents
- Falls from heights
- Toxic exposure which may cause illness, organ damage, burns, vision loss
- Electrical injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Brain injuries
- Being struck by objects
In 2018 alone, there were 6,200 work-related amputations in the U.S., 58% of which were caused by machinery. On-the-job accidents cause an estimated 25% of concussions and 10-45% of burn injuries.
Medical Malpractice
Sometimes, a life-changing injury happens when a medical provider makes a mistake. For example, a surgical error can cause nerve damage, spinal cord injury, or brain injury. Medication errors can lead to organ damage and brain damage. Failure to monitor or treat can cause serious birth injuries.
Sports and Recreation
High-impact sports and recreational activities can lead to serious injuries. About 8% of all spinal cord injuries and 10% of brain injuries are related to sports or recreation. Diving is the single most dangerous activity and is responsible for almost 5% of all SCIs. In kids, sports cause more than one-fifth of brain injuries.
Violence
Acts of violence, such as domestic violence, assault, and firearm violence, can cause life-threatening injuries.
What Is My Lake County Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Every case is unique, and the value may depend on:
- Injury type and severity
- Prognosis and future medical needs
- Effect on your ability to perform daily activities and enjoy life
- Ability to return to your previous employment or perform any work at all
- Circumstances of your accident
- Insurance coverage
- Comparative fault, or whether you share any responsibility for the accident
We will work with experts to carefully value all your damages, both current and future.
What Damages Are Available After A Catastrophic Injury In Lake County, Illinois?
In Illinois, victims of catastrophic injuries may be entitled to compensatory damages, which include both economic damages and non-economic damages. These damages compensate for financial expenses and personal losses with no intrinsic value.
Common examples include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical and vocational therapy and rehabilitation
- Psychological counseling
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Lost or reduced earning capacity if you are disabled
- Out-of-pocket expenses that are necessary and reasonable, such as home modifications and household services
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish and distress
- Reduced enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Am Being Blamed For My Accident In Lake County?
You can still recover money for your damages if you share some blame for your accident. The comparative negligence doctrine in Illinois means a share of fault is assigned to each party. If you are 50% or less to blame for your injuries, you can recover damages that are reduced by your share of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have To File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit In Illinois?
The statute of limitations in Illinois is typically two years from the date of injury for personal injury cases. There are very limited exceptions to this deadline.
It’s crucial to act quickly to preserve your case and protect your right to compensation.
Contact Our Lake County Catastrophic Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Have you suffered a severe injury in Lake County, IL, caused by someone else’s careless or intentional behavior? You may be entitled to compensation, and Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Our legal team has 64 years of combined experience fighting tirelessly for accident victims and their families. We are ready to help you hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the money you need to safeguard your future.
Schedule a free case evaluation today with a Lake County catastrophic injury lawyer. We will discuss your case and help you understand your legal options to recover fair compensation for your medical needs, lost earnings, and more.
