Unfortunately, accidents happen every day in Chicago, IL. The Chicago catastrophic injury lawyers at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers have been fighting for Chicago accident victims. If you or a loved one is involved in an accident with catastrophic injuries, Contact us online or call us today at (312) 635-5400 to schedule a free consultation.
Catastrophic injuries are life-changing events that can cause significant personal, professional, and financial hardships. Our Lawyers are fierce advocates and work hard to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With Your Catastrophic Injury Claim
Many catastrophic injury victims face significant and ongoing medical expenses. If someone else caused your accident, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your losses.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois, we have over 35 years of combined experience fighting for accident victims. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
We work closely with clients to make sure they get the support and compensation they need after a life-changing accident.
When you work with us, our lawyers will:
- Investigate your case to determine who was at fault
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Calculate and document damages
- File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court
- Keep you informed about your rights and the progress of your case
Our Chicago car accident attorneys are relentless litigators and compassionate advocates. Call us today, and let us start fighting for you.
How Common Are Accidents in Illinois?
Accidents can happen anywhere, and they’re particularly prevalent in densely populated urban areas like Chicago. Car accidents are often what come to mind when you think of accidents.
In 2022, the Illinois Department of Transportation reported 298,347 accidents in the state of Illinois. Nearly 60,000 of those accidents involved injuries. That means there are around 164 car accidents involving injuries every day.
However, that is only one type of accident that we see. Other types of Chicago accidents, including slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, and construction accidents also happen daily and can have serious impacts on victims.
Accidents can lead to personal, professional, and financial hardships. At Powell and Pisman, we’re here to help you get your life back on track after an accident.
How Much Is My Chicago Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Faced with mounting medical bills and lost income, clients often ask how much their case is worth. While it’s a natural question, we can’t answer it without knowing more about the case.
The value of personal injury cases varies widely based on the facts of each case. Factors to consider when estimating the value of a case are:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether or not your injuries are long-term
- The impact that your injuries have on your ability to work
- The impact that your injuries have on your everyday life
- Other damages incurred because of your accident
Generally, the more severe your injuries, the more your case is worth. Our team will evaluate the facts of your case and tell you more about your case’s value.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Catastrophic Injury in Illinois?
Illinois accident victims can recover damages to make them whole after an accident. Damages are intended to compensate victims for all losses incurred because of the accident. This includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse victims for tangible losses after an accident. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Current and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and homecare expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages reimburse victims for less obvious losses after an accident. Non-economic damages can be difficult to calculate. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
In rare circumstances, punitive damages are also available in Chicago personal injury cases. Punitive damages are only awarded when the at-fault party acts with an evil motive or reckless indifference.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Chicago?
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients don’t pay any attorney fees upfront or out of pocket. Instead, you only have to pay if we win.
In catastrophic injury cases, the client and lawyer will agree on a contingency fee rate. This is usually between 25% and 40%. If the client is paid through a settlement or verdict, that percentage of the award will go to the attorney to cover their fees.
For example, if the contingency fee rate is 25% and you receive an award of $100,000, $25,000 of the reward would go to your attorney.
What Are Common Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injury is a broad term that includes many different types of injuries. We’ve helped clients with a wide range of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Organ damage
Our team understands the impact these injuries have on victims’ lives. We fight hard to make sure every client gets the compensation they deserve.
What Are Common Causes of Catastrophic Accidents?
Many different factors can cause accidents. We most frequently see catastrophic injuries after car accidents. Common causes of catastrophic car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Violating traffic laws
After an accident, our team does a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your accident. We’ll identify all responsible parties and ensure they’re held liable for all damages caused by the accident.
How Do I Successfully Bring a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Chicago Accident?
Personal injury cases are brought under a legal theory of negligence. The idea is that the accident victim, or plaintiff, can hold the at-fault party, or defendant, responsible for injuries caused by their negligence.
To successfully bring a negligence case, the plaintiff must prove:
- Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
- Breach: The defendant breached the duty of care by not acting as a reasonable person would in the same circumstances.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach was the direct and proximate cause of the accident.
- Injuries: The plaintiff incurred damages because of the accident.
Our team of personal injury lawyers will skillfully build a negligence case to hold the at-fault party responsible. We understand Illinois personal injury laws and how to navigate personal injury claims. Our team is comfortable in the courtroom and can represent you through every phase of your personal injury case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Chicago Injury?
The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. In most cases, this means that accident victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit.
If you don’t file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, your case will be dismissed, and you’ll have no right to recover. As a result, it’s vital to pay attention to the statute of limitations and ensure that your lawsuit is filed before this deadline.
Can I Recover If I’m Partly at Fault in an Accident?
Illinois follows a legal approach of modified comparative negligence. Under this theory, if you’re partly at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages from other responsible parties. However, you are barred from recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault. Additionally, your award will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
For example, if you’re 30% at fault for an accident and receive an award of $100,000, you’re entitled to recover $70,000. In the same example, if you’re found to be 60% at fault, you would not be entitled to recover anything.
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to blame accident victims to reduce claim amounts. Our team is used to this behavior and prepared to deal with it. We’ll work diligently to prove who was responsible for the accident and defend you if you’re blamed for the accident.
Contact Our Chicago Catastrophic Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers can help. Contact our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, discuss your rights, and create a plan to maximize your recovery.
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Additional Chicago Catastrophic Injury Resources
Highly Rated Emergency Rooms in Chicago
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital Emergency Department – 251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital – 5140 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
- Weiss Memorial Hospital – 4646 N Marine Dr, Chicago, IL 60640
- UI Health Emergency Department – 1740 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612
- St. Bernard Hospital – 326 W 64th St, Chicago, IL 60621
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
