According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, approximately 1.7 percent of people in the United States live with some form of paralysis. Out of that population, 27.3 percent are paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury.
On top of that, people who are living with paralysis typically live in households with significantly lower-than-average incomes. In fact, nearly one-third of these households earn less than $15,000 per year—a somewhat unsurprising figure, unfortunately, given that over 40 percent of people who are paralyzed are unable to work and only 15.5 percent are employed.
If you or a loved one live with a paralysis injury, you may be experiencing these financial concerns first-hand. Fortunately, help may be available in the form of an experienced attorney. By contacting a Bolingbrook paralysis injury lawyer, you could file a lawsuit in civil court and seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Paralysis Injuries
Paralysis is a common result of a person’s spinal cord becoming damaged, with the extent of paralysis depending on where the spinal cord injury occurs. In general, the further up the spinal cord, the more severely a victim may be paralyzed.
Paralysis can happen as a result of an automobile accident, diving mishaps, and workplace accidents. They can also occur during spinal surgeries or injections, as any medical procedure that is done near or to the spinal cord comes with an increased risk for paralysis due to inadvertent spinal cord injury. For more information, get in touch with a Bolingbrook paralysis injury attorney.
Paralysis Injury Compensation in Bolingbrook
If another party is potentially at fault for the accident or circumstances that caused a plaintiff to become injured, a jury may find that party liable for their damages. As the defendant, they would then be ordered to pay the plaintiff compensation for the damages that they caused. Potential compensation can be based on:
- Past and future loss of income
- Past and future medical, therapy, and rehabilitation bills
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Physical pain and suffering
Bolingbrook Comparative Fault Law
Illinois courts adhere to a modified comparative fault law as per Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/2-1116. If a jury finds that the plaintiff is in some way partially at fault for their injuries, this can decrease the amount of compensation they receive.
When comparative fault is applied to a case, the jury can assign a percentage of fault to the plaintiff and a percentage to the defendant. The plaintiff would then receive less compensation based on the degree to which they were at fault for their own injury. In cases where a settlement is reached without a jury trial, comparative fault can still be taken into account to come to a mutually agreeable settlement amount. For more information about comparative fault, consult with a Bolingbrook paralysis injury lawyer.
Seek Help from a Bolingbrook Paralysis Injury Attorney Today
Becoming paralyzed due to an accident or injury can be life-changing in a number of ways. You may be unable to work, unable to care for yourself, and unable to enjoy life as you once did. As if all of this was not enough, you could also have significant financial burdens to bear due to the various costs associated with your injuries.
A Bolingbrook paralysis injury lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for your injuries if said injuries were caused by someone else. While this compensation cannot heal the physical damage done to you, it could help put your life back on track and relieve financial stress. Call today to learn more about your legal options after a paralysis injury.