Chicago-based Paralysis Lawyers

Some form of paralysis affects 1 in 50 Americans. About 17,810 Americans are diagnosed with a new spinal cord injury each year, many of which are paralyzing in nature. While the condition is relatively common, when someone else’s negligence is to blame, victims deserve to be fully compensated for the hardships ahead. Paralysis is often a lifelong and life-altering condition. You deserve compensation that properly reflects this personality. The Chicago-based paralysis lawyers at Rapoport Weisberg & Sims are here to demand it. Contact us today to take advantage of your free case review. 

What Is Paralysis? 

Paralysis is the inability to make voluntary movements. Paralysis may affect one small section of the body, or it may affect an entire side or portion of the body, such as all of the body under the site of the injury. 

There are many terms that you may hear associated with paralysis, such as:

• Partial – Partial paralysis means that the victim can control some of their muscles but not all of them.
• Complete – Complete paralysis means that the victim cannot control any muscles.
• Localized – Localized paralysis affects only a small section of the body, such as the hands, feet, face, or vocal cords.
• Generalized – Generalized paralysis affects a larger area of the body.
• Diplegia – Diplegia is a form of generalized paralysis involving paralysis on both sides of the body, such as both arms or both legs.
• Hemiplegia – Hemiplegia paralysis affects one side of the body, such as the left arm and leg.
• Monoplegia – Monoplegia paralysis prevents the victim from moving one arm or leg.
• Paraplegia – This form of generalized paralysis affects both legs.
• Tetraplegia – Tetraplegia or quadriplegia is a form of generalized paralysis that affects all limbs. Most victims with this condition may have little or no movement below the neck.

A skilled Chicago-based paralysis lawyer can gather your medical documents and discuss your condition with your doctors to understand how the condition affects you.

How a Chicago Paralysis Lawyer Can Help

If you suffered a paralysis injury because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice and accountability. The legal team at Rapoport Weisberg & Sims is here to demand it. Our lawyers have four decades of experience fighting to protect the rights of accident victims. We can put this experience to use to capably handle all aspects of your legal claim by:

• Thoroughly investigating your claim 
• Identifying all at-fault parties and legal theories to help you recover compensation
• Preparing every case for trial so we are knowledgeable about all of the nuances of the case whether the case is resolved across a conference table or in a courtroom
• Gathering compelling evidence to establish your claim, including witness statements, medical records, photos, and videos of the accident scene
• Hiring medical and other experts to further substantiate your claim and demand for damages
• Compiling information to determine the full extent of your damages
• Deploying specialized technology to uncover hidden evidence and dynamically present your case
• Defending you against the tactics of insurance companies and defendants who are only interested in protecting their own financial interests
• Negotiating aggressively for fair compensation to avoid the expense and hassle of a trial, when possible
• Representing you at trial if this is the strategy determined to be the best method of recovering fair compensation for you

When you put your case in our capable hands, you can concentrate on what really matters: your health and recovery.

Why Should I Choose a Chicago-based Paralysis Lawyer from Rapoport Weisberg & Sims

If you have suffered a serious injury such as paralysis, the choice of lawyer you make is an important one. You may need compensation that can adequately compensate you for the rest of your lifetime. You can trust your case to our trial-tested firm, which has repeatedly obtained record-setting results.  

• Our client services and significant results have allowed us to be recognized by Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2023.
• We are the firm other lawyers turn to when they want to refer their cases to someone they trust. 
• We often take on the biggest companies in America, and we win.
• All of our partners have been board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, demonstrating our significant knowledge and experience. 
• We are selective about the cases we accept so that we can provide each client with the personalized attention they deserve.
• Our lawyers teach advocacy skills to other lawyers and have leadership positions in reputable legal organizations, such as the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and the American Association for Justice. 

If you’re still not sure, we welcome you to take advantage of our free consultation where you can discuss your case and see firsthand what it would be like to work with us.

Common Causes of Paralysis Injuries in Chicago

Many different types of accidents could potentially result in paralysis injuries in Chicago, including:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Slips and falls
• Construction site accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Medical malpractice 
• Shootings

When someone’s careless or criminal behavior results in your paralyzing injury, we are here to help demand justice.

Who Is Responsible for My Paralysis Injuries?

Legal responsibility depends on showing who was culpable in causing your injuries. Every case is different. However, some of the parties who are commonly named in paralysis injury cases include:

• Negligent motorists
• Reckless truck drivers
• Companies that negligently hire employees or fail to properly maintain or repair property
• Property owners who do not maintain safe premises or allow criminal activity on their property
• Construction supervisors and contractors that allow conditions that lead to injuries on site
• Manufacturers that make defective products that cause paralysis injuries

A Chicago paralysis attorney can investigate your accident and determine who is responsible for it.

Potential Compensation You Can Recover in a Paralysis Case

Paralysis can alter the rest of a victim’s life. It can reduce your mobility and make it impossible to work. It can also prevent you from engaging in favorite pastimes and negatively impact your intimate relations. Some forms of paralysis can affect major body systems. You may require expensive medical treatments to achieve a decent quality of life. You may even need lifelong care.

Due to these factors, you may be able to recover considerable compensation in a paralysis injury claim to pay for the following:

• Hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and payment for long-term medical costs
• Medical equipment and devices
• In-home care
• Payment for domestic services
• Modifications to your home and vehicle to accommodate a disability
• Lost wages 
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, anguish, and distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium 

Our compassionate team can help determine the lifelong costs of your condition and pursue just compensation. 

FAQs About Paralysis Injury Claims

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have Already Filed a Claim?

Some claimants believe that the insurance company will help them, so they choose not to hire a lawyer. However, they may realize (after it’s too late) that the insurance company tries to take advantage of them or fails to properly compensate them for their claim. Even if you’ve already filed a claim, you can still hire a lawyer to represent your interests, but you must act soon.

You only have a limited amount of time in most cases following your injury to file a lawsuit against the defendant. Without a lawyer on your side, you could miss important deadlines and lose your chance to recover the compensation you need to pay for your future medical care. 

Can I File a Case If I Am Only Partially Paralyzed?

Yes. You can still file a case if you have partial, rather than complete, paralysis. Paralysis can take many forms, and accident victims have the right to be proportionately compensated for the harm they’ve suffered. While complete paralysis cases may be worth more than partial paralysis, you can still pursue a claim against anyone who caused you to suffer any paralysis injury.

What Is My Case Worth?

Every paralysis injury case is different, so there’s no simple answer to this question. The potential value of your case depends on many factors, including:

• The type of paralysis injury you have
• The severity of your injury
• The nature and type of medical treatment you will require in the future
• Who is responsible for your injury
• How your injury affects your life
• How the injury impacts your ability to earn a living
• Available insurance coverage

An experienced Chicago-based paralysis lawyer can give you a better idea about the potential value of your case after working on your case.

Chicago Paralysis Injury Attorneys

Paralysis injuries are among the most devastating types of injuries that an individual may suffer in an accident. Victims of these accidents often feel helpless and overwhelmed. Coping with the physical and mental impact of such a loss of function is an incredible challenge.

When a paralysis injury is caused by the negligence of another, it is important to have an experienced and dedicated lawyer on your side to help secure the compensation you deserve. You can speak with the team at Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. by calling 866-693-3806 or by contacting us online for a free consultation.

Paralysis Requires Long-Term Planning

When a spinal cord injury leads to paralysis, the rehabilitation process is slow and costly. It is vital to present a clear and thorough picture of the expense involved in dealing with your paralysis injury to the insurance companies and, if necessary, to a judge and jury. After a severe injury, you need to focus on rehabilitation and recovery. We can help you by providing customized representation designed to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.

Together, motor vehicle accidents and workplace injuries account for more than half of all spinal cord injuries, according to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Our firm has extensive experience in these areas. We give full, undivided attention to every client that comes to us.