Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Fighting for Victims of Catastrophic Injuries in Chicago

A Chicago catastrophic injury lawyer can help you pursue justice with a personal injury lawsuit when someone else’s negligence puts your life in harm’s way, resulting in injuries that alter the course of your future. Whether the accident prevents you from working or leaves you with a lifelong disability, you deserve the chance to hold the at-fault party accountable and seek compensation for your losses. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is an experienced law firm in Chicago specializing in supporting victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Our legal team will provide a compassionate approach to handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on your recovery. 

Catastrophic Injury Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm in Chicago

If you hope to prove liability and recover fair compensation for legal damages, you need a law firm that can get the job done. Our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys have recovered numerous settlements for clients with traumatic injuries:

$2.8 million – After leaving a bar in Wrigleyville, Anthony was attacked by several patrons in the alley outside. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and multiple orthopedic fractures that required numerous surgeries. The case value was driven by the bar’s failure to provide adequate security in an area known for late-night violence.

$4.5 million – Daniel, a 12-year-old boy from Oak Lawn, was thrown from the back of a recreational vehicle during a weekend ride at the Cook County Forest Preserves. He suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him with permanent cognitive and physical challenges. The settlement reflected the devastating impact on his future.

$5.25 million – Maria, a college student in Hyde Park, was using a circular saw during a shop class when a defect caused the blade guard to fail. The accident left her with catastrophic hand injuries and permanent loss of function. The recovery accounted for her young age, loss of career opportunities, and the life-altering nature of the serious injury.

$7 million – While working at an industrial site near Cicero, Jorge was operating a tilling machine when it malfunctioned and pulled his hand and arm into the rotating blades. The entanglement caused a traumatic amputation. The product liability claim focused on the machine’s lack of safety guards and the permanent impact on Jorge’s ability to work.

$7.9 million – Michael was riding his motorcycle down Lake Shore Drive when a driver making a sudden left turn struck him. The crash resulted in the traumatic amputation of his leg. The settlement reflected not only his extensive medical needs but also the permanent loss of mobility and independence.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

The right Chicago personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in securing a favorable outcome for your claim. Catastrophic injuries can turn your life upside down, but our expert lawyers can fight for maximum compensation to secure your financial future. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has been recognized for excellence by multiple entities. The Better Business Bureau has given our legal team an A+ grade. Additionally, our head attorney is a regular contributing author for the National Law Review. 

Types of Accident Cases We Handle

Personal injury claims involving catastrophic injuries can cover a wide range of scenarios. Our firm can handle many accident cases in Chicago and throughout Illinois, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Truck accidents
• Dog bites
• Construction accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Slip and fall accidents
• Product liability cases
• Premises liability cases

What Are the Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries?

A catastrophic injury is a severe condition that can result in a lifelong disability, long-term health complications, or an extended rehabilitation period. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries (can lead to paralysis, loss of motor function, and chronic pain)
• Head injuries (can include traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and cognitive issues)
• Amputations (The loss of limbs from traumatic injuries or life-saving surgeries)
• Organ damage (heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys)
• Internal bleeding (often undetected immediately after the serious injury)
• Broken bones (severe fractures can take years to heal or may require amputation due to infections)
• Severe burns (can penetrate to the bone in extreme cases, requiring multiple skin grafts)

What Damages Can Catastrophic Injury Victims Recover in Chicago? 

With a successful Chicago catastrophic injury claim, you can earn full and fair compensation for your losses. Here are some of the legal damages you may be eligible for after a serious injury:

Economic Damages

• Lost wages (for time missed at work)
• Future lost income (for a reduction in working capacity due to the injuries)
• Medical bills (emergency care, surgery, medication, and treatment)
• Future medical expenses (ongoing rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices)

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress (for trauma suffered because of the accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression)
• Pain and suffering (physical pain associated with your catastrophic injuries or surgery)
• Disability or disfigurement (for permanent scarring or other lifelong physical effects)
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages

• Funeral costs (for the surviving family members of the victim)
• Loss of financial support (for dependents)
• Loss of consortium (for the spouse)

What Is the Average Catastrophic Injury Payout in Chicago?

Multiple conditions will influence the settlement amount in your claim. These factors include the severity of the catastrophic injuries, liability, available evidence, and insurance company policies. Since Chicago catastrophic injury cases tend to include long-term consequences, the payouts are often higher. 

For example, the average settlement in Chicago for a catastrophic injury claim is $24.06 million. The range for these settlements is from $213,000 to over $100 million. 

Example Cases in Cook County

Craig suffered a devastating stroke caused by the mismanagement of blood-thinning medication at a hospital. According to the suit, which was filed by Craig and his wife, the cardiologist and nurses failed to monitor his blood condition, causing them to provide less medication than was needed for his situation. Since the incident, Craig has suffered from paralysis in the left side of his body and significant cognitive defects. The couple received a total settlement of $41.15 million, which multiple defendants covered. 

Scot was on a company outing on a yacht that was anchored in calm waters. He was sitting on a bench when his name was called, causing him to turn. At this time, the bench tipped over, and since there was no railing, Scot fell onto a lower deck, permanently paralyzing him from the neck down. He sued the owner and manufacturer of the yacht for an unsafe design, especially since the attached dinghy that typically served as a makeshift railing was not present. Scot received a total settlement of $27.39 million. 

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

Many catastrophic injury victims face uphill battles in their recovery. On top of the physical and emotional difficulties, navigating a case under personal injury law can be incredibly complex without experienced injury attorneys to help. 

Some of the common challenges in these cases include:

• Establishing negligence, especially when multiple parties are involved
• Proving the extent of your catastrophic injuries
• Demonstrating the long-term impact on your future for non-economic damages

With the best Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys on your side, many of these obstacles will fall by the wayside. Our law firm has the experience and legal knowledge necessary to fight for maximum compensation for our clients. We have helped injured victims secure fair settlements from property owners, large corporations, stubborn insurance companies, and even government entities. 

Common Causes and Frequency of Accidents Causing Serious Injuries in Chicago

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include car accidents, construction accidents, workplace incidents, slips and falls, and medical malpractice. 

Since 2002, there have been 258 reports of fatal work accidents according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Many of these incidents were caused by falls, heavy equipment collisions, infections, machinery accidents, fires, motor vehicle accidents, and toxic exposure. Some victims died immediately because of these accidents, while others succumbed to their catastrophic injuries later. 

Where Do Catastrophic Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Personal injury cases that involve catastrophic injuries can occur almost anywhere in the city. Some locations are more dangerous than others, such as:

• Busy intersections in Downtown
• Construction sites in the Loop
• Manufacturing plants
• Warehouses in the North Branch Corridor
• Apartment complexes in Wicker Park
• Retail locations in the Fulton Market District
• Highways and interstates throughout the city
• On/off-ramps

Illinois Laws and Statutes of Limitations Governing Your Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit

If you are the victim of someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation to cover lost wages, medical treatment costs, emotional distress, and other legal damages. However, you only have two years from the date of the incident or the date of discovery for personal injury claims (735 ILCS 5/13-202)

If you are an injured worker, you have three years from the date of the injury or two years from the last benefit payment, whichever is later, to file a workers’ compensation claim (820 ILCS 305/). 

Note that the sooner you pursue full and fair compensation, the easier it will be to preserve crucial evidence that can support your claim. An experienced injury lawyer from our firm can help you understand the deadlines for your Chicago catastrophic injury case. 

Who Is Legally Liable for Catastrophic Injuries in Illinois?

Numerous parties may be at fault when injury victims look to recover compensation. Here are some potentially liable parties that you will need to establish negligence for:

• Motor vehicle drivers
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Property owners
• Product manufacturers
• Project site contractors
• Government entities
• Event organizers
• Healthcare professionals
• Equipment operators
• Employers
• Dog owners

Common Defenses in Chicago Catastrophic Injury Cases

When you pursue a Chicago catastrophic injury claim, you may come up against a defendant, their lawyer, and an insurance company. These parties will use various tactics to undermine your claim and avoid a settlement. 

Here are some common defenses that accident victims may face:

• The victim is partially at fault for the accident (comparative negligence)
• The defendant had no prior knowledge of the hazard (premises liability)
• The injuries are being exaggerated (not enough medical evidence)
• The victim was behaving recklessly or not paying attention (car accidents and product liability)

A Chicago catastrophic injury lawyer from our top-rated firm knows exactly how to counter these arguments. Our team will gather additional evidence to overcome these defenses, such as maintenance logs, witness statements, surveillance footage, photos of the accident scene, and expert testimony. 

Statute of Limitations for Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits

In most cases, you have 2 years to seek compensation through a lawsuit under the Illinois statute of limitations, which includes car accidents, sexual assault, and medical malpractice. There are some exceptions; for example, if a person did not die immediately after an accident, a lawsuit can be filed up to 2 years after death.

How to Strengthen Your Chicago Personal Injury Case

If you are seeking compensation for lost wages, medical bills, future medical expenses, or punitive damages, the claims process begins the moment the accident occurs. You must follow the appropriate steps immediately following the discovery of your injury to build a strong personal injury case.

Here is what injury victims must do to increase their chances of earning fair compensation:

• Report the accident or serious injury to the authorities or relevant entity (property owner, employer, police, etc.)
• Seek immediate medical treatment and document your care
• Gather information from other parties at the scene, such as other drivers, witnesses, and coworkers
• Obtain evidence, including photos of the scene, surveillance footage, and accident reports
• Do not speak to insurers before seeking legal representation
• Consult our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys for assistance with your legal action

How a Chicago Catastrophic Injury Lawyer from Our Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help

A Chicago catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm can provide the following legal services:

• Investigating the accident
• Assessing damages
• Gathering evidence
• Securing expert witnesses
• Collecting witness statements
• Finding surveillance footage
• Researching complaint reports
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in Cook County Circuit Court if necessary

Consult Top-Rated Chicago Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Near You!

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to help accident victims throughout Illinois hold the responsible parties accountable. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe no attorney’s fees unless we win. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. 

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Naperville, Springfield and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.