Chicago Back Injury Attorney

Maximum Compensation for Back Injury Cases in Chicago

If you slipped and fell on an icy CTA platform or injured your back working at the Amazon warehouse, our back injury attorneys are here to ensure you recover fair compensation to cover your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist with a personal injury lawsuit. 

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$1,400,000: Hailey and Tina, a mother-daughter pair, suffered herniated discs after a semi-truck accident. We proved liability by demonstrating that the driver had been working well beyond standards set by the NTSB.

$835,100: Mia fell down a poorly maintained stairwell in an apartment complex, resulting in injuries.

$720,000: Alex was rear-ended by a semi-truck, resulting in a severe lower back injury. He required lumbar fusion and significant rehabilitation. 

What Makes Us the Best Back Injury Attorneys for Your Case

With a 98% success rate and over $490 million in compensation for our clients, we are the top-rated Chicago personal injury lawyers for these unique claims. Our law firm holds a 10/10 AVVO rating and is a Super Lawyers-rated firm, indicating that our peers have recognized us as excellent attorneys. 

Types of Back Injury Cases We Handle in Chicago

Soft Tissue Injuries

• Muscle Strains
• Ligament Sprains
• Torn or Stretched Tendons
• Facet Joint Injuries
• Chronic Soft Tissue Inflammation

Disc Injuries

• Herniated Discs
• Bulging Discs
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Annular Tears
• Disc Desiccation (Drying Out)

Fracture-Related Back Injuries

• Compression Fractures
• Vertebral Fractures
• Burst Fractures
• Transverse Process Fractures

Spinal Injuries

• Nerve Root Compression
• Spinal Stenosis
• Paralysis (Paraplegia, Quadriplegia)
• Spondylolisthesis (Vertebra Slippage)
• Spinal Instability
• Cauda Equina Syndrome

Nerve-Related Back Injuries

• Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
• Pinched Nerves
• Neuropathy from Spinal Compression
• Nerve Damage from Inflammation or Trauma

Other Serious Back Conditions

• Loss of Mobility Due to Structural Damage
• Post-Laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery)
• Chronic Pain Syndrome
• Myelopathy (Spinal Cord Dysfunction)
• Back Injuries Requiring Surgical Fusion

What Are the Most Common Causes of Back Injury?

Sprains and Strains

These come from lifting heavy objects, such as carrying a couch up a Pilsen stairwell.

Car Accidents

Getting rear-ended or hit head-on can result in whiplash and herniated discs.

Falls

Those working on Gold Coast construction sites may fall from a roof, resulting in severe injuries.

Repetitive Stress

This is a common cause of injuries in factory workers, early childhood educators, and construction workers.

What Damages Can Back Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

Our Chicago back injury lawyers will demand maximum compensation from insurance companies to fully cover all your needs. These damages can include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of income
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

The Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital removed caps on non-economic damages, meaning a jury can award you whatever they feel appropriate for your pain and suffering. 

What Is the Average Back Injury Settlement in Chicago?

The average settlement for a back injury in Cook County is $448,495. Factors that influence your compensation in a claim include available evidence, insurance company policies, liable parties, and the severity of your injuries. 

Example Back Injury Settlements or Jury Awards in Cook County

24-year-old Tierney Darden was standing outside of O’Hare Airport when a pedestrian shelter was knocked over by high winds. She was struck in the back by the 760-pound fiberglass shelter, rendering her paraplegic. Darden and her family were awarded $148,190,997.00 to cover her future medical needs. 

Why You Need a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Navigating the Circuit Court of Cook County can be challenging, particularly when there are multiple liable parties or disputes regarding negligence. Additionally, insurance companies will do everything possible to diminish their responsibility, making it crucial that you work with a skilled attorney who can counter their tactics. 

How Common Are Back Injuries?

Back injuries are one of the most common types of injuries, and it’s estimated that 8 in 10 Americans will suffer some form of back injury in their lifetime. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that back injuries account for 38.5% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders. 

Low back pain is the second-most common cause of disability in US adults and affects over 9% of the world population. The CDC estimates that $225.8 billion in annual revenue is lost due to back-related disability and time off work. 

Where Do Back Injury Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Back injuries can occur almost anywhere, but these are common locations where you may be hurt.

• On transportation, such as driving along the Dan Ryan Expressway
• At construction sites, such as those repairing CTA train tracks
• Warehouses and distribution centers like Amazon Logistics – DLN4 Chicago
• Apartment complexes and private property, particularly for fall injuries
• At workplaces like Rush University Medical Center, where medical professionals may have to lift patients

What Laws Govern Back Injury Cases in Chicago?

The laws that govern your claim depend on what type of suit you are filing. If you were injured at work, you can use the Workers’ Compensation Act to file an insurance claim (820 ILCS 305). This is a no-fault system that will pay for medical bills and lost wages.

Those hurt on someone else’s property can prove liability through the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/). This law requires property owners to maintain their premises in good repair to prevent injury to invitees. 

If there are multiple liable parties, our back injury attorneys can use the Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act, which allows victims to make claims against multiple individuals or organizations (740 ILCS 100/). 

A wrongful death case is regulated by the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, which allows surviving family members to recover damages for expenses before and after death (740 ILCS 180/).

Your back injury attorney must not only prove that another party is liable but also diminish your own responsibility, as Illinois uses modified comparative negligence to prove fault (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). All liable parties are assigned a portion of the blame, and you can only sue if you are less than 50% responsible.

How Long Do I Have to File a Back Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?

You have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For a workers’ compensation claim, you have three years from the date of the injury or two years after your last payment from the company, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305). Contact us immediately to ensure we have adequate time to investigate your case and file a lawsuit with the relevant court. 

Who Is Legally Liable for Back Injury Accidents in Chicago?

Property Owners: If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you can hold them liable.

Companies: You can file a workers’ comp claim if you were hurt while performing your duties. If the defendant was working for their employer at the time of the accident, you can sue the employer too through vicarious liability. 

Manufacturers: In some cases, product liability causes accidents, meaning you can sue the manufacturer.

Car Drivers and Trucking Companies: If you were hurt in a car accident, your back injury attorney can secure compensation from the car insurance company.

Municipalities and Government Agencies: Falls on government property may require suing the city of Chicago.

Common Defenses in Chicago Back Injury Cases

Comparative Negligence: The insurer will claim you were primarily responsible, but we will use evidence to demonstrate the other party’s negligence.

Assumption of Risk: Property owners may claim that you accepted the potential injury by visiting their property, but our back injury attorneys will demonstrate that this was not an acceptable level of risk.

Lack of Causation: It must be shown that someone else’s negligence resulted in your injury. We can demonstrate the cause-and-effect relationship between the defendant’s actions and your injury.

Pre-existing Conditions: If you had a prior back injury or any medical condition, insurers will argue that these issues exacerbated your injuries, but we can use medical expertise to prove otherwise. 

How to Strengthen Your Back Injury Case in Chicago

Get Medical Treatment: Visit the closest ER, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital, for immediate treatment. This provides a record of your injury and serves as proof of expenses.

Document the Scene: Take photos and videos, then gather statements from witnesses. Note down dates, times, and locations. Be sure to document anything you believe contributed to the accident, like broken railings. 

Report the Accident: Inform the property owner or business owner about what happened and obtain a copy for your records.

Gather Evidence: Preserve any clothing and shoes you were wearing to show they were not a mitigating factor. Keep track of all your expenses.

Document Recovery: Get all necessary follow-up treatments. Keep a diary of your treatments, pain levels, and everyday struggles. 

Don’t Speak to Insurance: Never speak to adjusters or other third parties without your attorney.

Consult a Lawyer: Contact us today for a free consultation, where we will review your legal options and develop a tailored action plan. 

How a Chicago Back Injury Lawyer Can Help

Our team will guide you through the entire legal process, protecting your legal rights and improving your chances of a fair settlement. We can assist with the following tasks:

• Representing you at trial
• Investigating the accident
• Determining liability
• Evaluating your damages
• Speaking to witnesses
• Gathering evidence like surveillance footage and incident reports
• Consulting with experts like doctors and engineers
• Filing paperwork with the Circuit Court of Cook County
• Writing a demand letter for fair compensation
• Negotiating with the relevant insurance provider

Chicago Back Injury FAQs

How much does a back injury attorney cost?

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Is it hard to prove a back injury?

Back injuries can be challenging to prove because they often involve soft tissue injuries or chronic pain that may not be visible on diagnostic tests. Your back injury attorney will speak to medical professionals who can attest to your pain levels. 

Is a back injury a permanent disability?

In some cases, a back injury can be permanent, resulting in ongoing medical expenses. Our team will speak with doctors and professionals who can explain your expected recovery and whether your back pain qualifies for disability. 

Consult a Chicago Back Injury Lawyer Near You!

With experience in many practice areas, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are your best chance to win a claim for a back injury. We can help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your injuries, pursuing a compensation claim to help pay for the damages you suffered. We have helped clients navigate claims after car accidents, workplace injuries, slip and fall incidents, premises liability scenarios, and product liability cases.

Give us a call at 888-424-5757 for your free consultation or fill out a contact form online today. Let’s talk about your case and what it could mean for you to file a claim to recover damages.

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, Rockford 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.