Chicago Paralysis Attorney

Helping Paralysis Injury Victims in Chicago Recover Financial Support

Our Chicago paralysis attorney team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that spinal cord injuries take not just on the injured individual, but on their entire family. These are life-altering events that require lifelong care, extensive medical treatment, and real financial resources.

Whether the paralysis was caused by a car crash on I-290, a surgical mistake at a major Chicago hospital, or a construction site fall downtown, our legal team knows how to hold at-fault parties accountable. We’ve recovered millions on behalf of clients living with spinal cord injuries, and we continue to fight for those whose futures were changed in a split second.

Paralysis Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$18,500,000 – We represented Maria, a 42-year-old school counselor, after she was struck head-on by a semi-truck on I-55 near Garfield Ridge. She sustained a complete spinal cord injury, leaving her permanently paralyzed from the chest down. The trucking company’s driver was found to be fatigued and in violation of federal hours-of-service rules. Our investigation revealed a pattern of logbook falsifications and ignored maintenance warnings. 

$11,750,000  – Darnell, a union carpenter, fell through an unguarded roof opening at a South Side construction site near Englewood, resulting in a cervical spinal cord injury and complete quadriplegia. The general contractor failed to provide adequate fall protection, despite prior OSHA citations. Our legal team filed claims under both the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and third-party personal injury liability.

$7,900,000 – We fought for Kevin, a 33-year-old delivery driver, after a car made a sudden left turn in front of his motorcycle near North Avenue and Western. The crash left him with a thoracic spine injury and incomplete paraplegia, with limited mobility in both legs. Though he wasn’t wearing a helmet, we successfully argued that this didn’t contribute to the spinal damage.

What Makes Us the Best Paralysis Injury Attorneys in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ve built our reputation as top-rated Chicago spinal cord injury attorneys by delivering real results for people whose lives were turned upside down by spinal cord injuries. We’ve recovered over $450 million in verdicts and settlements for accident victims across the city, and we don’t back down from complex, high-stakes paralysis injury cases.

What sets us apart isn’t just our courtroom experience, but also the trust our clients place in us during the most vulnerable time of their lives. Our team has been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and holds a 10/10 AVVO rating. 

Types of Paralysis Cases We Handle

We represent clients across the full spectrum of paralysis injuries, with each case requiring a tailored legal strategy based on the type and severity of the spinal cord damage. Whether the injury is classified as incomplete or complete paralysis, the impact is always devastating—and we fight to make sure the legal outcome reflects that.

• Paraplegia involves paralysis from the waist down, often from trauma to the thoracic or lumbar spine. These injuries can affect bowel, bladder, and sexual function, as well as mobility.
• Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia results from cervical spinal cord injuries and causes full-body paralysis below the neck, typically requiring 24/7 care.
• Hemiplegia affects one side of the body and is often linked to brain injuries or medical malpractice, such as a misdiagnosed stroke.
• Partial Paralysis or Temporary Paralysis may involve limited or reversible movement loss, often seen in incomplete spinal cord injuries.

We’ve handled paralysis injury cases stemming from all types of spinal trauma, and we understand how medical terminology translates into real-world consequences for our clients.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Paralysis?

Most of the spinal cord injuries we litigate are caused by preventable accidents. Below are the most common ways we see Chicago residents suffer paralysis due to someone else’s negligence:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents – High-speed motor vehicle collisions on the Dan Ryan, Lake Shore Drive, or I-90/94can lead to serious injuries like fractured vertebrae or displaced discs. We’ve handled cases involving pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – Falls on icy sidewalks, poorly maintained staircases, or wet floors inside stores can result in catastrophic spinal trauma, especially when landlords or property managers ignore hazards.
• Medical Malpractice – We’ve seen paralysis result from surgical errors, anesthesia complications, and failure to diagnose spinal cord compression or stroke symptoms in time.
• Workplace Accidents – Falls from scaffolding, heavy machinery incidents, and collapsing structures often lead to spinal cord injuries, particularly in construction and warehouse jobs.
• Acts of Violence – Gunshot and stabbing wounds can sever or permanently damage the spinal cord, leaving victims with lifelong paralysis and emotional trauma.

What Damages Can Chicago Paralysis Victims Recover?

A paralysis injury affects every part of life—and the financial costs add up quickly. Our goal is always to recover the maximum compensation available to cover both immediate needs and long-term care.

We help injured clients recover damages for:

• Past and future medical care, including surgeries, hospitalizations, and physical therapy
• Rehabilitation services and assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, lifts, and adaptive vehicles
• Lost income and long-term loss of earning capacity
• Home modifications like ramps, widened doorways, and roll-in showers
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life

What Is the Average Paralysis Injury Payout in Chicago?

Based on recent data, paralysis injury payouts in Chicago range from $1 million to over $148 million, with an average of $26.9 million. The median value is about $9.5 million, which gives a more realistic picture of typical outcomes in non-extreme cases.

In our experience, several factors play a major role in determining case value:

• Whether the injury is complete or incomplete
• The spinal level affected (cervical vs. lumbar, etc.)
• Age, health, and occupation of the victim
• The strength of evidence proving someone else’s negligence
• Future care needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Example Paralysis Cases Filed in Cook County

$41,149,042 – Craig, a retired lawyer, suffered a catastrophic stroke due to negligent medical care while being treated at multiple Chicago-area hospitals and dialysis providers. His blood-thinning medication was mismanaged, causing a clot to travel to his brain. As a result, Craig was paralyzed on the left side of his body and now requires 24/7 in-home care. 

$43,825,000 Verdict – Cynthia, a nurse, was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on an Indiana highway. She suffered a neck fracture and incomplete tetraplegia, resulting in permanent weakness and spasticity in her limbs. She underwent multiple surgeries and long-term rehab but was left with chronic pain, mobility limitations, and nerve damage. 

$23,500,000 Verdict – Duane, a 25-year-old passenger, suffered a brachial plexus injury and brain damage during a high-speed police chase that ended in a crash in Dolton, Illinois. He was left with permanent paralysis in his left arm, cognitive impairments, and the need for assistance with daily activities. 

What Illinois Laws Govern Paralysis Injury Claims in Illinois?

Several Illinois laws determine how we build and pursue a paralysis injury claim, depending on how and where the accident happened. 

Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/), we can hold property owners accountable when spinal cord injuries result from unsafe conditions—like broken stairs, icy sidewalks, or poor lighting in apartment buildings or businesses. This often applies in slip and fall or trip and fall accidents.

If the paralysis happened on the job, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) allows injured employees to recover benefits regardless of fault. That includes medical bills, wage replacement, and potentially a lump sum for permanent disability. We often pursue third-party claims alongside workers’ comp when other contractors or vendors are involved.

When more than one person or company shares responsibility, the Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100/) lets us pursue damages from each based on their share of fault. This is critical in construction accidents, medical malpractice, or multi-vehicle collisions.

We rely on the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) when handling cases involving motor vehicle accidents, including unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and speeding—common causes of spinal cord trauma in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents.

How Long Do Paralysis Accident Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202 for personal injury cases, victims have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you’re injured on the job, you typically have three years from the accident, or two years from the last workers’ comp payment, whichever comes first.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, victims of medical malpractice (like surgical errors or misdiagnosed spinal cord injuries) must file within two years of discovering the injury, and no more than four years from the date the error occurred.

Exceptions exist for minors and cases where the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, but acting quickly gives us the best chance to gather medical records, witness statements, and evidence before it’s lost.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Spinal Cord Injuries Leading to Paralysis?

When we take on a personal injury case, one of our first steps is identifying every at-fault party. Paralysis rarely happens in a vacuum—there’s often more than one person or entity responsible for the decisions or conditions that caused the injury.

Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue claims against:

• Drivers who caused high-speed crashes or reckless lane changes
• Employers or contractors who failed to enforce safety rules on job sites
• Property owners or managers who ignored dangerous conditions
• Hospitals, surgeons, or diagnostic specialists involved in medical malpractice
• Product manufacturers in cases involving failed safety equipment or vehicle defects
• Government entities, when poor road design or police pursuit tactics played a role

We investigate deeply to uncover all responsible parties, because in serious cases like these, more liability often means more available financial recovery.

Common Defenses in Paralysis Injury Cases

Defendants and their insurers often push back hard in personal injury claims. We prepare for the most common strategies they use to limit their liability or reduce your damages:

They may argue you were partially at fault; for example, not wearing a helmet, not using a harness, or ignoring medical advice. Illinois uses modified comparative negligence, so even if you’re partially at fault, you can still pursue compensation, just reduced by your percentage of fault (as long as it’s under 50%).

They might claim your symptoms are the result of a prior injury or unrelated health issue, not the accident. In cases involving sports injuries or risky activities, they might argue that you voluntarily accepted the danger. In incomplete or localized paralysis cases, they may try to downplay the severity or permanence of your condition, especially without strong medical records and expert support.

We anticipate these tactics from day one and counter them with facts, expert analysis, and aggressive advocacy.

What Are the Statistics of Paralysis?

According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, roughly 1 in 50 Americans—about 5.4 million people—live with some form of paralysis. That’s more than the entire population of Chicago and its suburbs combined.

The study revealed:

• The top three causes of paralysis are stroke (33.7%), spinal cord injuries (27.3%), and multiple sclerosis (18.6%).
• Most paralysis victims face major financial burdens and 28% live on less than $15,000 per year.
• Only 15.5% of people with paralysis are employed, compared to over 63% of non-disabled individuals.
• Nearly 42% report being unable to work at all due to their condition.

How Our Chicago Paralysis Injury Attorneys Can Help

When you hire our firm, we take care of everything so you can focus on recovery. As experienced Chicago paralysis lawyers, we:

• Investigate the cause of your spinal cord injury
• Identify all liable parties
• Handle negotiations with the insurance company
• Work with medical experts to calculate lifetime care costs
• Prepare your case for trial, if needed

FAQs

Can I file a medical malpractice lawsuit for paralysis due to brain injury during birth?

Yes. We’ve handled birth injury cases involving oxygen deprivation, delayed C-sections, and mismanaged deliveries that led to permanent spinal cord or brain damage. If your child was paralyzed at birth, we can investigate whether medical malpractice played a role.

Can I sue for a slip and fall accident resulting in paralysis?

Absolutely. If your fall was caused by a hazard a property owner failed to fix or warn about—such as icy stairs, broken railings, or poor lighting—you may have a case under Illinois premises liability law.

What if the driver who caused a car accident leading to paralysis doesn’t have insurance?

We can still seek compensation through uninsured motorist coverage, third-party liability claims, or other available avenues. Our firm knows how to build a strong case even when the at-fault driver is uninsured.

What if I was partially at fault for the catastrophic injury?

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence. You can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your share of responsibility.

How much does a Chicago paralysis injury lawyer cost?

Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Chicago work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything unless we win. There are no upfront fees, ever.

Book a Free Consultation With a Chicago Paralysis Lawyer Near You

If you or someone you love is living with the life-altering effects of paralysis, we’re here to help you take the next step. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we offer every client a free case review, with no fees unless we win. Contact our Chicago personal injury attorneys today.

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 Chicago, Elgin, Naperville, Schaumburg 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.