Chicago Personal
Injury Attorney Blog

If you have been injured in a car accident and have hired a Chicago personal injury attorney, you have taken the first step to securing a successful outcome.  Many individuals rely solely on their lawyer to help witn their case; however, there are steps you can take that will greatly help your attorney to be successful respresenting your claim.

First, give your Illinois personal injury lawyer the entire story.  Remember, conversations between you and your lawyer are protected and confidential.  Do not omit details that might make you look bad or that may be embarrassing.  If your lawyer hears about an important detail from the other side first, it can have devastating effects on your personal injury case.  Answer all questions truthfully.

Next, make sure you go to all necessary doctor appointments and follow doctor recommendations.  Getting well and recovering from your injuries needs to be a top priority.  Missing appointments can indicate you may not be hurt and
therefore do not need compensation for your injury and/or medical bills.

Do not talk about your case with anyone besides your Chicago personal injury attorney.  This includes close friends, family members and coworkers.  This includes mentioning any details on social networking sites such as facebook, myspace or twitter.  If you are recovering from an injury and your facebook page shows vacation pictures in the Bahamas, insurance companies may find them and use them against you.

Another way you can help your Illinois personal injury lawyer is to supply all requested documents on time.  This step will help to keep your case progressing and assist your lawyer in meeting filing deadlines.  The legal process is lengthy enough as it is, and you do not want to delay the process by taking extra time.

Chicago personal injury attorneys also recommend to ask questions, especially if you do not understand something about your personal injury case.  The more you understand, the better you can participate in your case.  Also, listen to your lawyer and cooperate with requests.  He or she will have extensive experience and knowledge of the law and is dedicated to securing the best possible outcome after your personal injury accident.

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In Illinois, brain injury lawyers have represented many victims of brain injuries that occurred as the result of another party’s negligence.  Brain injuries can be life-altering and devastating to an individual and his or her family.  In this post, Chicago personal injury attorneys will discuss five common myths of brain injury recovery.

The first myth is the concept of “recovery.”  Many illnesses or injuries are temporary; however, brain injury victims rarely “recover.”  Significant and/or permanent damage is highly likely.  Continually expecting recovery can be disappointing and frustrating.  Becoming aware of new limitations, accepting the limitations and formulating new goals are crucial to rehabilitation.

The second myth is “Recovery occurs in a year.”  Many physicians tell patients and their families that the first year will determine how much recovery will take place.  In reality, the duration of improvement varies due to the severity of the brain injury according to Illinois brain injury lawyers.  The major brain healing may occur in the first year but true rehabilitation may just be starting.

The third myth involves the concept of plateau.  Many brain injury victims and their families are told that recovery begins, gradually increases, slows down and then plateaus.  Many patients stop working on rehabilitation at the sign of the first plateau. Plateaus can be interrupted even years after the initial injury.

Chicago brain injury attorneys describe the fourth myth as the “Lourdes Phenomenon” which involves miraculous healing.  Many families believe that a miracle will happen after a brain injury and their loved one will recover completely.  Believing this myth can lead to trying every available program and therapist.  Many individuals do make significant gains, but this myth can lead to unrealistic expectations.

The fifth myth is “Normal IQ.”  Many psychologists will examine an individual with a brain injury and find the IQ to be average, therefore stating the client is “cognitively recovered.”  This myth can misrepresent client’s deficits and create unrealistic expectations.   An IQ score can be average even if an individual is performing in the superior range on some tasks yet be severely impaired on others.  Other individuals who may have scored very high on an IQ test prior to the injury may now score average.  Illinois personal injury lawyers also stress that IQ tests have little relation to the mental processes required for everyday functioning.

These five myths of brain injuries can give false hope to individuals and their families.  If you have been the victim of a brain injury, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney today with experience in brain injury claims today.

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If you have suffered a spinal cord injury and/or have become paralyzed as a result, Chicago paralysis injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and proper compensation.  In this post, Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers experienced in paralysis cases will explain immediate medical procedures to expect if you have suffered a spinal cord injury.

When an individual is first injured or paralyzed, the main priority is to stabilize his or her breathing, blood pressure and spinal column with a backboard and cervical neck collar.  He or she is then brought to the nearest Trauma Center.  During hospitalization, a variety of medications are generally used to control the extent of damage to the spinal cord.  Neuro-protective therapies are often used to stop or reduce the immediate responses to the injury that can further cause spinal cord damage.

Physicians will next determine the level and extent of the injury or paralysis by using CT scans, MRIs or X-Rays.  Once the patient is stable, final decisions on surgical interventions will be made explains Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers.  If the vertebrae in the spinal column appears unstable, the doctor may perform a spinal fusion surgery.  Ongoing research is being conducted that will give individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries more options in the future for treatment and rehabilitation.

Many victims suffer respiratory ailments. The lungs themselves are not usually affected by paralysis but the muscles of the chest, abdomen and diaphragm will not function.  Even people with lower level spinal cord injuries may need ventilator assistance for short periods of time before they can breathe on their own.  Age, level of injury and time spent on the ventilator can affect successful weaning off from a ventilator.  Taking deep breaths and exhaling forcefully can be troublesome, especially for individuals who have been paralyzed.  Chicago personal injury attorneys have represented many victims of spinal cord injuries that have difficulty breathing for years after the initial incident.

If you or someone you love has been paralyzed or the victim of any spinal cord injury, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.

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Thousands of individuals become paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries throughout the United States.  In Illinois, spinal cord injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for individuals who are victims.  Paralysis can be life altering and can affect an individual physically and emotionally for life.

Spinal cord injuries occur when a traumatic event results in damage to cells within the spinal cord or severs the nerve tracts that relay signals up and down the spinal cord.  If the injury occurs as the result of another party’s negligence, Chicago spinal cord injury attorneys can help.

Severe spinal cord injuries often cause a person to become paralyzed.  He or she loses control over voluntary movement and muscles of the body.  Lack of reflex function and a loss of sensation occurs below the point of injury.  Autonomic activity such as breathing, bowel and bladder control can be affected.  Secondary medical problems can result, sensitivity to stimuli, muscle spasms and sexual dysfunction.  At this time, no cure exists for spinal cord injuries.  New research is developing proving that repair and regeneration of the spinal cord is possible.

Paraplegia is when an individual suffers from the loss of sensation and movement in the legs and part or all of the trunk.  Quadriplegia is when an individual is paralyzed from the neck down. Complete injuries result in a complete loss of function and sensation whereas incomplete injuries result in a partial loss.   Chicago personal injury attorneys explain that complete injuries don’t always mean the cord has been severed.  Complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries can occur in paraplegia and quadriplegia.

Paralysis is life-alterting and can be devastating to an individual.  If you have been paralyzed and have questions about pursuing legal justice, contact an Illinois spinal cord injury attorney today.

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Traumatic brain injuries may be difficult to diagnose for many symptoms and signs are not immediate.  If you have received a minor or major blow to the head, Illinois brain injury lawyers strongly recommend seeking immediate medical treatment.  An individual does not have to be knocked out or fall into a coma for devastating complications to occur following a head injury.

Symptoms and signs of brain injuries depend on which structures in the brain are damaged.  Chicago brain injury attorneys list the following common symptoms and signs associated with traumatic brain injuries:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Blurry or double vision
• Nervousness
• Behavioral changes
• Impulsiveness
• Irritability
• Depression
• Slurred or slowed speech
• Sleep difficulties
• Sense of spinning or vertigo
• Seizures
• Lack of coordinated movements
• Feeling light headed
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of memory
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Tingling, pain or numbness
• Weakness in facial muscles
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Weakness in one or more limbs

This list only includes potential signs and symptoms of a brain injury.  They can develop long after the initial injury occurred.  Illinois personal injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for individuals suffering from brain injuries as a result of negligence.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms contact an experienced Chicago brain injury attorney immediately.

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Throughout the United States, thousands of people die from traumatic brain injuries every year.  For those lucky enough to survive, the life-changing consequences can be devastating.  Illinois brain injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for people who have suffered this debilitating injury as the result of another party’s negligence.

Traumatic brain injuries, as discussed in previous post occur when damage to the brain results after a blow to the head.  The injury may be minor with little effects, or major resulting in severe disability or death.  Medical and surgical advances have improved the odds for surviving a traumatic brain injury; however, coping with the life-changing complications can be a tremendous challenge for patients, physicians, families, and therapists according to a Chicago brain injury attorney.

Recent statistics show the cost of traumatic brain injuries in the United States to be an estimated $48.3 billions annually.  $31.7 billion is hospitalization costs, with the remaining $16.6 billion in costs associated with facilities. The estimates of people who have survived a brain injury are between 2.5 and 6.5 million.  Mild brain injuries often go unreported, leading to the wide range in estimation.

The Center for Disease and Control Prevention estimates that it can cost between $600,000 and $1,875,000 to care for a survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury.  The total cost of care and rehabilitation for brain injury victims in the United States is almost $10 billion annually.  This statistic does not include costs to society and families such as providing social services, lost earnings, work time and productivity for caregivers and family members explains an Illinois personal injury lawyer.

The effects of traumatic brain injuries can be devastating and costly.  Contact a Chicago brain injury attorney today if you are suffering from this life-changing condition.

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Throughout the state of Illinois, personal injury lawyers have represented numerous individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries.  Brain injuries can be devastating.  Contacting a skilled Chicago brain injury attorney is imperative to seek proper justice.  The sooner you or your loved ones call, the stronger your case will be.  This post will answer common questions about hiring a Chicago personal injury attorney.

1)    Is it important which attorney I hire?

Yes.  All attorneys must pass minimum standards to practice law and be licensed by the state; however, differences exist between attorneys in terms of the types of cases they handle, their level of experience and area of practice.  Brain injury cases are unique.  A knowledgeable and experienced Illinois brain injury lawyer is crucial to having a successful case.

2)    Is it okay to ask an attorney his or her experience in handling brain injury cases?

Definitely.  You are the client and have every right to know the degree of your lawyer’s experience.

3)    Is it appropriate to ask about a lawyer’s professional background?

Yes.  You have the right to know his or her background, the number of cases he or she has handled, his or her experience in trying such cases and any other information you find necessary about the Illinois personal injury lawyer’s professional background and experience.

4)    Aside from attorney fees, will there be other expenses involved in pursuing a brain injury claim?

Yes, additional expenses will arise while pursuing a claim.  Your attorney may have to involve a number of experts who charge for their time which may be advanced by the firm and reimbursed after recovery on your case.

5)    If I recover, will my Chicago brain injury attorney assist in preserving and protecting my settlement proceeds?

Yes, your attorney will assist in maintaining public or private benefits and will help protect your financial well-being after a settlement has been reached.  He or she will address the need for a possible guardian, the need to preserve eligibility requirements for public or private benefits, the need for a possible structured settlement and long-term financial planning.

Brain injuries can be devastating.  Illinois personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you pursue legal compensation.  Contact a skilled, experienced lawyer immediately if you or someone you know has been a victim of this debilitating condition.

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is described as a blow or jolt to the head that can disrupt the function of the brain. The symptoms of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to the extremes of coma or sadly, death.

Around 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury.

Every year in the US, an estimated 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury. The leading causes are vehicle accidents and crashes, birthing injuries, and slips and falls. Approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury. In Chicago, brain injury attorneys represent clients or loved ones of clients who have suffered severe brain injuries.

Illinois personal injury attorneys have found that victims of brain injury and their families often are not given adequate information regarding the serious nature of their medical condition. The field of traumatic brain injury is extremely complex, and health care providers often do not have the time or resources to adequately address all of the medical and recovery issues involved.

Victims living with traumatic brain injuries need specialized legal representation if a case is going to be pursued. Throughout the state of Illinois, brain injury lawyers are uniquely experienced in the complex medical and legal issues involved in such cases.

Injuries suffered as a result of a traumatic brain injury can be severe and life-altering. Immediate goals often include getting medical bills paid and covered. In addition, your traumatic brain injury attorney should help make sure you or your loved one does not suffer financially through any lost wages, and make sure the appropriate insurance company will pay for future treatment relating to your injury.

If you are considering pursuing traumatic brain injury litigation, our Chicago personal injury attorneys can help.

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A spinal cord injury can happen in a matter of seconds, yet the damage can last a lifetime.  This serious and debilitating injury damages signals to and from the brain.  The majority of spinal cord injuries occur during some type of accident, the highest percentage coming from automobile accidents.  Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers have seen firsthand the traumatic effects of spinal cord injuries.

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury range from paralysis to loss of sensation at the injury location and below.  Spinal cord injuries can happen, even without a complete cut off the spinal cord.  Respiratory failure sadly contributes to many deaths among victims of this serious injury.  Survival within the first twenty four hours greatly increases the chances of long-term survival according to a Chicago personal injury attorney.

Due to the severity of spinal cord injuries, skilled and competent legal representation is crucial.  If you or a loved one is suffering from a spinal cord injury in Illinois, personal injury lawyers with experience in these cases can help you pursue a legal course of action if you feel another party was either fully or partly responsible for your injury.

Because spinal cord injuries can affect an individual throughout the rest of his or her life, compensation for these injuries can be high, another reason a skilled Chicago spinal cord injury attorney is imperative.

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Throughout the state of Illinois, personal injury lawyers represent many whiplash injury victims.  Whiplash is also known as a neck sprain or strain and is the result of sudden movement of the neck during an accident.  Rear-end accidents are a major cause of whiplash along with slip and fall accidents.

Whiplash sounds simple yet can cause spinal cord injuries in severe cases.  Whiplash can also affect the cervical muscles, joints, nerve roots and ligaments.  If you are suffering from whiplash as the result of another party’s negligence, skilled Chicago spinal cord injury attorneys can help seek justice.

Symptoms associated with whiplash include:

• Shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Back pain
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Neck stiffness and/or pain
• Abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling

Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers advise to give any whiplash injure immediate medical attention.  Although whiplash injuries may not seem serious, therapy and medications are likely needed to prevent further complications.  Many whiplash injuries can be treated with physical therapy and proper medication which are both often needed to prevent further complications.  Physicians can provide a thorough neck and head examination and use X-rays to rule out any fractures.  If the whiplash is thought to be serious, additional medical imaging may be necessary, especially if a spinal cord injury is suspected.
Whiplash should not be taken lightly.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms and you live in or around Chicago, personal injury attorneys can help you pursue legal justice.

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