Severe fractures are more than just broken bones. They can be life-altering injuries that disrupt your daily life, work, and plans. As Chicago Injury Lawyers, we specialize in helping victims of severe fractures secure compensation.
We aim to ensure you’re not left bearing the financial burden caused by someone else’s neglect. Let me fight for your rights while you focus on healing.
How Can Our Severe Fracture Injury Attorney Help?
When you or a loved one suffers a severe fracture due to someone else’s negligence, the road to recovery can be long and costly. Chicago Injury Lawyer will help you navigate this challenging journey by providing the following services:
- Investigation of the Accident:
Our attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident, gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and analyzing medical records to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Determining Liability:
To recover compensation, our attorney will identify who is at fault. This could involve various parties, such as a negligent driver, an employer, or a property owner.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies:
Insurance companies often offer settlements that are far below what you deserve. Our skilled attorney will negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
- Representing You in Court:
Our attorney will represent you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached. They will present the pieces of evidence and advocate for the maximum compensation.
Why Choose Us?
As professional Chicago’s fracture injury attorneys, we bring:
- Personalized Attention: Every case is unique, and we dedicate time to understanding your particular situation.
- Compassion: We understand the emotional and physical costs a severe fracture injury takes on victims and their families.
- Proven Results: Our track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts speaks for itself.
- Free Consultation: You don’t pay for guidance. We offer consultation for free.
We understand the hardship that severe fractures cause. With our expertise, you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal hassles.
What Are Severe Fractures: Common Types and Symptoms
A severe fracture is a serious break in a bone. These fractures involve significant damage, often causing the bone to shatter, splinter, or break into multiple pieces.
These injuries can result in extensive pain, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent disability. Severe fractures can occur in various ways, such as:
- High-impact car accidents
- Workplace accidents, including falls from heights or equipment malfunctions
- Slip-and-fall injuries, particularly for older adults or in hazardous environments
- Medical negligence, such as improperly performed surgeries
- Sports accidents
Common types of severe fractures include:
- Compound fractures: The bone breaks and pierces through the skin.
- Comminuted fractures: The bone is shattered into multiple pieces.
- Spiral fractures: The bone breaks spirally, usually due to a twisting injury.
- Greenstick fractures: The bone bends and cracks but does not break completely. It is common in children but can happen in adults under severe stress.
- Skull Fractures: These accompany traumatic brain injuries and can have catastrophic effects.
Symptoms of Severe Fractures:
The symptoms of severe fractures are usually easily identifiable. These can include the following signs:
- Intense pain at the site of the fracture
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty moving the affected limb
- Visible deformities (bone protruding from the skin or an abnormal angle of the limb)
- Numbness or tingling near the injury site (significantly if nerves are damaged)
- Immediate inability to bear weight on the affected area
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seeking urgent medical attention is crucial. This is important for recovery and is vital in documenting the injury for your potential claim.
The Impact of Severe Fractures
In Chicago, fracture injuries are among the top causes of hospitalization. Motor vehicle accidents account for a large amount of severe fracture cases, often involving deadly collisions.
Severe fractures don’t just impact your physical health. They can disrupt every aspect of your life. Recovery can take weeks, months, or even years. It depends on the severity of the injury and the treatment required.
- Medical Costs: Severe fractures frequently require surgeries, physical therapy, and extended hospital stays. The cost of treatment can quickly become overwhelming.
- Loss of Income: Many people cannot return to work during recovery, leading to lost earnings and financial stress.
- Emotional Trauma: The pain and emotional strain caused by severe fractures can lead to depression, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life.
- Long-term Disability: In some cases, major injuries cause permanent damage, limiting mobility or causing chronic pain that affects daily activities.
Laws for Severe Fracture Injury Claims
Illinois offers several legal avenues to help victims of severe fractures recover compensation. Below are the most relevant acts that apply to severe fracture claims:
Premises Liability Act
Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/), property owners must maintain safe conditions on their property to prevent accidents. If you suffer a severe fracture due to hazardous conditions, you may have a strong claim against the property owner.
This law holds property owners accountable for injuries on their premises, whether the property is residential, commercial, or public.
Workers’ Compensation Act
If you suffer a severe fracture while on the job, the Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/) ensures that you receive benefits to cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and wage replacement.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove the employer’s negligence. Instead, you must show that the injury occurred during your employment.
Illinois Workers’ compensation provides coverage for:
- Medical bills related to the injury
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- A percentage of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Permanent disability benefits if the injury results in long-term impairment
Comparative Negligence Law
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), allowing injury victims to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault. If the victim is less than 50% responsible for the accident, they can pursue damages for their injuries.
However, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury laws allow victims to pursue damages for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. If you’ve suffered a severe fracture, filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover compensation for:
- Medical bills, including surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Pain and suffering, which accounts for the physical and emotional distress caused by the injury
- Emotional distress, which may arise if the injury has led to anxiety, depression, or other psychological trauma
- Permanent disability, if the fracture causes long-term or permanent impairment
Medical Malpractice Law
If your severe fracture was caused by a healthcare provider’s mistake, you may have a medical malpractice claim. In Illinois, these cases follow the Medical Malpractice Act (735 ILCS 5/2-622).
The healthcare provider could be held responsible if improper diagnosis, delayed treatment, or surgical error caused your injury.
Statute of Limitations in Chicago
In Illinois, the statute of limitations refers to the period you can file a lawsuit after an injury. The statute of limitations for various personal injury in Chicago and severe fracture cases is as follows:
- Personal injury claims: You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
- Medical malpractice claims: You have two years from when the injury or reasonably should have been discovered. But no more than four years after the alleged malpractice.
- Workers’ compensation claims: Workers have three years from the date of the injury or two years from the last payment of benefits to file a claim.
It is crucial to consult an attorney like ours immediately after suffering a severe fracture injury. Missing the statute of limitations can result in your case being dismissed.
Let’s Fight for Your Future!
You didn’t ask for this injury, but you do deserve justice. Severe fractures can shatter more than bones. They can fracture your sense of security and stability. Don’t let the insurance companies undervalue your claim.
As your severe fracture injury attorney, we will fight tirelessly to rebuild your future. Together, we’ll turn your pain into a robust case. Contact Chicago Injury Lawyer today for a free consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement for a severe fracture case?
Settlements vary but can range from tens of thousands to millions, depending on medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Can I claim lost wages for part-time or gig work?
Yes, lost income claims can include wages from full-time, part-time, and freelance work and future earning potential.
Will my medical bills be covered during the claim process?
I work to ensure that medical expenses are included in your claim and negotiate with providers for payment delays if needed.
