Chicago Back Injury Lawyer
Back injuries are one of the most common types of debilitating injuries people sustain. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries made up over a third of workplace injuries in a recent year. Additionally, research from the National Institutes of Health estimates about 30 percent of traumatic spinal injuries result from car accidents. A back injury can drastically alter your life, decreasing your quality of life and leaving you with substantial medical bills.
If you have sustained a back injury due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you may have a claim for financial compensation. The back injury lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can investigate your case and file a claim for compensation against responsible parties on your behalf. Our firm has represented injury victims for over 40 years and dedicates itself to pursuing justice for our clients. With more than 350 case results exceeding $1 million, you can be confident that you are in capable hands. Contact our office today to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago during a free initial consultation.
Why You Need Our Experienced Back Injury Lawyers
Back injuries can be difficult to prove, as they might create long-term, chronic symptoms that could be hard to tie back to the initial injury. That is why you must hire an accomplished personal injury attorney with experience working with back injury victims. Our Illinois trial lawyers have recovered over $2.5 billion for our injured clients, including one $33.2 million jury verdict on behalf of our client who sustained back injuries resulting in paralysis after a collision.
Our staff of more than 20 personal injury attorneys is comprised of skilled negotiators and litigators who are committed to standing up to insurance companies and holding responsible parties accountable in court. We won’t rest until we have exhausted every legal strategy to recover the compensation you deserve. We are a strong legal force, and you can count on us for efficient and effective legal representation after personal injury accidents.
Common Back Injuries
Medical professionals recognize various types of back injuries that differ based on their mechanisms, causes, and prognoses, as follows:
- Sprains and strains happen when you pull a muscle or ligament in your back, often resulting from strenuous activity and overexertion.
- Herniated discs occur when the disc between your vertebrae slips or bulges out of place and presses against the spinal nerve.
- Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which presses on the nerve and causes shooting pain through the back, legs, and shoulders.
- Spinal cord compression can happen from any condition or injury that puts pressure on the spinal cord.
- Spondylosis is a degenerative condition that puts excess pressure on the spine and vertebrae. It is commonly associated with arthritis in older people.
- Vertebral fractures can result from blunt-force impact on the spine, such as a car accident or slip and fall.
- Surgical errors can directly damage the spinal cord or cause problems when healing.
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers help injured victims who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney.
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Back injuries most often result from acute physical trauma but can also stem from repetitive stress or degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the most common causes of back injuries we handle include:
- Car and truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability (including slip and fall accidents)
- Product liability injuries
- Medical malpractice (including botched surgery)
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Birth injuries
If a negligent act caused you or a loved one to suffer a back injury, a Chicago personal injury lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can discuss your legal rights during a free consultation.
Complications of Back Injuries
Back injuries can damage the spinal cord, greatly affecting mobility and functioning. They can also create chronic pain that makes it hard to manage daily life. Serious injuries to the back can result in partial or total paralysis. Unlike peripheral nerves, the body cannot regenerate central nervous tissue like the spinal cord, so injuries are often permanent and life-altering.
Common complications arising from back injuries include:
- Chronic or acute back pain
- Limited mobility
- Muscle spasms
- Bruising and swelling
- Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- Posture difficulties
- Breathing issues
- Weakness and fatigue
- Sleeping difficulties
- Incontinence
- Depressed mood
- Obesity from reduced physical activity
- Partial or full paralysis
Doctors typically classify spinal cord injury severity into two types. Partial injuries consist of partial damage to the spinal cord, while complete injuries involve the complete severing of the spinal cord. Complete spinal cord injuries are the most serious and usually cause paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Physicians also classify spinal cord injury severity by their location, as follows:
- Cervical injuries are in the upper spine in the neck and are the most severe type of spinal injury.
- Thoracic injuries are localized to the mid-spine and often affect arm and hand function.
- Lumbar spine injuries occur in the lower back and can negatively affect one’s walking ability.
- Sacral injuries occur at the lowest point of the spine near the hips.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Personal Injury Claim
Back injury victims could file a claim against responsible parties to recover their economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses include tangible losses with an explicit dollar amount, such as medical expenses, lost income, and future medical costs.
Non-economic losses are those without a precise cost. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
Our Chicago personal injury attorneys can document all your expenses and calculate a precise figure for fair compensation that not only covers your immediate losses but also provides enough money to manage long-term injuries and rebuild your life. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard won’t hesitate to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue the compensation you deserve in court.
Contact Our Chicago Back Injury Lawyers Today
Back injuries are some of the most difficult injuries to heal from and can result in a lifetime of pain and difficulty functioning. If you have sustained a back injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced attorney who will hear your side of the story and stand up for your rights. The attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have the skills, knowledge, and resources to build robust personal injury cases and will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
Contact our personal injury law firm online or call us today for a free consultation with one of our Chicago injury lawyers.