A spinal cord injury changes everything in an instant. Paralysis, loss of independence, and a lifetime of medical care are not setbacks you simply recover from. Collins Law Group represents people across Naperville, DuPage County, and the greater Chicago area who have suffered spinal cord injuries and paralysis because someone else was careless. These are among the most serious cases we handle, and we handle them relentlessly.
If your injury was caused by another person or company, you should not have to carry the financial weight of their mistake for the rest of your life. We fight to recover the full cost of your care, your lost future, and the life that was taken from you, not the discounted figure an insurance company would prefer to pay. The consultation is free, and you owe no fee unless we win.
Call (630) 527-1595 for a free, confidential consultation. If you cannot come to us, we will come to your home or hospital room.
The spinal cord carries the signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When it is damaged, those signals can be interrupted or lost below the point of injury, which is what causes paralysis. Doctors generally describe these injuries in two ways:
Where the injury falls on the spine, and whether it is complete or incomplete, shapes the care a person will need for the rest of their life. That is also why no two spinal cord injury cases are the same, and why each one has to be built around the specific person.
Many spinal cord injuries are caused by preventable conduct. When they are, we hold the responsible party accountable. Common causes include:
When a spinal cord injury is fatal, we also represent families in wrongful death claims.
A spinal cord injury is not a one-time expense. The cost stretches across a lifetime, and it is often substantial. Depending on the injury, it can include:
Insurance companies know these numbers are large, which is exactly why they push for a fast, low settlement before the full lifetime cost is documented. We do the opposite. We document all of it.
We build spinal cord injury cases with a team of experts who establish both what happened and what the rest of your life will require:
Together, this evidence turns a lifetime of need into a documented figure that an insurance company, and a jury, cannot dismiss.
People come to us at the hardest moment of their lives, and we never lose sight of that. To us, you are a person, not a file number. We take care of our clients, we genuinely care about them, and we are dedicated to getting them the best possible outcome, both for their case and for their lives.
Call (630) 527-1595 or request a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Spinal cord injury is part of our catastrophic injury practice. You may also want to read about our spine injury and traumatic brain injury cases.
What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?
Both are forms of paralysis caused by damage to the spinal cord. Paraplegia affects the lower body, generally the legs and part of the trunk, while the arms and hands keep function. Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, affects all four limbs and the trunk, and results from injury higher up the spinal cord in the neck. Quadriplegia usually requires more extensive lifelong care.
Is a spinal cord injury always permanent?
Not always, but many are. Doctors classify spinal cord injuries as complete or incomplete. With a complete injury there is no function below the level of the injury, and recovery is unlikely. With an incomplete injury some function remains, and some people regain abilities with treatment and rehabilitation. The prognosis depends on the specific injury, and only your medical team can determine it.
How much does a spinal cord injury cost over a lifetime?
The lifetime cost of a serious spinal cord injury is often very high, because it can include surgeries, lifelong therapy, medication, wheelchairs and other equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and daily in-home care. We work with life-care planners and economists to document these future costs in detail so a claim reflects the true, long-term price of the injury rather than just current bills.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the deadline to file most personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of injury. Important exceptions can apply, including shorter deadlines for claims against government entities and special rules for injured children. Because missing a deadline can end your claim, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I recover money if I was partly at fault?
Often yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault, although your recovery is reduced by your own percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
Nothing up front. Collins Law Group handles spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you. The consultation is free, and we can come to your home or hospital room if travel is difficult.
"*" indicates required fields
