Experienced Legal Representation From Our Rockford Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, both for victims and their family members. While you focus on getting the medical care and treatment you need, it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to ensure justice is served. At Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd., we have over 75 years of experience in representing the rights of victims in Rockford, Illinois, providing the legal representation you need to get the compensation you are entitled to.

Who We Help

For years, Brassfield & Krueger has represented people across Illinois who have suffered serious and life-altering injuries. Spinal cord injuries affect people in many different ways. We help clients who are dealing with situations like these:

• Early warning signs after an accident. You may be experiencing weakness, numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, difficulty walking, or reduced movement in part of your body. Doctors may have diagnosed a spinal cord injury, or you may still be learning how much neurological function has been affected.
• Partial or complete loss of sensation or movement. Your injury may have caused paraplegia, quadriplegia, or other major mobility limitations. You could be adjusting to significant changes in movement, self-care, transportation, and physical independence.
• Intensive medical treatment. Your injury may have required emergency stabilization, surgery, hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other treatment aimed at preserving or restoring as much physical function as possible.
• Daily activities that have become difficult. Weakness, paralysis, or loss of sensation may make it hard to walk, transfer, bathe, dress, drive, work, manage household tasks, or move around on your own. You may now rely on mobility devices, personal assistance, or changes to your home environment.
• Ongoing complications. Your injury may have created continuing problems involving chronic pain, muscle spasms, bowel or bladder function, breathing, skin care, pressure sores, circulation, mobility, or other issues that call for long-term treatment and monitoring.
• Long-term needs and costs. A severe spinal cord injury can create lasting needs involving wheelchairs or other equipment, personal care, accessible transportation, home or vehicle modifications, future medical treatment, and other costs tied to reduced physical independence.

If any of these describe your situation, we want to hear from you. Our firm has built its reputation on careful case preparation, direct communication, and a willingness to fight back against insurance companies and large corporations.

Leading Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries

The Mayo Clinic advises that spinal cord injuries may involve damage to the cord itself, or to the surrounding vertebrae, discs, or ligaments comprising the spinal column. These injuries can occur as the result of degenerative diseases, such as cancer and osteoporosis, or due to accidents and acts of violence. Leading causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Diving accidents and other sports or recreational injuries
• Birth injuries and other situations involving medical mistakes and errors
• Violent assaults, battery, and domestic abuse

In these situations, it is often the reckless and negligent actions of others that are to blame. Our spinal cord injury attorneys can advise you on how to hold responsible parties accountable, either through an insurance claim or by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Impacts Resulting from Spinal Cord Injuries

John Hopkins Medicine advises that the higher up a spinal cord injury is, the more likely it will impact the respiratory system. The lower the injury, the more likely it will affect muscle control in the bladder and bowels. There are three classifications used to describe spinal cord injuries:

• Paraplegia, which generally involves loss of movement and sensation in both legs
• Triplegia, which involves loss of movement and sensation in one arm and both legs
• Quadriplegia, which generally affects both the arms and legs, as well as the chest muscles, requiring the use of a ventilator

In order to deal with the temporary and permanent disabilities caused by your injuries, holding those responsible should be a top priority.

The Spinal Cord Injury Claim Process in Illinois

We understand what a catastrophic injury does to a family. It affects your income, your independence, and your sense of stability. Many people have never dealt with a legal claim before, so the process can feel unfamiliar. Here is a look at how a spinal cord injury case generally moves forward in Illinois.

1. Medical care comes first. Your health is the priority. Getting prompt treatment protects your recovery and also creates a record that connects your injury to the accident that caused it.
2. Free consultation and case review. You meet with our team to talk about what happened. We listen, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There is no cost and no obligation.
3. Investigation and evidence gathering. We collect the proof needed to support your claim. This may include:

• Police and incident reports
• Medical records and imaging
• Witness statements
• Photos and video from the scene
• Opinions from medical professionals and other qualified sources

4. Building the value of your case. A spinal cord injury often carries costs that stretch far into the future. We work to account for medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning ability, home and vehicle changes, personal care, and the physical and emotional toll of the injury.
5. Negotiation with insurers. Most cases settle before trial. We handle communication with the insurance companies and push for a fair recovery on your behalf.
6. Filing a lawsuit if needed. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we are prepared to take your case to court and present it to a jury.

Illinois sets a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which is usually two years from the date of the injury. Some situations shorten or change that window, so it helps to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. Waiting too long can cost you the right to recover anything at all.

Why Choose Brassfield & Krueger

Choosing a lawyer for a serious injury is a big decision. Our attorneys take the time to learn your story, gather the right evidence, and build a case that reflects the true cost of your injury. Here is why Illinois residents choose our team:

• A long record with serious injuries. We have spent years representing clients with catastrophic and life-changing injuries, including spinal cord damage.
• Thorough case preparation. We build every case as if it will go to trial. That level of preparation strengthens your position, whether we settle or head to court.
• Local knowledge. We know the courts, the roads, and the communities around Belvidere, and we bring that familiarity to your case.
• Direct, honest communication. You will always know where your case stands. We explain things clearly and answer your calls.
• No upfront cost. Consultations are free, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

We know that behind every claim is a real person trying to rebuild a life. That understanding guides how we work.

Reach Out to Our Rockford, Illinois Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

When dealing with life-impacting spinal cord injuries, it is important to realize you are not alone. At Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd., we are here to provide the caring, professional legal representation you need during this difficult time to help ensure your rights and interests are protected. Call or contact our Rockford, Illinois spinal cord injury attorney online today and request a free consultation to see how we can assist you in getting the compensation you need to recover.

FAQs About Spinal Cord Injuries in Illinois