Recent Blog Posts
Life after a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, are extremely serious injuries that can change your life in an instant. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries signals to and from the brain and the rest of the body. When it is damaged, it can result in substantial problems - including complete paralysis below the site of the injury.
The Rockford spinal cord injury attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, understand how devastating SCIs can be and know how to get victims the compensation they deserve under Illinois law. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a lawyer.
Incomplete vs. Complete SCIs
Spinal cord injuries can be categorized as either complete or incomplete. When an SCI is complete, the victim has no feeling or function below the injury site. On the other hand, when an SCI is incomplete, the victim retains some feeling and function below the injury site.
Some Leading Causes of Severe TBI
Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are caused by a force being exerted on the brain, which can cause severe damage.
In a recent year, there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths nationwide, with an estimated 190 TBI-related deaths daily.
If you have suffered from a severe TBI, our Rockford brain injury lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A TBI is any bump or blow to the head that affects the brain’s function. A traumatic brain injury can be caused by a penetrating injury or a non-penetrating injury.
A penetrating or open head injury happens when an object pierces the skull. Conversely, non-penetrating injuries, or closed head injuries, occur when an object causes the brain to shake inside the skull but does not break through the skull.
The Dangers of Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding and damage can result from injuries sustained in a trauma. While the signs of internal injuries may be apparent for some, in many cases, internal damage may go unnoticed, resulting in fatalities.
If you or a loved one suffered internal injuries, you need to speak with our experienced Rockford catastrophic injury attorneys.
Types of Internal Abdominal Injuries
An internal injury can happen as a result of trauma. This could include any situation, including a motor vehicle collision, sports injury, or slip and fall. Internal injuries may be hard to detect since you cannot see the damage like you would a scrape or bruise.
Internal injuries will most likely occur in the abdomen. Common abdominal injuries from trauma may include damage to the:
Calculating Future Losses for Catastrophic Injury Claims
In a catastrophic injury claim, not all losses occur by the time a settlement is reached or an insurance claim is approved. If you have suffered a personal injury, you may be entitled to compensation for future losses or damages.
Our Rockford catastrophic injury attorneys would like to discuss types of future losses and how an attorney would calculate potential compensation.
Examples of Future Damages
While economic damages are those losses that directly take money away from you (i.e., lost wages or medical bills), non-economic damages are non-financial losses that affect your quality of life.
For jury verdicts in personal injury cases, Illinois law requires that economic damages be itemized into losses incurred as of the present and losses that will be incurred in the future.
Long-Term Cost of Accidental Amputations
Besides the immediate costs associated with an accidental amputation, an amputee will require ongoing medical care. It is hard to estimate what the cost will be for individual circumstances following an amputation, as each victim’s needs will be different.
While most accidental amputations involve the loss of fingers or toes, there are situations in which a person can lose an entire limb. If you have suffered from an accidental amputation, you need the representation of a Rockford catastrophic injury attorney.
Causes of Accidental Amputations
More than 2 million Americans are living with limb loss. Unlike a planned amputation surgery (known as elective surgery), a person who suffers an accidental amputation will have to learn to cope with limb loss without being able to prepare mentally or logistically (making accommodations at home).
How Surgical Errors Can Result in Disabilities
While to “err is human,” making an error during surgery can bear significant consequences.
A mistake during surgery may result in a patient having to live with a long-term disability - so much so that an estimated 7 million people experience surgical complications each year, with one million patients succumbing to their injuries.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a surgical error, look no further than our Rockford medical malpractice attorney.
Frequency of Surgical Errors
According to a recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, more than 4,000 surgical errors take place in the United States annually. These are known as “never events” since they are errors that were entirely preventable and should never have occurred.
Fatal Injuries that Might Lead to Wrongful Death Claims
If a loved one suffered an untimely death, no matter the cause, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. As a family member, you deserve compensation for your grief and financial losses.
In Illinois, you must pursue a wrongful death claim within two years of the person’s death, with more time given in certain situations.
If this describes your situation, you need a Winnebago County wrongful death lawyer.
Proving Wrongful Death
To prove wrongful death, you must show that a person behaved negligently. A successful wrongful death claim requires that you show that a person acted carelessly, either through an act or omission, which caused your loved one’s death.
Four elements must be satisfied to prove wrongful death:
Duty of Care
The wrongful party had a duty to keep the victim safe. For example, a motorist has an obligation to follow traffic regulations to keep other road users out of harm’s way.
Long-Term Impairments from a Severe TBI
A traumatic brain injury can disrupt brain function, leading to permanent disability and death. Each year, over 282,000 hospitalizations are related to traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, with 153 people dying from a TBI daily.
If you or a loved one have suffered a long-term impairment from a TBI, you need a Rockford and Winnebago County brain injury lawyer by your side.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of a forceful blow or strike to the head. It may occur if your head comes into contact with an object, like if your head hits the dashboard during a car accident. A TBI can also occur if a falling object hits your head, like a piece of scaffolding that falls from a construction site.
If the head trauma does not involve penetration of the skull, it is known as a closed head injury. In contrast, an open head injury, or penetrating trauma, is more likely to cause brain damage since it pierces through the skull and directly into brain tissue.
Spinal Cord Injury Accidents
Spinal cord injuries are arguably the worst injury that any can face. When such an injury arises from another person or party's negligent actions, the injured person deserves full compensation for their extensive damages. A skilled Rockford spinal cord injury attorney can help them achieve the best outcome possible.
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are rare, but when they do happen, they are invariably serious. Sadly, many of these injuries arise from incidents that were completely preventable. SCIs usually take a severe physical and emotional toll on victims and their families. Suppose you or someone you love was injured in an accident that caused a SCI. In that case, you need strong representation from a dedicated and compassionate Rockford spinal cord injury lawyer. You will find that lawyer at our firm.
How Much is an Illinois Catastrophic Injury Claim Worth?
Catastrophic injury claims are worth much more than other personal injury claims. If you suffered such an injury, it is imperative that you receive the compensation you deserve. Teaming with a knowledgeable Winnebago County catastrophic injury attorney can help you meet this goal.
All personal injuries are preventable and have negative financial implications. However, catastrophic injuries have lengthy and far-reaching consequences. As such, they are treated differently and require the careful attention of an experienced Winnebago County catastrophic injury lawyer.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
What sets catastrophic injuries apart from other personal injuries is that they are much more devastating and expensive. If someone falls and breaks their ankle, of course, they will suffer pain, possibly require surgery, or physical therapy, and might be out of work for a few months.