Quadriplegia Lawyers Chicago

Nearly 120,000 Americans are currently quadriplegic. While about 11,000 new quadriplegia cases arise each year, in most cases, injured parties are male and are between the ages of 16 and 30. In fact, according to The University of Alabama National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, those who become quadriplegic at 25 will spend, on average, more than $425,000 in treatment costs over the course of their lifetime.

Given such costs, along with the significant change in lifestyle associated with quadriplegia, victims will likely be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses if another party's negligence, carelessness or recklessness played a role in causing the injury. Although the amount of a quadriplegia settlement will depend on the nature and severity of the injury, generally, victims can recover compensation for their medical bills, permanent disabilities, lost wages and emotional suffering.

The experienced personal injury lawyers at Pfaff & Gill, Ltd. are dedicated to aggressively representing individuals and families affected by quadriplegia. We are committed to working hard to help them get through the legal process as efficiently and favorably as possible. For nearly two decades, our personal injury team has consistently sought compensation for injured clients so they can pursue the treatments they need and move on with their lives. To discuss the circumstances of your specific case, contact our law offices today.

Quadriplegia Definition

Also referred to as tetraplegia, quadriplegia is irreversible paralysis that can partially or entirely prevent a person from being able to use, control and feel their limbs and torso. Quadriplegia is a severe spinal cord injury that occurs when the brain or the upper spinal cord (between vertebrae C1 and C8) are damaged. When the injury occurs between the C1 and C4 vertebrae, the case of quadriplegia will affect the arms and fingers more so than injury between C5 and C8.

Leading Causes of Quadriplegia

Any type of trauma can cause quadriplegia. Statistically, the most common causes of quadriplegia include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, 37 percent
• Falls, 21 percent
• Violence/assault, 28 percent
• Sports accidents, 6 percent (Interestingly, however, 66 percent of sports accidents that result in quadriplegia are caused by diving accidents)
• Other, 8 percent

Violence is the most rapidly increasing cause of quadriplegia. The number of incidences of quadriplegia resulting from car accidents has decreased due to improved vehicle safety.

Spastic Quadriplegia

Also referred to as spastic cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia is a condition in which the inability to move and feel the muscles is also accompanied by severe muscle stiffness and uncontrollable shaking. Muscle spasticity can also affect a patient's face, causing him/her to drool, grimace and/or constantly twitch. Additionally, spastic quadriplegia may be accompanied by seizures and mental retardation.

Compensation May Be Available

If you or a loved one sustains quadriplegia following an accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the damages you will incur. To find out if you qualify, please contact an experienced SUA injury lawyer at Pfaff & Gill, Ltd. today. In addition to thoroughly evaluating your case and giving you expert advice on how to proceed, our Chicago trial lawyers are committed to providing each of our clients with aggressive representation in all necessary legal proceedings. Our ultimate goal is to you and your family recover the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Click on the Practice Areas below to learn more...

Vehicle Related Cases

• Automotive Defects
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents

Causes: Seat Belt Injuries - Tire Blow Out - Seat Back Failure - Sudden Unintended Acceleration

Personal Injuries

• Personal Injuries
• Construction Accidents
• Sexual Assault

Birth Injuries

• Birth Injury
• Cerebral Palsy

Medical Malpractice and Neglijence

• Medical Malpractice
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia

Defective Products

• Unsafe Products

Wrongful Death

• Wrongful Death

---

• Bruce Pfaff recently reached a $9,000,000 settlement in a product liability case with the manufacturer of a garage door that catastrophically failed and trapped a 4-year-old boy under the door.  Read more.
• Bruce Pfaff recently co-authored an article in the CBA Record entitled, "The Right to Submit Questions to Jurors."