Spinal Cord Injuries Attorney in Erie

Let Carlson Bier Fight For You

Over $50 Million in Recoveries

Jeff Bier – Personal Injury Lawyer At Carlson Bier Associates
Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

At Carlson Bier, we understand the complexities and consequences of spinal cord injuries. Our dedicated team of attorneys specializes in representing victims who have sustained such traumatic injuries. Based in Illinois, we are renowned experts at navigating through delicate litigation processes associated with catastrophic health afflictions. When unfortunate accidents result in spinal cord damage, countless lives can change dramatically; causing significant emotional strain, financial hardship and life-altering physical impairments. Choosing to entrust your case to the legal professionals at Carlson Bier means standing up for your rights while protected by a formidable ally that diligently fights on your behalf against unfair practices or inadequate compensations offered by culpable parties or insurance entities. We persistently aim for maximum restitution possible so you can focus on recovery rather than legal hassles during these challenging times. So remember – when dealing with severe issues like spinal cord injury cases where stakes are high & every detail counts – consider engaging our seasoned attorneys at Carlson Bier who bring determination fused with skills & experience ensuring justice prevails.

About Carlson Bier

Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyers in Erie Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we strive to empower you in moments of adversity. With a sharp focus on personal injury law in Illinois, our primary commitment is to secure the justice and appropriate compensation that you deserve. One area where we extensively work is spinal cord injuries – complex and potentially life-altering conditions that can snowball from minor slip-ups at the workplace or car accidents due to negligent behavior.

Spinal cord injuries affect more than 17,500 people every year in America alone; primarily leading to paralysis and other severe damage affecting mobility, feeling, and functionality. Whilst mounting medical bills create the substantial bulk of financial burdens, victims also face loss of wages due to impairment along with intangible costs like pain and suffering.

At Carlson Bier, our endgame isn’t just about representing your claim; it spans across educating clients about their condition as well as legal options before any litigation. So how indeed does a spinal cord injury play out? It essentially boils down to two categories: Complete – wherein all motor function below an affected area is lost resulting in tetraplegia or paraplegia; and Incomplete -where there’s still some nerve function beyond the level of injury.

• Severity depends mainly on at what point along the spine this occurs.

• The vertebrae areas C1-4 impact breathing whilst regions C5-7 problems are related to arm & shoulder movement.

• Damage lower down impacts control over bowel & bladder coordination whilst T6-L5 affects legs & sexual functions.

The astute understanding about these specifics aids us in sculpting strong arguments for your realistic needs assessment grounded by expert testimony when dealing with insurance claims. This ensures maximum chances of recompense for not just immediate but potential long-term impact too – which can hover around $3 million according to figures from National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center based on average life expectancy post such trauma incidents.

In spite of these factual data, insurance carriers often attempt to minimize the payout. We at Carlson Bier leverage our vast personal injury law repertoire to navigate these hurdles and have secured millions on behalf of such victims across Illinois – compiling an impressive track record defending spinal cord injuries case via negotiation or jury trials as needed.

It is crucial though that legal assistance be sought promptly post associated incidents. Illinois enforces statute limitations – meaning a lawsuit must be filed within two years from date of injury. However, given many such related conditions surface months later, this window can quicken unless ineptly managed which could jeopardize your legal recourse options and limit compensation considerably.

At every step, we strive for diligent yet empathetic service you can confidently trust upon – making sure you have the resources needed to recover whilst retaining focus for hopes beyond just medical grounds too. Whether it’s occupational therapies, adaptive technologies, rehabilitation avenues; our services harness all facets so that what life unfolds after is both compelling and fulfilling.

To sum up, whilst a spinal cord trauma may indicate dark clouds on multiple fronts whether it’s medical expenses stretching thin patience and financials alike or drastic lifestyle shifts; Carlson Bier exists precisely for instances like these! Armed with tested skills in negotiation practices as well motor vehicle accident (a key cause in such cases) laws specific to Illinois jurisdiction , we make sure justice not just prevails but trumps with complete fairness when dealing against any negligent parties responsible for your suffering, distress & losses incurred.

We encouragse you strongly to explore how Carlson Bier might support if you or loved ones are unfortunately caught in similar plight! Take the first step now by clicking the button below where our dedicated team helps ascertain your case merits & potential outcome value; ensuring you’re never blind-sided anymore than absolutely unavoidable amidst unforeseen hours of your life journey – there’s nothing more assuring knowing expert hands are backing you every inch along!

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Notable Illinois Appellate Wins

Moruzzi v. CCC Servs., Inc., 2020 IL App (2d) 190411, 171 N.E.3d 61
Background: Insured motorist filed action against insurer for declaratory judgment seeking construction of automobile insurance policy issued to insured and that was in effect when insured was injured by an underinsured driver. The Circuit Court, DuPage County, Bonnie M. Wheaton, J., granted the insurer's motions for summary judgment. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Zenoff, J., held that:1 medical payments reduction clause in automobile insurance policy conflicted with underinsured motorist provisions so as to render reduction clause ambiguous, and thus medical payment benefits were deductible from insured's damages;2 law firm representing insured did not create common fund or common funds when it reached settlement with underinsured motorist, and thus law firm was not entitled to recover fees under common-fund doctrine; and3 collateral estoppel did not bar automobile insurers from litigating whether common-fund doctrine applied in insured motorist's declaratory judgment action.Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Maier v. CC Servs., Inc., 2019 IL App (3d) 170640, 132 N.E.3d 795
Background: After insured, who was injured in automobile collision with another driver, recovered full liability limits of driver's policy, she filed amended complaint for declaratory judgment against her own automobile insurer, alleging that insurer breached contractual duty to pay for insured's damages in accordance with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in insured's policy and that insurer acted in bad faith in denying insured such coverage. The Circuit Court, La Salle County, Troy D. Holland, J., granted the insurer's motion to dismiss claims as time-barred. Insured appealed.The Appellate Court ruled that neither the insurer nor the insured could add amended policy provisions to the court record. It was decided that the policy's requirement for a written arbitration demand applied to both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The court found that a letter from the insured's attorney to the insurer wasn't a valid arbitration demand nor a proof of loss to toll the statute of limitations. Finally, the insurer was permitted to use the defense based on the two-year statute of limitations period. The court's decision was affirmed.
Econ. Premier Assurance Co. v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 2021 IL App (1st) 192364-U
Holding: The circuit court's order that granted defendant's motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment was proper where defendant had no duty to indemnify its insured with respect to the underlying complaint and therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover against defendant on its subrogation or unjust enrichment claims; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Westerheide, 2023 IL App (5th) 220343-U
Holding: The court affirmed judgment of the circuit court granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff where the defendant failed to make a written demand for arbitration within two years from the date of the accident as required by the underinsured provisions of the defendant's automotive insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Olsak, 2022 IL App (1st) 200695, 216 N.E.3d 291
In a complex legal case, an insurer sought to avoid defending or indemnifying a hockey player under a policy issued to the player's stepfather after the player was sued for assaulting his coach. The initial Circuit Court ruling favored the insurer, but the Appellate Court reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. Ultimately, the Appellate Court determined the insurer was liable only up to the $3 million policy limit and found the insurer's four-year delay in seeking a declaratory judgment to be reasonable. This case highlights important aspects of insurance litigation and policy limit liabilities.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Durkin Elec. Co., Inc., 2022 IL App (1st) 210293-U, appeal denied, 199 N.E.3d 1187 (Ill. 2022)
Holding: The circuit court's order that denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and found that defendant was an additional insured under the policy was proper. The circuit court's order that denied defendant's motion for summary judgment and found that plaintiff did not have a duty to defend or indemnify defendant under the policy was proper; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Groen, 2017 IL App (4th) 160028, 69 N.E.3d 911
Background: Uninsured motorist (UM) carrier brought action against insured for declaratory judgment that it owed no benefits since workers' compensation received by insured exceeded policy limits. The Circuit Court, Sangamon County, Chris Perrin, J., entered summary judgment in favor of the carrier. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Harris, J., held that:1 employer's medical payments entitled carrier to setoff, and2 setoff clauses were enforceable.Affirmed.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Frobish, 2021 IL App (3d) 190473-U
Holding: Allegations in the underlying complaint that a township employee caused property damage by excavating and digging out a ditch failed to impose a duty to defend under township employee's individual farm insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 2018 IL App (1st) 173154-U
Holding: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed; plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured against the underlying complaint because the loss claimed in the underlying complaint is subject to an exclusion. The court held that it would also enter judgment for plaintiff because the underlying complaint does not allege an “occurrence” causing bodily injury within the meaning of the policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitt, 2021 IL App (5th) 190173-U
Holding: The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment of the circuit court where plaintiff had no duty to defend its insured and thus was not stopped from raising policy defenses to coverage for the underlying tort action contained in the amended declaratory action.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Livorsi Marine, Inc., 222 Ill. 2d 303, 856 N.E.2d 338 (2006) (the late Keith Carlson)
Liability insurer brought action against insureds for a declaratory judgment based on failure to provide timely notice of lawsuits against them. The Circuit Court, Cook County, Stephen A. Schiller, J., entered judgment for the insurer. Insureds appealed. The Appellate Court, Wolfson, J., 358 Ill.App.3d 880, 295 Ill.Dec. 665, 833 N.E.2d 871, affirmed. Leave to appeal was granted.Holdings: The Supreme Court, Garman, J., held that:1 if the insurer did not receive reasonable notice of an occurrence or a lawsuit, the policyholder may not recover under the policy, regardless of whether the lack of reasonable notice prejudiced the insurer, overruling Rice v. AAA Aerostar, Inc., 294 Ill.App.3d 801, 229 Ill.Dec. 20, 690 N.E.2d 1067, and Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Baur's Opera House, Inc., 296 Ill.App.3d 1011, 230 Ill.Dec. 624, 694 N.E.2d 593, and2 insured did not need to prove that it was prejudiced by delayed notice of lawsuits.Affirmed.
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Spinal Cord Injury FAQ​

Spinal cord injuries are commonly caused by traumatic events such as vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and acts of violence like gunshot wounds. Medical conditions like arthritis, cancer, or infections can also lead to spinal cord damage.

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Common symptoms include loss of movement, loss of sensation (including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch), loss of bladder or bowel control, exaggerated reflex activities or spasms, changes in sexual function, pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord, and difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from your lungs.

The permanence of a spinal cord injury depends on the severity and type of injury. Complete spinal cord injuries, where all feeling and ability to control movement are lost below the spinal cord injury, have a lower chance of recovery. Incomplete injuries, where there is some motor or sensory function below the affected area, may allow for significant recovery. However, there is currently no cure for a spinal cord injury.

Immediate treatments for spinal cord injuries focus on minimizing further damage and include immobilization, surgery, and medications. Long-term treatment involves rehabilitation, which can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling to help with the emotional aspect of the injury. Technological advances such as exoskeletons, electrical stimulation devices, and ongoing research into cell regeneration and repair are also promising areas for treatment.

The impact of a spinal cord injury on daily life varies widely and depends on the severity of the injury. It can lead to reduced mobility or paralysis, requiring the use of wheelchairs or other assistive devices. It often necessitates modifications to living spaces, vehicles, and workplaces. Spinal cord injuries can also impact personal care, bladder and bowel management, and sexual health. Support systems, adaptive technologies, and rehabilitation can play significant roles in helping individuals lead fulfilling lives post-injury.

All Attorney Services in Erie

Areas of Practice in Erie

Bicycle Accidents

Proficient in legal advocacy for victims injured in bicycle accidents due to others's negligence or dangerous conditions.

Fire Damages

Giving professional legal advice for individuals of serious burn injuries caused by mishaps or misconduct.

Healthcare Incompetence

Delivering expert legal advice for patients affected by hospital malpractice, including misdiagnosis.

Merchandise Fault

Handling cases involving faulty products, providing expert legal assistance to victims affected by product-related injuries.

Geriatric Malpractice

Defending the rights of the elderly who have been subjected to malpractice in nursing homes environments, ensuring restitution.

Slip and Stumble Injuries

Professional in dealing with tumble accident cases, providing legal assistance to sufferers seeking recovery for their suffering.

Childbirth Damages

Supplying legal aid for loved ones affected by medical incompetence resulting in neonatal injuries.

Motor Collisions

Collisions: Devoted to helping victims of car accidents receive reasonable settlement for wounds and damages.

Scooter Collisions

Committed to providing representation for riders involved in motorbike accidents, ensuring justice for damages.

Truck Incident

Providing expert legal advice for clients involved in trucking accidents, focusing on securing appropriate recompense for hurts.

Construction Mishaps

Concentrated on assisting workers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to negligence or carelessness.

Neurological Injuries

Expert in extending specialized legal representation for clients suffering from neurological injuries due to incidents.

Canine Attack Injuries

Proficient in tackling cases for clients who have suffered damages from dog attacks or creature assaults.

Pedestrian Accidents

Committed to legal support for cross-walkers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering restitution.

Undeserved Loss

Standing up for relatives affected by a wrongful death, delivering empathetic and experienced legal guidance to ensure restitution.

Spinal Cord Harm

Expert in defending victims with paralysis, offering dedicated legal assistance to secure redress.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer