🦴 Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Paralysis & SCI Attorney

Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower body caused by spinal cord damage in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions (T1 and below). Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is paralysis of all four limbs caused by spinal cord damage in the cervical region (C1–C7). The higher the cervical injury, the more severe the impairment — a C1–C4 injury typically requires ventilator support, while a C5–C7 injury preserves more arm function.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury sustained at age 25 ranges from approximately $1.6 million for incomplete motor function loss to over $5.4 million for high tetraplegia (C1–C4). Annual attendant care alone for a high quadriplegic commonly exceeds $200,000 per year. Lifetime cost projections must include medical care, attendant care, durable medical equipment (specialty wheelchairs every 5 years), home modifications, vehicle modifications, and lost earnings — all of which must be present-valued by a forensic economist.

Yes — a life-care planner is essential in any moderate or severe spinal cord injury case. The life-care planner is a certified rehabilitation specialist (often a nurse with CLCP credentials) who works with your treating physicians to project every future medical need across your lifetime: surgeries, medications, durable medical equipment, attendant care hours, home and vehicle modifications, and skin-care/pressure-sore prevention. The plan is then present-valued by an economist. Without a life-care plan, defendants will lowball your damages.

A C5 spinal cord injury means the damage is at the fifth cervical vertebra. People with C5 quadriplegia typically retain shoulder and biceps function (allowing the arms to bend at the elbow), but lose wrist, hand, and lower-body function. They can usually feed themselves with adaptive equipment, may drive a modified vehicle, but require attendant care for transfers, bathing, and dressing. Each cervical level (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7) preserves slightly more function than the level above it — which is why precise injury level documentation is critical to your damages model.

Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, including spinal cord injuries. The clock starts on the date of injury. For minors, the statute is tolled until age 18 (then runs 2 years). Medical malpractice SCI claims are subject to the 4-year statute of repose under 735 ILCS 5/13-212. Workers' compensation claims have separate timing rules under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. Because SCI cases are evidence-intensive, you should not wait — call (312) 635-4000 immediately.

Illinois SCI victims can recover: past and future medical expenses (acute care, rehabilitation, surgery, specialty equipment), attendant and nursing care (often the largest single damages category), lost wages and lost earning capacity, vocational rehabilitation, home and vehicle modifications, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, disability and disfigurement, and loss of consortium for spouses. Illinois has no cap on non-economic damages (Lebron v. Gottlieb, 2010), so SCI verdicts and settlements regularly reach 7- and 8-figure numbers.

Often, yes. If you suffered a spinal cord injury at work — especially in construction or trucking — Illinois workers' compensation pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, but typically prohibits suing your employer. However, you can usually sue any third party who caused or contributed to the injury (a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another driver). The third-party case captures full pain and suffering damages and lost earning capacity that workers' comp does not pay. The carrier has a lien against the third-party recovery, but the net result is dramatically larger.

Schwaner Injury Law handles all spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis — no upfront fees, no cost unless we win. We advance every litigation expense, including life-care planners, vocational economists, treating physician fees, and deposition costs. Our fee is taken only as a percentage of the recovery. The initial consultation is always free and confidential. Call (312) 635-4000 to speak directly with David Schwaner.