Our Lawyers
Streamwood Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
A catastrophic injury does not just hurt, it changes everything. It can take away your ability to work, care for your family, drive down Barrington Road, or even perform the most basic daily tasks. If you or someone you love suffered a life-altering injury in or near Streamwood, Illinois, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help you fight for the full compensation you deserve. Our firm has represented seriously injured people throughout the Chicago area for decades, and we understand what is at stake when an injury reshapes your entire future.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Catastrophic Injury Under Illinois Law?
- Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Streamwood
- Illinois Law and Your Right to Compensation
- Why the Filing Deadline Matters More in Catastrophic Cases
- How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights for Streamwood Injury Victims
- FAQs About Streamwood Catastrophic Injury Claims
What Is a Catastrophic Injury Under Illinois Law?
Illinois does not have a single statutory definition for “catastrophic injury.” What the law does recognize, however, is that certain injuries cause permanent, life-altering harm that goes far beyond a broken bone or a soft tissue strain. In Illinois, a catastrophic injury is generally defined as a severe, long-term, or permanent injury that prevents a person from returning to their prior quality of life or occupation. That definition matters enormously when it comes to calculating what your case is worth.
Examples of catastrophic injuries include amputations, severe burns, paralysis, coma, spinal injuries, and brain injuries. These are the kinds of injuries that require months or years of rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and ongoing medical care. Think about what life looks like after a serious truck accident on Interstate 90 near Streamwood, or a construction fall at a worksite along Sutton Road. The injuries that come out of those accidents can permanently alter a person’s trajectory.
Because of the severity of these types of injuries, they often require long-term recovery periods and extensive medical treatment, leaving the victim with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt and requiring long-term care for many months or years. To make matters worse, most individuals who suffer a catastrophic injury will be unable to return to work for several months or years, if they can work again at all. When another person or company caused your injury through negligence, you should not be left to absorb those costs alone. That is where Briskman Briskman & Greenberg steps in as your Chicago personal injury lawyer.
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.1, Illinois law limits punitive damages in most personal injury cases, but compensatory damages for catastrophic injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, are not capped. That means a well-built case can pursue the full scope of your losses without an artificial ceiling on what you can recover.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Streamwood
Streamwood sits in Cook County along major corridors like IL Route 19 and IL Route 59, and residents travel daily on roads that connect them to Schaumburg, Hanover Park, and the wider northwest suburbs. High-traffic areas and busy worksites create real risks for serious harm. Catastrophic injuries in Streamwood typically arise from a handful of recurring situations.
Motor vehicle collisions are among the most common causes. High-speed crashes on highways and multi-vehicle accidents can produce traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe burns. Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable. Because these individuals do not have the same protection as a motor vehicle, even a minor impact can cause severe injuries or fatalities. In cases where a cyclist or pedestrian sustains a catastrophic injury, some of the most common causes are situations where a driver fails to yield to the pedestrian or fails to look for them at crosswalks.
Construction accidents are another significant source of catastrophic harm in the Streamwood area, where development and infrastructure projects are ongoing. Falls from scaffolding, being struck by falling objects, and forklift accidents can all produce injuries that qualify as catastrophic. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), injured workers may be entitled to benefits for permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of limb. For an arm amputation, for instance, the Act provides compensation for 253 weeks of benefits for injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006. Workers’ compensation, however, is not always the only avenue for recovery, and a third-party personal injury claim may also be available.
Defective products can cause a wide range of severe and life-threatening injuries and can originate from a wide range of sources. These types of cases may include medication with harmful, undisclosed side effects, faulty vehicle parts that cause accidents, or building materials that threaten the structural integrity of a building. Premises liability is another factor. A dangerous condition at a Streamwood shopping center, apartment complex, or public park can lead to injuries that permanently change a victim’s life. If you were hurt anywhere in the northwest suburbs, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg to discuss your options. Our team also serves clients in surrounding communities, including those who need a Gurnee personal injury lawyer.
Illinois Law and Your Right to Compensation
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault system under the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.1, compensatory damages for catastrophic injuries are not capped, which is critical for victims facing lifelong costs. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, the Limitation on Recovery in Tort Actions statute, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. If a jury finds you 30 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30 percent. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you are barred from recovery entirely. This makes it essential to build a strong liability case from the start.
Compensatory damages in a catastrophic injury case cover both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages represent the monetary losses caused by an accident, including medical expenses, costs for immediate medical care, ongoing treatments, and future medical needs, as well as lost income, compensation for wages lost due to the inability to work and future earning capacity. Non-economic damages represent the non-monetary losses caused by an accident, including pain and suffering, compensation for physical pain and discomfort endured, and emotional distress, compensation for psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1702, future medical expenses can be calculated and awarded as part of damages if supported by expert testimony. This is one reason why working with an experienced legal team matters so much. Building a complete picture of your future needs, including home modifications, assistive devices, long-term care, and lost earning potential, requires careful documentation and expert analysis. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works with medical professionals and economic experts to make sure no future cost goes unaccounted for. We also handle cases for clients throughout the region, including those who need an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer.
Why the Filing Deadline Matters More in Catastrophic Cases
Time is one of the most important factors in any catastrophic injury claim. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the injury. That deadline applies whether you were hurt in a car accident near Streamwood’s Bartlett Road corridor, a slip and fall at a local business, or a construction site injury on a commercial project.
Two years can feel like a long time when you are still recovering. But catastrophic injury cases require far more preparation than typical claims. Building a strong personal injury case requires medical treatment to document the full extent of injuries, investigation to gather evidence, expert evaluations, and often lengthy negotiations with insurance companies. If you wait too long, critical evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and your legal options narrow significantly.
There are also important exceptions and shorter deadlines to know about. Claims against a city, county, or other Illinois governmental body must be filed within one year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101. If your injury involved a government-owned vehicle, a defective road condition on a public street near Streamwood, or a municipality’s negligence, you may have far less time to act than you realize. Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years of discovery but no more than four years from the act of malpractice under 735 ILCS 5/13-212. If a loved one died as a result of their catastrophic injuries, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) provides a separate two-year window running from the date of death. Do not wait to speak with an attorney. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 as soon as possible after your injury.
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights for Streamwood Injury Victims
Catastrophic injury cases are among the most demanding in personal injury law. Insurance companies know how much these claims are worth, and they often move quickly to minimize what they pay. When insurance companies see high-dollar claims and permanent injuries, they often shut down negotiations or offer only a fraction. They typically avoid paying claims at full value just because they are expensive. Having a dedicated legal team in your corner from the beginning changes that dynamic significantly.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is a Chicago-area personal injury law firm with a long history of representing seriously injured clients and their families. We handle cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, and other permanent injuries. Whether your injury happened on a job site near Streamwood, in a crash on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, or due to medical negligence at a local facility, we will investigate every detail of your case. We gather evidence, consult with medical and financial experts, and build a claim that reflects the true, long-term cost of your injury.
Our firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We serve clients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and northwest suburbs, including those who need a Joliet personal injury lawyer or representation in communities across Illinois and Indiana. If your injury involved a dog attack, our team can also assist with connected claims, including those handled by our Indianapolis dog bite attorney for clients in that region. No matter where you are in the process, our team is ready to evaluate your case and help you understand your rights. Call us today at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation with a Chicago personal injury attorney who will take your case seriously.
This page is an advertisement. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is responsible for this content. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
FAQs About Streamwood Catastrophic Injury Claims
What types of injuries are considered catastrophic in Illinois?
Illinois does not have a single legal definition, but catastrophic injuries generally include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, severe burns, paralysis, and organ damage. What makes an injury catastrophic is its long-term or permanent impact on your ability to work, move, communicate, or live independently. If your injury has fundamentally changed your daily life and your ability to earn a living, it likely qualifies for treatment as a catastrophic injury claim.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Illinois?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most personal injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. There are exceptions, including a one-year deadline for claims against government entities under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, and a two-year window from the date of death for wrongful death claims under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). Because catastrophic cases require extensive preparation, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for my injury?
Yes, in many cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent, you can still recover damages. Your total compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and your damages total $500,000, you would recover $400,000. If your fault exceeds 50 percent, you are barred from recovery entirely.
What damages can I recover in a catastrophic injury case?
You can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and costs for home modifications, assistive devices, and long-term care. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.1, compensatory damages for catastrophic injuries in Illinois are not capped, so the full scope of your losses can be pursued. In cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be available under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05.
Does Briskman Briskman & Greenberg charge upfront fees for catastrophic injury cases?
No. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. You should be aware, however, that clients may still be responsible for certain case-related costs and expenses depending on the outcome of your case. The firm will explain all fee arrangements clearly before you agree to representation. To discuss your situation, call (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation.
More Resources About Catastrophic & Fatal Injuries
SEEN ON:
