Chicago Soft Tissue Injury Lawyer

Recover Compensation for Soft Tissue Injuries

A Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer is essential to recovering compensation for these types of injuries, as insurance companies will refuse to pay their fair share. If you suffered a soft tissue injury at an Uptown grocery store or Jefferson Park factory, let our personal injury lawyers fight for you. Call us today for a free consultation about your accident.

Soft Tissue Injury Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Area Law Firm

$500,000: While visiting the Magnificent Mile on a work trip, Preston slipped and fell on a patch of ice. He suffered widespread bruising and pain. The property management company settled.

$295,000: Susan was exiting a South Shore restaurant when she fell in the parking lot, causing deep tissue injuries that took months to heal.

$175,000: A 25-year-old married couple, Catharine and Frank, were rear-ended on Lower Wacker by a distracted teen driver. Both suffered significant soft tissue injuries that required physical therapy.

Why Choose Chicago Injury Center

Over 5,000 clients nationwide have benefitted from our 100+ years of combined experience, resulting in over $450 million recovered for injury victims. Our soft tissue injury attorneys have been honored with the Super Lawyers distinction and are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association due to our tireless advocacy.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries in Chicago?

Soft tissue injuries may occur for a variety of reasons, including:

• Car accidents along the Stevenson Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway, and Jane Byrne Interchange
• Slip and fall accidents along icy streets, such as Madison Avenue and Cicero Avenue
• Workplace accidents, especially in industrial areas like South Deering and North Austin
• Medical malpractice at local hospitals, like UI Health or UChicago Medicine

What Are the Most Common Soft Tissue Injuries?

These serious injuries may affect every part of the body, resulting in long-term pain and medical care. Typical injuries include:

• Sprains of tendons and ligaments
• Muscle tears and strains
• Contusions and bruises
• Bursitis, particularly with overuse injuries
• Tendonitis and inflammation
• Whiplash and neck injuries

What Damages Can Soft Tissue Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

If you were hurt at work, you can use workers’ compensation to pay for medical bills, vocational rehabilitation, and a portion of lost wages.

Those hurt outside of their workplace can file a third-party lawsuit, which offers both economic and non-economic damages. According to the ruling Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, there is no cap on non-economic damages. In addition to medical bills and lost income, this can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Loss of quality of life
• Grief for wrongful death

What Is the Average Soft Tissue Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average payout is $147,840. Verdicts and settlements range from $977 to $13,003,023. Amounts will vary based on injury severity, length of recovery, necessary medical care, and clarity of liability.

Example Soft Tissue Injury Cases Filed in Cook County

Kryzstof Kulasik, a bricklayer, fell eight feet through a gap in scaffolding, injuring his knee. He suffered meniscus tears and injuries to his cartilage. A jury awarded him $2,551,000.00.

Sookdeo Gosein was at a private home in Oak Park, checking a cable modem for AT&T. While attempting to access the basement, he fell down the last three stairs. This resulted in tears to his muscles, tendons, and ligaments, requiring eight months of physical therapy. The homeowner’s insurance company settled with him for $480,000.00.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

Soft tissue injuries are often challenging to prove, as they will not show up on X-rays or other diagnostic tests. Thankfully, our soft tissue injury attorneys will consult with orthopedic specialists and physical therapists to demonstrate the extent of your injuries, giving you the best chance of compensation.

How Common Are Soft Tissue Injuries?

Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons constitute 43% of workplace injuries, and 30% of all days off work were due to soft tissue injuries. Approximately 10% of all emergency room visits are for soft tissue injuries to the face, demonstrating the prevalence of these issues.

What Laws Govern Soft Tissue Injury Claims in Chicago?

Workers with soft tissue injuries may be eligible for workers’ compensation, which will cover their time off and medical needs (820 ILCS 305). Those who were not hurt due to their employment can use a third-party liability suit to recover compensation.

Liability for a car accident relies on the state’s Vehicle Code, which requires drivers to be licensed and follow all traffic rules (625 ILCS 5/). In the city, the maximum speed limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise noted, so those who are speeding may be negligent (9-12-070).

Those injured on someone else’s property can use the Premises Liability Act to prove negligence, as the act requires property owners to prevent foreseeable accidents by maintaining their property (740 ILCS 130/).

Lastly, those who experience soft tissue injuries due to poorly designed products can hold manufacturers liable through the Product Liability Act (735 ILCS 5/2-21). This statute mandates product manufacturers to provide safe products that comply with all federal regulations and to warn users about potential risks of their products.

How Long Do Victims Have to Start the Legal Process in Illinois?

Workers’ compensation has a statute of limitations of two years after the last paycheck or three years after the injury, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305/6(d)). Personal injury claims have a statute of limitations of only two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

Who Can Be Liable for a Soft Tissue Injury?

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Employers, for workers’ comp
• Property owners
• Negligent drivers
• Product manufacturers

Common Defenses in Illinois Soft Tissue Injury Cases

The primary defense in these claims is comparative negligence, which bars you from suing if you were more than 50% responsible (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Insurers may also insist that the injury is unrelated to the accident or was pre-existing. We will counter these claims with evidence like medical reports, incident reports, previous safety violations, expert testimony, and witness statements.

How to Strengthen Your Soft Tissue Injury Case

Follow these steps immediately to strengthen your claim.

• Seek immediate medical attention and keep treatment records.
• Follow your treatment plans.
• Take pictures of the accident and get contact information for witnesses.
• Do not speak to insurance companies without legal representation.

How Our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident, consult with healthcare professionals, and aggressively negotiate with insurers for the highest possible settlement. If this fails, we will file suit with the Circuit Court of Cook County and represent you in court.

Secure Expert Legal Counsel

Soft tissue injuries may result in long-term pain and suffering, as well as significant time recuperating. We proudly represent clients throughout the state, including Cook County, on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today to schedule a free evalusation with our compassionate and award-winning firm.