When a car accident or traumatic injury leaves you with persistent pain or chronic illness, the road to recovery can seem endless. At Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. , we understand that some injuries don’t heal in weeks or months – they can affect you for years or even permanently change your life.
Bottom Line: If you’re suffering from chronic pain or illness following an accident, you deserve compensation for your ongoing medical costs, lost wages, and reduced quality of life. Our Chicago chronic illness lawyers have the experience and resources to fight for the full compensation you need.
Call us today at (312) 957-4166. Our experienced attorneys for chronic illness are ready to provide legal help at no cost until we secure compensation for you.
Understanding Chronic Pain After Accidents
Chronic pain affects 24.3% of US adults, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the growing impact of persistent pain conditions.
Research shows that motor vehicle accidents can trigger chronic widespread pain in vulnerable individuals. A study from the University of North Carolina found that chronic widespread pain after motor vehicle crashes typically occurs right after the accident and doesn’t improve over time.
The statistics are sobering:
- Each year, over 2.3 million people are injured in motor vehicle accidents nationwide.
- 50% of accident victims still suffer post-accident neck pain a year after their motor vehicle collisions.
- On average, an individual patient with chronic pain in the US spends $23,705 annually for their healthcare, according to a nationwide review.
Types of Chronic Conditions We Handle
Post-Accident Autoimmune Disorders
Medical science has revealed a troubling connection between traumatic injuries and autoimmune disorders. Research indicates that trauma can trigger conditions like:
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Disorders of the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have been medically documented to be triggered by traumatic or stressful events like accidents.
Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland controls metabolism and calcium regulation. Medical research studies have demonstrated a link between motor vehicle accident trauma and the subsequent onset of thyroid disorders. This research identified trauma-induced thyroid lesions that progressed into chronic thyroid conditions well after the initial injuries had recovered.
Fibromyalgia
This chronic pain condition often develops after traumatic accidents, causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Lupus and Other Autoimmune Conditions
There is increasing evidence in medical science that traumatic injuries can lead to autoimmune disorders where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues.
Chronic Pain Syndromes
Whiplash-Related Chronic Pain
While whiplash injuries may seem minor initially, they can lead to chronic neck and back pain that persists for years. The soft tissue damage in the neck area can cause ongoing discomfort that interferes with daily activities.
Post-Traumatic Stress and Pain
The relationship between psychological trauma and chronic pain is well-documented. Many accident victims develop both PTSD and chronic pain conditions that feed into each other, creating a cycle of suffering.
Regional Pain Syndromes
Some accident victims develop complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or other nerve-related pain conditions that can cause severe, burning pain that doesn’t respond to typical treatments.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Chronic Illness Claims
Victims of car accidents who develop chronic conditions often face significant challenges when seeking compensation. Insurance companies frequently deny the connection between accident trauma and chronic thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, or fibromyalgia. Insurance companies frequently claim “insufficient medical evidence” as justification for denying compensation for these lasting consequences.
The problem is that many doctors are still unwilling to accept the correlation between trauma and these conditions. This medical uncertainty makes it difficult for accident victims to get proper diagnosis and treatment, let alone fair compensation.
Our Experience with Chronic Condition Cases
Matthew Willens, the founder and managing partner of Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, brings over 27 years of experience to chronic pain and illness cases. His distinguished background encompasses:
- Elite 1% Recognition: Selected for membership in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel – The Nation’s Top One Percent of Attorneys
- Illinois Super Lawyer Status: Recognized as a “Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer,” an honor given to less than 1% of Illinois lawyers
- Academic Excellence: Adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago School of Law instructing Advanced Trial Advocacy
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Membership in this elite organization restricted to trial lawyers who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements
Our law firm’s proven results demonstrate substantial recoveries for clients facing complex, ongoing medical conditions. These cases illustrate our success in securing significant compensation for clients whose injuries require long-term treatment and ongoing medical care:
- $625,000 motorcycle accident settlement for a 29-year-old motorcyclist who suffered severe neck and back injuries when a vehicle pulled into his path. His injuries required a lumbar decompression procedure to address chronic pain and tension in his lower back. Despite the complex nature of spinal surgery cases, we secured a substantial settlement through mediation.
- $510,000 truck accident settlement. Our client, a 45-year-old truck driver, sustained a disc herniation requiring surgical intervention when rear-ended by another semi-trailer. The defense aggressively contested both liability and damages, hiring expert orthopedic surgeons who claimed the injuries pre-existed the accident. Through extensive litigation in Federal Court, we proved the connection between the collision and our client’s need for back surgery.
- $375,000 truck collision settlement. A 35-year-old janitor suffered ongoing knee and back injuries when a semi-truck made an improper turn. The defense contested both the severity of injuries and the extent of required treatment, but we successfully demonstrated the long-term impact on our client’s ability to work and daily activities.
- $350,000 taxi accident settlement. We secured compensation for a woman who developed chronic back injuries following a taxi collision, requiring ongoing medical treatment and affecting her quality of life.
The Complexity of Establishing Chronic Conditions
Chronic pain and illness matters demand comprehensive medical records and specialized expert witness testimony. These conditions often develop gradually and may not show up on standard diagnostic tests immediately after an accident. We work with leading medical experts who understand:
- The delayed onset of autoimmune conditions following trauma
- How to document the connection between your accident and chronic symptoms
- The latest research on trauma-induced chronic conditions
- Proper testing and evaluation methods for complex pain syndromes.
What Compensation You May Be Entitled To
When chronic pain or illness develops after an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical Expenses
- Ongoing treatment costs
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Specialist consultations
- Future medical care needs.
Lost Income
- Current lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost career advancement opportunities
- Disability-related income loss.
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impact on relationships and family life.
Life Care Costs
- Long-term care planning
- Home modifications
- Assistive devices
- Ongoing support services.
Our Approach to Chronic Condition Cases
We understand that chronic pain and illness cases require a different approach than typical accident claims. Our strategy includes:
Comprehensive Medical Review
We work with specialists who understand the connection between trauma and chronic conditions. This includes endocrinologists for thyroid issues, rheumatologists for autoimmune conditions, and pain management specialists.
Expert Witness Network
Our cases rely on testimony from leading medical experts who can explain complex medical concepts to judges and juries in understandable terms.
Thorough Documentation
We help you document your symptoms, treatments, and how your condition affects your daily life. This continuous documentation is essential for establishing the full scope of your damages.
Financial Resources
Chronic condition cases require significant investment in medical experts, testing, and investigation. We have the resources to fully develop your case without asking you to pay anything upfront.
Common Challenges in Chronic Condition Cases
- Delayed diagnosis: Many chronic conditions don’t appear immediately after an accident. This delay can make it harder to prove the connection between your accident and your condition.
- Medical skepticism: Some healthcare providers are unfamiliar with the research linking trauma to autoimmune disorders and chronic pain syndromes.
- Insurance company tactics: Insurance companies often argue that chronic conditions are pre-existing or unrelated to the accident, even when medical evidence suggests otherwise.
- Complex medical evidence: These cases often involve complex medical testimony about hormone levels, immune system function, and pain pathways that can be difficult for juries to understand.
When to Contact a Chicago Chronic Illness Lawyer
You should contact our firm if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent pain that won’t improve months after your accident
- New symptoms that developed after your accident, even if they seem unrelated
- Autoimmune conditions diagnosed after trauma
- Thyroid problems that started after your accident
- Fibromyalgia or widespread pain following injury
- Fatigue, brain fog, or other systemic symptoms.
Don’t wait to seek legal help. Illinois has statutes of limitations that can bar your claim if you wait too long. Early intervention also allows us to help guide your medical care and ensure proper documentation.
Why Select Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. for Your Chronic Condition Matter?
- Proven track record: Our firm has recovered over $500 million for clients, including significant settlements and verdicts for complex medical cases.
- Medical expertise: We work with a network of medical experts who understand the latest research on trauma-induced chronic conditions.
- No upfront costs: We handle all chronic condition cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe no legal fees unless we achieve success in your case.
- Comprehensive approach: We don’t just fight for your current medical bills – we plan for your long-term care needs and future expenses.
- Personal attention: Unlike large firms that treat you like a case number, we provide personal attention to every client.
Contact Chicago’s Top-Rated Chronic Illness Lawyers
If you’re suffering from chronic pain or illness following a serious accident, don’t let insurance companies dismiss your legitimate claim. The experienced Chicago chronic illness lawyers at Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. have the knowledge, resources, and determination to fight for the compensation you deserve.
With our track record of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including our recent $12.25 million birth injury settlement and $3.1 million medical malpractice verdict, we have proven our ability to handle complex, high-stakes cases.
Contact us at (312) 957-4166 today for your complimentary consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand whether you have grounds for a chronic condition lawsuit. Don’t allow chronic pain to dictate your life. Allow us to help you pursue the justice and compensation you merit.
