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Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Sycamore, IL

DeKalb County Representation Since 1981, Steps from the Courthouse

When an injury permanently changes how you live, work, or care for yourself, the legal process that follows needs to match the stakes. Turner Law Group has represented seriously injured clients throughout DeKalb County since 1981, and our Sycamore office sits close to the DeKalb County Circuit Court, where civil claims are filed. Attorneys Rick Turner and Margie Komes Putzler lead our team, bringing decades of personal injury experience to cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe burn injuries.

Our results reflect the depth of recovery we pursue. We’ve obtained a $4.25 million result in a product liability and construction injury case, a $2.3 million result in a severe semi-versus-auto collision, and a $1.1 million result for a client who sustained an intracerebral hemorrhage with cognitive deficits and right arm paralysis. Past results don’t predict future outcomes, but they demonstrate how seriously we prepare and pursue these cases.

If you or a family member has suffered a catastrophic injury in Sycamore or anywhere in DeKalb County, contact us today for a free consultation at (800) 653-0198.

Catastrophic Injury Types We Handle

Catastrophic injuries differ from other personal injury claims in one defining way: they don’t fully heal. They produce lasting disability, require ongoing medical care, and fundamentally alter a person’s ability to work and live independently. Below are the primary injury categories we handle for Sycamore-area clients.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or dangerous workplace conditions. The effects, including cognitive impairment, memory loss, emotional changes, and physical limitations, can persist for years or become permanent. We work with medical providers to document the full extent of the injury and pursue compensation covering treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, permanently reducing mobility and independence. Beyond immediate hospitalization, clients often face years of rehabilitation, home modifications, and adaptive equipment costs. We pursue compensation that reflects both the immediate medical expenses and the long-term financial burden these injuries impose.

Severe Burn Injury

Serious burn injuries can cause permanent disfigurement, chronic pain, and emotional trauma requiring extended treatment. We handle burn injury cases arising from workplace accidents, vehicle fires, and premises incidents, pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.

Workplace-Origin Catastrophic Injuries

Not every catastrophic injury happens on a highway. DeKalb County’s construction, manufacturing, and agricultural industries create conditions where severe workplace injuries occur. When a spinal cord injury or serious burn results from unsafe working conditions, both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate third-party personal injury lawsuit may be available, depending on who bears liability. We evaluate both paths for clients injured on the job.

Why Sycamore Residents Work with Turner Law Group

We don’t run a high-volume practice where injured clients are passed between staff. Rick Turner and Margie Komes Putzler handle cases directly, and clients receive individual attention throughout the process. Both attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers, and Rick Turner holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating and a place on the Illinois Top 100 Super Lawyers list for 2024. The firm holds a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates designation, reserved for attorneys who have recovered results at that level.

We offer same-day appointments, and if your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can come to you. Legal services are available in Spanish for clients who prefer to communicate in that language. When a fair settlement isn’t on the table, we’re prepared to take the case to trial. Our memberships include the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.

Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

Catastrophic injury claims carry higher values than typical personal injury cases because the losses extend far beyond an emergency room bill. Two categories of damages apply, and we know how to identify and present both when negotiating for compensation that reflects the full scope of our clients’ losses.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses a catastrophic injury produces: past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, home modification costs, lost income, and diminished earning capacity. When an injury prevents someone from returning to their field of work, projected future losses can represent a substantial share of the total claim.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover what can’t be reduced to a receipt: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse or family member.

Illinois Rules That Shape These Claims

Two Illinois rules shape how catastrophic injury claims play out. First, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury, and claims involving government entities may carry shorter deadlines, so acting quickly matters. Second, Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule: you can recover damages as long as you are found less than 51 percent at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Local Context: Catastrophic Injuries in Sycamore, IL

Cases arising in Sycamore are filed in the DeKalb County Circuit Court in downtown Sycamore. Our proximity to that courthouse and our familiarity with its procedures give our clients a practical advantage from the first filing through resolution.

The Sycamore area’s mix of rural roads, agricultural corridors, and industrial employers creates conditions where catastrophic injuries occur across multiple settings. IL-23 and IL-64 are primary routes through the area where high-speed collisions and commercial trucking incidents happen. Rural accident scenes present evidence-gathering challenges: fewer traffic cameras, limited witnesses, and greater distances from major trauma centers. Injured victims are sometimes transferred to regional facilities, leaving medical records spread across multiple providers. Organizing that documentation thoroughly is central to how we build these cases.

Talk to a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Sycamore for Free

A catastrophic injury changes everything that follows. The sooner you get legal guidance, the better positioned your case may be. Turner Law Group offers free consultations with no obligation, so you can understand your options before making any decisions.

Rick Turner and Margie Komes Putzler can evaluate your case and explain what recovery may look like for your situation. We serve clients throughout Sycamore and DeKalb County, and we can travel to you if needed. Call us at (800) 653-0198 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Real People, Real Results

Over Millions Recovered for Those Injured
  • $1.1 Million Auto Accident
  • $1.125 Million Auto Accident
  • $647,500 Auto Accident
  • $450,000 Auto Accident
  • $1.3 Million Auto Accident
  • $625,000 Auto Accident

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FAQs

Common Answers To Your Questions
  • What qualifies as a personal injury?

    A personal injury generally refers to any bodily injury sustained in an accident, from minor bruises to severe brain trauma. The most common personal injury claims arise from harm sustained from traffic wrecks, slip and fall accidents, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and medical malpractice.

  • What is the personal injury statute of limitations in Illinois?

    Under state law, the statute of limitations (or deadline) for most personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident. However, for claims against governmental agencies, there are special limitation periods that may be as short as a year. You should always consult with an attorney on what particular limitations period might apply to your claim. You should seek legal help immediately, as a delay may be fatal to your claim. Unless you have a special exception, your claim will be thrown out if you attempt to file after the limitations period has passed.


    Because every personal injury claim is different, it is difficult to determine an average settlement. A victim who lost a limb will likely need to receive more in medical expenses than someone who broke an arm, for instance. Although personal injury claims tend to average anywhere between $3000 to $75,000—an extremely broad range—there may be significant economic and noneconomic factors in your individual case that may indicate that your particular claim would be valued at a significantly higher figure at trial in front of a jury. An attorney can help you estimate your unique losses based on the facts of your case. The knowledge of an attorney experienced in jury verdict value is extremely important. You should be entitled to make up for your specific losses at the very least.
     

  • What evidence is needed for a personal injury claim?

    Necessary evidence can vary case by case depending on the specifics of your situation. However, one of the most helpful pieces of evidence is your medical records. If you can prove that you sought medical attention for a serious injury after an accident, you are more likely to receive compensation to cover the expenses associated with said injury. Other helpful evidence includes any photographs of the accident scene, accident reports, witness statements, insurance forms, receipts, and any other physical evidence related to the injury.

  • What is the average settlement for a personal injury?

    Because every personal injury claim is different, it is difficult to determine an average settlement. A victim who lost a limb will likely need to receive more in medical expenses than someone who broke an arm, for instance. This means that personal injury claims tend to average anywhere between $3000 to $75,000—an extremely broad range. An attorney can help you estimate your unique losses based on the facts of your case. You should be entitled to make up for your specific losses at the very least.