Addressing the Unique Challenges of “Invisible Injuries” in a Lawsuit

 Posted on May 10, 2021 in Personal Injury

Illinois law allows people who are injured by another party’s actions to sue that party for damages. Personal injury lawsuits can help an injured person recoup the cost of medical bills and ongoing medical expenses, lost income from missed work, and more. However, to recover compensation, the injured person must demonstrate the gravity of his or her injuries and the damages resulting from those injuries. This is especially difficult when a person suffers from “invisible injuries.”

Some Injuries Are Not Immediately Apparent  

If you were hurt in a car crash, truck accident, product-related accident, or another incident caused by another party’s conduct, you may have a right to financial compensation for your damages. However, getting the compensation you are owed is much more difficult when your injuries are not immediately obvious.

Some invisible injuries that can sometimes be difficult to demonstrate for the purpose of a personal injury claim include:

• Traumatic brain injuries – A TBI can have devastating consequences. TBI sufferers often experience symptoms ranging from debilitating headaches to major changes in mood, cognition, and even personality. However, a severe TBI does not always coincide with significant external injuries, and symptoms of a TBI may not appear until days or weeks after an injury occurred.

• Whiplash and other neck and back injuries – Neck and back pain can prevent a person from working, taking care of domestic duties, caring for children, driving, and much more. Unfortunately, injuries to the neck and back are sometimes difficult to demonstrate in a personal injury case.  

• Soft tissue injuries – Soft tissue injuries like strains and sprains can be extremely painful. However, these injuries do not show up on an x-ray or other imaging tests, so they are sometimes difficult to prove.

• Psychological injuries – A traumatic accident can lead to substantial psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression. These injuries are not physical in nature, but they can still profoundly impact the sufferer’s daily life.

Strategies for Making Invisible Injuries Visible

If you or a loved one suffered invisible injuries in an accident, it is crucial that you work with a skilled personal injury attorney during your case. An experienced lawyer may use several different strategies to demonstrate the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life. Witness statements from people who saw the accident and statements from your friends and family may be utilized to build your case. Expert testimony from doctors, psychologists, vocational rehabilitation experts, and other professionals may also lend credence to your claim. Medical records, pictures and videos of the accident, forensic evidence like vehicle damage, and other types of evidence may also be used to strengthen your case.

Contact an Elk Grove Village Personal Injury Attorney

At Kaiser Hafezi Law, we know that not every injury is immediately apparent. Our team of Bensenville injury lawyers is committed to helping you seek compensation for all of your injuries – visible and invisible. Call us at 630-233-9946 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/the-invisible-scars-of-brain-injuries