Derek Bolka, a law clerk in our workers’ compensation department and a member of the GWC Injury Lawyers family, is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a tragic accident. He and his family are looking for help during a difficult recovery process.
On February 11, Derek Bolka shattered, fractured, and dislocated multiple vertebrae in his lower spine, leaving him paralyzed below the waist. After two surgeries and more than two weeks in the hospital, Derek is currently hard at work at physical therapy. Unfortunately, Derek has had to leave his job and law school to focus full time on his recovery.
His family is asking for help covering Derek’s medical bills and the cost of making their home wheelchair accessible. They would appreciate any and all donations you can make by clicking on this link to Derek’s fundraising page at YouCaring, a site devoted to Compassionate Crowdfunding.
The following is a message from Derek’s family:
On February 11, Derek was severely injured. He shattered, fractured, and dislocated multiple vertebrae in his lower spine. As a result, Derek is paralyzed and has lost the use of his legs; with no functioning below his waist. After completing the initial 11-hour surgery to reconstruct his spine, his surgeon told him he had only a 5% chance of recovery. Due to his injury, he was forced to withdraw from law school at Chicago-Kent. He had to quit his new job as a law clerk at GWC Injury Lawyers and move out of his new Chicago apartment.
Throughout his personal life and decade-long career in social work, his positive attitude, kindness, humor, and hard work positively affected everyone around him. His recuperation will be a long and difficult journey. After having spent 2 ½ weeks in the hospital he is moving to The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to begin rigorous physical therapy in attempts to restore his life, but he needs the help of not only his medical staff, but also the help of his family, his friends, and you.
We are grateful for any financial support you can give. All donations will assist with paying extensive medical expenses and modifying his family home to make it handicap-accessible. It will also help purchase assistive technology such as wheelchairs and medical supplies and to help support the cost of his day-to-day living. Derek sacrificed everything to move to Chicago and attend law school. With your help and support and a lot of hard work, he hopes to return to law school, graduate, find employment, pay off his debts, and continue on with his life.
Thank you for helping Derek survive the most difficult time of his life.
<< BACK TO BLOG POSTS