Traumatic brain injury can be devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered TBI, then you know how it can change everything about us in a matter of seconds, including how we think, act, and feel.

It is important to protect your legal rights if you have suffered a life-changing injury such as TBI due to the wrongful acts of another. Contacting an experienced Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer with experience in TBI litigation is an important first step.

The traumatic brain injury attorneys of Marks & Harrison understand the legal and medical complexities involved in these cases.

Our traumatic brain injury cases include:

  • $11 million (Loudon County Circuit Court) – The case involved a young woman who sustained a brain injury in a crash with a service van.
  • $10 million (City of Richmond Circuit Court) – We obtained a recovery for a city employee who received serious and permanent brain and head injuries in a collision with a Norfolk Southern boxcar with faulty brakes.
  • $3.8 million (City of Richmond Circuit Court) – Our client received brain injuries in a crash with a cement mixer.

The result that can be obtained in a specific brain injury case will depend on a number of different factors. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in a future case. It is important to meet with a brain injury attorney to discuss the unique factors in your case.

Should You Get a Lawyer After an Accident?

Call the brain injury attorneys at Marks & Harrison today or connect with us online. Our Richmond brain injury lawyers can provide a free consultation and put our legal team on your case right away. We serve clients in Richmond and from offices located throughout Virginia.

A brain injury victim in Richmond, Virginia gets a medical assessment for his traumatic brain injury claim.

 

What Are The Leading Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a sudden external force, such as a blow or a jolt to the head. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain damage. However, even a “mild” concussion can have serious consequences, so seeing a doctor after any potential head injury is essential. The severity of a TBI often depends on the nature of the injury and the affected area of the brain.

When a person suffers severe traumatic brain injury caused by head trauma, the extent of the damage is throughout the brain. The victim may fall into a coma or prolonged vegetative state. Life-threatening complications may arise.

In many cases, a person may suffer a mild or moderate form of TBI such as a concussion or an injury that impacts only part of the brain. However, a victim may not realize the extent or seriousness of the injury that he or she has suffered. For this reason, you should always go to the emergency room or see your family doctor after you have been in an accident of any type.

Pay close attention to whether you or a loved one is showing these common signs and symptoms of TBI:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Vision problems
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Speech problems (such as slurring of words)
  • Fatigue
  • Amnesia
  • Concentration problems
  • Behavioral problems (including depression, anxiety, and mood swings).

A doctor may put you through a series of tests that include an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Treatment may include surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. Medication may also be required to deal with the effects of TBI.

An insurance claim or lawsuit would seek recovery of all medical care expenses you have incurred for care and treatment of TBI as well as all future costs, including any nursing care that may be needed. Compensation would also be pursued to account for lost income and diminished future earning capacity as well as pain and suffering.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries?

Some of the most common causes of brain injuries in Virginia include the following:

  • Car accidents – Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of TBIs, often resulting from the crash’s impact, which can cause an occupant to hit their head on the vehicle’s interior or jolt the head enough to cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull.
  • Truck accidents – Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents involving these vehicles can result in catastrophic injuries, including severe brain trauma.
  • Motorcycle accidents – Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to brain injuries because they have little protection in crashes, especially when not wearing helmets.
  • Bicycle accidents – Cyclists can suffer from TBIs due to collisions with motor vehicles or falls caused by poor road conditions.
  • Pedestrian accidents – Like cyclists, pedestrians have little protection in motor vehicle accidents, so they are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries, including TBIs. If the initial impact from a pedestrian accident doesn’t cause a brain injury, the pedestrian might sustain an injury from hitting their head on the ground.
  • Slip-and-falls – Falls from slipping or tripping can cause severe brain injuries, particularly for older adults and young children.
  • Workplace accidents – Workplace accidents involving heavy machinery, falls from heights, or falling objects can lead to an on-the-job TBI.
  • Medical malpractice – When medical professionals make mistakes or act carelessly, such as making surgical errors or failing to diagnose, patients can suffer brain damage. Medical errors made during the labor and delivery process are particularly common.

What You Should Do After a Brain Injury

Taking the right steps after a brain injury can protect your health and legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

  • Seek immediate medical attention. Even mild symptoms can indicate a serious injury.
  • Follow your doctor’s recommendations. Attend all follow-up appointments and follow prescribed treatment plans.
  • Document your symptoms. Keep a journal of how the injury affects your daily life.
  • Gather evidence. If the injury resulted from an accident, collect photos, witness statements, and any relevant reports.
  • Contact a Richmond brain injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Acting quickly can make a difference in your recovery and your case. Consult with a Richmond brain injury attorney to get started.

Are There Any Long-Term Effects from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term effects that significantly impact a person’s quality of life. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the potential long-term effects of a TBI may include:

  • Memory problems
  • Shortened attention span
  • Difficulty solving complex problems
  • Impaired judgment
  • Difficulty talking or understanding what other people say
  • Difficulty writing or reading
  • Changes in senses (vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, etc.)
  • Paralysis or issues with coordination and movement
  • Tremors
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Seizures
  • Coma

How Can Our Richmond Head Injury Lawyers Help TBI Victims in Virginia?

A brain injury attorney in Richmond, Virginia helps a client understand her claim.A traumatic brain injury case can be challenging. It requires conducting a thorough and efficient investigation into how a victim suffered the injury and who should be held legally accountable, or liable. It also demands a careful analysis of the nature of the injury and how it has impacted the life of the TBI victim and his or her loved ones.

At Marks & Harrison, we can put the full extent of our resources to work for you. We work with an experienced team of investigators. We also hire accident reconstruction experts and forensic engineers to help us evaluate liability.

Additionally, our TBI lawyers consult with doctors, nurses, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and forensic economists to determine the amount that should be sought in past and future medical costs as well as lost past and future earnings.

We also seek input from psychologists and others on the pain and suffering, emotional loss, and impaired mental functioning that you or a loved one has suffered due to traumatic brain injury.

At our Richmond brain injury law firm, we understand the challenges that TBI victims and their families face. We’ve been helping brain injury victims for years, and we are ready to help you or your loved one. If your life has been altered by a brain injury that arose through no fault of your own, our goal will be to seek the maximum amount of compensation in your case. Contact a Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer today.

What Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Cases Do We Handle?

It helps to work with a law firm that has experience with the many different types of cases in which traumatic brain injury can be sustained.

We can assist those who have suffered TBI in cases involving:

  • A representation of a TBI.Falls – As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, falls are the leading cause of TBI in our country. We can assist those who have suffered a brain injury due to a slip and fall, a fall at work, or a fall that occurs due to nursing home abuse and neglect.
  • Motor vehicle accidents – Car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are the second-leading cause of TBI in the U.S., the CDC states. The impact of a crash can result in a blow to the head or a violent jolt that damages brain tissue and nerves.
  • Workplace accidents – In addition to suffering TBI due to a fall from a roof, ladder, or scaffolding at a construction site, a worker may be harmed by falling tools, materials, or equipment. Our firm can assist with seeking workers’ compensation benefits or, in some cases, personal injury damages through a third-party liability claim.
  • Medical malpractice – We focus on helping families cope with TBI that is caused by medical negligence during the delivery of a child. A child may suffer permanent disability due to such birth injuries.
  • Military service – Many veterans must cope with a disability caused by brain injuries they suffered during their service to our country. We can help with seeking veterans’ benefits and other forms of relief.
  • Sports and recreation accidents – All too often, our children suffer concussions and other forms of TBI due to improper management of the injury by coaches, trainers, and athletic directors. We can assist with holding negligent parties accountable.

Can I Seek Compensation for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

If someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your brain injury, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, diminished quality of life, incidental costs, and other losses.

The value of your brain injury claim depends on various factors, such as the severity of your injury, the extent of your medical treatment, and the injury’s impact on your quality of life. Our experienced attorneys can calculate the potential value of your claim after reviewing all your losses

Our skilled Virginia brain injury lawyers can assess whether you may have a valid claim. If you do, we have the knowledge, resources, and commitment to fight for maximum compensation for all your losses.

How Long Will My Brain Injury Case Take to Settle?

The time it takes to settle a brain injury case depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your claim, the willingness of the at-fault party to settle, and the timeline of any court proceedings. It’s essential to have a dedicated attorney handle your case to help expedite the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.

Is There a Time Limit in Virginia for Filing My Brain Injury Lawsuit?

The Virginia statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss the statutory deadline, your case could be dismissed, and you could lose your right to seek compensation in civil court.

Therefore, consulting with our TBI attorneys as soon as possible is crucial. Our brain injury lawyers can keep track of deadlines and ensure necessary paperwork is filed on time.

Get Help from a Top Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney, Today!

A Richmond brain injury lawyer speaks with his clients.If you or someone close to you has suffered a TBI, the Richmond brain injury lawyers at Marks and Harrison Personal Injury Lawyers can help you to seek all personal injury damages and disability benefits you are due. We have been voted “Best Law Firm in Richmond” 2015-2019 “RTD The Best” by readers of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and we can serve clients from offices throughout Virginia. Contact us today and get started with a free consultation.