Traumatic brain injuries affect the entire family of the injured person. When your loved one suffers a brain injury, you will not only face enormous medical bills, but due to the long-term effects of the injury, you may have to provide a lifetime of care for a person who has lost many of his or her former functional abilities.
At the law firm of Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, our wrongful death and serious injury attorneys in Chicago realize that these demands take a large emotional and financial toll on your entire family. Our injury lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of TBI and their families seek the compensation they need and hold the at-fault parties responsible for the damage they have caused.
Call a brain injury lawyer in Illinois at (312) 701-0090 to fight for the justice brain injury victims deserve. Fight greedy insurance companies today.
Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Contact an Attorney at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Today
Experienced, Compassionate Lawyers
Our Chicago personal injury law firm understands the complexity that these injury cases present. Our injury lawyers in Illinois have decades of experience litigating accident cases for injury victims. We know how to build the most compelling case to help you obtain a sense of closure and justice.
Our brain injury attorneys in Illinois also understand that this is a traumatic experience for you and your family. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers will talk to you candidly about your case, and ensure that you understand your rights and your ability to settle or take your case to trial.
What Auto Accidents Cause Brain Injuries?
Brain injury cases can arise from a variety of different accidents. Your loved one may have a lawsuit if they were injured in a:
- Motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence
- Collision caused by a truck or commercial vehicle
- Car accident caused by a distracted driver
- Construction accident on the job
- Work incident involving dangerous conditions
- Defective product accident
Any brain injury or head injury case, even those involving a mild traumatic brain injury, is inherently complex. You will need an experienced Illinois attorney on your side to properly investigate your case and prove causation of the responsible parties.
Brain Injury Statistics
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, at least 64 million adults report having experienced one or more TBIs in their lifetime, and there are 2.9 million TBI-related emergency department visits each year in the United States alone. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence in Chicago, you may be entitled to significant compensation — and an experienced attorney can help you fight for it.
What Types Of Brain Injuries Are There?
Brain injuries can range in severity and type, depending on the circumstances of the accident of brain injury victims. Understanding the different types is important when assessing the impact on an individual’s life. They may include:
Concussions
This is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt. While often considered minor, repeated concussions can result in long-term complications for brain injury victims.
Contusions
These are bruises on the brain, often caused by a direct impact. These can lead to swelling, pressure on the brain or more severe complications requiring surgery.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
They occur when the brain is shaken or rotated inside the skull, damaging the brain’s nerve fibers. Diffuse axonal injuries are common in high-impact car accidents and can lead to permanent damage or coma.
Coup-contrecoup Injuries
This occurs when the brain strikes one side of the skull and then rebounds to hit the opposite side. This type of injury is often associated with severe blunt force trauma.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating injuries happen when an object pierces the skull and brain. These injuries can cause severe damage and often require immediate surgical intervention.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s actions, a traumatic brain injury attorney can help you.
What Are Common Symptoms Of A Traumatic Brain Injury?
After an accident, it can be difficult to see signs of an injury. Some minor brain injuries, such as a concussion, can linger long after the crash. Some common symptoms include:
- Memory loss
- Lack of balance
- Intense headaches
- Loss of consciousness
Any of these could indicate signs of a serious head injury. You need to seek medical attention as soon as possible to be able to connect your injuries to the motor vehicle accident.
“My settlement was more than I expected, extremely happy with the results.”
Jeff Salazar
Who Is Responsible For Your Chicago Brain Injury?
Determining responsibility after a brain injury depends on how the injury occurred and who contributed to the incident. Brain injuries often result from serious accidents, and multiple parties may be involved. Liability may fall on:
- Negligent drivers: Car, truck, or motorcycle drivers who cause collisions through speeding, distraction, or impaired driving.
- Property owners: Unsafe conditions such as wet floors, poor lighting, or broken stairs may lead to falls that cause head injuries.
- Employers or contractors: Workplace accidents, especially in construction or industrial settings, may involve unsafe conditions or safety violations.
- Medical providers: In some cases, brain injuries may worsen due to delayed diagnosis, improper treatment, or surgical errors.
- Manufacturers: Defective products, including vehicle parts or safety equipment, may contribute to serious injuries.
Establishing liability often requires a detailed investigation into how the injury occurred, including reviewing accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. Identifying all responsible parties is critical to pursuing full compensation.
What Possible Damages Can You Recover In A Brain Injury Lawsuit?
Illinois victims may be entitled to various damages when pursuing a brain injury lawsuit to address their losses. They include:
Medical Expenses
Brain injury cases can involve extensive medical costs, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation and long-term treatment.
Lost Income
A brain injury can leave victims unable to work, resulting in lost wages. In some cases, diminished earning capacity for the future is also considered.
Pain And Suffering
Victims may be compensated for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by their injuries. Brain injuries can lead to long-term psychological effects.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
By understanding the potential damages, victims can better handle the complexities of a legal claim.
Why Are Brain Injury Cases So Complex?
Brain injury claims present unique challenges that can make it difficult for victims to handle the process on their own.
Difficulty Proving the Injury
Brain injuries are not always visible on standard imaging tests. Symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and personality changes may develop over time, making it harder to clearly link the injury to the accident without detailed medical support.
Need for Medical Experts
These claims often require input from neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other specialists. Understanding medical reports and coordinating expert evaluations can be difficult without experience handling complex injury cases.
Long-Term and Uncertain Effects
Brain injuries can have lasting consequences that are not immediately clear. Victims may face ongoing cognitive, emotional, or physical challenges. Calculating future medical care, lost income, and long-term needs requires careful analysis.
Insurance Company Challenges
Insurance companies frequently question the severity of brain injuries or argue that symptoms are unrelated to the accident. They may attempt to minimize payouts, especially in cases involving long-term care.
Complex Evidence and Documentation
Brain injury claims often involve extensive medical records, expert reports, and documentation showing how the injury affects daily life. Managing this evidence while recovering can be overwhelming for most victims.
These factors make brain injury claims significantly more complex than standard injury cases and often difficult to handle without legal and medical support.
How To Choose A Brain Injury Attorney
Choosing the right attorney is an important decision after a brain injury, as it can have a significant impact on the outcome. When evaluating a brain injury attorney, consider the following:
- Experience with serious injury cases: Brain injury claims require an understanding of both legal strategy and medical evidence.
- Ability to work with medical experts: These cases often rely on neurologists, life care planners, and other specialists to explain the extent of the injury.
- Clear communication: An attorney should explain the legal process, provide updates, and answer questions in a straightforward manner.
- Resources to handle complex cases: Brain injury claims may require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and long-term planning for damages.
- Contingency fee structure: Most personal injury attorneys handle these cases without upfront fees, allowing clients to pursue claims without immediate financial burden.
A brain injury can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Working with an attorney who understands these challenges can help ensure that the case is handled with the attention it requires.
Is Your Loved One Suffering From A Traumatic Brain Injury?
Contact Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC today for a free case consultation with an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney. Our brain injury attorneys represent clients throughout the Chicago area.
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