How to Find a Brain Injury Lawyer Near Me

Brain injuries can be devastating, impacting not only the physical health of the victim but also their emotional, social, and financial well-being. Unfortunately, brain injuries are not uncommon, with approximately 2.87 million people in the United States suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year.

If you or a close one has suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence or intentional act, it is essential to know that you have legal options to pursue compensation for your damages.

Make sure to stay with us till the end to learn what brain injuries are, how they affect the victims, and how to find the right legal representation.

So that you can focus on your recovery and move forward with the confidence that your legal rights are being protected. Let’s get started and learn how to find the right brain injury lawyer to support you on this challenging journey.

What Is a Catastrophic Brain Injury?

A catastrophic brain injury is a severe and often life-altering injury to the brain. A traumatic impact or injury typically characterizes it to the head, which significantly damages the tissue of the brain. Catastrophic brain injuries can cause a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments, depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Some of the common symptoms of a catastrophic brain injury include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Speech and language difficulties
• Impaired memory and concentration
• Vision and hearing loss
• Mood and behavioral changes

A catastrophic brain injury can sometimes also result in permanent disability or even death.

What Are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?

Have you ever experienced a bump to your head that left you feeling a little woozy afterward? While some head injuries may be temporary and mild, others can have serious and long-lasting effects on the brain. Several types of brain injuries can occur, from mild traumatic brain injury to severe brain injury, each with unique symptoms and potential complications.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) typically occurs due to a sudden and forceful blow, jolt, or impact to the head. This can happen due to various events, such as a car accident, a sports injury, or a fall. When such an impact occurs, the brain inside the skull may be jostled around, leading to potential brain damage and ultimately resulting in a TBI.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but they often include a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.

Some common symptoms of TBI include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression

In some cases, the symptoms of TBI may not appear immediately after the injury but may develop over time as the brain tries to heal itself.

Brain Stem Injury

The brain stem serves as a bridge that connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is a critical part of the central nervous system, regulating many of the body’s essential functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

As a result, a brain stem injury can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Various factors, including a blow to the head, a sports injury, or a car accident, can cause brain stem injuries.

Brain Stem Injury Symptoms

These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury but can include the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking

Damage to the brain stem can lead to limb paralysis or loss of sensation. Treatment can be challenging and may involve surgery to relieve pressure and rehabilitation to regain function.

Concussions

It is a traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden impact or jolt to the head or body. When the head is hit, the brain can be jostled inside the skull, leading to temporary changes in brain function.

Symptoms of Concussions

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness (in some cases)
• Feeling dazed or stunned
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Fatigue or feeling sluggish
• Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
• Memory problems

Concussions are considered brain injuries because they can cause changes in brain function and, in some cases, damage brain tissue. While most concussions are mild and resolve independently with rest and time, repeated or severe concussions can lead to more serious and long-term complications.

Penetrating Brain Injury

Penetrating brain injury (PBI) is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a foreign object, such as a bullet, knife, or shrapnel, enters the skull and penetrates the brain. PBI is a severe and potentially life-threatening injury that can cause a range of neurological symptoms, including:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Cognitive impairment

The severity of a PBI depends on various factors, including the shape, size, and speed of the penetrating object at which it enters the skull, and the location of the injury within the brain.

What is Anoxic Brain Injury?

This type of injury occurs when the brain is completely deprived of oxygen, leading to a lack of energy production in the brain cells. Without a constant oxygen supply, the brain cells quickly become damaged, leading to potentially severe and permanent brain injuries.

There are two types of anoxia brain injuries:

Global anoxia – occurs when the entire brain is deprived of oxygen. Global anoxia brain injuries are typically caused by events that prevent oxygen from reaching the brain, such as drowning, suffocation, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Focal anoxia – arises when only a portion of the brain is deprived of oxygen. Focal anoxia brain injuries can occur due to a stroke or heart attack, interrupting the blood flow to a specific brain area.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of anoxia include:

• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Seizures
• Coma
• Changes in personality or behavior
• Muscle weakness

What is Hypoxic Brain Injury?

Hypoxia occurs when the brain receives an insufficient supply of oxygen. It can occur due to several reasons, such as heart failure, respiratory failure, or exposure to high altitudes.

In addition, Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is also common in newborn babies during labor. It happens mainly due to the negligence of medical professionals.

The symptoms of hypoxia can vary depending on the damage of the injury and the area of the brain affected. Mild cases may result in temporary symptoms, such as confusion, dizziness, or headaches, while more severe cases can lead to permanent disabilities or even death.

Diffuse Anoxal Injury

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain is rapidly rotated or shaken, causing the nerve fibers in the brain to stretch and tear. DAI can cause neurological symptoms, from mild cognitive impairment to coma or death.

Cerebral Contusion

A cerebral contusion is a TBI injury that occurs from a direct blow to the head. A bruise on the brain tissue occurs when the brain strikes the skull with enough force to cause bleeding or swelling. These contusions can occur anywhere in the brain but are most commonly seen in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Cerebral contusions are typically diagnosed using imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans. Treatment for a cerebral contusion may involve medication to control symptoms such as pain, swelling, or seizures. In serious cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a blood clot or relieve pressure on the brain.

Symptoms

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Nausea & vomiting
• Blurred vision

Stroke

It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, leading brain cells to die. Strokes can be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Symptoms include weakness or paralysis, difficulty speaking or understanding language, and vision or balance problems.

How to Find a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in New York

If you or a close one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in New York, finding a qualified and experienced lawyer is essential to obtain the best possible outcome for your case.

At Uptown Injury Law, our legal team of traumatic brain injury attorneys specializes in helping TBI victims throughout New York City, including the Bronx, Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn.

We understand how TBI injuries can be life-changing events. As such, we provide not only legal assistance but also emotional support to our clients who are struggling with such injuries.

In addition, we take a personalized approach to each case, ensuring we give you the attention you deserve and need. Our attorneys have the knowledge and years of experience in handling complex brain injury cases, and we fight tirelessly to protect your rights.

Moreover, Uptown Injury offers a free consultation to evaluate your case. Our personal injury lawyers team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay us any fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Type of Brain Injury Causes Memory Loss

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to various cognitive and neurological impairments, including memory loss. Amnesia is a condition in which an individual cannot form or recall new memories. TBI can cause amnesia in several ways:

• Disruption of brain structures involved in memory: The brain structures involved in memory formation and retrieval, the hippocampus and amygdala, can be damaged during TBI. When these structures are damaged, it can be difficult for the brain to encode and retrieve memories, leading to amnesia.
• Diffuse axonal injury: In severe cases of TBI, the brain’s axons, which transmit information between brain cells, can be damaged. This damage can result in a disconnection of brain circuits, leading to problems with memory formation and retrieval.
• Retrograde amnesia: Sometimes, traumatic brain injury victims may experience retrograde amnesia, in which they cannot recall memories from before the injury. This is thought to occur due to the disruption of neural connections in the brain that are responsible for storing and retrieving memories.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): TBI can also increase the risk of developing PTSD, which can cause amnesia for traumatic brain injuries. Individuals with PTSD may struggle to remember specific details about the traumatic event or experience gaps in their memory.

Do I Need Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney?

If you have suffered a TBI, hiring a brain injury lawyer can be extremely beneficial in helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Below are some of the benefits of hiring a traumatic brain injury lawyer:

Experience with brain injury cases

Brain injury lawyers have experience handling cases involving TBIs and are familiar with the legal and medical issues that can arise. Your brain injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.

Maximizing compensation

When you hire a brain injury lawyer, you benefit from their experience in handling cases involving TBIs and their knowledge of the legal and medical issues that can arise in these cases. Your lawyer will work with you to navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.

Furthermore, your brain injury attorney can reach out to the medical professionals treating you to gather all the necessary information to build a strong case. By working with these professionals, your lawyer can better understand the extent of your injuries and develop a strategy to maximize your compensation.

This collaboration ensures that you receive the best possible legal representation and that your medical needs are considered throughout the legal process.

Handling insurance companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially regarding traumatic brain injury cases where the insurance adjusters may try to reduce their payouts. However, you can alleviate this burden by seeking the assistance of a brain injury lawyer who can handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for a fair settlement.

Moreover, suppose the insurance company fails to settle. In that case, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you take legal action and bring your case to court to recover the compensation you deserve. With their expertise in brain injury law and extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies, a lawyer can provide the legal support and representation necessary to achieve a successful outcome in your case.

Investigating the cause of the injury

A thorough investigation is crucial in ensuring that you receive justice and the financial support needed to cope with the aftermath of traumatic brain injuries.

A traumatic brain injury attorney may help you with this by conducting a comprehensive investigation. This includes collecting vital evidence and medical records and interviewing witnesses. By doing so, your personal injury attorney can help identify the liable parties and build a strong case to seek the compensation you deserve.

Providing emotional support

Enduring a traumatic brain injury can be an overwhelming and distressing experience because of extreme emotional pain. Fortunately, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can offer more than legal assistance. They can also provide essential emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process, alleviating some of the stress and anxiety associated with your injury.

Having a compassionate and supportive personal injury attorney by your side makes you feel reassured that your case is handled with care and sensitivity and that you are not alone in this difficult journey.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers?

The good news is that most traumatic brain injury lawyers work on contingency fees, so you don’t have to pay anything upfront.

This means that you can get the legal representation you need without worrying about how to pay for it. Instead, the lawyer only gets paid if they successfully recover your compensation. By entrusting your legal affairs to your personal injury attorney, you can concentrate on your recovery without distractions.

Moreover, working on a contingency fee basis also means that your lawyer is highly motivated to get you the best possible outcome. He will do everything in his power to protect your rights and seek the maximum compensation you deserve.

How Much Compensation Do You Get for Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries can have devastating effects on a person’s life, resulting in physical, emotional, and financial challenges. However, every case is unique, and the amount of compensation awarded to the victim will depend on various factors, including the severity of the injury and the impact on the life of the brain injury victim.

Below are a few examples of TBI claims and their resulting compensation:

$22 Million Car Accident Injury

A 14-year-old girl suffered a TBI and other injuries after being hit by a car while crossing the street. Her family filed a traumatic brain injury lawsuit against the driver, and a jury awarded an astounding $22 million in damages.

$7.5 Million TBI Jury Award

In 2017, a man suffered a severe TBI and other injuries after being struck by a construction vehicle while riding his bike. The man’s family filed a brain injury lawsuit against both the driver and the construction company, resulting in a jury award of $7.5 million.

What Type of Traumatic Brain Injuries does Uptown Injury Law Handle?

After being in a serious brain injury, you know firsthand the physical, emotional, and toll that medical expenses can take. Therefore, finding a skilled personal injury attorney should be your top priority before filing a traumatic brain injury claim.

At Uptown Injury Law, we understand the complexities of TBI cases and have the experience and knowledge necessary to handle a wide range of brain injury claims. Here are some of the types of traumatic brain injuries we handle:

Road Accidents

If you are a victim of TBI in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, our traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Moreover, our brain injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate the injury accident to determine who was at fault and gather evidence to support your case.

Workplace Accidents

Workplace brain injuries can be caused by various factors, such as being struck by objects, vehicle accidents, or exposure to harmful substances or conditions. They can severely affect your physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being, leading to costly medical bills and lost wages.

To build a strong case, our personal injury attorneys will review your medical records and relevant documents and identify liable parties, including employers, contractors, and manufacturers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice-related TBI can significantly impact your life, leading to long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Such injuries can happen due to the negligence or mistakes of medical professionals, including surgical errors, delayed diagnosis or treatment, delivery room negligence, medication errors, or anesthesia errors.

Uptown Injury offers a free consultation to evaluate your case. Our brain injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about any upfront costs. Contact us today at 855-233-8728 to learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Related Questions

Can Brain Injury Cause Autism in Adults?

TBI has not been found to cause autism in adults directly. However, some individuals with TBI may display symptoms similar to autism, such as difficulty with social interactions and communication. This can lead to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of autism in some cases.

Can a Head Injury Cause a Brain Tumor?

There is no clear evidence that a head injury can cause a brain tumor. However, some studies have suggested a link between head trauma and an increased risk of developing certain types of brain tumors.

If you have any concerns about a head injury or brain tumor, seeking medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional is best. They can evaluate your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment or referrals.

Why Do Brain Injuries Change Your Appearance?

Brain injuries can sometimes change a person’s appearance due to physical trauma to the head, which can cause visible scars or disfigurement. Brain injuries can also affect the facial muscles in some cases, leading to drooping or uneven features.

Additionally, some brain injuries can cause changes to a person’s cognitive function or emotional regulation, which can impact their facial expressions and body language. These changes in appearance can be distressing for the person with the injury and may affect their self-esteem and confidence.