Depending on the severity of the incident, brain injuries can be life-altering and leave families grappling with long-term consequences, including ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and financial burdens. If this is your case, you can pursue legal action in Virginia and recover compensation to cover all these costs.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we’ve been helping injured individuals seek justice since 1972. Our attorneys can help you navigate each step of your claim, from investigating the incident to negotiating with insurers or representing you in court. When working with us, you can rest assured of having an expert team pursuing maximum compensation on your behalf.
How Our Virginia Brain Injury Attorneys Can Help Your Case
With over 50 years of experience in personal injury law in Virginia, you can trust our team at Tronfeld West & Durrett to provide comprehensive legal support for your brain injury case. Here’s how we help:
- Investigating the accident: Our team conducts in-depth investigations to determine the exact cause of your injury.
- Working with medical experts to assess injuries: We collaborate with diverse medical professionals to understand the full extent of your brain injury.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We take care of negotiating fair settlements, leveraging our expertise to counter insurers’ tactics and secure the best possible outcome.
- Calculating current and future expenses: Our team works to calculate all costs stemming from your injury, ensuring your claim covers both your immediate and future expenses.
- Litigating in court if necessary: While many cases settle out of court, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure rightful compensation.
With a proven track record of successful case results, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted legal ally across Virginia. Our brain injury lawyers have the resources, knowledge, and determination to build solid cases that secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Serving Brain Injury Victims Across Virginia
Our attorneys represent brain injury victims across Virginia, helping them navigate the legal complexities associated with these severe injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can change lives in an instant, and our team is dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and long-term care needs. We offer representation in various cities throughout Virginia, including:
- Virginia Beach
- Richmond
- Fredericksburg
- Chesterfield
- Norfolk
- Petersburg
- Alexandria
- Newport News
- Mechanicsville
- Chesapeake
Our dedicated brain injury attorneys are here to provide compassionate, knowledgeable representation, working tirelessly to help you rebuild and move No matter where you are in Virginia, you can access our accessible, experienced legal support. We employ a contingency fee structure, meaning you can pursue legal action with no upfront costs: there are no fees unless we win your case.
Types of Brain Injuries We Handle
Brain injuries vary in type and severity, but the most common ones include:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): These brain injuries are caused by an external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head. They may be classified as open or closed head injuries.
- Open head injuries: Involve the skull being penetrated or fractured, leading to potentially more severe damage as bone fragments or objects penetrate the brain tissue.
- Closed head injuries: Occur when the brain is injured without any external object breaking through the skull.
Non-traumatic brain injuries: These occur due to internal factors, such as strokes, aneurysms, infections, or drug overdoses. While no external force is involved, the effects on the brain can be equally devastating.
- Concussions: A mild form of TBI caused by a blow or jolt to the head that may or may not result in a loss of consciousness.
- Anoxic brain injuries: These occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen for an extended period, resulting in significant damage.
- Penetrating brain injuries: These are caused by an object piercing the skull and damaging the brain.
How Brain Injuries Are Classified
Brain injuries can also be classified by their severity, which is important in determining the necessary treatment and potential long-term impact. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess the level of brain function based on the patient’s ability to speak, respond to commands, and move. Brain injuries are classified as:
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS 13-15): Often referred to as a concussion, this involves a loss of consciousness for up to 30 minutes, though some mild TBIs do not cause a loss of consciousness. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and “brain fog.” While many mild TBIs resolve within a few weeks, it’s not unusual for symptoms to last for months or even a year or more.
- Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS 9-12): Moderate TBIs involve a loss of consciousness for between 30 minutes and 24 hours. Patients may experience confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with cognition and coordination. These injuries often require hospitalization, therapy, and long-term care.
- Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS 3-8): Severe TBIs result in a loss of consciousness for more than 24 hours. Patients with severe TBIs often require extensive medical intervention and rehabilitation, with lasting impacts on their ability to walk, talk, or live independently.
Understanding the classification and severity of your brain injury is essential for building a strong case for compensation. At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we consider all aspects of your injury when pursuing your legal claim.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Brain Injury Case?
Brain injury victims in Virginia may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs: Compensation for all past, current, and future medical treatments, rehabilitation, and any long-term care required.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Traumatic brain injury often requires long-term rehabilitation and therapy, which can be extremely costly. Compensation can cover these expenses, ensuring you have access to the care you need.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible for compensation for lost wages, as well as any reduction in your future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: Damages awarded for the physical pain and discomfort endured as a result of the injury.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological suffering, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages awarded for the victim’s reduced ability to participate in or enjoy everyday activities or hobbies.
- Loss of Consortium: If the injury has negatively impacted your marital relationship, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship and intimacy with your spouse.
Punitive Damages
- In cases where the injury was caused by intentional or reckless conduct, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages. These damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
Timeframe to Pursue Legal Action – Statute of Limitations for Brain Injury Cases in Virginia
In Virginia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including brain injuries, is generally two years from the date of the injury, as per Virginia Code §8.01-243.
Failing to file within the statute of limitations can result in losing your right to compensation, so make sure you seek legal help as soon as possible after the incident.
We’re Big Enough to Handle Any Case – Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer in Virginia Today
With over 50 years of experience, we have a proven track record of helping brain injury victims secure the compensation they deserve, and we can do the same for you. To schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward justice, contact us today.