Under Virginia’s law, you can recover compensation to cover the costs related to a traumatic brain injury if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. If this is unfortunately your case, we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries. At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we bring to the table over 50 years of personal injury law experience and have been helping victims in Petersburg and all across Virginia get the compensation they deserve since 1972.
Our Petersburg Attorneys Will Fight for Your Right to Compensation After a TBI
To successfully claim the compensation you’re entitled to by law, you need to have knowledgeable legal representation. In this situation, our team of Petersburg lawyers can help you navigate Virginia’s personal injury laws and advocate effectively on your behalf.
But, what can we offer to assist with your case?
On the one hand, we know how to gather and present all necessary evidence to build a compelling case that clearly demonstrates the other party’s liability. This heightens the chances of you getting fairly financially restituted. On the one hand, we also manage negotiations with insurance companies and opposing parties, aiming to secure a settlement that fully covers your injury’s damages.
Additionally, we understand the emotional and physical toll a TBI can take. Our goal is to ensure you have the necessary resources and support to focus on your recovery, while we handle all aspects of your case, from paperwork to difficult conversations with insurance companies.
For answers to your questions with a traumatic brain injury serving Petersburg, call:
804-862-1234
What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries impact how your brain functions and can be caused by a blow, a forceful bump or jolt to the head, or from an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain. The majority of traumatic brain injuries are considered “closed,” meaning that the force that strikes the head doesn’t penetrate the skull. Other traumatic brain injuries are penetrating injuries that do penetrate the skull. Not all bumps or injuries to the head will result in a traumatic brain injury, but when they do, such an injury can affect memory, communication, comprehension, actions, movement, coordination, and how the brain processes information.
Categories of Traumatic Brain Injuries
About 75% of traumatic brain injuries fall into the “mild” category. This is usually referred to as a mild concussion and can cause brief alterations of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, and confusion that lasts less than 24 hours.
A moderate traumatic brain injury is usually accompanied by a loss of consciousness that lasts more than 30 minutes but less than a day, and can cause confusion for up to a week.
A severe traumatic brain injury results in loss of consciousness or coma for more than 24 hours and will generally show changes in a CT scan of the head or MRI of the brain. Severe traumatic brain injury includes widespread damage to all parts of the brain. After days or weeks, the individual may emerge from the coma, or be left in a potentially permanent vegetative state.
Physical Complications from Traumatic Brain Injuries
The physical complications associated with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury include:
- Seizures
- Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)
- Brain infections
- An altered sense of taste or smell
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Damage to the blood vessels in the brain, leading to stroke or blood clots
- Chronic, severe headaches
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ringing in the ears
- Hearing loss
- Chronic vertigo
These physical symptoms may persist for weeks, months, years, or for the remainder of the person’s life.
Cognitive and Communication Challenges
Many people who have experienced moderate to severe brain injury will experience significant cognitive changes, such as difficulty focusing, processing thoughts, memory issues, and challenges with multitasking and problem-solving. Communication problems are also common, including:
- Difficulty speaking or writing and understanding speech or writing
- Trouble participating in or following conversations
- Difficulty taking turns in conversations with others
- Problems understanding changes in pitch, tone, or emphasis
- Difficulty interpreting non-verbal signals
Problems with communication can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and frustration for the individual with a traumatic brain injury as well as for his or her loved ones.
Behavioral Changes Following TBIs
Changes in behavior are also common among those with traumatic brain injuries, potentially including:
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Difficulty with self-control
- Verbal and physical outbursts
- Difficulty navigating social situations
Depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, anger, and lack of empathy for others are common emotional responses. The financial toll for those with traumatic brain injuries and their families can be severe, with lifetime treatment costs estimated between $85,000 and $3 million.
Having an experienced Petersburg traumatic brain injury lawyer from Tronfeld West & Durrett by your side can take the worry about the financial aspect of a TBI from your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the medical aspect.
Types of Accidents Related to TBI
Traumatic brain injuries arise from a multitude of causes, but pinpointing the root cause is essential to determine who is at fault and thus responsible for compensating the victims. Here are the most common types of TBI cases we’ve seen in Petersburg over the years:
- Car accidents: In these cases, negligence often involves distracted driving, speeding, or violating traffic laws.
- Truck accidents: Similar to car accidents, truck accidents caused by negligence involve issues like driver fatigue, improper loading, or maintenance failures.
- Slip and fall incidents: Common in public and private properties (and thus examples of premises liability cases), these result from unmarked hazards, poor lighting, or slippery surfaces.
- Medical malpractice: This involves negligence on the part of healthcare professionals, often due to misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or improper treatment leading to TBIs.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Our team takes full responsibility for communicating with insurance providers on your behalf. Insurers use many tactics to minimize payouts, offering lowball settlements or unfairly denying claims altogether. In this situation, our team of personal injury lawyers serves as a counteracting force to effectively negotiate and argue for a settlement that covers all your needs.
By meticulously reviewing the insurance policies to identify all coverages that apply to your situation, as well as your case’s specific circumstances and needs, you won’t have to even think about dealing with insurers. We’ll identify the negligence involved, build a solid case, negotiate, litigate, and overall aggressively pursue your right to compensation.
Damages We Can Secure for You After Getting Diagnosed With TBI in Petersburg
In personal injury cases, “damages” is a legal term that refers to the monetary compensation awarded for losses that stem from someone else’s negligence. Recovering these damages helps victims manage the financial, emotional, and physical impact of the injury, so they don’t have to shoulder the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses encompass all of the immediate and future costs needed for treating the injury. This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medical treatments, and any ongoing medical needs.
Lost Wages and Future Earnings
When TBIs affect your ability to work, you end up with lost wages and possibly a diminished future earning capacity. To cover this, we assess your current and potential future income, including career progression and opportunities lost due to the injury.
Pain and Suffering
Lastly, compensation for pain and suffering addresses the non-economic, subjective impact of your injury. This includes physical discomfort, emotional distress, and an overall decrease in life quality. At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we employ a comprehensive approach to calculate and maximize your compensation that includes gathering evidence, consulting with medical and financial experts, and using our legal expertise to build a strong case.
For example, we recently handled a case involving a 14-month-old infant who sustained a severe TBI that led to permanent physical and cognitive disabilities. The case resulted in a $675,000 settlement after careful consideration of all the damages incurred by the infant and their family due to the TBI.
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Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury? – Legal Options We Will Consider
In Virginia, personal injury victims often take one of the following paths when looking to pursue legal action:
Negotiating a Settlement
This includes negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party or their insurance company to achieve a fair settlement out of court (which will save you time and stress).
Filing a Lawsuit
However, sometimes it isn’t possible to agree on a settlement that’s in your best interest. In these cases, we’re prepared to take your case to court by building a compelling case, arguing for it in trial, and defending your rights in front of a jury and judge.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim
Another option is to file a personal injury claim. When taking this route, our attorneys can help you file all the necessary paperwork by adhering to the formal requirements and stipulated timelines. Presenting a strong case with plenty of evidence will heighten the chances for a favorable outcome.
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What Should You Do if You Have a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident?
Medical treatment is essential following an accident that results in a TBI. Emergency care for moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries will focus on ensuring that the individual has enough oxygen and an adequate blood supply. This, in conjunction with maintaining blood pressure and preventing further damage to the head and/or neck, can make a significant difference in the outcome of the individual’s TBI. Even if you think you only have a minor bump on the head, you should immediately seek medical attention. Many times, individuals with concussions and TBIs are not fully aware of the extent of their injury until hours, days, or even weeks after the accident.
Our Attorneys in Petersburg are Big Enough to Handle Any Case – Maximize Your Compensation for a TBI
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, our team is big enough to manage any case of catastrophic injury, no matter its complexity and impact. We are here to assist you by analyzing all the options available and providing honest advice on the real case result amounts you should expect.
We offer you a free initial screening call for you to discuss your case in detail with our expert lawyers and start thinking of a legal strategy moving forward. Contact us to talk with an attorney.
Call or text 804-862-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form