Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) happen from impacts to the head or sudden body jolts. They cause serious physical, mental, and emotional challenges. TBIs often stem from falls, car crashes, or workplace accidents. Victims and their families face long-term effects that disrupt daily life.
Our traumatic brain injury lawyer in Chicago is dedicated to supporting TBI victims. Hence, our team offers skilled, compassionate representation to secure your deserved justice and compensation.
Why Choose a Personal Injury Attorney for Traumatic Brain Injury Claims?
At Chicago Injury Lawyer, we understand the life-changing impact of a traumatic brain injury. Our TBI lawyers combine legal expertise with a client-focused approach to fight for justice and full compensation.
Proven Expertise in TBI Cases
- Decades of experience handling complex traumatic brain injury claims.
- In-depth knowledge of Illinois personal injury and TBI-related laws.
- Skilled in managing cases involving severe accidents, workplace injuries, and negligence.
Exceptional Results for Our Clients
- A strong record of securing millions in compensation for TBI victims.
- Trusted by clients to deliver outcomes that ease financial and emotional burdens.
Personalized Legal Representation
- We develop custom strategies based on your unique case and needs.
- Ongoing support and updates to ensure you’re informed every step of the way.
Our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers Will Fight for Your Compensation
- Past & future medical expenses
- Lost income & reduced earning capacity
- Caretaking costs
- Disability or loss of normal life
- Pain & suffering (physical & mental)
- Increased risk of future harm
- Shortened life expectancy
Fortunately, no costs are charged unless you receive compensation. Let our Chicago Injury Lawyer group fight for you. Get a free consultation at (312) 261-5656 to get started reclaiming your life.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage caused by external forces. The Brain Injury Association of America identifies two types of brain injuries:
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): Caused by internal factors like oxygen deprivation.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Caused by external factors like impacts or jolts.
Common Causes of TBI
- Striking or being struck by an object.
- Sudden, violent jolts or shaking.
- Objects penetrating the skull.
TBI disrupts the brain’s structure and impairs normal function. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights its impact on:
- Thinking: Memory, concentration, and reasoning.
- Sensation: Touch, taste, smell, and hearing.
- Communication: Speaking, understanding, and processing.
- Emotions: Emotional regulation and social interactions.
Some individuals recover fully from TBI. However, many face lasting challenges, requiring lifelong care and support. Symptoms may persist for years, severely impacting quality of life.
Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their Impact
If you or a loved one recently suffered a head injury, it may be one of these common types of brain damage:
- Contusion: A bruise on the brain from a direct impact. Swelling can be dangerous and requires surgery to relieve pressure and maintain oxygen flow.
- Concussion: A mild form of TBI that may cause brief unconsciousness or confusion. It can lead to headaches, dizziness, emotional changes, and vulnerability to further concussions. Repeated concussions can lead to dementia or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- Hematomas: A blood clot in the brain can be serious or fatal if not treated.
- Hemorrhages: Uncontrolled bleeding within the brain or around the brain.
- Edemas: Swelling in the brain’s soft tissue can be extremely dangerous.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury: Widespread brain damage from a severe jolt or shaking. It often results from car accidents and is one of the most common TBI types.
- Coup-Contrecoup: A powerful impact causes brain damage on both sides. It can impair memory, coordination, balance, and sensory abilities.
- Penetration: When an object or skull fracture causes foreign material to enter the brain, leading to severe damage and possible long-term disability.
Treatment and Costs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often requires extensive medical care, including:
- Emergency treatment
- Surgery
- X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- Medications
- Intensive care
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Long recovery periods
- Assistive devices
- Ongoing care and counseling
For severe TBI, an interdisciplinary team may include a physician, neurologist, surgeon, therapist, and psychologist. Rehabilitation may start during hospitalization and extend for months on an outpatient basis.
The costs of treatment can quickly escalate. Within a few months, expenses may reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Over a lifetime, depending on the severity of the injury and the victim’s age, costs can total several million dollars.
What is Your Brain Injury Claim Worth?
The value of your brain injury claim depends on several factors. These include the severity of your injury, who is at fault, and the available insurance. Our TBI lawyers can assess the potential value of your claim by considering the following:
- The medical costs for treating your brain injury.
- Future medical expenses you may need for continued care.
- Loss of income if you had to miss work due to the injury.
- The impact on your future earning potential if the injury causes long-term disability.
- Compensation for pain, suffering, and any reduction in your quality of life.
Let our traumatic brain injuries advocate help you determine what your claim is truly worth.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Traumatic Brain Injuries?
If someone else’s negligence caused your brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation. The responsible party could include:
- Vehicle Drivers: Negligent drivers in car or truck accidents can be held liable for TBIs.
- Manufacturers: Defective products may cause brain injuries, and the manufacturer could be at fault.
- Property Owners: If unsafe conditions on a property cause injury, the owner may be liable. Victims can file Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act against owners.
- Medical Professionals: Medical malpractice that causes brain damage, such as internal bleeding or oxygen deprivation, may violate the Illinois Medical Malpractice Act.
- Employers: If a worker sustains a brain injury on the job, the employer is typically responsible for compensation through workers’ compensation insurance.
Legal Right For Traumatic Brain Injuries Accident
In Illinois, traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases generally fall under personal injury law. However, several key acts and legal principles may apply depending on the circumstances of the accident:
- Personal Injury Law:
- This is the primary framework for most TBI claims. It allows victims to seek compensation for injuries caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of others. It includes claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from a TBI.
- Comparative Fault Act:
- Under this act, Illinois follows a modified comparative fault system. If the injured party is partially at fault for the accident, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault, as long as it is not greater than 50%.
- Premises Liability Act:
- Suppose a TBI results from a fall or accident on someone else’s property (such as poor maintenance can cause you to slip and fall). In that case, property owners may be held liable under this act if they were negligent in maintaining a safe environment.
- Workers’ Compensation Act:
- If a brain injury occurs at the workplace, the Workers’ Compensation Act may apply. This act provides benefits to workers injured on the job, including those who suffer brain injuries.
- Wrongful Death Act:
- If the TBI leads to death, the Wrongful Death Act allows family members of the deceased to seek compensation for their loss. This includes medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.
Each of these laws can affect how a TBI case is handled, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the critical injury. An experienced traumatic brain injury attorney can help determine which laws apply to your case.
Talk to Us for Free Legal Guidance
If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, Chicago Injury Lawyer is here to help. Reach out today to speak with our traumatic brain injuries lawyer regarding your legal options. You shouldn’t wait to seek justice. Let us begin working on your traumatic brain injury case right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a TBI and a concussion?
A concussion is a mild form of TBI, but severe TBIs can result in permanent brain damage and require long-term care.
How do I prove negligence in a TBI case?
You must show that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury.
How long do I have to file a TBI claim in Chicago?
In Illinois, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim.
