Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

In an instant, a traumatic brain injury can change someone’s life forever.  If you or a loved one suffered such an injury because of another’s negligence, you should know your rights and whether it makes sense to hire a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Connecticut.

In this article, we go over the key facts on traumatic brain injuries and your legal rights.

 

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering conditions that affect cognitive function, motor skills, and emotional well-being.

TBIs occur when there is a violent jolt to the head, brain, or neck either in the form of whiplash or a headstrike.

Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury

The leading causes of TBI in Connecticut include:

1. Car accidents
2. Falls, especially among older adults and young children
3. Falling objects landing on a person’s head
4. Sports-related injuries
5. Workplace accidents
6. Acts of violence
7. Catastrophic injuries

Even seemingly minor incidents in Connecticut can result in a TBI. For example, a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk or a fender bender car accident can cause a TBI.

Common Symptoms of Connecticut TBIs

Recognizing the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury is important for anyone in Connecticut who has experienced a head trauma. It’s important to be vigilant and seek medical attention if you notice any of the following signs:

Physical Symptoms:

1. Persistent headaches
2. Dizziness or balance problems
3. Nausea or vomiting
4. Sensitivity to light or sound
5. Blurred vision
6. Sexual dysfunction

Cognitive Symptoms:

1. Difficulty concentrating or remembering
2. Confusion or disorientation
3. Slowed thinking or processing
4. Trouble with decision-making

Emotional Symptoms:

1. Mood swings or irritability
2. Anxiety or depression
3. Personality changes
4. Unexplained anger

It’s important to note that symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. Some brain injury symptoms can develop over time, making it necessary to monitor your condition closely in the days and weeks following a head trauma. 

Medical Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injuries

The recovery process after a TBI can be lengthy and complex, often requiring specialized medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support. Each person’s recovery journey is unique, and progress may be gradual or unpredictable.

Some common medical providers and therapies to help you recover from TBIs are:

1. Neurologists – these doctors can diagnose your brain injury and advise if you should simply rest for several weeks, undergo concussion therapy, or begin medication.
2. Concussion Therapists can treat you with cognitive therapy, memory therapy, or vestibular therapy for vision problems.
3. Speech Pathologists can help with word-finding problems or memory loss
4. Pain Management Doctors can prescribe medications like ritalin to help with concentration issues. 
5. Botox Injections into the head and neck can relieve migraine headaches
6. Chiropractic care can relieve headaches by reducing tension in the upper neck
7. Psychological counseling can help with the emotional struggles after a TBI

At Brill Law Group, we have a vast network of highly skilled medical professionals we work with who can help lead you on the road to recovery.

 

How a Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you have important legal rights that can help you recover compensation for your losses.  A qualified Connecticut TBI attorney can help in the following ways:

1. Getting you access to medical care for your recovery
2. Investigating your accident, whether it be a motor vehicle collision, fall, or other headstrike.
3. Obtaining medical records to prove your injuries
4. Hiring and working with experts in traumatic brain injuries
5. Filing a lawsuit against the negligent party to get you financial compensation

 

Common Defendants in Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits

TBIs can occur from all kinds of accidents and injuries, such as

1. Traumatic brain injuries after motor vehicle collisions
2. Head strikes after motorcycle accidents
3. Head trauma in a truck accident
4. Brain injuries from a fall at a store or on a sidewalk
5. Brain trauma from a falling object, such as a box or tool

The typical defendants who may be on the hook for your injuries are

1. Truck drivers and trucking companies
2. Negligent drivers
3. Distracted drivers
4. Drunk drivers
5. Big box stores or outlets
6. Property owners who fail to shovel or salt after a snowstorm
7. Landlords who negligently maintain sidewalks

 

Debunking Common Myths About Traumatic Brain Injuries

• You do NOT need to strike your head to suffer a TBI.  
  • Whiplash injuries that involve an expected shaking or jolting of the head, brain, or neck causes the brain to smack into the skull, which is sufficient force for a TBI.  You don’t need to strike your head.
• A concussion IS a TBI.  
  • You don’t need a skull fracture to suffer a traumatic brain injury. 
  • Concussions are by definition traumatic brain injuries even thought they might not appear gruesome or severe from the outside.
• You do NOT need to lose consciousness to have a TBI. 
  • Suffering a daze, fog, or unsteadiness after a head blow is a symptom of a TBI. 
  • You don’t need to be knocked unconscious. 
  • It was originally thought that simply “getting your bell rung” didn’t amount to much.  That view is now discredited.
• TBIs do NOT always show up on MRIs. 
  • After a car accident where a person strikes their head against an airbag or steering wheel, the emergency room doctor might run an MRI or CT on the brain. 
  • Often these brain scans turn up negative.  But that does not mean the person didn’t suffer a TBI. 
  • In fact, it’s rare for a TBI to show up on an MRI unless there is a gross abnormality like a skull fracture or brain bleed.
  • This is because traumatic brain injuries occur on the molecular level – the neural axons of the brain get “sheared” or torn – which won’t show up on MRI.

 

 

Statute of Limitations for Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for any injury claim caused by negligence, including a traumatic brain injury, is two years from the date of accident.

 

Compensation a Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Recover

If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury in Connecticut, you have legal rights to seek compensation. Pursuing a legal claim can provide financial support for your brain injury recovery and ongoing care needs.

When seeking compensation for a traumatic brain injury in Connecticut, you’ll need to understand the types of damages available and how to prove liability. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. To build a strong case, you’ll need to gather evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and documentation of how the injury has impacted your life.

Types of Compensation Available

After sustaining a traumatic brain injury in Connecticut, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. A Connecticut traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you understand the types of financial recovery available for your case. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you might be eligible for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation costs
• Home modifications and assistive devices

The types of compensation you can pursue will depend on the severity of your brain injury and its impact on your life. Your Connecticut personal injury lawyer will work to calculate the full extent of your damages, including both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover tangible costs like medical bills and lost income, while non-economic damages address intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.

In some cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the responsible party’s actions were particularly reckless or intentional. The Brill Law Group can help you explore the legal process and pursue the maximum compensation available under Connecticut law for your traumatic brain injury claim.

 

Proving Negligence in Connecticut TBIs

For Connecticut traumatic brain injury victims, proving negligence is a critical step in seeking justice and compensation. To establish negligence in a TBI case, you’ll need to demonstrate four key elements:

1. Duty of care: Show that the defendant owed you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty: Prove the defendant failed to meet this duty.
3. Causation: Establish that the breach directly caused your TBI.
4. Damages: Demonstrate the injuries and losses you’ve suffered.

Gathering evidence is important in proving TBI responsibility. This may include:

• Medical records and expert testimony
• Accident reports and witness statements
• Surveillance footage or photographs
• Employment and financial records

 

What are the Connecticut TBI Laws and Regulations?

What legal protections exist for traumatic brain injury victims in Connecticut? If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Connecticut, it’s crucial to understand the laws and regulations that protect you. These laws are designed to guarantee you receive proper care and compensation for your injuries.

Connecticut TBI laws cover various aspects of injury cases, including:

1. Statute of limitations: You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
2. Comparative negligence: Your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident.
3. Damage caps: Connecticut doesn’t limit most types of damages in personal injury cases.

Legal responsibilities of parties involved in TBI cases include:

• Drivers must carry minimum liability insurance to cover potential injuries.
• Property owners must maintain safe premises to prevent accidents.
• Employers must provide safe working environments and proper safety equipment.

Choosing a Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

When seeking justice for a traumatic brain injury in Connecticut, choosing the right attorney is vital. A personal injury lawyer with experience in traumatic brain injury cases can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. Selecting a qualified attorney involves careful consideration of several factors.

When choosing a brain injury attorney in Connecticut, consider the following:

• Experience handling TBI cases
• Track record of successful settlements and verdicts
• Understanding of medical aspects related to brain injuries
• Resources to thoroughly investigate and build your case
• Clear communication and willingness to answer your questions

Assessing your legal options with a knowledgeable attorney is important. They can help you understand the potential value of your claim, the statute of limitations, and the best course of action for your specific situation.

The Brill Law Group has extensive experience in traumatic brain injury cases and can provide the guidance you need.