Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious injuries a person can suffer, often leading to long-term or permanent impairment that affects every aspect of their life. If you suffered a brain injury in Waterford Township, understanding your legal rights and options is crucial.
The knowledgeable brain injury attorneys of Atnip & Associates, PLLC, can guide you through the legal process and assist you in seeking the compensation and support you deserve. Contact our law offices for a free consultation with a brain injury lawyer serving Waterford Township and to learn more about how we’ll put our decades of experience to work for you.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force causes damage to the brain. This damage can result from a violent blow to the head, a penetrating injury, or even a sudden jolt that causes the brain to collide with the skull.
TBIs range in severity from mild concussions to severe brain damage, with symptoms varying depending on the extent of the injury. Mild TBIs may cause temporary confusion, headaches, and dizziness, while moderate to severe TBIs can lead to unconsciousness, memory loss, impaired cognitive function, and even death.
The impact of a TBI can be devastating, not only for the victim but also for their family, as they may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Families can seek the compensation they need for their loved one’s medical and caretaking expenses through a personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Brain Injuries can result from various incidents, many of which involve the negligent actions of another party. Some of the most common causes of brain injuries include:
Physical effects may include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents – Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are some of the leading causes of TBIs. The force of a collision can cause an occupant’s head to strike the dashboard, steering wheel, or window, resulting in brain injury. Motorcycle riders can suffer the same injuries upon being thrown from their bikes and striking the pavement or the vehicle that hit them.
- Slip and Fall Accidents – Falls, particularly from significant heights or on hard surfaces, can lead to severe brain injuries. These accidents often occur due to hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or insufficient safety protocols.
- Sports Injuries – Athletes involved in contact sports like football and hockey are at a higher risk of suffering a TBI than the general public. Repeated head injuries can lead to conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which causes brain degradation over time.
- Physical Assaults – Violent assaults, including domestic violence, can result in life-threatening brain injuries resulting from blows to the head or gunshot wounds.
Brain Injury Symptoms
The symptoms of a brain injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain affected. Some common symptoms include:
- Physical Symptoms – Typical physical symptoms of a TBI are headaches, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, and loss of coordination.
- Cognitive Symptoms – Victims may experience confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and decision-making problems after suffering a brain injury.
- Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms – In some cases, head injuries can lead to changes in mood or personality, depression, anxiety, and irritability.
- Sensory Symptoms – Blurred vision, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sensitivity to light or sound, and changes to taste or smell can occur if specific parts of the brain suffer damage.
Delayed Onset Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
One of the most dangerous parts of TBIs is that symptoms don’t always appear directly after the incident occurs. They may take days or weeks to manifest, and in the case of conditions like CTE, even years.
Delayed onset symptoms sometimes cause people who suffer brain injuries to forego medical treatment because they don’t realize anything is wrong. Not only can this lead to health complications down the line, but it can also harm your personal injury claim.
Seeking immediate and ongoing medical treatment after a head injury is vital so you have medical records to use as evidence. Without these records, proving that a specific incident caused your injury can be more challenging.
Compensation for Brain Injury Victims
Victims of brain injuries can receive significant compensation, depending on the circumstances of the injury. Damages this compensation can cover include:
- Medical Expenses – These are the costs of your hospitalization, surgeries, medications, ongoing medical treatments, and medical devices. Medical expenses often make up a large portion of personal injury damages.
- Lost Wages – If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently or force you to work in a lessened capacity, you can seek wage loss compensation.
- Pain and Suffering – Injuries resulting in brain damage often cause physical pain and emotional distress and can significantly reduce a victim’s quality of life. Brain injury victims can seek compensation for these non-economic damages.
- Long-Term Rehabilitation and Care – Severe brain injuries may require long-term rehabilitation and care. This care can be expensive, so families can seek compensation to cover the cost.
How a Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help
Here’s how an experienced brain injury lawyer serving Waterford can help with your case:
- Investigating the Incident – Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the incident that caused your injury and identify all liable parties.
- Filing Your Claim – Your attorney will initiate your case by filing your personal injury claim against the liable parties.
- Negotiating with Insurance Providers – Your attorney will negotiate for a fair settlement for your injuries with the liable party’s insurance provider.
- Litigating Your Case – If the insurance companies refuse to agree to a fair settlement, your attorney will present your case before a judge and jury and seek the maximum compensation.
- Providing Legal Advice – Throughout the claims process, your attorney will provide legal advice so you can make informed decisions and protect your rights.
Brain Injury Attorney Serving Waterford
If you suffered a brain injury in Waterford Township or elsewhere in Oakland County, contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, for a free consultation with one of our experienced injury attorneys. Our team of legal professionals will treat you like family and work tirelessly to seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
We have won significant verdicts and settlements for clients across the state who suffered injuries in car accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents, and other accidents. Let us show you how our experience can make a difference in your claim.
Directions to Our Law Offices
Follow the driving directions below to reach our Rochester, Michigan office from anywhere in the state.
- Take I-75 S toward Rochester
- Take exit 81 for University Dr
- Turn left on N Squirrel Rd
- Turn right onto Walton Blvd
- Turn right on Water St.
- The destination will be on the left
- Take I-75 N toward Rochester
- Take exit 79 for University Dr
- Turn left on N Squirrel Rd
- Turn right onto Walton Blvd
- Turn right on Water St
- The destination will be on the left
- Take M-59 W toward Rochester
- Take exit 46 to Rochester Rd
- Turn right on S. Rochester Rd
- Turn right on 4th St
- Turn right on Water St
- The destination will be on the left
- Take M-59 E toward Rochester
- Take exit 46 to Rochester Rd
- Turn left on S. Rochester Rd
- Turn right on 4th St
- Turn right on Water St
- The destination will be on the left
