A traumatic brain injury (TBI) has the power to transform lives in an instant. From cognitive impairments to physical impediments and emotional struggles, TBIs drastically affect the individual and their support network.
Exorbitant medical expenses and the need for long-term care make TBIs one of the scariest challenges a person can ever face. Thankfully, an experienced attorney can help you and your loved ones recover compensation to aid your recovery and adaptation.
At The Smith Law Center, our Newport News traumatic brain injury attorneys approach each case with reverence for the resilience and strength shown by TBI survivors and their families. We have decades of experience supporting families recovering from TBIs.
If you or a loved one have endured a TBI from someone’s negligence, don’t suffer alone. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 for a free consultation covering how our Newport News brain injury lawyers can fight for you.
Hear How Our TBI Attorneys Have Helped Survivors
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The brain is a marvelous and astounding organ, but any damage can easily result in permanent complications. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a term that describes disruption in the normal function of the brain from an external force, like a jolt, blow, or penetrating object.
TBIs can range from mild injuries to severe trauma, with varying degrees of short-term and long-term effects. These injuries can be particularly dangerous because a person may appear outwardly fine, but their brain may have sustained significant damage.
Different Forms of TBIs
There are several types of TBIs, such as:
- Concussion: Considered a mild form of TBI, concussions are the most common and result from a blow to the head. Symptoms include headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, grogginess, and confusion.
- Penetrating injury: When an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain tissue, this is known as a penetrating TBI. These require immediate and extensive medical treatment.
- Contusion: Contusion is bruising of the brain tissue, usually caused by a direct blow to the head, leading to severe localized damage.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury: The tearing of the brain’s connecting nerve fibers when the brain shifts and rotates in the skull from rapid acceleration or deceleration.
- Coup-Contrecoup Injury: When the moving brain strikes a stationary object (contrecoup) or when a moving object hits the brain (coup).
Each type of TBI can present differing obstacles and require tailored medical treatment. A Newport News TBI attorney can work alongside you in obtaining compensation for specialized care, rehabilitation services, and support resources for your specific TBI.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Newport News
Although the skull provides some protection, the brain is not immune to harm. Certain accidents can inflict serious damage to the brain, resulting in TBIs. Our Newport News traumatic brain injury attorneys have worked with individuals involved in:
- Vehicular accidents: Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, and trucks are one of the most common culprits of TBIs due to the force of impact. Several intersections and the I-64 in Newport News are notorious spots for vehicular collisions that can cause TBIs.
- Slip and fall incidents: Falls on slippery or uneven surfaces, like wet floors, icy sidewalks, or poorly maintained premises, can lead to TBIs if individuals strike their heads.
- Workplace accidents: Workers in industries that deal with construction, manufacturing, or heavy machinery can contract TBIs if struck by falling objects, fall from great heights, or are exposed to hazardous conditions.
- Medical malpractice: TBIs can be caused by negligence in the medical field during surgery, childbirth, or other procedures.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer can result in TBIs from collisions, falls, or blows to the head. Several high-profile athletes have developed brain disorders from repeated injuries to the head.
What Type of Compensation Can a Newport News Brain Injury Attorney Help Me Recover?
TBIs are accompanied by immense financial strain as survivors and their families grapple with medical bills and ongoing costs due to the prolonged time it takes to heal from a TBI.
While compensation cannot erase the impact of a TBI on your life, it can save you from financial ruin and aid you on your road to recovery. A team of Newport News traumatic brain injury lawyers can advocate on your behalf for:
- Past and future medical expenses: Compensation for medical treatment related to the TBI, such as hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and assistive devices.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery or the diminished ability to earn future income because of a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering: Damages awarded for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the defendant, aimed at punishing the reckless party from committing similar acts in the future.
Attempting to secure accurate compensation proportionate to your case is challenging, especially when dealing with a TBI or caring for someone with one. Having a Newport News TBI lawyer can make a significant difference in achieving a favorable outcome in your case.
We recognize the immense impact a TBI has on survivors, but it doesn’t have to be the end. A lawsuit can provide recourse for dignified care and financial support to begin rebuilding your life.
Contacting the Newport News traumatic brain injury lawyers at The Smith Law Center is the first step in taking control of your life again. Reach out to us online or call (757) 244-7000.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics in Newport News and Beyond
A TBI is a sudden and life-altering event that no one can fully prepare for. Dangers lurk around in our everyday lives that could result in a TBI. Therefore, examining the statistics allows us to raise awareness, foster understanding, and advocate for legal representation to support individuals with TBIs in Newport News. Below are a few TBI data points relevant to Virginia:
- The Brain Injury Association of Virginia estimates that as many as 300,000 Virginians have a disability related to a brain injury as of 2022.
- 16,000 of these individuals reside on the Virginia Peninsula, where Newport News is situated.
- The Virginia Trauma Registry reported that between 2018 and 2020, 16,657 people were admitted to the ER with a TBI.
- 1,565 Virginians died from TBIs in 2014.
- In 2014, 5,172 hospital discharges related to TBIs occurred.
- Two of the leading causes of TBI-related deaths in Virginia between 2010 and 2014 were motor vehicle traffic (1,928 deaths) and falls (1,616 deaths).
Settlements Won by Newport News Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Settlements in traumatic brain injury cases can vary widely based on factors like the severity of the TBI, the impact it had on the individual’s life, and the degree of negligence involved. That said, below are a few examples of successful outcomes in TBI cases in Newport News:
- A Massachusetts company paid $8 million to a Newport News woman who suffered a TBI after being struck by a car in 2014.
- An 87-year-old woman won a $3.5 million verdict against a Newport News hospital. The woman sustained a TBI after falling from her hospital bed.
- A Newport News off-duty deputy received $1.5 million after suffering a TBI due to a collision with a city truck.
- A company paid a Newport News resident who sustained a mild TBI in a car wreck $680,000.
- A Newport News man won $650,000 for his TBI caused by a car accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a TBI Lawsuit in Newport News?
In Newport News, the statute of limitations establishes the time limit for filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit. Under section § 8.01-243 of the Code of Virginia Law, adults have two years from the date of their brain injury to file a claim. Also, this same law sets a five-year statute of limitations on TBI claims brought by a parent, guardian, or legal executor on behalf of a child.
Consulting a Newport News brain injury attorney as soon as possible ensures you don’t miss the opportunity to take legal action. A lawyer will carefully attend to your case to verify that you meet essential deadlines.
Feel Confident in the Hands of a Newport News TBI Lawyer
Trying to regain your stability and return your life to a semblance of normalcy after a TBI may seem impossible. During these trying times, it is important to remember that you are not alone.
An attorney can become a part of your support system, collaborating with medical professionals and others to restore your health and work toward a better future for you and your family in the aftermath of a TBI.
Why Hire The Smith Law Center
At The Smith Law Center, we’ve been supporting families in their recoveries from TBIs for over four decades. Our firm’s founder, Stephen M. Smith, graduated from Marquette University’s Neuro Anatomical Program, providing a unique insight into brain injury cases and what our clients truly need from a legal settlement.
Not only do we take a genuine interest in our clients’ health, but we have achieved record-breaking settlements for TBI survivors, including a $3.25 million settlement for a Newport News man who endured a TBI in a commercial establishment.
Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 to speak with a team of passionate lawyers with proven results.
FAQ
FAQ
What Can a Newport News Attorney Do for My Case?
Having an attorney on your side allows you to focus on your health and recovery while they investigate the incident, gather evidence, and interview any potential witnesses. Additionally, a lawyer can properly evaluate and calculate damages and fight for you in court to ensure you receive fair compensation.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Common long-term consequences of a TBI include cognitive impairments like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and intellectual disabilities. Survivors may experience mood swings, depression, and increased aggression. Also, physical symptoms may persist, such as headaches, fatigue, and balance issues.
How Do I Choose a Reputable Newport News TBI Attorney?
Finding a competent TBI attorney in Newport News is one of the most important decisions in your claim. Look for direct experience handling TBI claims with a track record of significant compensation. Take advantage of our free consultation to find out if The Smith Law Center is the right fit for you.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Newport News TBI Claim?
Several parties may be held accountable for a TBI, depending on the circumstances. At-fault drivers in car accidents, property owners for unsafe conditions, and employers in workplace accidents are examples of who you can sue in a TBI lawsuit. A lawyer can identify the correct party when filing your claim.
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