Suffolk Brain Injury Lawyer

Minor head trauma doesn't always seem urgent on the surface. A dazed feeling, trouble concentrating, or being more forgetful than usual might pass without much thought at first. Over time, these shifts can begin to interfere with what once felt routine—work, sleep, parenting, and relationships. Conversations blur. Energy dips. Life takes on a different rhythm.

At Smith Law Center, we represent individuals across Suffolk who are living with the reality of a brain injury following a crash, workplace incident, fall, or similar situation caused by someone else's negligence. Head trauma may not always involve a loss of consciousness, but it still carries serious weight. Even a so-called "mild" traumatic brain injury can affect every part of a person's life.

That's something Chris Stoops knows firsthand.

He had just earned a promotion at the shipyard, and his days involved climbing cranes—work that took focus and strength. Then, he was in a car crash that left him with a traumatic brain injury. The company wouldn't clear him to return. No paychecks. No job. Nearly two years passed before his medical recovery gave him a way to return to the workforce. 

Talking about the process, Chris says, "The original offer I got for what happened felt like a slap in the face." Fortunately, he connected with Smith Law Center. "David Holt made it clear from day one that I had the right person helping me."

Watch Chris's story and hear how Smith Law Center handled his case.

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When injuries like this interrupt not only your health but also how you make a living, it's important to speak with a brain injury attorney in Suffolk who has handled complex TBI cases. 

We prepare each case thoroughly because results matter. Our legal team secured the following:

• A $60 million settlement for a worker injured in a brain injury-related crash,
• A $12 million award for a child who developed permanent brain damage after hospital neglect, and
• Many other 7- and 8-figure verdicts for clients across Virginia.

We carry this track record across every case, including ones like yours. Call (757) 244-7000 or contact us online for a free case review with a Suffolk brain injury attorney.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Suffolk

A traumatic brain injury can result from any event where there's a blow to the head or sudden force to the body. These are some of the more frequent causes among our Suffolk brain injury lawyer clients:

• Auto, truck, and motorcycle collisions;
• Falls from scaffolding or slippery surfaces at work;
• Injuries caused by unsecured equipment or construction materials;
• Impacts during assaults or unsafe property conditions; and
• Medical incidents involving oxygen loss or delayed care.

In many of these cases, injuries didn't appear obvious at first. People returned to work or school feeling "off," only to realize something had shifted days or weeks later. 

Brain injuries don't always look serious at first. In Virginia alone, more than 2,000 people are hospitalized annually for TBIs, and another 9,000 visit emergency rooms due to head trauma, according to the Virginia Department of Health. These numbers only reflect the cases reported; many others go unrecognized or untreated until symptoms worsen over time.

That's why early medical evaluation matters. Cognitive screenings, MRIs, and documentation of symptoms help connect the dots and make the picture easier to explain during legal proceedings.

Initial reactions from employers, schools, or insurance companies can make moving forward even harder. That's one reason many people seek the advice of a lawyer while symptoms are still developing. Brain injury victims with lawyers received almost 3x more in compensation than those who handled claims without legal representation.

Brain Injury Symptoms That Shouldn't Be Ignored

Even brief confusion, seeing stars, or delayed speech may indicate a brain injury. No single test detects every possible issue, but these symptoms often point to something that needs medical attention:

• Short-term memory loss or difficulty concentrating;
• Headaches that worsen or don't fade over time;
• Mood swings, emotional regulation problems;
• Slurred speech or difficulty finding words;
• Trouble sleeping, fatigue, or sensory overload;
• Increased irritability or personality shifts;
• Light and noise sensitivity; and
• Long-term nausea or dizziness.

Brain injuries don't always behave in predictable patterns. According to the CDC, roughly 15% of people with so-called "mild" TBIs still experience symptoms a year or more after their injury. These aren't just temporary inconveniences—they can persist in ways that interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines.

What to Avoid After a Brain Injury in Suffolk

Hospitals and insurers often request a recorded statement from the injured person shortly after an accident occurs. That type of interview can carry risks. Once something is said on tape, it becomes part of the official case file, even if symptoms worsen later, even if something was forgotten due to fatigue or confusion.

Avoid providing recorded statements until after discussing the situation with a Suffolk traumatic brain injury lawyer. Insurance adjusters may ask leading questions or prompt responses that later get used to downplay the injury or deflect responsibility.

Another common misstep involves returning to work without medical clearance. Employers might encourage it or offer short-term placement roles, but resuming activity too soon can compound the harm—physically, emotionally, and legally.

A Suffolk TBI attorney can coordinate with the appropriate medical professionals to document readiness and help explain medically-backed limitations.

If a head injury has affected a career, a relationship, or basic routines, it's not too early to involve an attorney. We build cases the right way through expert analysis, preparation, and a demand for accountability. Call (757) 244-7000 or contact Smith Law Center online for a free consultation.

When the Injury Affects Work or Income

Brain injuries affect every profession, from lifeguards and first responders to teachers, truckers, and mechanics. Symptoms, like delayed reaction times or trouble concentrating, can make it impossible to perform former job duties. Chris Stoops faced that exact situation.

"I had just been promoted," he remembers. "Then after the crash, they said I couldn't climb anymore. There went the job."

During his recovery, Chris went nearly 18 months without income, using savings to make rent and eventually switching jobs entirely. His story isn't rare.

A Suffolk brain injury lawyer from our firm helps calculate this kind of loss through:

• Employer wage statements,
• Vocational rehabilitation and job placement records,
• Neurological and psychiatric evaluations, and
• Economic expert reports on long-term earning losses.

Missed wages can be shown using real numbers. Pay stubs, medical evaluations, and job restrictions all help explain how the injury affected your ability to earn a living.

Virginia law gives most people two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. That might sound like a lot of time, but when symptoms develop gradually, it's easy to lose track of how fast that deadline can approach. Speaking with a brain injury attorney in Suffolk sooner can help protect the legal window you have to act.

"You can't see a brain injury the way you can see a broken bone, but the effects can be just as serious, sometimes worse. I've handled these cases for years. I know how to prove what you're dealing with, and how to make sure it's taken seriously."

‍—David Holt | Attorney, Smith Law Center

Contact a Suffolk TBI Attorney

Traumatic brain injuries often bring disruptions far beyond any medical diagnosis. Simple tasks take more time. Work feels harder or impossible. Relationships shift. Many people face these changes silently, without the visible markers that people expect from "serious" injuries.

That's one reason the legal process requires careful documentation and the ability to show exactly how the injury reshaped day-to-day responsibilities.

Smith Law Center has spent decades representing people in Virginia dealing with the fallout of head trauma caused by negligence. With record-setting verdicts and settlements involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including a $60 million case and another for $12 million, we bring the experience that equips us to handle even the most medically intensive cases.

Call (757) 244-7000 or contact us online to speak directly with a Suffolk brain injury attorney.