• mobile
Select Page

How Can a Virginia Concussion Injury Lawyer Help You?


A concussion injury can come from a car accident, slip-and-fall impact, or other type of personal injury. If another person’s negligence or unsafe property caused your injury, you have the right to pursue compensation.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can affect your cognitive functions, speech, movement, and ability to work or maintain close personal relationships. Concussions are caused when an external force strikes the head, or when the skull and brain shake back and forth rapidly, which can happen without direct head impact (as in cases of whiplash). 

The costs associated with a concussion injury can be compensated through a personal injury lawsuit. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, a lawyer experienced in brain injury litigation can build a case showing the true cost of your injury. Funds from a successful settlement could improve the quality of your medical care and provide financial stability for your future.

Our firm’s founder, Stephen Smith, is a graduate of Marquette University’s Neuroanatomical Dissection of the Human Brain and Spinal Cord program. He is president of the National Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association and a former president of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. This background has made the Smith Law Center uniquely adept at litigating brain, neck, and spine injury cases. 

For a proven Virginia concussion injury attorney, contact our Hampton offices online or by calling (757) 244-7000. For more information on concussion injury lawsuits, read on.

What Kind of Settlement Can a Virginia Concussion Injury Attorney Help Secure?

The compensation you receive from a Virginia concussion injury lawsuit could include coverage for:

  • Medical bills for initial treatments and surgeries, as well as ongoing and long-term therapeutic expenses
  • Loss of income and future earnings, including for children injured at a young age who may never be able to work 
  • Pain and suffering for matters like loss of independence, disfigurement or scarring, or loss of companionship in a marriage
  • Punitive damages, which are “punishment” fees charged to the negligent party and then awarded to you
  • Wrongful death expenses like funeral costs or the loss of income in cases where the concussion injury caused or contributed to a your loved one’s death

There are two primary ways that you can go about collecting the compensation that you deserve: filing a claim with the insurance company and filing a claim in civil court. A lawyer can help in both instances — by negotiating a fair payout from the insurance provider, and pursuing a legal cause against the negligent party who caused your injury. 

When someone else is at fault for your injuries, you have the right to be fully repaid for your suffering. It’s important to have an experienced attorney when seeking full compensation, as they will furnish the appropriate receipts, and translate your emotional losses into number values the court can understand. 

The Smith Law Center’s case results include an award of over $14 million dollars for a brain injury caused by a defective tire in a motorcycle accident. We will fully investigate the specifics of your case to pursue the best possible outcome for you and your family. Contact us at (757) 244-7000 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

What Kind of Accident Cases Can a Virginia Concussion Lawyer Handle?

The Virginia concussion lawyers at Smith Law Center can represent you in various types brain injury accident cases, including:

The type of accident that you were involved in will likely be a strong indicator of who may be held responsible for the cost of your injuries. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, the driver of the vehicle that hit you, auto parts manufacturers, the state, and other third parties could all share responsibility. If you were diagnosed with a concussion after a slip and fall accident, you might bring a claim against the owner of the property where you were injured and their insurance company. 

In cases where there are multiple parties who have contributed to the injuries, your attorney will be sure to identify and name all at-fault parties. This helps open up all available sources of compensation, maximizing your final settlement or award.

A young woman holds her head on the side of the road with an ambulance in the background while her boyfriend calls an attorney.

What Are the Types of Concussions?

The symptoms of a concussion will depend on how severely the head was struck or shaken. Concussion severity is classified by grade, as follows:

Grade 1 (mild concussion)

Grade 1 concussions are characterized by brief memory loss, confusion, headache, dizziness, and nausea, but no loss of consciousness. Symptoms usually last less than an hour, but can linger for days. Most commonly, grade 1 concussions occur in minor car accidents, athletic events, or at-home mishaps.

Grade 2 (moderate concussion)

Signs of a grade 2 concussion are similar to grade 1 symptoms, although symptoms typically last from half an hour to an entire day. Certain medical experts argue that grade 2 concussions can include losing consciousness for several minutes.

Grade 3 (severe concussion)

A grade 3 concussion is characterized by unconsciousness and the lasting presence of concussion symptoms. In serious cases, victims may experience amnesia and can have difficulty with language. Professional treatment and observation are required since this grade of concussion can be a sign of mild brain damage.

Simple vs. Complex

In 2004, a group of professionals attending the Second International Conference on Concussion in Sports in Prague, introduced the categorization system of simple vs. complex concussions. A simple concussion was deemed to last less than 10 days, while complex concussions were characterized by at least 10 days of severe concussion symptoms, such as cognitive impairment or concussive convulsions.

Concussion Syndromes

There are different types of concussion syndromes that may impact your health outcome, including:

  • Post-Concussion Syndrome: A disorder that is characterized by symptoms that last for weeks or months. The risk of acquiring this syndrome is not necessarily connected with the severity of the initial injury. For most post-concussion syndrome victims, symptoms show up within the first week. They will usually subside within three months, although symptoms can persist for a year or more.
  • Second Impact Syndrome: A rare condition that occurs when an individual sustains a concussion before a previous concussion has properly healed. The syndrome involves rapid and severe brain swelling that can have serious and even life-threatening results.

No matter what kind of head trauma you’ve experienced, the most important thing you can do is obtain immediate medical care and monitoring. The second vital step is to secure an attorney to protect your rights and secure the compensation necessary to access the best medical care.

Contact an Experienced Virginia Concussion Attorney

The accident or incident that caused your concussion may have been traumatic, but the compensation process doesn’t have to be. When you have the right legal representative by your side, you can get the advice, support, and compensation that you deserve. 

There are many law firms that handle general injury cases, but the Smith Law Center is uniquely skilled at seeking maximum compensation for a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion. Our attorneys are actively involved with renowned organizations and associations dedicated to brain injury awareness, and can offer unique support for your specific needs. 

Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Smith Law Center online or by calling (757) 244-7000 as soon as possible. Your brain is in many ways the most important organ in your body — make sure it receives the care necessary to recover after a traumatic injury like a concussion.

 

Virginia Concussion Lawsuit FAQs

What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?

Concussion symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, balance issues, slurred speech, blurred vision, nausea/vomitting, and unexplained mood/behavioral changes. 

It’s important to seek medical treatment after any head injury even without noticeable symptoms. Signs of a concussion may show up days or weeks after the accident, indicating your injury has been getting worse without treatment the entire time.

Your medical records may also serve as important evidence in any legal action you eventually pursue.

Will insurance be enough to cover my concussion treatment?

It is possible that insurance will be enough to cover your concussion treatment. Factors include the severity of your concussion, the length of your recovery, how much the liable party was insured for, and how much your health insurance covers. 

You should never accept an insurance representative’s offer without first consulting with a concussion injury attorney. Your lawyer can help evaluate what is fair compensation and negotiate on your behalf for a more robust settlement. If the insurance company refuses to fully cover your concussion treatment, your attorney can take the case to trial.

Can I sue an individual or a business for giving me a concussion?

Generally, yes, if someone else’s negligence or misconduct caused you to suffer a concussion injury, you have the right to hold them accountable. They can be ordered to cover all of the expenses you endured, and to compensate you for your financial and emotional damages as well. This applies to individual actors and to businesses or other group entities that have a responsibility for safe conduct with the public.

How long do I have to file a Virginia concussion lawsuit?

In Virginia, where Smith Law Center is located, the law states that you have 2 years before the filing window expires in a personal injury lawsuit. It’s important to have an experienced concussion injury lawyer representing you so you don’t lose your opportunity to be awarded maximum compensation. Contact the Smith Law Center online or call us at (757) 244-7000 — empower us to start working on your case today while you recover in peace.

Proudly Serving Virginia Residents for Over 70 Years

Best Law firms
Best lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates
Brain Injury Association
Best Law firms
Best lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates
Brain Injury Association
icon headset

SPEAK TO US NOW FOR FREE

Your legal questions answered, completely free of charge.

icon target

DELIVERING RESULTS SINCE 1949

We are one of Virginia’s largest and most successful law firms.

icon law

IF WE DON’T WIN, YOU DON’T PAY

There are absolutely no out-of-pocket fees for filing a claim.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU


Use the simple form below to send a message directly to our lawyers. We will respond within 1 hour or less during business hours.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

icon headset

SPEAK TO US NOW FOR FREE

Your legal questions answered, completely free of charge.

icon law

IF WE DON’T WIN, YOU DON’T PAY

There are absolutely no out-of-pocket fees for filing a claim.

If you or a relative had a severe reaction to military housing mold, it might be time to talk with a toxic mold lawyer. Mold is everywhere, and can be dangerous. Researchers have linked mold to serious respiratory illnesses in some individuals.

Smith Law Center may be able to help if a property owner failed to keep you safe from mold in your military housing. We are one of Virginia’s oldest and most successful firms. We know how to hold negligent property owners responsible, especially when the military is involved.

Call us at (757) 244-700 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. There’s no fee for learning more about Virginia mold laws, your rights, and your legal options.

Mold in Military Housing

Black mold in military housing became widely known when Reuters published an investigation in 2018. Since then, the Department of Defense and the housing providers were supposed to take steps to improve the situation.

Unfortunately, a 2020 audit by the DoD Office of Inspector General found many issues, including the need for mold remediation, still persist.

Monetary Awards in Military Housing Toxic Mold Cases

If the property owner lets toxic mold run wild and continue to cause you harm, talk with our toxic mold attorneys about filing a lawsuit.

You may receive financial compensation for:

Service members and their families do not receive different types of damages than civilians. These are civil lawsuits in traditional courts of law.

Military Housing Mold Toxicity Symptoms

The Institute of Medicine discovered there was evidence connecting exposure to indoor mold with:

  • Upper respiratory tract symptoms;
  • Coughing;
  • Wheezing;
  • Asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma; and
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals with weak immune systems.

There is also limited evidence that mold causes respiratory illnesses in healthy children or causes people to develop asthma.

Understanding Exposure to Toxic Mold in Military Housing

The topic of toxic mold is complicated. This Is in part because the term “toxic mold” isn’t accurate. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains mold isn’t toxic or poisonous. However, some molds are toxigenic, which means they produce toxins called mycotoxins.

Mold is common in military housing because it’ll grow anywhere there’s moisture. That includes on and inside walls, carpet, upholstery, wallpaper, and heating and air conditioning systems. This is especially pronounced in humid conditions such as those present in Virginia.

Some people have no difficulties around mold, even large infestations in their homes. Other individuals are sensitive to molds, including those that produce mycotoxins. Someone can have a severe reaction when exposed to a large amount of mold indoors.

People may be more likely to experience mold toxicity symptoms if they have:

  • Allergies,
  • An underlying lung disease,
  • Immune suppression,
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder,
  • Asthma, or
  • Another chronic respiratory disease.

Common Types of Military Housing Mold

When you’re trying to learn more from the CDC and other resources, you’ll see the word “fungus” a lot. Mold is a type of fungus, which is something that exists all around us. Fungi are living organisms different from animals, plants, and bacteria. There are over 200,000 types of fungi and over 100,000 types of molds.

If you discovered mold in your military housing, it could be Cladosporium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus, or many other types. Stachybotrys is what everyone knows as black mold. Aspergillus is a common indoor fungus, which releases mycotoxins and can cause illness. Your symptoms may resemble common allergy or asthma symptoms.

Who is Liable for Military Housing Mold?

Since 1996, most military housing has come under the management of private companies:

  • Belfour Beatty Communities: Fort Eustis and Fort Story/li>
  • Lincoln Military Housing: Dahlgren, Little Creek, Naval Station Norfolk, Northwest Annex, Oceana, Portsmouth, Quantico, and Yorktown/li>
  • Hunt Military Communities: Fort Lee and Langley AFB

Outside of Virginia, Lendlease and Corvias Military Living are two more housing providers. Together, these five companies formed the Military Housing Association.

Military families living in on-base housing must take their complaints to their private management company — not the military. The company is responsible for providing habitable conditions and making repairs, including mold remediation.

If you’re unsure about your rights, review your state law and local ordinances about mold. In general, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to provide a habitable unit, which means it has to be safe to live in. A unit isn’t safe if it’s causing a tenant health issues due to mold.

The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to disclose if there’s mold in the written report of the move-in inspection. If a tenant discovers visible mold in the unit, then the Act requires the landlord to remove the mold and relocate the tenant until it’s gone at no additional cost to the tenant.

Unfortunately, many families find their housing providers aren’t receptive to complaints. Attorney Stephen M. Smith has handled many mold lawsuits against military housing providers who fail to abide by their lease terms and the law when it comes to mold remediation and other hazards.

Other Hazards in Military Housing

Many service members and their families deal with uncomfortable, if not hazardous, conditions in privatized military housing, including:

Lead Paint: Lead-based paint can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, irritability, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures, organ damage, and in extreme cases, death.

Asbestos: Exposure to asbestos harms a person’s lungs, and can lead to lung fibrosis (scarring), lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Radon: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It naturally forms underground, however cracks and gaps in buildings lead to over-exposure indoors.

Poor Water Quality: Dozens of military sites have water with detectable levels of harmful chemicals.

Other issues involve rodent or insect infestations, pesticides, and faulty electrical wiring.

What Happens When a Lot of People Get Sick?

Sometimes mold exposure impacts a single individual or family. However, when the mold spreads throughout military housing, it can impact hundreds or thousands of people.

Occasionally, a large enough group of people are injured to allow for a class action or mass tort lawsuit. A class action lawsuit is one where a class representative acts as the plaintiff on behalf of the group of hurt individuals. Not every victim participates in the lawsuit. There are rules about when a group is big and similar enough to create a class action.

Mass tort lawsuits are different. When there are fewer plaintiffs who have their own set of circumstances, each person files a lawsuit. For efficiency’s sake, one or a couple of law firms may represent most plaintiffs, and the lawsuits are consolidated in a federal court.

Call the Military Housing Mold Lawyers at Smith Law Center for Help Right Away

Mold cases come about in a few ways. You or a loved one may start getting sick, and after weeks or months of struggling to find answers, you finally realize your military housing has a mold infestation. In other cases, you struggle with visible mold and then become ill.

Once you connect the illness with the mold, it’s time to talk with a toxic mold lawyer. Reaching out to an attorney early helps you build a strong compensation claim. We know how to collect evidence, identify who is liable, and craft a successful argument for a settlement or court award.

Attorney Stephen M. Smith has decades of experience handling injury claims and has been internationally recognized for his work. He has litigated cases involving catastrophic injuries and complex legal and scientific issues. In 2019, he was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame.

You’re in good hands when you come to Smith Law Center for help. Reach out online or call (757) 244-7000 to schedule your 100% free consultation.

Military Housing Mold Lawsuits: FAQs

icon target

DELIVERING RESULTS SINCE 1949

We are one of Virginia’s largest and most successful law firms.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU - Tablet View

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU


Use the simple form below to send a message directly to our lawyers. We will respond within 1 hour or less during business hours.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.