Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Bloomington, IL
Brain injuries are among the most serious consequences of accidents in Bloomington.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury from another party’s wrongdoing or negligence, you need a dedicated professional to fight your personal injury case so that the responsible party is held accountable and you get some measure of justice.
At Dodds Law Office, PC, our 20 years of experience in catastrophic personal injury cases means we can offer seasoned legal representation to help you obtain the substantial compensation you deserve.
Call today at (309) 829-9300 for a free consultation with a brain injury lawyer.
Traumatic brain injuries require dedicated legal help
Because of the complexity and high stakes involved in traumatic brain injury cases, most individuals are not equipped to handle cases themselves.
Our dedicated brain injury lawyer understands what you’re entitled to, the process necessary to obtain it, and the tricks used by insurance companies to deny your rightful compensation.
Regardless of how the injury occurred, a brain injury can result in:
- Loss of cognitive function.
- The inability to work (temporarily or permanently).
- Considerable medical bills and other financial losses.
- Loss of quality of life.
Your brain injury lawyer will help to prove the following elements required for a successful case outcome in Illinois:
- The duty of care required by the negligent party.
- The breach of this duty.
- The injuries that resulted from the breach.
- The damages that resulted from the injuries.
Primary causes of brain injuries
McLean County residents typically suffer serious brain injuries from:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents.
- Sports collisions/falls.
- Medical errors (related to surgery, anesthesia, etc.)
- Firearm-related accidents.
- Physical assaults.
Most brain injuries are caused by blunt force trauma, a sudden shaking movement of the head, or the loss of oxygen.
Signs of traumatic brain injury
The most common signs of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Severe hheadache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory loss (amnesia)
- Impaired motor skills
- Difficulty thinking
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Numbness/tingling
- Balance issues
- Fatigue or sleep problems
Common traumatic brain injury concussions
The three major types of traumatic brain injuries are mild TBIs (concussions), moderate TBIs, and severe TBIs.
Most mild TBIs cause concussion, due to trauma or a shaking of the head from a blow to the body, causing the brain to move side to side in the skull. This can lead to:
- Chemical changes within the brain.
- The brain bouncing against the skull.
- Damaged brain cells.
A mild concussion may lead to any of the symptoms outlined above, but only temporarily, usually resolving within 10 days.
However, the consequences should not be underestimated, as even a mild concussion can affect physical, mental, emotional, and sleep behaviors. Also, the onset of symptoms can be delayed, and more complex concussions may last longer than 10 days.
Moderate and severe TBIs can cause disability or even death. Sufferers usually require ongoing care to assist in recovery and improvement of their quality of life. This makes treatment for TBIs costly.
Concussion recovery and long-term effects
Concussions and other mild traumatic brain injuries usually resolve completely within days to weeks. Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) can leave patients with lingering symptoms, including physical, cognitive, and emotional problems, including:
- Lingering headaches,
- Irritability,
- Dizziness/imbalance,
- Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
All of this affects daily life but can be difficult to prove without the skills of a dedicated and experienced TBI attorney managing the case.
Insurance companies often try to downplay the symptoms or claim that they existed before the accident, so legal advice is essential.
Call traumatic brain injury lawyer Terry Dodds at (309) 829-9300, if you have been injured in an accident.
Let’s get your compensation claim start right away. We offer free case evaluations.
What are the financial costs of a traumatic brain injury?
Many of the financial costs of a traumatic brain injury are relatively easy to prove with the “paper trail” of invoices and receipts for medical care, rehabilitation, etc.
However, other costs are more challenging. This is where the skills of your brain injury lawyer really come to the fore.
The unemployment rate for adults with brain injury two years after diagnosis is 60 percent, so calculating the lost earnings and future lost earnings associated with serious TBIs requires a meticulous approach.
A brain injury lawyer will also help to put a dollar amount on the non-economic losses suffered. This includes pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Why hire a personal injury attorney after an accident?
Anyone with a brain injury that doesn’t resolve itself relatively quickly needs to prioritize recovery from the injury. The last thing they want to deal with is a personal injury claim.
Even if you think you are not badly injured, seek a full medical checkup. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose a brain injury.
Afterward, if there is any chance that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, seek legal assistance.
While there is no legal requirement to do so, there are many reasons to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer:
- Experienced lawyers understand the true value of claims from past cases in the local area, including often substantial damages for pain and suffering.
- Skilled lawyers have a full understanding of the relevant laws, legal processes, and local court procedures, which can be complex and confusing unless you have been trained in Illinois personal injury law.
- Even in “open and shut” cases, you will need to prove the key elements of your case to hold the at-fault party liable for the claimed damages, which a seasoned brain injury lawyer is experienced in doing.
- Multiple parties may be liable, in which case the claim can become even more complex, involving employers, vehicle drivers, medical professionals, manufacturers, property owners, etc. A qualified lawyer should be well-equipped to represent you in such a claim.
- If your case ends up in court with a judge deciding (which does happen in a minority of personal injury cases in Bloomington), a lawyer can present evidence effectively before a judge and jury.
Remember, if you sign an agreement with an insurance company, it is final and binding. There is no going back. Do not negotiate a settlement for your claim without first speaking to us.
Contact our brain injury lawyer at Dodds Law Office, PC as soon as possible, and let’s get started with your recovery. No upfront attorney fees.
After a major accident I thought I would receive an adequate settlement offer if I was forthcoming and reasonable with the insurance company but that was not the case. I was given the name of Terry Dodds and after a long discussion I retained his services. Terry worked diligently on my behalf and because of that work I received an appropriate settlement offer.
I would highly recommend Dodds Law Office.