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.
What to Know About Brain Injury Claims in Bloomington, IL
Every brain injury case is different, but a few facts hold true for most victims and their families. Here’s what a traumatic brain injury attorney in Bloomington, IL wants you to know before you talk to the insurance company.
- Brain injury symptoms can be delayed, so get a full medical checkup after any accident, even if you feel fine. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose a TBI.
- A successful claim in Illinois requires proving the at-fault party owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused your injuries and resulting damages.
- Insurance companies often downplay brain injury symptoms or claim they existed before the accident, which makes thorough documentation essential.
- Compensation may cover medical and rehabilitation costs, lost and future lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Any settlement you sign is final and binding.
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.
Living With a Brain Injury Is Hard Enough
Headaches, memory problems, and fatigue can make everyday life feel overwhelming, and dealing with an insurance company only adds stress. Terry Dodds brings 20 years of experience in serious injury cases and offers a free consultation to help you understand your options.
Request A Free ConsultationPrimary 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 headache
- 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
Meet Our Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Attorney at Law
Terry Dodds | Bloomington, Illinois
Terry Dodds is a Bloomington-Normal native who has practiced law since 2000. He earned his B.A. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
Terry began his career as a public defender before entering private practice, where he gained extensive experience in personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. He has handled both trial and appellate matters and is committed to protecting his clients’ rights and pursuing the results they deserve.
Bar Admissions
Illinois – Since 2001
Missouri – Since 2000
Education
J.D. – Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 2000
B.A. – Illinois State University, 1996
Publications
Equal Pay in College Coaching: A Summary of Recent Decisions
Recognition
Over 20 years of legal experience representing clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and criminal defense matters.
Professional Associations
McLean County Chamber of Commerce — Member since 2007 Illinois State Bar Association — Member since 2006 McLean County Bar Association — Member since 2005
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact Dodds Law Office for a free consultation.
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:Â
- 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.
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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.
Don’t Let the Insurer Downplay Your Symptoms
Brain injuries are not always visible, and insurers often argue your symptoms are minor or existed before the accident. We document the full impact of your injury and fight for fair compensation while you focus on recovery. There are no upfront attorney fees.
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.
Other serious injury cases we handle in Bloomington, IL
Brain Injury Questions From Bloomington Families
Before you speak with a traumatic brain injury attorney in Bloomington, IL, these answers can help you understand how a claim works and what to expect.
A traumatic brain injury attorney proves the elements of your claim: duty of care, breach, resulting injury, and damages. The attorney also calculates hard-to-measure losses, such as future lost earnings and pain and suffering, handles the insurance company, and presents your case in court if needed.
Yes. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose a brain injury, and symptoms such as headaches, confusion, or memory problems can be delayed. A prompt checkup protects your health and creates medical records that document your injury if you later need to pursue a claim.
It can. Most concussions resolve within days to weeks, but some lead to Post-Concussion Syndrome, with lingering headaches, dizziness, irritability, and trouble concentrating. These effects can disrupt work and daily life, and insurers often downplay them, so an attorney can help document and prove the impact.
Not before speaking with a lawyer. Once you sign an agreement with an insurance company, it is final and binding. Early offers may not account for future lost earnings or long-term care. Dodds Law Office offers a free consultation with no upfront attorney fees, so you can get advice first.
Brain Injury Resources in Bloomington, IL
Brain injuries may require emergency treatment, neurological care, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy. These Bloomington-Normal resources can help individuals and families find services related to brain injury recovery.
Hospitals & Neurological Care
OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center
2200 E Washington St, Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 662-3311
OSF Illinois Neurological Institute
Provides neurological and neurosurgical care for patients with brain and other neurological injuries.
Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy
OSF Rehabilitation
Provides rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from serious injuries and neurological conditions.
Central Illinois Institute of Balance
Provides physical therapy and rehabilitation services addressing balance and functional mobility.
Athletico Physical Therapy
Provides physical therapy and rehabilitation services for injury recovery.
Advanced Rehab & Sports Medicine
Provides rehabilitation and physical therapy services for injury recovery.
Need Help After a Brain Injury?
Contact Dodds Law Office, PC to discuss your case.
Our Bloomington, Illinois Office Location
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.