A traumatic brain injury can affect your memory, ability to work, relationships, and independence. When someone else’s negligence causes that injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost income, and the ways your life has changed. A Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer at Breit Biniazan can investigate what happened, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation supported by the evidence. We help injured people and their families understand their options while they focus on treatment and recovery.
Call (855) 659-4457 or request a free, confidential case evaluation to discuss your brain injury claim.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs when an external force damages the brain or disrupts how it functions. It may result from a blow to the head, a sudden jolt to the body that moves the head and brain, or an object penetrating the skull.
Brain injuries range from mild to severe. A concussion is considered a mild TBI, but “mild” does not mean its effects are insignificant. Some people experience symptoms that interfere with everyday activities long after the initial injury.
You do not have to lose consciousness to have a brain injury. A medical evaluation is important after a suspected TBI, even when there is no visible wound. ninds.nih.gov
Brain Injury Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Help
Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over the hours or days following an injury. They can affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves, or sleeps.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches, dizziness, or balance problems.
- Nausea, fatigue, or vision changes.
- Sensitivity to light or noise.
- Trouble remembering information or concentrating.
- Irritability, anxiety, or other emotional changes.
- Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping more than usual.
Seek immediate emergency medical care for danger signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, weakness, increasing confusion, or difficulty waking up. CDC
If you were evaluated and discharged but your symptoms worsen, seek further medical attention. Your health should come before any insurance or legal concerns.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
The location, mechanism, and severity of an injury influence treatment and recovery. TBIs may involve closed head injuries, where the skull is not penetrated, or penetrating injuries, where an object enters the skull and damages the brain.
Concussions
A concussion can disrupt brain function after a blow or sudden movement. Symptoms may interfere with work, school, or daily routines. Our concussion lawyers can assess claims involving these injuries.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
A blow can cause bruising at the impact site, on the opposite side of the brain, or both. Learn more about legal claims involving coup-contrecoup injuries.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Rapid acceleration, deceleration, or rotation can damage nerve fibers within the brain. A diffuse axonal injury can have serious consequences and require extensive medical care. ninds.nih.gov
Other Acquired Brain Injuries
Not every brain injury is traumatic. Oxygen deprivation can cause a hypoxic brain injury or anoxic brain injury. These are forms of acquired brain injury that may involve different causes and legal issues.
Accidents That Can Cause a TBI in Richmond
Brain injuries can happen in many circumstances. A legal claim depends on whether another person or organization is legally responsible for the incident and resulting harm.
Potential causes include:
- Car accidents: Collisions can cause a direct head impact or sudden movement that injures the brain.
- Truck accidents: Crashes involving commercial vehicles can produce severe head trauma.
- Slip and fall accidents: Unsafe walking surfaces or other property hazards may cause a person to fall and strike their head.
- Acts of violence: Assaults can cause traumatic injuries, and some cases may involve additional parties responsible for preventable security failures.
- Sports and recreational incidents: Unsafe conditions, defective equipment, or other negligent conduct may contribute to a head injury.
An attorney can examine how the incident occurred and whether the evidence supports a claim against the responsible parties.
Compensation for the Full Impact of a Brain Injury
A TBI claim should account for more than the first emergency room bill. Depending on the injury, you may need rehabilitation, ongoing treatment, assistance at home, or changes to your working life.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
- Future treatment and necessary care.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disability and related support needs.
These losses must be supported by evidence. Medical professionals and other qualified experts may help evaluate the injury’s long-term effects and projected costs.
If a brain injury causes a loved one’s death, our wrongful death attorneys can explain whether a claim may be available and who has authority to bring it.
Before accepting a settlement, understand what it may mean for your future care. Call (855) 659-4457 or contact Breit Biniazan for a free case evaluation.
How We Build a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Brain injury symptoms may not be obvious to an insurance adjuster or jury. Building a claim requires connecting the incident to the injury and explaining its effect on your daily life.
Investigate the Incident and Preserve Evidence
We examine relevant crash reports, photographs, video, witness accounts, and other available evidence. Identifying responsible parties early also helps determine which records need to be preserved.
Document the Injury and Changes in Daily Life
Medical records, treatment history, employment information, and accounts from people who know you can help show how your abilities have changed. A symptom journal may also help you describe the challenges you experience.
Consult Appropriate Experts
Depending on the case, we may work with medical specialists, accident reconstruction professionals, or experts who evaluate future care needs and earning capacity.
Pursue a Settlement or Prepare for Trial
We present the evidence and seek a resolution that reflects the losses supported by your case. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, trial preparation allows us to pursue the claim in court.
Virginia Deadlines for Filing a Brain Injury Lawsuit
Virginia generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the claim accrues, usually the date of injury. A wrongful death lawsuit generally has a two-year deadline measured from the date of death. law.lis.virginia.gov
Exceptions and other requirements can affect these timelines. Claims involving children, certain disabilities, healthcare providers, or government entities may require a closer review.
Do not assume that an insurance claim or ongoing negotiations satisfy the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Contact an attorney promptly to identify the dates and requirements that apply to your case.
Why Families Turn to Breit Biniazan
A serious brain injury can leave you facing treatment decisions, financial pressure, and an uncertain recovery. You deserve a legal team that listens, explains your options, and takes the consequences of your injury seriously.
The attorneys at Breit Biniazan investigate personal injury claims and advocate for people harmed by negligence. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees are contingent on obtaining a recovery. We can explain the fee agreement and how case expenses are handled during your consultation.
Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury FAQs
Can I pursue compensation for a concussion?
Yes, a concussion may support a personal injury claim when another party’s negligence caused the injury and resulting losses. The claim’s value depends on the evidence, including treatment costs, missed work, symptoms, and any lasting limitations.
Can I have a brain injury even if my scan was normal?
Yes. CT and MRI scans do not detect every traumatic brain injury. Healthcare providers may also consider your symptoms, medical history, and clinical evaluation. A normal scan does not, by itself, rule out a concussion. FDA
What should I do if I feel worse after being discharged from the emergency room?
Seek further medical attention if symptoms worsen. Get emergency care immediately for danger signs such as seizures, repeated vomiting, a worsening headache, slurred speech, or difficulty waking up. Follow the treating provider’s instructions and keep records of follow-up care. CDC
How can a lawyer show that a TBI affected my ability to work?
Evidence may include medical evaluations, employment records, lost income documentation, and testimony about changes in your job performance. Vocational or economic experts may help assess reduced earning capacity when appropriate.
How much does it cost to hire a brain injury lawyer at Breit Biniazan?
Breit Biniazan offers free, confidential case evaluations and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Attorney fees depend on obtaining a recovery. During your consultation, the firm can explain the applicable fee arrangement and responsibility for case expenses.
Speak With a Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
You do not have to navigate a brain injury claim alone. Breit Biniazan can review the circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you pursue accountability for the harm you have suffered.
Call (855) 659-4457 or schedule your free, confidential consultation today.
