Hartford Brain Injury Lawyer
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Brain Injury Attorneys in Hartford, Connecticut
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are severe injuries capable of altering the entire course of a person’s life. Our Hartford traumatic brain injury attorneys have experience representing injured victims who suffered this type of distressing injury. We understand how to handle all aspects of injury cases involving TBIs, and the medical experts we consult provide us with the detailed information we need to handle your case.
Brain injuries are often difficult to diagnose because discernible symptoms may not appear until days after the incident that caused the injury. Attorneys handling brain injury cases must have a basic understanding of neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, and psychiatry, as a patient may require counseling and physical rehabilitation after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs when a sudden bump, jolt, or blow to the head causes a disruption in the brain’s normal function. The severity of a TBI can range from mild to severe. Recovery time from a TBI depends on what part of the brain is injured, and the severity of the injury itself. If you or a loved one sustained a TBI as a result of a severe accident, then you’re going to need the help of a dedicated Connecticut legal team. That’s where our traumatic brain injury attorneys come in to provide a solution.
The Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr. is on standby to answer any questions you may have about your situation and whether the damages you’ve incurred may be best addressed with a personal injury case.
Our Hartford legal firm has significant combined experience in specialized litigation related to traumatic head injuries, and we guarantee always to offer you appropriate, authentic legal advice. Call us today for a free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation. Don’t have time for a consultation right now? No problem — you can visit our website and schedule your consultation when you have the chance.
If you suffered a TBI and believe someone else was to blame, contact Michael L. Chambers Jr., Attorney at Law, for more information about how we can help.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force causes brain damage that interferes with the functioning of the human brain. These injuries may happen during many different types of accidents. Physical altercations, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and bicycle accidents can all cause traumatic brain injuries.
Here are common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries:
- Disorientation
- Vision loss
- Headaches
- Respiratory failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Discharge of fluid from the nose and ears
- Semi-comatose state
An injury to the brain typically involves physical trauma. Trauma injuries happen suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Individuals participating in sports such as football may suffer repeated blows to the head. Drivers and passengers injured during motor vehicle accidents may suffer blunt force trauma from the force of the collision.
Severe slip and fall cases may also cause traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures.
What Can Cause A TBI?
As defined above, a TBI can be caused by a sudden bump, jolt, or blow to the head. Falls are the leading cause of brain injuries in young children and elderly adults. However, there are multiple ways that different types of accidents can cause a TBI to occur, and this class of injury is liable to affect any age or demographic. TBIs can also occur as a result of blunt-force head trauma, an injury that occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain matter. Additionally, cranial trauma symptoms can manifest if the body is shaken or rattled severely enough to cause displacement of the brain, which then makes collision-like contact with the skull. A brain injury can occur as a result of common accidents such as:
Slip and fall/premises liability accidents
When property owners fail to properly maintain the premises for their patrons, disaster can strike at any moment. Spills on a floor or a broken piece of tile can create hazardous environments in which individuals are more likely to fall and strike their head on the floor or on a hard surface, causing a TBI.
Motor vehicle accidents
Car wrecks can easily cause the driver or a passenger to seriously bump their head on either the windshield or the dashboard and sustain a TBI.
Work-Related Accidents
Even though a TBI can happen at any job at any time, construction sites are the most common source of workplace accidents, including those which result in a traumatic injury to the brain or cranial region. In other industries, similar accidents can occur if workers aren’t properly instructed on the operation of heavy equipment, or if workplace supervisors fail to execute necessary oversight of these high-risk machines.
Sports injuries
Anyone who plays a contact sport that doesn’t require safety gear for their head is at serious risk for a TBI. Intercepting forcefully thrown sports balls, colliding with other players, and slipping and falling on the ground can all contribute to or directly result in a serious TBI. Contact sports such as football have also been linked to a type of head trauma called CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
Motorcycle accidents
These are some of the most common causes of brain injuries, especially for motorcycle passengers, who can be easily ejected from a motorcycle. The state of Connecticut requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet, along with anyone operating a motorcycle with a learner’s permit.
Whiplash
Whiplash, which is generally thought of as a common neck injury associated with the aftermath of a car accident, can also cause more severe symptoms and chronic conditions that are characteristic of a TBI. There is a notable degree of misconception that all TBIs must be or can only be caused by direct damage to the head. However, whiplash and other acute neck injuries are just as likely to contribute to the physical symptoms indicative of a brain injury. The sudden back and forth motion of the head that causes the whiplash can also cause the brain to collide with the side of the skull, or, more concerningly, can cause the bottom of the brain to shift downwards and protrude through the skull.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Traumatic Brain Injury?
Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe. The majority of TBIs can be mild or moderate, which can typically resolve themselves within a few days or weeks. Even though mild to moderate TBIs are usually not life-threatening, they can still seriously affect the victim’s central nervous system and, in certain cases, can cause irreversible damage to one’s motor skills. Symptoms of a mild TBI can include:
- Dizziness– An altered sense of balance and place. Dizziness can also be described as feeling lightheaded or as if the head is spinning.
- Confusion– The inability to reason or think in a clear, focused manner.
- Fatigue- Having low energy and a strong desire to sleep that can interfere with a person’s daily life.
- Disorientation– A condition of having lost one’s sense of direction or a state of mental confusion.
- Light sensitivity– When the light level in the environment is too bright and can cause extreme discomfort which can reduce one’s usable vision.
- Headaches- A painful sensation in the head that can be dull or sharp and can come with other symptoms.
- Blurred vision– A decreased sharpness in vision that can result in the inability to see fine details.
A serious TBI has more severe symptoms that can be more life-threatening and longer-lasting. Symptoms of more serious TBIs can include:
- Seizures– A sudden uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause changes in levels of consciousness, movement, and behavior.
- Vegetative state– When somebody is awake but shows no signs of awareness.
- Coma- A prolonged period of unconsciousness. If a victim is in a coma for too long, then it can lead to a vegetative state or even death.
- Extreme mood swings– Sudden intense changes in mood or emotional state.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, then chances are you’re also suffering from a TBI and should seek medical attention immediately. Neurological examinations and medical imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans can be used to diagnose a TBI and determine the severity of the injury.
After receiving treatment, contact The Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr. Our compassionate and dedicated team of brain injury attorneys is here to answer your questions and can help you get your claim started as soon as possible while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Call us today for your free, no-obligation, and completely confidential consultation, or visit our website to schedule your consultation at any time. Don’t have time for a consultation right now? No problem! You can also visit our website to schedule your consultation on your time at your earliest convenience.
What Are Some Common TBIs?
IA TBI can still cause serious damage to the brain, regardless of how minor it seems. Even though not all bumps to the head can result in a TBI, individuals who suffer a head injury of any kind should get scans (CTE, MRI, etc.) and tests done by a medical professional just in case. Some of the most common TBIs include but are not limited to:
Concussion
The most common type of TBI is a concussion, which occurs when a blow to the head causes the head and brain to suddenly move back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to twist or bounce around in the skull, causing structural damage to the brain cells and chemical changes to its neurotransmitter production. Concussions are commonly seen in car accidents and sports injuries, especially if an individual was hit in the head with a ball that was flying at high speeds.
Contusion
A contusion is a medical term meaning a bruise. Bruising of the brain is caused by a direct impact on the head, rupturing small blood vessels and allowing blood to leak into the brain tissue. Sometimes, a contusion can be large enough to form a clot or tissue mass, and in these cases it is likely that surgery will be needed in order to remove the obstruction or to drain fluids. Contusions — unlike concussions, which generally worsen over time — can cause immediate signs of serious damage to the brain, and individuals can lose consciousness for at least fifteen minutes.
Penetration
A penetrating injury is present when an object enters the brain tissue through the skull. These objects can be hair, skull fragments, skin, or the object causing the injury. A type of penetrating injury that enters the skull on one side of the head and exits the skull on the opposite side of the head is called a “through and through” injury. These are just like regular penetrating injuries, with the additional criteria of causing measurable damage to the brain.
If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, call The Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr. as soon as possible. Our knowledgeable team of brain injury attorneys in Hartford is dedicated to keeping your best interests in mind and fighting for your rights as a victim. With no cost to you until we win your case, you have nothing to lose! Call us today for a free consultation to ask any questions you may have about your situation and we can help you determine if you have a brain injury claim.
Other Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Victims who suffer from traumatic brain injuries often must deal with lasting effects that may become more severe and persistent over time. These effects often affect an injured victim’s motor skills. Individuals use fine motor skills during the movement of small body parts such as the hands, face, wrists, fingers, and toes.
Individuals use gross motor skills during movements of the legs, arms, and other body parts.
Some physical impairments include :
- Lack of coordination
- Stiff muscles
- Weak muscles
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Partial paralysis
- Total paralysis
Fine motor functions are more difficult to discern, but the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may become more noticeable over time.
Fine motor function impairment may include :
- Inability to perform basic tasks such as buttoning shirt buttons, holding a pen, tying shoes, and writing
- Inability to swallow or talk
- Difficulty blinking
Language and Speech
The brain also controls all language and speech. Injury victims suffering from traumatic brain injuries may experience the following impairments related to communication:
- Speaking too quickly or too slowly
- Slurred speech
- Aphasia (difficulty understanding language and/or expressing ideas)
- Difficulty reading
Traumatic brain injuries can affect a person’s ability to live an independent life. Not being able to comprehend and use language is a tremendous burden that can make it more difficult for a person to obtain employment, housing, and a stable place in a community.
Language and Speech
Many injury victims do not understand why their emotions become out of control after an accident. Traumatic brain injuries can alter every area of the brain, and behavioral symptoms may arise due to either brain damage or the psychological trauma caused by other symptoms and impairments. Depression, lack of motivation, aggression, and irritability are all possible behavioral responses to the neurological changes caused by traumatic brain injuries.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy sessions can help injured victims feel empowered after suffering serious injuries. An individual suffering from a traumatic brain injury is more likely to recover from negative emotions if they have supportive friends and family.
Preventing Traumatic Brain Injuries
A party’s negligent acts sometimes cause traumatic brain injuries. Motor vehicle accidents are inherently dangerous, and many people suffer head trauma or a violent jolt of the head in a collision. Adult drivers and passengers must protect their children by using booster seats, safety belts, and car seats.
Traumatic brain injuries often occur during catastrophic motor vehicle accidents. Operators of motor vehicles can also reduce traumatic brain injuries by never driving an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Severe injuries often occur to passengers and drivers involved in drunk driving accidents. Collisions that occur at high speeds and on one-way streets may also result in traumatic brain injuries.
Adults and children who use bicycles can reduce the number of traumatic brain injuries by using helmets and other forms of protective gear. Children and the elderly may experience more severe symptoms caused by traumatic brain injuries, and parents can protect their children by placing guards on every window in the home and requiring helmet use for recreation.
Also, tripping hazards can cause traumatic brain injuries, but parents can place these in a designated area so they don’t become scattered throughout a house.
Sledding and other winter activities can also lead to accidents that increase the risk of an injured victim suffering a traumatic brain injury. Playing contact sports without the proper coaching guidance or safety equipment can also cause TBIs.
What Kind Of Damages Can I Claim From A Personal Injury Case?
The amount of damages that can be recovered from a brain injury claim depends strongly on the severity of the injury itself.
- Loss of Wages- Recovering from a brain injury, or any injury, causes victims to miss out on work. Loss of wages damages covers the amount a victim would have earned if they were still able to work.
- Pain and Suffering- This covers the physical and emotional suffering a victim of a brain injury goes through.
- Lost Earning Capacity- If a TBI left a victim unable to return to work, they can receive compensation as calculated by a third-party financial consultant.
- Medical Expenses- This covers all medical expenses including any initial emergency room or hospital stays, prescriptions, lab work, follow-up care, and imaging tests.
- Lifetime Care Costs- If a TBI causes a victim to require care for the rest of their life, future medical expenses can be considered while calculating compensation. If the victim needs a caregiver, this can also be factored in.
Google Reviews
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Vanessa Castrogiovanni
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Michael Chambers is an excellent lawyer! I received expert guidance and attentiveness from start to finish. Michael is knowledgeable and dedicated to get you the best results. I would 100% recommend Mr. Chambers to represent you!
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Karina Dejesus
5 reviews5 months ago
10/10 would recommend. Everything was done as they told me. Attorney Chambers is one of kind! I appreciate all the hard work and effort he put into my case! Also ,I’m super impressed by how quickly I received my settlement check! Put your trust in this office they got your back !!
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Melly Dee
3 reviews2 weeks ago
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Hartford Traumatic Brain Injury FAQs
The time following a brain injury can leave you confused, with many questions. Below are some brief answers to some common questions our Hartford brain injury lawyers hear. To discuss your specific rights and options, contact our office directly for a free consultation.
What Should I Do After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury?
After suffering a TBI, make your health and recovery your primary focus. Additionally, protect your right to compensation for your injury.
Focus on Your Recovery
Once you have an official diagnosis of a TBI, your doctor should provide recommendations for your recovery.
These can include:
- Getting plenty of sleep and taking it easy for some time
- Taking any medication your doctor prescribes
- Avoiding physically demanding activities
- Participating in rehabilitation, if needed
- Taking some time off of work
- Avoiding screen time as much as possible
Your recovery period depends on the severity of your TBI and may involve a few days, several weeks, months, or years. Always be sure to follow your treatment plan and visit your doctor should you have any concerns.
Document Your Experience and Losses
After sustaining a TBI, be sure to document as much as possible.
This includes:
- Photos of your injuries (if they are visible)
- Symptoms you experienced
- Details regarding the incident that led to your TBI
- Medical treatment information
- How much time you miss from work
- The income you lost
Your medical records are also beneficial to support your case. Documentation is necessary when pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Consult our Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
As soon as you can, talk to our Hartford TBI lawyers. We can address your questions and concerns and provide legal guidance. If you have a case against the party that caused your TBI, your lawyer will work to get you the financial recovery you deserve.
What Does Treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury Involve?
Treatment for a TBI will depend on the type and severity of TBI you sustain.
Treatment can include:
- Hospitalization
- Painkillers
- Rest
- Medications, including anti-seizure medication, diuretics, or coma-inducing drugs
- Rehabilitation
- Surgery
Your physician will determine the extent of your brain injury to decide what kind of treatment will suit you best. If your TBI leads to complications, you will likely require additional treatment.
How Do Physicians Diagnose TBIs?
When you present with a suspected brain injury, your doctor may test to diagnose your brain injury and its severity.
Diagnosis might require multiple tests, including:
- Imaging tests – including computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs).
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) – The GCS allows physicians to test three critical areas: the ability to speak, the ability to open eyes and move. Depending on the results, the doctor will assign a score, indicating a mild, moderate, or severe TBI.
- Other tests, including speech and cognitive tests.
Properly diagnosing TBIs allows for proper treatment.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit?
If you wish to file a claim for your TBI, the statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits limits the amount of time a plaintiff has to file. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for brain injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the incident resulting in the TBI.
If you fail to file before the two years are over, you will lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries. After suffering a TBI, discuss your case with our qualified Hartford traumatic brain injury lawyers right away.
Can TBIs Cause Permanent Impairments?
Sustaining a traumatic brain injury can leave you facing many symptoms, often for an extended period. In many cases, TBIs can also cause permanent impairments.
These can include:
- Memory loss
- Cognitive issues, including issues with concentration
- Behavioral problems like depression, agitation, and mood swings
- Communication issues, including difficulty speaking
- Sensory deficiencies, like vision and hearing loss
These permanent disabilities caused by TBIs can negatively impact your life and require medical intervention.
Who Might be Liable for My TBI-Related Losses?
If you suffered a TBI due to someone’s act or omission, you may recover compensation from that party. For example, if you sustained a brain injury in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, you can attempt to seek financial recovery from that driver.
Most traumatic brain injury lawsuits entail negligence.
When you pursue compensation from another party, you must establish:
- That person owed you a duty of care
- That person’s actions breached their duty of care
- The breach was the cause of your accident or injury
- You suffered losses
Your brain injury lawyer will gather relevant evidence and information during their investigation to establish the party’s negligence. Proving negligence is one of the most important steps in a TBI claim.
Can I Recover Financially for Psychological Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Along with recovering financially for your tangible losses, you may also be eligible to receive compensation for your intangible, psychological losses.
These can include:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent psychological disabilities
Your ability to get compensation for these damages depends on the facts of your case. If your brain injury lawyer feels you have suffered such losses, they will include it when assigning a value to your case.
What Happens If a Traumatic Brain Injury Results in Death?
In the most unfortunate circumstances, TBIs can result in a victim’s death. When someone suffers a brain injury at the hands of another and passes away, their family may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The personal representative of the victim’s estate files the wrongful death lawsuit to benefit the victim’s family or beneficiaries.
They can seek damages, including:
- The victim’s pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
If a loved one has passed away after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, do not hesitate to discuss your case with an attorney to better understand your legal options.
Speak With a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer In Hartford, Connecticut
Did you or a loved one suffer from serious head trauma or a debilitating brain injury as a result of an accident in Hartford? The Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr. is here to help. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about your personal injury case, your potential avenues of filing a claim for damages, and other topics for which our legal advice may be best suited.
No matter what you may be going through, you can count on us to stand by your side to fight for your rights from the very beginning of our lawyer-client relationship. You can call our team of brain injury attorneys and legal specialists today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation regarding your personal injury case.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation during which we can review the facts of your case. Retaining exceptional legal representation will enable you to hold liable parties accountable for their negligent actions. Contact the law firm of Michael L. Chambers Jr., Attorney at Law, today at (860) 231-9535 more information or to schedule an appointment.
Contact Our Legal Team
Learning About You and Your Brain Injury Case
Our process starts with our free consultation. During the consultation, our brain injury attorneys confidentially discuss your case going over the details of your accident and your injuries. We’ll walk through our own series of questions and go through any questions you’re likely to have as well.
After that, we’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action to take in your case and describe the types of compensation that may be available to you. Any fees involved with moving forward will be discussed as some cases can work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you’ll pay nothing until we secure a successful resolution.
Filing Your Brain Injury Lawsuit Complaint
The next step would be for us to file a personal injury lawsuit complaint on your behalf. The party you’re suing will be listed as the defendant on the complaint and you will be listed as the plaintiff.
The complaint will contain the details of the accident and your injuries, as well as the legal action we’re taking against the defendant and the compensation we’ll be seeking for you. The defendant will be required to give a response to the complaint.
The Discovery Process
After the defendant responds to our complaint, we’ll enter the discovery process which is a formal evidence-exchanging process. We’ll send a list of questions to the defendant and potentially request documentation from them as well.
Both parties may also take depositions or sworn statements and in some cases, we’ll consult with accident reconstruction or medical experts. These experts can provide reports and even testify on your behalf if needed.
Pre-Trial Motions and Hearings
Lawyers typically use pretrial motions to get the other side to provide evidence but sometimes they also file motions aimed at resolving a case before it goes to trial.
The defendant may file a motion to get the case dismissed due to lack of evidence but we may file a motion for immediate relief based on a set of undisputed facts.
Negotiating a Settlement
In most cases, both sides usually try to negotiate a settlement to avoid going to trial. In a settlement, the defendant agrees to pay compensation and we would agree to release the defendant from liability.
The negotiation process starts with us making a demand for compensation. The defendant responds with an offer. The offer may be further negotiated until an agreement is settled upon.
Going to Trial
If we cannot come to an agreement, the case will go to trial. Trials usually have two stages. First, the jury decides if the defendant is liable. If so, the jury determines the amount of damages.
Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements. However, if a case goes to trial, our law firm has 20+ years of experience in the courtroom and we’re ready to fight for you.
Collecting Your Judgement or Settlement
After we reach a settlement with the defendant or the court rules in our favor, we’ll go through the process of collecting and distributing the funds owed to you.
Post-Trial Motions and Appeals
After the trial is over, the defendant may file a post-trial motion or appeal to fight the judgement or reduce the amount of damages that the jury has awarded to you.
While a case is on appeal, settlement negotiations may actually resume in an effort to bring timely closure to the case.
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Contact Us For A Free Consultation To Discuss Your Personal Injury Case
Our diverse legal team has years of experience working both in and out of Hartford, New Britain, Enfield, Manchester, Rockville, and New Haven courtrooms with clients of all backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. We focus on personal injury, but we have handled cases of all types. We’re happy to discuss your case with you to see if we’re a fit.
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