Newport News Brain Injury Lawyer

The brain is not only where all decision-making, cognition, and emotional response are centered, but it also serves as a regulator for movement, breathing, and other vital functions. So when a brain injury happens, the effects can change a person’s entire life, going well beyond the physical pain of the injury itself.

While brain injuries can result from a wide range of accidents, when they are caused by another person’s negligence, victims have the right to pursue compensation to address financial, physical, and emotional damages that they may be experiencing as a result of the injury. Our brain injury law firm in Newport News has over 50 years of experience in successfully litigating these cases and can provide you with the skill, dedication, and resources essential to your case.

What You Need To Know About Brain Injuries

A brain injury occurs when there is any disruption to normal brain function. In most cases, this is caused by a blow or penetrating injury to the head, but it can also happen as a result of electric shock, coma, whiplash, suffocation, or underlying conditions. There is also a wide range of types of brain injuries. For example, a mild concussion can be categorized as a brain injury just as readily as a catastrophic trauma to the head or any condition in between.

The symptoms of a brain injury are not always immediately apparent after an accident. They can take days or even weeks to appear, or may seem only minor at first. Some of the most common signs of these injuries include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Incontinence
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Changes in mood, sleep, motor function, behavior, or concentration

If you or a loved one has experienced an accident that resulted in one or more of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to seek medical attention as early as possible to prevent the condition from getting worse. A prompt medical assessment is also important for safeguarding your case, should you decide to pursue legal action.

What are the Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury?: When You Might Have a Case

As we’ve learned, a brain injury can be caused by a wide range of scenarios, and not every one involves negligence. However, when another party’s careless or reckless actions contribute to the harm, they may be held legally responsible for any damages that result. A few of the more common brain injury causes our firm has witnessed over the years include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car accidents, including pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents, are one of the most common causes of brain injuries. If the injury resulted from a collision caused by a negligent driver, they can be held liable for the damages.
• Slip and Falls: Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If they fail to fix hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting, they may be liable when someone suffers a head injury in a fall.
• Workplace Accidents: Similarly to property owners, employers are also responsible for providing a safe working environment. Brain injuries can occur when safety protocols are ignored, equipment is faulty, or proper training is not provided.
• Medical Malpractice: When a medical professional fails to deliver the accepted standard level of care, they can be held liable if their negligence resulted in a brain injury. In medical malpractice brain injury cases, this often includes surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or failure to diagnose conditions like brain bleeds or infections.
• Defective Products: In some cases, a defective product may cause a brain injury. For example, if a car seat fails to restrict a child from whiplash or an airbag fails to deploy, the manufacturer may be held liable.

How Brain Injuries Can Affect Daily Life

Brain injuries are unique in that they often affect many aspects of a person’s life. One of the most immediate and apparent symptoms of a brain injury is the way that it can affect cognition, memory, and emotion. Many victims of brain injuries can experience rapid mood or personality changes that can make socializing, working, or even taking care of themselves more challenging. In more severe cases, victims may also have issues with motor function, such as walking, picking up objects, or speaking clearly.

While physical therapy, counseling, and cognitive training have been shown to improve the lives of brain injury victims, the road to recovery is long and often unpredictable. It can also come with many financial challenges, including employing caregivers, long-term hospital stays, or expensive in-home medical equipment. This can be especially difficult when considering that the individual may be without a reliable income due to their injuries and their inability to work.

Fortunately, through a personal injury lawsuit, individuals who have suffered a brain injury due to another’s actions can access valuable resources to help them recover from these and other damages. However, it’s important to work with a brain injury attorney in Newport News who can accurately calculate these damages and effectively advocate for your right to them.

What Damages Can You Pursue in a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit

Brain injuries can differ significantly in terms of severity. Because of this, not every brain injury will result in the same types of damages or settlement amounts. Your lawyer will help you calculate these damages while considering potential future damages as well. These may include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, rehab, medication, and future treatments
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity, especially if the injury impacts your ability to work long-term
• Pain and suffering, including both physical and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life, which covers an inability to engage in hobbies, relationships, or daily routines
• Caregiving costs, including professional home care or family members taking time off work to assist
• Assistive devices and home modifications, such as ramps, communication devices, or wheelchair-accessible transportation

Why Choose the Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers at Huffman & Huffman?

If you or a loved one is suffering from a brain injury due to a traumatic accident, you’re likely already feeling beyond your emotional limit. While filing a brain injury lawsuit is the only option for many to receive the resources they need, the prospect of doing so can feel almost as overwhelming as the injury itself.

At Huffman & Huffman, our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible. We will handle the complex legal work for you, keeping you in the loop at every step. Our firm’s experience in personal injury law extends over 50 years, and we have successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. From your free consultation onward, our brain injury lawyers in Newport News will work tirelessly to investigate your accident, collect valuable evidence, file paperwork, and communicate with insurance, medical experts, and witnesses to build a comprehensive case.

Newport News Brain Injury Lawyer: FAQs

How Long Do I Have To File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Virginia?

You typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a brain injury lawsuit in Newport News. However, in some cases, you may have more or less time, depending on the scenario. Our lawyers can help determine the exact amount of time you will have to file.

Do You Have a Brain Injury Lawyer Near Me?

Our Newport News office is located at 12284 Warwick Boulevard, #2A, and we serve all communities in the Hampton Roads region.

Can I Pursue Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

Virginia follows a contributory negligence system, which means that if you are found even slightly at fault, you will not be able to recover compensation. That said, fault isn’t always straightforward, and insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims. We can review the facts and help you understand your options.

How Long Will My Brain Injury Case Take?

Every brain injury case is different and can range in length from a few months to over a year. The exact length of time will depend on the severity of your injury, the availability of supporting evidence in your case, and many other factors.

Get the Help You Need from a Brain Injury Attorney in Newport News

A brain injury can completely upend a person’s life, but when they’re caused by someone else’s negligent actions, an injured victim has the right to seek compensation for their damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Our firm is here to support you throughout this difficult time, and we offer our legal services on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.