Brain injuries can have devastating, long-term effects on victims and their families, altering every aspect of daily life in an instant. These serious injuries can occur in many different types of accidents, and the consequences often extend far beyond the initial accident, requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care that can last months, years, or even a lifetime.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Norfolk due to someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs. At Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, our experienced brain injury lawyers are committed to leading victims and families through the legal process.

Recognizing Brain Injury Symptoms After an Accident in Norfolk

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to severe brain injuries that cause permanent disability. One of the most challenging aspects of these injuries is that symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. Some victims feel fine in the moments following a collision or fall, only to develop serious symptoms hours or even days later. This delayed onset makes it critical to monitor for warning signs and seek medical attention promptly after any incident involving a blow to the head or violent shaking.

Common signs and symptoms of a brain injury include:

• Persistent headaches or migraines
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems or difficulty forming new memories
• Slurred speech or difficulty communicating
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, or depression
• Loss of consciousness, even briefly
• Seizures or convulsions
• Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears

If you or someone you care about experiences any of these symptoms after an accident, it’s essential to consult a medical professional immediately. Brain injuries are medical emergencies that require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Delaying care can lead to complications, worsening symptoms, and long-term consequences that might have been prevented with early intervention.

Why Legal Representation Matters in Brain Injury Cases

A traumatic brain injury can be financially devastating, physically debilitating, and emotionally overwhelming for both victims and their families. Medical bills can quickly reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Many brain injury victims cannot return to work for extended periods or must leave the workforce entirely.

When a brain injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, victims and their families have the right to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for these losses. However, traumatic brain injury claims present unique challenges that make experienced legal representation essential.

Insurance companies often dispute the severity of brain injuries, particularly when symptoms are primarily cognitive or emotional rather than visible physical injuries. They may pressure victims to accept quick settlements before the full extent of the injury becomes apparent.

A brain injury attorney helps handle these challenges by:

• Thoroughly investigating the accident
• Gathering medical evidence that documents the injury’s severity and long-term prognosis
• Consulting with medical experts who can explain the injury’s impact
• Calculating the full value of the claim, including future medical expenses and lost earning capacity
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
• Taking the case to trial when insurers refuse to offer adequate settlements

These are high-stakes claims that require accuracy, attention to detail, and strategic legal advocacy. Working with an experienced brain injury lawyer ensures your claim is handled properly from the start.

Why Choose Huffman & Huffman for Your Case?

Huffman & Huffman brings decades of combined experience serving accident victims throughout Norfolk and the surrounding Virginia communities. Our attorneys are deeply rooted in this area, with strong connections to local medical providers, experts, and the legal community that benefit our clients’ cases. We understand the challenges facing Norfolk residents, from the local court system to working with regional healthcare facilities.

What sets our firm apart is our commitment to personalized attention and aggressive advocacy. We limit our caseload to ensure each client receives the focused representation they deserve. When you work with Huffman & Huffman, we treat your case with the care and dedication it demands. Our track record of successful settlements and verdicts in serious injury cases demonstrates our ability to achieve results for clients facing life-changing injuries.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Brain Injury Claim?

Virginia law allows brain injury victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from their injuries.

Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, such as past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages for time missed from work, lost earning capacity if the injury prevents you from returning to your previous occupation, costs of assistive devices and home modifications, and more.

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement and scarring, and loss of consortium for spouses affected by changes in their relationship.

Several factors affect the amount of compensation you may recover, including the severity and permanence of your brain injury, the extent of your medical treatment and future care needs, your age and life expectancy, your occupation and earning potential, the degree of the defendant’s negligence, and the strength of the evidence supporting your claim.

An experienced brain injury attorney can accurately value your claim by working with medical experts, economists, and life care planners who assess the full scope of your current and future needs.

Tips for Building a Strong Brain Injury Claim

Taking the right steps after a brain injury can significantly strengthen your legal claim, including:

• Document medical records and symptoms carefully. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, doctor’s appointments, diagnostic tests, medications, and therapy sessions. Maintain a journal documenting your symptoms, how they affect your daily activities, and any changes in your condition over time.
• Follow your treatment plan consistently. Attend all medical appointments, complete prescribed therapies, and follow your healthcare providers’ recommendations. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that you failed to mitigate your damages.
• Communicate carefully with insurance companies. Never give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney first. Be cautious about posting on social media, as insurers often monitor accounts for evidence they can use to undervalue or deny your claim. Refer all communication from insurance companies to your lawyer.
• Contact a brain injury lawyer early. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible after your accident allows your legal team to preserve critical evidence before it’s lost, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, document the accident scene, and begin building a strong case immediately. Early legal involvement also prevents you from making mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.

Norfolk Brain Injury Lawyer: FAQs

What is the statute of limitations for brain injury lawsuits?

In Virginia, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain circumstances may extend or shorten this deadline. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible ensures you don’t miss critical deadlines that could bar your claim entirely.

How much does a brain injury attorney in Norfolk cost?

Huffman & Huffman handles brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fees come from a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so you can pursue justice without financial risk.

Can you file a brain injury claim if you were partially responsible for the accident?

Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule, which is one of the strictest in the country. If you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This harsh rule makes it especially important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can build a strong case demonstrating the other party’s full responsibility for your injuries.

Do you have a TBI lawyer near me?

Yes, Huffman & Huffman serves clients throughout Norfolk and the surrounding areas. Our Norfolk office is conveniently located at 400 W Main Street, Suite 1000, Norfolk, VA 23510. We’re committed to serving our local community and are easily accessible for consultations and meetings throughout your case.

Our Norfolk Brain Injury Attorneys Can Help You Understand Your Options

At Huffman & Huffman, we understand that a traumatic brain injury can turn your entire world upside down. Our Norfolk brain injury lawyers are here to help you and your family understand your legal options and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We’ll review the details of your case and develop a strategic plan for pursuing the justice and compensation your family needs to move forward.