Easton Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
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Easton traumatic brain injury lawyer, Edward P. Shaughnessy helps victims of traumatic brain injuries caused by negligence recover compensation through brain injury claims. As an experienced brain injury attorney in Easton, PA, he brings hope to clients suffering from a head injury by holding healthcare professionals accountable for medical malpractice.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to the negligence of another party, you need an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer to help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law and seek the financial recovery you deserve. The Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy is here to assist you in your pursuit of justice. Our Easton traumatic brain injury attorneys have extensive experience with TBI claims. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a head injury can take on victims and their families and want to provide the personal attention your family deserves.
Call 610-258-9955 to schedule a free case evaluation with our Easton traumatic brain injury lawyers today. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so clients won’t pay for legal services unless their traumatic brain injury claim is successful.
What is TBI?
A traumatic brain injury, often abbreviated as TBI, is a severe head injury that disrupts normal brain function. Brain injuries can result from various accidents and can range from mild traumatic brain injury or mild TBI to severe TBI, with potentially life-altering consequences. Most commonly, head trauma occurs from a violent blow to the head. Oxygen deprivation can also cause significant brain trauma, especially during the birthing process.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.5 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious injury that can result in permanent mental and physical disabilities, exorbitant medical costs, and even death. Those who have suffered brain trauma from someone else’s negligence can recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania.
Types of TBI
Traumatic brain injuries can be categorized into two primary types: closed-brain injuries and open-brain injuries.
Open Head Injury
An open head injury involves a penetrating wound that directly damages the brain tissue. This type of head injury often results from gunshot wounds, stabbings, or other situations where a foreign object enters the skull and damages brain tissue. It is much harder to recover from open-brain injuries compared to closed-brain injuries. Many victims of open brain injuries often suffer lifelong disabilities or death and require help from brain injury lawyers to secure reasonable compensation for losses.
Closed Head Injury
A closed head injury occurs when there is a blow or impact to the head without any penetration or fracture of the skull. The force from the impact can cause the brain tissue to collide with the interior of the skull, leading to damaged blood vessels, blood clots, or even a brain bleed, requiring immediate surgical intervention or medical treatment. Common examples seen by many brain injury lawyers include diffuse axonal injury, concussion, contusion, or subdural hematoma.
Axonal Brain Injury
A diffuse axonal injury is caused when quick head movements that cause the brain to slide back and forth within a person’s skull, causing widespread trauma. These brain injuries often result in longer spans of unconsciousness and can be fatal.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a condition that can occur after a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. While many people recover from a mild concussion within a few weeks, others may experience lingering symptoms for an extended period, which can drastically disrupt their daily lives. A study estimates that about 15% of brain injury victims will experience long-term symptoms.
Contusions and Coup-Contrecoup
These brain injuries indicate bruising on the brain and are commonly caused by whiplash.
Hypoxic Brain Injury
Hypoxic brain injuries occur when there isn’t enough oxygen in the brain. Brain injury claims associated with a hypoxic brain injury, hypoxic anoxic brain injury, or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury are often associated with injuries sustained at birth.
TBI Symptoms
Traumatic brain injury symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the head injury and the area of the brain that’s damaged.
Mild TBI Symptoms
Common symptoms associated with a mild traumatic brain injury include:
- Headache
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Sensory disturbances (e.g., blurred vision, ringing in the ears)
- Sensitivity to light and sound
Symptoms of a mild concussion or mild traumatic brain injury can sometimes be subtle and may not immediately manifest, making it crucial to seek immediate medical attention after any head injury
Severe TBI Symptoms
Severe TBI symptoms can include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Profound confusion
- Persistent headache
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Dilated pupils
- Behavioral changes
- Coma
A severe brain injury often requires immediate medical intervention because it can be life-threatening and may result in long-term disabilities.
TBI Symptoms Long-Term
Our Easton traumatic brain injury lawyers understand the long-term symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be profound and life-altering, affecting an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. In some cases, TBIs can lead to more severe outcomes like seizures, sleep disturbances, and sensory deficits, which can persist for years or even become permanent. The complexity and variability of these symptoms underscore the importance of specialized medical care and support for those living with the long-term effects of a TBI.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can occur in a variety of settings and situations. Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury claim our Easton traumatic brain injury lawyers litigate include motor vehicle accident claims, slip and fall accident claims, medical negligence claims, workplace accident claims, and claims for sports injuries, violent assaults, and explosions.
A motor vehicle accident, such as a car accident, semi-truck accident, motorcycle crash, or even pedestrian or cyclist accident, are frequent causes of TBIs. The sudden impact of car accidents can lead to head injuries and other catastrophic injuries, even if the individual was wearing a seatbelt or helmet. An Easton motor vehicle accident attorney can help you recover the damages you deserve.
Slip and fall accidents, especially among the elderly, can result in traumatic brain injuries. Head injuries can occur when someone slips, trips, or falls and strikes their head on a hard surface on the way down. These types of accidents can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages, which is why it’s so important to reach out to an Easton slip and fall accident attorney.
In some cases, the negligence of healthcare professionals can lead to traumatic brain injuries. Errors during surgery, anesthesia complications, fetal oxygen deprivation during birth, or improper patient care in the emergency department can result in severe TBI injuries. Medical malpractice claims are incredibly complex but necessary to hold healthcare workers accountable. Consulting an Easton medical malpractice lawyer is the best way to ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Workplace accidents, particularly in industries involving construction, manufacturing, or heavy machinery operations, can also lead to TBIs. An employee may suffer head trauma from falling objects, machinery malfunctions, or even workplace violence. All injured workers should consult an Easton workers’ compensation lawyer before filing a brain injury claim.
Can You Sue for a Traumatic Brain Injury in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can sue for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) if your traumatic brain injury lawyer can demonstrate that the head injury was caused by negligence. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can have devastating and long-lasting consequences on a person’s life, and seeking legal recourse from experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers in Easton, PA, is often necessary to obtain the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other damages from the insurance company or negligent parties.
To pursue financial recovery, it’s essential to consult with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer who can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your injury, establish negligence, consult medical experts, and guide you through the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. The Easton traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy can do just that.
How to Prove Negligence in a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit
If you believe that someone else’s negligence led to your traumatic brain injury, you may have the grounds to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. To succeed in a brain injury lawsuit, an experienced brain injury attorney must help you establish four key elements: duty of care, breached duty of care, causation, and damages.
- Duty of Care: The first element of negligence is proving that the defendant owed a duty of care. In the context of a traumatic brain injury case, this often means demonstrating that the defendant had a legal obligation to act reasonably and prevent harm to others.
- Breached Duty: The second element of negligence in brain injury claims is showing that the defendant breached their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly.
- Causation: Next, brain injury lawyers must establish a direct link between the defendant’s breach of duty and the traumatic brain injury. This means demonstrating that the defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of your injury. Medical records, medical expert opinions, and other evidence may be used to establish causation in traumatic brain injury cases.
- Damages: The final element of negligence is proving that the victim suffered actual damages as a result of the traumatic brain injury. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses incurred due to the injury. Documentation of these damages is essential so traumatic brain injury lawyers can build a strong case.
Average Settlement for Traumatic Brain Injury in Pennsylvania
The value of a traumatic brain injury case can vary widely depending on numerous factors, including the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s life, the extent of negligence involved, and the experience of the traumatic brain injury attorney. Determining the worth of traumatic brain injury cases typically involves evaluating economic and non-economic damages. The Easton traumatic brain injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy can carefully examine the details of your claim and help you calculate the exact amount of damages you deserve from your case.
TBI Damages
Our traumatic brain injury attorneys can help victims recover damages from negligent parties (or insurance adjusters) following their initial accident. There are three main types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages refer to the financial losses directly associated with the traumatic brain injury. These may include past and future medical expenses, lost income, and property damage.
Non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify as they represent intangible losses. They may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious or showed a willful disregard for the safety of others. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
Determining the exact value of brain injury claims requires thoroughly analyzing all the relevant factors. An experienced traumatic brain injury attorney at the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy can help you assess your damages and pursue fair compensation.
Why You Need an Easton Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Navigating a traumatic brain injury lawsuit can be complex and overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of the personal injury. Hiring an experienced Easton traumatic brain injury attorney like Ed Shaughnessy can provide you with several crucial advantages:
- Legal Expertise: A traumatic brain injury lawyer understands the intricacies of personal injury law, ensuring that your case is handled professionally and effectively.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Your traumatic brain injury attorney will investigate the circumstances of your injury, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiation Skills: An experienced brain injury attorney can negotiate with an insurance company (if applicable) and the negligent party to secure a fair settlement that covers your current and future expenses.
- Courtroom Experience: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your Easton traumatic brain injury attorney is prepared to take your case to court and advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a dedicated advocate can provide peace of mind during a challenging and emotional time.
Experienced Easton Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to consult with traumatic brain injury attorneys in Easton, Pennsylvania. An experienced brain injury attorney at The Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy is here to help you through every step, from investigating the case to pursuing compensation on your behalf.
Ed Shaughnessy is a dedicated and experienced Easton traumatic brain injury attorney who understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that TBIs can take on victims and their families. He has decades of experience in handling traumatic brain injury lawsuits. With his commitment to justice and his track record of success in personal injury cases, you can trust him to fight tirelessly for your rights.
To schedule a free consultation and discuss your TBI case with a seasoned traumatic brain injury attorney, contact the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy at 610-258-9955 today. We are here to provide you with the support and legal representation you need to pursue the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait—take the first step toward justice and recovery by scheduling a free case evaluation today.