Wisconsin Brain Injury Lawyer
Our Wisconsin Brain Injury Lawyer is Here to Help
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a type of injury caused by external force. A blow to a person’s head or body causes the brain to slip around inside the skull, and this movement can lead to serious disruption in how the brain operates. TBIs are a serious injury with many long-lasting complications. Anyone who has suffered a TBI should reach out to Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, today to discuss possible compensation. Our firm has held negligent motorists or property owners accountable in personal injury cases when their actions cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury cases. Our traumatic brain injury lawyer is dedicated to helping clients navigate the legal complexities following a traumatic brain injury. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced brain injury attorney.
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our firm has held negligent motorists or property owners accountable when their actions cause serious injuries, including brain injuries. Please call our Wisconsin traumatic brain injury lawyers now. We are happy to evaluate your case and advise if you should seek compensation for the injury, as well as the deadlines that apply. We provide free consultations.
Accidents Which Lead to Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any accident that results in a violent blow to a person’s body can lead to a TBI. Common causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Motor vehicle collisions. A motorist riding in a car or on a motorcycle can slam their head into something, such as the steering wheel, or their head can snap back and forth. A car accident can result in significant economic impacts and requires specialist consultations for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of potential brain injuries.
- Slip and falls. A person can strike their head when they fall, such as by hitting the side of a desk. Falls account for 62% of nonfatal TBIs in Wisconsin. Children under 14 experience 55% of TBIs from falls.
- Violent attacks. Assaults and domestic violence are significant TBI causes. A punch to the face or head can lead to a TBI. In extreme cases, a person can be shot in the head.
- Sporting accidents. TBI injuries are a common cause of concern in football, soccer, and other contact sports.
- Workplace accidents. The most dangerous industries are transportation, construction, and manufacturing. Workers can suffer TBIs when an object hits them, or they fall at work.
Combat-related activities cause many TBIs in military personnel as well. The most common causes of head injury outside of military service remain falls, car accidents, and being struck by or against an object.
Classifications of TBI
Doctors classify TBI injuries as mild traumatic brain injuries, moderate, or severe. The most common tool is the Glasgow Coma Scale, which measures a person’s consciousness. Generally, the less conscious a person is following an accident, the more serious their TBI.
A neurological exam measures:
- Eye response
- Motor response
- Verbal response
As part of the test, doctors will ask patients questions to measure memory loss and ability to perceive their surroundings. Doctors then assign a score to how well the patient performed the task, and these scores go into the classification:
- A concussion is an example of a mild traumatic brain injury case. A mild TBI involves loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, or the injured person may not lose consciousness at all.
- A moderate TBI is more serious. A moderate TBI causes more serious impairment, which can take longer to heal. Many people with moderate TBIs remain with disabilities for years.
- A severe TBI is the most serious. Some people remain in a coma for an extended period. Impairments with speech, balance, personality, and movement are much more pronounced and, in many cases, irreversible.
Severe TBIs increase the risk of degenerative brain diseases over the long term, adding another layer of long-term consequences for TBI victims and their family members. Standard CT or MRI scans miss up to 80% of brain damage, which is why working with specialists who understand traumatic brain injury medicine is so important for building a strong traumatic brain injury claim.
Treatment options are limited. Patients generally need to rest and limit stress as they wait for the brain to heal. A concussion could heal in several months. Doctors typically treat symptoms, like pain or depression. Moderate or severe TBI injuries can often require a patient to regain mobility and other functioning through rehabilitation.
Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury
The long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury can touch every part of a person’s life. Memory loss, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and changes in personality are all known effects. Some TBI victims also experience blood clots, stroke, and an increased risk of other neurological conditions years after the original injury.
Severe brain injury can permanently alter a person’s ability to work, communicate, and care for themselves. Emotional well-being and the well-being of family members are also deeply affected. Rehabilitation can help some accident victims regain function, but the road is long and not everyone fully recovers.
TBI medical treatment costs range from $85,000 to $3 million depending on severity and the level of ongoing care needed. This financial reality makes pursuing a brain injury claim with the help of a Wisconsin brain injury attorney all the more important for injured people and their families.
Compensation for TBI in Wisconsin
TBI victims often have large expenses. Brain injury victims face some of the most serious injuries a person can struggle with. For example, someone with a moderate or severe TBI could suffer from:
- Ongoing physical disabilities, which make walking or grasping objects impossible. Many people need at-home help, as well as occupational or physical therapy.
- Continuing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. These disabilities can require medication or even behavioral therapy or counseling.
- Speech impairments, which cause frustration and make it harder to re-enter the workforce. TBI victims often need speech therapy.
With a severe brain injury, there is a risk a patient will be permanently in a coma and need long-term care, which is expensive. Our law firm seeks fair financial compensation for all medical care, including future care and at-home assistance. We also seek fair compensation for lost wages and earning capacity, as well as past and future pain and suffering. Dealing with an insurance company can be challenging, especially when they refuse to pay benefits or dispute coverage.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Help from Our Wisconsin Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Family members often struggle powerfully after a moderate or severe TBI. A loved one might be completely unable to take care of themselves. A family might need to hire help or modify their home to accommodate a wheelchair, for example. The stress often requires group therapy for the entire family.
Traumatic brain injury cases involve complex medical evidence. Attorneys for brain injuries must understand the cognitive and emotional tolls of TBIs. Top attorneys work closely with neuropsychologists and neurologists for TBI cases, which is the kind of legal and medical teamwork required to properly value a traumatic brain injury claim. Our attorneys should be familiar with Wisconsin’s personal injury statutes, and our team is. The statute of limitations is three years in Wisconsin, meaning you must file a lawsuit within three years of the incident or risk losing your legal rights entirely.
We can:
- Answer questions you have about the legal rights and process
- Gather evidence for use in your claim
- Interview witnesses to the accident to better identify fault
- Collect medical bills and other evidence to fully value the cost of your TBI
- Open negotiations by sending a demand letter to the defendant or their insurer
- Continue negotiations and possibly attend mediation
- File a lawsuit before the end of the statute of limitations
- Do everything possible to get you fair compensation
TBI Facts
According to the Centers for Disease Control:
- In 2021, there were more than 69,000 TBI-related deaths.
- Falls result in about 50% of all TBI hospitalizations.
- 55% of those who suffered a moderate or severe TBI were unemployed five years later.
- 33% of moderate/severe TBI victims needed help at home.
About 1,500 deaths in Wisconsin involve traumatic brain injuries annually. These numbers are testament to the devastating severity of TBI injuries. Everyone’s journey is different, but it is not unheard of for family members to experience acute financial distress when a moderate or severe TBI keeps a loved one out of work for years. Many people will suffer permanent disabilities for life.
FAQs: Traumatic Brain Injury Claims in Wisconsin
What is the difference between a mild TBI and a severe TBI?
A mild TBI, sometimes called a concussion, involves brief or no loss of consciousness and symptoms that may heal within a few months. A mild brain injury can still cause difficulty with concentration, memory loss, depression, and anxiety that affect daily function. A severe brain injury involves extended loss of consciousness and can cause permanent impairments in speech, movement, personality, and ability to care for oneself. The Glasgow Coma Scale is the primary tool doctors use to classify TBI severity.
How long do I have to file a traumatic brain injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s statute of limitations is three years for TBI lawsuits. You must file a lawsuit within three years of the incident. Missing this deadline usually means losing the right to recover compensation entirely. Because building a traumatic brain injury claim takes time, especially when evidence and expert testimony are needed, reaching out to a brain injury lawyer sooner rather than later gives your case the best foundation.
What compensation can TBI victims recover in Wisconsin?
TBI victims and their family members may be able to recover fair compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, future care needs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, emotional well-being impacts, and pain and suffering. In the most serious cases involving a loved one who requires permanent care, compensation may also account for long-term consequences of the injury, including custodial care. A Wisconsin brain injury attorney can review your situation and help you understand the full value of a brain injury claim.
What are the most common causes of traumatic brain injury in Wisconsin?
Falls are the most common cause of TBI hospitalizations in Wisconsin, accounting for a significant majority of cases. Motor vehicle accidents are another leading cause of brain injury, particularly when a violent blow to the head occurs on impact. Assaults and domestic violence are also recognized common causes of traumatic brain injury in Wisconsin. A Wisconsin brain injury lawyer handles claims arising from all of these situations.
Do I need a specialist to prove a traumatic brain injury case?
Yes, in most cases. Standard CT or MRI scans miss up to 80% of brain damage, so a standard imaging report is not always enough to document the full extent of a brain injury. Top attorneys work closely with neuropsychologists and neurologists for TBI cases to build stronger claims. Traumatic brain injury cases involve complex medical evidence, and having the right experts can make a significant difference in what fair compensation you are able to recover.
Call Our TBI Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The professionals at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, understand the challenges TBI victims and their families confront daily. You deserve an experienced legal team in your corner who can fight for compensation. Contact our Wisconsin law firm today to schedule a free consultation. We have sued negligent motorists, property owners, and others for these injuries.