TBI Attorney | Brain Injury Lawyer in Wisconsin
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 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 deadlines that apply. We provide free consultations.
Accidents Which Lead to Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any accident which results in a blow to a person’s body can lead to a TBI. Some of the most common accidents are:
- Motor vehicle collisions. A motorist; riding a car or a motorcycle; can slam their head into something, like the steering wheel, or else their head snaps back and forth, juggling the brain. A car accident can result in significant economic impacts and requires specialist consultations for accurate diagnosis and treatment of potential brain injuries.
- Slip and falls. A person can strike their head when they fall, such as hitting the side of a desk.
- Violent attacks. A punch to the face or head can lead to a TBI. In extreme cases, a person can be shot in the head, which is a type of open brain injury.
- Sporting accidents. TBIs are common with 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.
Classifications of TBI
Doctors classify TBIs 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 and ability to perceive their surroundings. A doctor might ask a patient to state their name, where they are, and the date. They will probably also ask a patient to follow a light with their eyes or move their arms or legs on command. 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. A patient can struggle with various symptoms, but they should only be unconscious briefly following an accident—or 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.
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 TBIs can often require a patient to regain mobility and other functioning.
Compensation for TBI in Wisconsin
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 while also making it harder to re-enter the workforce. Victims often need speech therapy.
With a severe TBI, there is a risk a patient will be permanently in a coma and need long-term care, which is expensive. A room in a nursing home costs more than $100,000—and the cost has only exploded year over year.
Our law firm seeks financial compensation for all medical care, including future care and at-home assistance. We also seek compensation for loss of income and earning capacity, as well as past and future pain and suffering. Call our firm to fully review how much your personal injury claim is worth. 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
Families 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 fit a wheelchair, for example. The stress often requires group therapy for the entire family.
This is a difficult time, and obtaining financial compensation is not guaranteed. Insurance companies may require claimants to undergo medical evaluations or may deny claims, making it crucial to hire an experienced TBI attorney at our firm. We can:
- Answer questions you have about the legal process;
- Find 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 compensation.
Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of negligence recover compensation and are recognized for their expertise and commitment to client service.
Consulting a personal injury attorney is essential when dealing with traumatic brain injuries, especially when insurance companies challenge claims. Understanding personal injury law is crucial in navigating arbitration and legal procedures for disputing insurance claims.
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.
These numbers are testament to the severity of TBI injuries. Everyone’s journey is different, but it’s not unheard of for families 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.
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.