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Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-altering condition that can leave victims and their families facing immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges. These injuries often result from accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, leaving victims to navigate a complex recovery process. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, we understand the profound toll a brain injury can take. Our experienced Chicago traumatic brain injury lawyers are here to provide compassionate support and unwavering legal advocacy during this difficult time.

If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today by filling out our online contact form or calling (312) 586-1700 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC to Help You?

Our Chicago personal injury law firm was founded by four highly accomplished attorneys. This isn’t just a statement—it’s a reflection of our decades of unwavering commitment to advocating for victims of negligence in the field of personal injury law. Together, we bring a wealth of experience in handling a diverse range of injury and accident cases.

  • Proven Results: Our firm has secured over $500 million in settlements and record-setting jury verdicts for our clients. We are dedicated to fighting aggressively to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.
  • Decades of Experience: With decades of experience representing clients in personal injury claims, our attorneys bring deep expertise to every case. We use our knowledge and skills to build a strong case in your favor and safeguard your rights.
  • We Take Care of You: Managing an brain injury claim can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from an injury. Our Chicago brain injury attorneys will handle every detail of your case, allowing you to focus on healing—not paperwork.

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What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a non-congenital, non-degenerative injury caused by an external force, such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating object. This force damages the brain’s structure and disrupts its normal function. TBIs can affect:

  • Movement and coordination
  • Memory, reasoning, and decision-making
  • Emotional control and social interactions
  • Communication and sensory perception

While some individuals recover fully, others may face lifelong challenges requiring ongoing care and support.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries in Chicago occur due to a wide variety of reasons and often as a result of the negligence of others. Some of the most common traumatic brain injury claims we help clients with arise due to:

  • Vehicle-Related Accidents – Collisions involving bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, or cars are a common cause of this brain injury.
  • Falls – Young children and the elderly can sustain a traumatic brain injury when they fall down the stairs, in a nursing home, or in other areas. Slip and fall injuries are a leading cause of concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
  • Defective Products – If companies, retailers, or distributors supplied defective products to consumers, these products could cause trauma or internal complications that lead to a traumatic brain injury.
  • Medical Mistakes – When doctors make mistakes, it can lead to significant harm to a patient. Doctors and surgeons, or any other medical professional, could cause a traumatic brain injury due to negligent actions. If this has happened, a medical malpractice attorney in Chicago can help you pursue legal justice.
  • Work Injuries – Workplace accidents are not uncommon throughout Chicago, and they can lead to traumatic brain injuries. Work incidents can occur in any type of work environment, and brain injuries often occur due to workplace falls, vehicle accidents, or equipment mishaps.

This is certainly not a complete list of the ways that traumatic brain injuries occur in and around the Chicago area. If you have any questions about your particular claim, contact an attorney for assistance today.

Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury

The signs or symptoms of a brain injury can appear immediately or develop over time. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms after an accident, seek medical attention immediately:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Headaches, nausea, or vomiting
  • Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
  • Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination issues
  • Seizures or convulsions

Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Sensitivity to light or sound

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Mood swings, irritability, or agitation
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Changes in sleep patterns

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for recovery. If you suspect a TBI, contact a medical professional and then reach out to our team for legal guidance.

Various Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

There are several kinds of traumatic brain injury, but they fall into either one of the two categories: Open or closed. An open head injury happens when an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain tissue. On the other hand, a closed head injury occurs when a sudden, violent motion or a blow knocks the brain against the skull but does not penetrate it.

Closed traumatic brain injuries are more complex and have several different patterns of signs and symptoms. A few of the types of closed head injury are:

  • Concussion – This mild form of head injury causes the victim to suffer a brief period of unconsciousness, or feel disoriented, confused, or dazed while maintaining consciousness. It can lead to a wide range of health problems, including dizziness, balance problems, painful headaches, anxiety, depression, and personality changes. Additionally, it can make the individual more prone to additional concussions. Recurring cases of this type of injury may result in dementia or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative disease of the brain.
  • Diffuse Axonal – This type of brain injury arises from a severe jolt or a powerful and sudden rotation of the head. When the head moves from the shaking or rotation, the brain trails behind in motion. The organ eventually strikes against the interior skull and injures multiple parts of the brain. Diffuse axonal is a common type of injury that results from a vehicular accident.
  • Epidural Hematoma – This deadly traumatic head injury occurs when blood builds up between the skull and the hard covering of the brain. This rapidly puts pressure on the organ.

Individuals who sustain brain injuries may also suffer from short-term or long-term physical or cognitive disabilities. This can be devastating, particularly for those who are unable to return to their normal day-to-day or work-related activities. Navigating the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury should not be done alone. Brain injury victims should consult not only with medical professionals but also mental health professionals who can help them navigate the new day-to-day situation.

Compensation for a Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Case

There is no set amount of compensation for brain injury victims in Chicago, as each case is unique. The amount awarded depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the recovery timeline, whether the injury resulted in a disability, and other considerations like shared fault, insurance policy limits, and the at-fault party’s assets.

In Chicago, victims of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These damages aim to address the wide-ranging impacts of the injury:

Economic Damages: These cover measurable financial losses, such as:

  • Medical expenses, including costs for surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing treatment related to the TBI
  • Lost wages, compensating for past and future income lost due to the inability to work
  • Property damage resulting from the incident that caused the TBI

Non-Economic Damages: These address the intangible, yet significant, impacts of a brain injury, including:

  • Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional distress caused by the TBI
  • Quality of life damages, for the impact on the victim’s lifestyle, relationships, and sense of self
  • Chronic pain, for ongoing discomfort resulting from the injury
  • Permanent disability compensation, for long-term or lifelong disabilities caused by the TBI

The specific compensation and amount awarded can vary significantly based on the details of your case. To fully understand the types of compensation available and ensure your rights are protected, it’s crucial to consult an experienced Chicago brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.

How Long Do You Have to File a Brain Injury Claim?

Chicago traumatic brain injury victims have a limited amount of time to file a claim against another party. The personal injury statute of limitations in Illinois is the guiding factor here, which states that brain injury claims should be filed within two years from the date the injury occurs. If a victim fails to file a lawsuit within this particular time frame, they will not be able to recover compensation for their losses.

Will You Have to Go to Court For a Brain Injury Claim?

Most personal injury claims, including brain injury cases, get settled before a victim has to go to an actual courtroom. For example, brain injury claims that arise as a result of a vehicle accident typically get settled between auto insurance carriers and the victim. However, there are many reasons why a person may need to go to court for a brain injury claim. In the event the at-fault party or insurance carrier refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary to push forward toward a trial.

The Role of a Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

The role of a traumatic brain injury lawyer will be multifaceted and includes taking the steps necessary to help you recover compensation for your losses. Not every traumatic brain injury case is the same, but the general roles an attorney will take include the following:

  • Fully investigating the incident to gather evidence
  • Establishing the elements of negligence
  • Enlisting trusted medical and economic experts on your behalf
  • Communicating and negotiating with other parties involved
  • Preparing a personal injury claim for trial

An attorney handles every aspect of the claim on behalf of their clients. Traumatic brain injury victims should focus solely on recovering from their injury and adapting to any changes caused by a disability. An attorney will keep traumatic brain injury victims up to date as their case moves forward.

Contact Our Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to seek legal help. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Contact us today at (312) 586-1700 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. Let us fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.