Minneapolis Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves a serious impact to the head that can result in a victim having a long-term impairment. Often, this type of injury requires extensive and costly medical treatment. Speaking with a lawyer that has experience handling brain injury cases can be an important part in the recovery process.

If you were involved in an accident that caused you to suffer a traumatic brain injury or you are a family member of a brain injury victim, do not hesitate to contact our Minneapolis traumatic brain injury lawyers to learn more about your potential legal options. At TSR Injury Law, we have recovered millions in compensation on behalf of our clients, including a $600,000 settlement for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being in a rear-end automobile accident. This recovery was obtained by partner Rich Ruohonen, who has been consistently named a Minnesota Super Lawyer since 2003.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation during a 100 percent free consultation with no obligation to take legal action. If your decide to hire us, there are no upfront fees and we only get paid if we successfully obtain compensation for your case.

Call us today at (612) TSR-TIME.

Am I Eligible to File a Case?

Determining if you have a case is the first step in pursing legal compensation. Most traumatic brain injury cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. You and your lawyer will need to prove that all four elements of negligence are present in your claim.

These four elements include duty of care, breach of duty of care, causation and damages. Below, we discuss the meaning of each element in detail.

Duty of Care

The element of duty of care means that the at-fault party had a legal obligation to act in a reasonable manner in order to prevent harm to themselves and others.

Breach of Duty of Care

This means that the at-fault party failed to uphold his or her legal obligation and acted in a careless or unreasonable manner that caused you to suffer an injury.

Causation

Causation means that because of the at-fault party’s unreasonable action or inaction, you directly suffered a traumatic brain injury. Had he or she acted differently, you would not have been harmed.

Damages

The last element you and your lawyer will need to prove is that you suffered damages due to your injury. This may include medical bills, cost of physical therapy, lost wages and emotional trauma.

It is important that you contact a licensed Minneapolis traumatic brain injury attorney to know if you may be eligible to take legal action. During a free and confidential consultation, we can evaluate the specifics of your situation and discuss the legal options that may be available to you.

What is My Potential Case Worth?

The value of your potential case depends on many factors including the severity of your injury and the estimated cost of your medical treatment. Brain injuries may range from minor to severe and depending on the type of injury, it could lead to cognitive impairments, memory loss and behavioral changes that may significantly impact your standard of living.

If our lawyers determine that you have a strong case, we will work towards helping you obtain compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These damages may include:

Speak to our team at TSR Injury Law today to better understand the potential value of your traumatic brain injury case.

Call (612) TSR-TIME to schedule your free consultation.

Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?

If you are pursuing compensation for your damages, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced Minneapolis traumatic brain injury lawyer. At TSR Injury Law, we have a proven track record of handling these kinds of cases. We understand the stress of dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury and how it can hinder your recovery process and overall health.

If you have a case, our lawyers are ready to handle each step of the legal process. This may include the following:

• Hiring medical experts – Medical experts help demonstrate the causation of the negligence that took place and how it pertains to your situation. Their testimonies are vital because they can compile evidence to prove fault by creating simulations of the accident.
• Collecting your medical records – Medical records are important because it can help connect your injury to the accident. Our lawyers will ensure that we have all necessary medical records to submit as evidence.
• Compiling evidence  – On top of medical records, we can also collect additional evidence that may show how the at-fault party’s actions caused the accident. This could be done through photographs or video surveillance and eye-witness accounts.
• Handling all communication – There may be many parties involved, from insurance adjusters to lawyers of the at-fault party. Our lawyers can handle all communication on your behalf and keep you in the loop of any changes in your case.
• Negotiating a fair settlement – Insurance companies are only looking out for their best interests and will do everything possible to offer you a lowball settlement. We know how to calculate the value of damages and will work hard to pursue fair and just compensation.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to you during a free consultation. We can explain if we believe that you have a case and if we think you should pursue it. The decision to proceed is yours.

How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action?

If you are considering taking legal action, it is important that you act fast. In Minnesota, most personal injury cases, including those involving traumatic brain injuries, generally have a two-year deadline. You have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. Failure to take action within this time period may result in the case being barred and you may be unable to receive compensation.

However, each case is unique and there may be exceptions that pertain to your situation. You may be required to file before or even after this deadline. The clock may not start running until the date you reasonably discovered an injury that was initially hidden or undetected. If you are unsure if your time to file has passed, contact a Minneapolis traumatic brain injury lawyer for legal advice.

Leading Causes and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The brain is a fragile organ that can be damaged by a forceful strike to the skull, from blockage of brain cells, or from the disruption of brain tissue. Some of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

There are several symptoms victims of traumatic brain injuries can experience after an accident. According to the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, some of these symptoms include the following:

After suffering from a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you seek medical attention right away. Some symptoms of TBI may have physical and apparent effects, while many other forms may not be noticeable right away. That is why seeing a doctor right away is imperative as he or she will be able to initiate imaging tests, like a CT scan or X-ray, to properly diagnose your injury.

After medical treatment, we encourage that you contact our legal team as soon as possible. We are committed to fighting for victims whose lives have been drastically changed by significant injuries.

Call our office at (612) TSR-TIME.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There can be many different types of brain injuries including:

Cerebral Anoxia

Cerebral anoxia is the total lack of oxygen to the brain. Cerebral anoxia may result in irreversible brain damage or death. With lack of oxygen, the brain cells start dying in 4-6 minutes. There can be varying degrees of recovery from cerebral anoxia. Chances of recovery depend on how long the brain was without oxygen and how much damage the brain sustained.

When the brain is deprived of oxygen for a shorter amount of time, the victim can still suffer sensory distortions and hallucinations. The fewer brain cells damaged, the more optimistic the prognosis for recovery.

Causes of Cerebral Anoxia

Cerebral anoxia can be caused by a variety of events, including:

• Near-drowning
• Carbon-monoxide poisoning
• Smoke inhalation
• Anesthesia errors
• Oxygen deprivation during birth (resulting in cerebral palsy)
• Accident with extreme loss of blood
• Medical malpractice

Consequences of Cerebral Anoxia

When the brain cells are deprived of oxygen, the neurons are subject to an influx of sodium causing swelling and further injury. Even in the best case scenario, there can be permanent psychological and neurological damage.

The expenses from a traumatic brain injury add up quickly and can extend for many years. You have to consider the possibility of ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, modification of your home, and nursing home care. There are additional monetary losses, including loss of wages and loss of earning capacity.

Concussions

Concussion is one of the most common forms of brain injury. Concussions are usually caused by trauma to the head that interferes with the normal operation of the brain. The symptoms of concussion include:

• Loss of memory
• Headache
• Disorientation
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus

Concussions are NOT always accompanied by a loss of consciousness. As a result, some people never even realize they’ve had a concussion.

Effects of a Concussion Brain Injury

Although the effects of concussion are often only temporary, there can be long-term complications. A condition known as post-concussion syndrome results in a prolonged suffering of symptoms — lasting months or even years.

There is debate among doctors as to whether or not the brain is structurally damaged when a concussion occurs. However, doctors do know that repeated concussions can lead to long-term memory loss and psychiatric problems. Also, those who have experienced a concussion in the past are at a higher risk of having another one.

Subdural Hematoma

A subdural hematoma occurs when blood gathers on the surface of the brain, usually stemming from an injury to the head. The blood gathers as a result of tears to tiny veins around the brain. Because their veins are more fragile, senior citizens and the very young are particularly susceptible to subdural hematoma. Those on anticoagulant drugs are also at greater risk.

Symptoms of a Subdural Hematoma

Symptoms of subdural hematoma may not be immediately noticeable, sometimes taking up to two weeks or more to appear. Once symptoms do appear, they are similar to those found in other types of brain injuries, including:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Amnesia
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite

Diagnosis and Care of a Subdural Hematoma

Doctors often perform a brain scan, such as an MRI or CT scan, to diagnose a subdural hematoma. Treatment may include oral medications, but in many cases surgery is required. This surgery involves drilling a small hole in the skull in order to relieve pressure.

If left untreated, subdural hematomas can be fatal. It is important to get expert medical care as soon as possible.

Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome involves a continuation of symptoms experienced in a previous concussion. Up to 80% of individuals who have had a concussion will also have some form of post-concussion syndrome. Doctors believe that individuals with pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to experience this condition.

Common symptoms seen in patients with this condition include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Slurred speech
• Nausea

Other symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Sound and light sensitivity
• Insomnia

In order to confirm the diagnosis, a physician will often perform a brain scan, such as an MRI.

Causes and Treatment For Post-Concussive Syndrome

There is no treatment for post-concussion syndrome. The approach doctors generally take is to treat the associated symptoms. Pain medicine can be prescribed for headaches, while anxiety medications are necessary for some patients. Rest and relaxation is recommended to alleviate stress and symptoms.

The exact cause of post-concussion syndrome is unknown. Some physicians believe it is a result of structural damage to the brain following concussion. Psychological factors, including stress, may also play a part.

Reach Out to a Minneapolis Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

At TSR Injury Law, we helped recover millions in compensation for our clients. We know how to build a strong case and conduct a detailed investigation to gather the supportive evidence needed. We are prepared to guide you throughout the entire legal process and our entire legal team of lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants and investigators are dedicated to protecting your rights.

During your free, no obligation consultation, we can determine if you have a case and determine the most effective course of action for you to take. There are no upfront legal fees and we only get paid if we help you secure fair compensation.

Our office is located at 7760 France Ave South Suite 820 in Minneapolis, about 10 miles from the Traumatic Brain Injury Outpatient Program.

We are available 24/7. Call us at (612) TSR-TIME today.