If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in Cleveland, Ohio, because of another party’s negligence, the Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers can help. We provide a free initial consultation with a Cleveland brain injury attorney who can evaluate your situation and explain your legal paths to recovery. Reach out to us at (419) 625-7770 to discuss your potential claim.
Our legal team brings over 180 years of collective experience to catastrophic injury cases and has successfully recovered more than $100 million for clients throughout Ohio. We are dedicated to helping you secure the financial recovery you need.
Why Hire Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers After a Brain Injury in Cleveland, OH?
People in Cleveland, OH, turn to our brain injury lawyers because we understand the medical and legal issues involved in these life-changing claims. Our firm has built a reputation for standing up to insurance companies that attempt to undervalue our clients’ neurological harm.
What sets our Cleveland personal injury lawyers apart includes:
- Our team has earned recognition from Ohio Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- Our trial-tested reputation ensures that insurance providers take your claim seriously.
- We prioritize direct communication, so you are always informed about your case status.
- We work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if we win.
Call us today to schedule your free evaluation with a Cleveland brain injury attorney who is ready to assist you.
Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force disrupts normal brain function. These injuries range from mild concussions to catastrophic trauma that necessitates lifelong assistance and specialized medical care.
Common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions, often resulting from a sudden impact to the skull
- Brain contusions, which involve the bruising of brain tissue
- Diffuse axonal injuries, where nerve fibers are torn by rapid brain movement
- Penetrating injuries, caused by objects entering the cranium
- Intracranial bleeding, including hematomas and hemorrhages
Brain injuries don’t always present right away. They may take hours or even days to show up. That’s why it is vital to seek medical evaluation immediately after any head injury to ensure proper documentation and to improve your recovery prognosis.
Common Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Symptoms of a brain injury may manifest immediately or develop over several hours or days following an accident. The severity and location of the trauma typically dictate the signs you may experience.
Common warning signs include:
- Persistent headaches or head pressure
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Loss of balance or coordination issues
- Blurred vision or auditory ringing
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Mood swings or increased irritability
- Anxiety, depression, or personality changes
- Extreme fatigue or sleep disturbances
Early medical diagnosis is critical for protecting your health and creating the necessary medical evidence to support a future legal claim. An experienced attorney can help you coordinate care with specialists and begin creating a record linking your injuries to the accident that harmed you.
Leading Causes of Brain Injuries in Cleveland
Many traumatic brain injuries in Cleveland result from accidents caused by another party’s negligence.
Common causes of TBIs our firm handles include:
- Automobile crashes and commercial truck accidents
- Slip and fall incidents on poorly maintained property
- Workplace accidents
- Pedestrian collisions
- Bicycle collisions
- Sports and recreational trauma
- Medical negligence
If you have suffered a brain injury in one of these scenarios, you may be entitled to substantial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
How Much Is a Cleveland Brain Injury Case Worth?
Traumatic brain injury cases are unique, as the long-term impact varies for every victim. While some experience gradual improvement, others face permanent cognitive impairments that change their lives forever.
Several key factors influence the potential value of a brain injury claim, such as:
- The severity of the medical diagnosis and resulting trauma
- Current and estimated future costs of medical care
- Lost wages and the injury’s impact on your ability to work
- The necessity for ongoing rehabilitation or long-term care
- The victim’s age, earning history, and life expectancy
- The extent of physical pain and suffering
- The percentage of fault attributed to each party
- The limits of available insurance coverage
Our attorneys work with medical experts, life-care planners, and financial specialists to project the total financial consequences of your injury over your lifetime. The best way to determine your claim’s value is to consult an experienced Ohio brain injury lawyer.
Categories of Compensation Available in an Ohio Brain Injury Claim
Under Ohio law, victims of brain injuries caused by negligence may pursue both economic and non-economic damages to address their financial and personal losses.
Economic damages cover measurable financial costs, including:
- Hospitalization and emergency medical treatment
- Neurological care and diagnostic testing
- Ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Prescription medications and assistive devices
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Costs for home modifications or in-home care
Non-economic damages address the personal toll of the injury, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life and companionship
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Courts may award punitive damages in cases involving extreme misconduct. Drunk driving cases come to mind, as do intentional assaults. There are other unique cases that may qualify as well.
What If You Are Partially Responsible for Your Accident in Ohio?
Ohio law applies a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation as long as your share of the responsibility for the accident is 50 percent or less. However, your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are awarded $1,000,000 in damages but are found 25% responsible, your recovery would be $750,000.
Insurance companies often try to exploit the memory gaps and confusion caused by a brain injury and shift blame onto victims without cause. Our firm will protect your right to full recovery, even if you are fuzzy on the details that led to the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Ohio?
Ohio has strict statutes of limitations for personal injury claims. In most brain injury cases, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. If the injury leads to a fatality, surviving family members typically have two years from the date of death to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Failing to meet these deadlines can permanently eliminate your right to seek compensation. We recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your legal rights.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer?
Most injury attorneys handle brain injury cases using contingency fees. This means you owe no upfront fees, and your firm covers the costs of investigating and litigating your claim. Your attorney will only charge legal fees if they recover compensation for you through a personal injury award.
We provide contingency fees to all brain injury victims wanting to pursue a case. We also provide free initial case reviews, which you can schedule at any time to discuss your situation without financial obligation.
The Role of a Cleveland Brain Injury Attorney in Your Claim
Neurological trauma litigation involves far more complexities than standard personal injury cases. Attempting to manage your legal path while prioritizing your physical rehabilitation is a significant burden that few families are prepared to carry alone.
Our legal team assists you by:
- Conducting a comprehensive investigation to secure vital evidence
- Collaborating with medical specialists to ensure your injuries are thoroughly documented.
- Engaging life-care planners and financial experts to calculate the true lifetime impact of your needs.
- Uncovering every potentially responsible entity and exploring all applicable insurance policies
- Managing all correspondence with insurance providers
- Combating attempts by opposing counsel to shift responsibility onto you or downplay the permanent nature of your harm
- Advocating for a resolution that covers all economic and personal damages
- Taking your case to trial if an insurer refuses to be fair.
Reach out to us today to schedule a free case review to learn more about how we can help you.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cleveland Brain Injury Lawyer
A traumatic brain injury creates significant uncertainty for victims and their families. A successful personal injury claim can provide the financial security needed to move forward. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients, and we are ready to bring our 180 years of experience to your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Cleveland, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a proven Cleveland brain injury attorney. We are prepared to evaluate your claim and help you pursue the result you deserve.