Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in Westlake, Ohio? Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers at (419) 502-5821 to schedule a free consultation. You deserve to understand your legal rights. An experienced Westlake brain injury lawyer can help you fight to maximize your financial award.
Our top-rated attorneys bring over 181 years of combined experience to the table. We’ve recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts. With a reputation built on results, we are proud to advocate for individuals and families when they need it most.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for Legal Assistance After a Brain Injury in Westlake, OH?
Brain injuries can be devastating and expensive to treat. If you suffered a serious injury, you may be facing medical bills, lost income, and long-term changes to your daily life. Pursuing full and fair compensation can make a meaningful difference in your recovery.
That’s why brain injury victims in Westlake trust Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers.
Our Westlake personal injury lawyers are experienced trial lawyers who fight aggressively for injured clients. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation and earned recognition from respected legal organizations, including Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell, which honored our firm with a “Distinguished” rating.
Now, our team is ready to help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve. You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. Call our Westlake brain injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: An Overview
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are brain injuries that are caused by some type of traumatic event.
While there are many different types of TBI, two primary classifications exist:
- Open-head brain injuries, where the traumatic force that damages the brain is an external object that pierces the skull
- Closed-head brain injuries, where the damage occurs when an external force causes the brain to move rapidly and violently within the skull (such as when you hit your head or your head moves violently back and forth)
Either type of injury can result in significant damage–including bruising, bleeding, swelling, or even tearing.
Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Brain injuries can be diagnosed in many different ways. Many doctors start by evaluating a patient’s eye responses and motor function. CTs, MRIs, and X-rays can also be used, because many signs of brain injuries aren’t immediately obvious.
Some potential signs of a brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Tingling or numbness
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with walking or balance
- Difficulty waking from sleep
- Unexplained fatigue
- Any loss of consciousness
The longer a brain injury remains untreated, the more likely permanent or long-term damage becomes. After any traumatic event or blow to the head, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Understanding the Possible Long–Term Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain damage can change the way the brain functions. While some victims recover with time, others can suffer lifelong changes. The impacts depend on the region of the brain that’s impacted and the nature of the injury.
The long-term consequences can extend well beyond physical symptoms, and may include:
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairments and disability
- Personality and behavioral changes
- Impulse control problems
- Vision loss
- Difficulty speaking or processing speech
- Mood disorders, including depression and mood swings
- Sleep disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Seizure disorders
- Loss of coordination
- Blood clots
- Infections in the brain
- Coma
- Death
Brain injury victims can lose their ability to work and earn a living. Some victims lose their independence entirely and require lifelong assistance with even the most basic activities of daily living.
How Much Is My Westlake Brain Injury Case Worth?
Your case value depends on how the ordeal impacts your finances, health, and daily life. The severity of your brain injuries is the key factor.
That said, many factors go into calculating the value of your personal injury claim:
- The nature of your injury
- Whether you’ve suffered a permanent disability
- Your financial costs and losses, including medical costs and lost income
- Whether you’re expected to return to work in the same earning capacity
- The nature of your pain, suffering and trauma
- How your quality of life has changed
- Whether you share any fault for the injuries
Because every situation is different, there isn’t a standard formula that can be used to determine how much money you deserve. Our Westlake personal injury attorneys can offer greater insight into your case value during a free case review. Don’t hesitate to reach out to tell us your story today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Brain Injury Victims in Westlake?
Traumatic brain injury victims in Ohio can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages address the verifiable financial costs you have incurred–and those you should reasonably expect to incur in the future.
Examples include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Lost job benefits
- Physical therapy
- Specialized therapies
- In-home assistance
- Long-term care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Property damage
- Any out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel and childcare costs
Non-economic damages compensate for the losses that impact your quality of life, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and other mental health issues
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost independence
- Reduced life expectancy
- Lost ability to participate in child-rearing
- Damage to relationships
While punitive damages in Ohio are relatively rare, they can be awarded if the defendant’s acts were intentional or so shocking that they deserve punishment.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Brain Injury in Ohio?
Our law firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis. Our attorneys’ fees depend entirely on the results we achieve. You don’t pay anything upfront. We deduct our fees from your final compensation award.
This no-risk arrangement is designed to allow you to retain top-quality lawyers without worrying about the cost.
Can I Recover Any Compensation if I Share Fault for a Traumatic Brain Injury in Ohio?
If your share of fault was less than 51%, you can recover partial compensation. Your compensation award is reduced by your share of fault. Once your share of fault reaches 51%, you’re prohibited from recovering compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence law.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Westlake Represent Clients With All Types of Brain Injuries
Different types of brain injuries exist. The term brain injury actually refers to many different types of more specific injuries.
Our attorneys represent clients who have sustained all types of brain injuries in Westlake accidents, including:
- Concussions
- Contusions
- Edema
- Hematomas
- Hemorrhages and bleeding
- Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI)
- Coup-contrecoup brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Hypoxic brain injuries
- Penetrating brain injuries
Any type of brain injury has the potential to be life-changing. Our attorneys know the stakes are high. We offer a combination of knowledge, resources and experience in developing winning legal strategies.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Westlake?
Common causes of brain injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Falls from heights and other slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Firearm violence and other acts of violence
Ultimately, any traumatic event can result in a brain injury.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After Suffering a Brain Injury in Ohio?
Several different legal theories can be relevant to your case. It really depends on how the injury occurred.
Your case could be based on:
- Negligence
- Strict liability
- Intentional torts
- Medical negligence
- Premises liability
Most brain injury claims are based on negligence. Someone is negligent when they don’t act the way that a reasonable person would have acted under the circumstances.
Four elements comprise any successful negligence case:
- The defendant had a duty of care
- They breached their duty due to a failure to exercise reasonable caution
- That breach caused your brain injury
- You sustained damages (physical, emotional and financial loss)
Our lawyers have the tools to collect the evidence you’ll need to build a strong claim for compensation. While you focus on healing, we’ll be investigating and compiling evidence to prove you deserve compensation.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After Sustaining a Brain Injury in Ohio?
Under Ohio law, most victims have two years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations.
Missing the deadline means you’ll lose your right to damages. That’s one reason why it’s important to consult an experienced attorney quickly.
Contact a Westlake Brain Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
A traumatic brain injury can significantly alter the course of your life. Our team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is here to fight for the money you deserve. Protect your right to take legal action today by calling an experienced Westlake brain injury attorney.