Toledo Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

According to the Centers for Disease Control, traumatic brain injuries are a significant cause of severe injuries and death, contributing to approximately one-third of all injury fatalities. As such, they are among the most serious and devastating forms of personal injury.

Litigation of severe brain injury cases holds many challenges. Due to the severity of these injuries, a victim’s damages are often substantial, sometimes totaling millions. For this reason, these cases are fiercely defended by insurance companies and their attorneys.

To handle a traumatic brain injury case takes significant experience, vast resources, and complete dedication. The personal injury attorneys at Slater & Zurz have over 30 years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including those involving traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. We care deeply for all of our clients and have a tremendous passion for ensuring justice is served. We are committed to zealously litigating your case so you are given full compensation for your losses. If you suffered severe head trauma or brain injury resulting from an auto accident, or other accident, we welcome you to contact our Toledo injury law firm today.

When You’re Injured, we care. Call and speak with a lawyer for FREE.
Call us at (419) 658-7171 or fill out this form.

Traumatic Brain Injury – Definition and Causes

A traumatic brain injury is a sudden and often serious injury that occurs as a result of a forceful blow, bump, or jolt to the head. This sudden trauma causes damage to the brain, ranging from mild to severe. Mild TBIs are generally concussions, which occur when the head moves rapidly back and forth. This movement causes the brain to twist or bounce within the skull, causing brain cell damage that is generally not life-threatening. At the other end of the spectrum are severe traumatic brain injuries. These injuries, unfortunately, lead to thousands of deaths each year. Those who do not succumb to their injuries are often left with life-long disabilities and health concerns.

Traumatic brain injuries are a result of a wide variety of circumstances. However, the most common causes include:

  • Falls – Falls from a ladder, trip and falls on uneven pavement, and falls from poorly constructed stairs, railings, and balconies can easily result in severe brain trauma. It is estimated that falls account for over 40% of all traumatic brain injuries.
  • Car accidents – Traumatic brain injuries are commonly seen following motor vehicle accidents, such as car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians, and are the cause of 20% of all traumatic brain injuries.
  • Construction accidents – Accidents involving heavy machinery, falls from ladders or scaffolding, and trench collapses can result in severe head trauma.
  • Nursing home abuse – Older adults can sustain a traumatic brain injury from physical abuse, slip and falls, or falls from a bed or wheelchair.
  • Dog attacks – Victims can suffer a TBI if they are knocked down and their head hits the pavement or other hard surfaces. Head trauma may also result if their head is violently shaken during the attack.
  • Sports injuries – Approximately 10% of all traumatic brain injuries result from sports or other recreational activities. Sports, such as cycling, football, baseball, and basketball, account for the highest number of head injuries.
  • Gunshots – Accounting for around 12% of traumatic brain injuries, gunshots frequently result in a traumatic brain injury known as a “penetrating brain injury.” Penetrating TBIs occur when the skull is penetrated, and the “dura” or outer layer of the brain is compromised. Depending on the location of the injury, it can affect a small area of the brain or result in widespread damage.
  • Assault – TBIs are often a result of violent assaults, such as being hit with a baseball bat, thrown to the ground, or stabbed with a knife or other sharp object.
  • Shaken baby syndrome – A serious form of child abuse, shaken baby syndrome occurs when an infant or young child is vigorously shaken. Babies have weak neck muscles that can’t yet fully support their heads. When they are shaken, their fragile brains bounce back and forth, causing bruising, swelling, and bleeding.
Call now to speak to a Toledo traumatic brain injury attorney for FREE.
Call us at (419) 658-7171 or fill out this form.

Traumatic Brain Injury Signs and Symptoms

Initial signs and symptoms of a TBI differ based on the type and severity of the injury itself. Another factor that largely contributes to the effects of a TBI is the overall health of the injured victim. Below are common symptoms associated with mild, moderate, and severe brain injuries.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Common signs and symptoms of a mild TBI include:

  • A loss of consciousness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dilation of one or both pupils
  • Drowsiness or fatigue
  • Speech problems
  • Blurred vision
  • Lost sense of smell
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Changes in mood

Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Signs and symptoms of moderate or severe brain injuries include those of mild TBIs. However, individuals suffering from more severe traumatic brain injuries may also experience the following:

  • An extended loss of consciousness
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Persistent or worsening headache
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty awakening from sleep
  • Numbness or weakness in fingers and toes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Intense confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Coma
  • Unusual behavior, including agitation or aggressiveness

Compensation in a Toledo Traumatic Brain Injury Case

If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. There are typically two types of damages in an Ohio brain injury case: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages that may be available in a head injury claim include:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Rehabilitation costs, including physical and occupational therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Lost or diminished earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Assistive care services
  • Long-term care facility costs
  • Home and vehicle modifications
  • Funeral and burial expenses (in the event of a wrongful death)

Non-economic damages include:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disability
  • Loss of reputation
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of enjoyment

When coping with a devastating, often life-long injury, you need to ensure you receive compensation that will meet your current and future needs. The traumatic brain injury lawyers at Slater & Zurz work with a team of medical and financial experts to accurately assess your rightful compensation. We compile key evidence, such as medical assessments and expert testimony showing your damages, and aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to secure maximum recovery. When needed, we are ready and willing to take the matter to court and skillfully represent your best interests in front of a judge and jury. To learn more about pursuing damages in a brain injury lawsuit, we invite you to contact our experienced and dedicated attorneys.

Don’t wait, You have a limited time to file your claim.
Call us at (419) 658-7171 or fill out this form.
Frequently Asked Questions About TBIs
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A traumatic brain injury or TBI is damage to the brain caused by forceful jarring or a blow to the head. The fluid that surrounds and protects the brain isn’t able to overcome the amount of force and brain damage results. Depending on the severity of the force, mild damage such as a bruise can occur, or in more severe cases, the damage can include tears in the brain tissue or brain hemorrhage.
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The long-term effects of a severe brain injury are difficult to predict since they affect every individual’s brain function differently. Factors that contribute to a patient’s future outlook are their age, overall health, and the severity of the injury. Another key factor is their dedication to the healing process. Rest, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment are essential on their path to recovery.
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Yes. In fact, auto accidents account for nearly 20% of traumatic brain injuries, making it the 2nd leading cause of TBIs behind falls (41%). In a car accident, occupants are generally subjected to sudden and forceful back-and-forth movement. This motion causes the brain to hit the skull and results in the bruising and tearing of the brain tissue and blood vessels.

Choosing a Toledo Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

The magnitude of a severe brain injury lawsuit requires attention from a qualified brain injury law firm. If you suffered a life-changing injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you need the assistance of an experienced and driven traumatic brain injury lawyer at Slater & Zurz.

Our attorneys have over 100 years of collective experience helping injured victims obtain compensation for their losses. Our commitment to our clients has always been to secure maximum compensation by thoroughly investigating their cases, creating a solid, effective legal strategy, and advocating aggressively on their behalf. As a client of ours, you will receive personalized legal representation and our heartfelt support. We will treat you as if you were a member of our family and fight relentlessly to right the wrong you have experienced.

When experience matters, turn to Slater & Zurz. We offer a FREE, no-obligation consultation and handle all injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning should you decide to hire our firm, you will not be asked to pay any up-front fees. And you will owe us nothing unless we successfully recover damages on your behalf. To get started, call (419) 658-7171 to speak to a qualified personal injury attorney in Toledo.