Brain Injury Lawyer Schaumburg, IL
While any accident injury has the potential to have a negative impact on the victim’s life, one of the most serious injuries a victim can suffer is a brain injury. According to national statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brain injuries are one of the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S. Tragically, the symptoms of brain injuries do not always appear right away, and there are situations that by the time the victim is aware something is wrong, they may have already developed dangerous complications. If you have suffered a brain injury in Illinois, contact a brain injury lawyer Schaumburg, IL clients trust to find out what legal recourse you may have against the responsible party.
Types of Brain Injuries
It is estimated every year, there are more than three million Americans who sustain some type of brain injury. Brain injuries are also one of the most frequent types of personal injuries that victims suffer.
There are several types of brain injuries that a victim can suffer in an accident:
- Concussion: A concussion occurs when the brain bounces against the walls of the skull because of some kind of impact.
- Edema: An edema occurs when the brain swells because of the injury.
- Hematoma: A hematoma develops when there is clotting in blood vessels that are around the brain.
- Hemorrhage: A hemorrhage is any uncontrolled bleeding taking place in the brain.
- Skull fracture: A skull fracture is any broken bones in the skull, however, there is also a risk of the broken bones penetrating brain tissue.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
A Schaumburg, IL brain injury lawyer is aware that whenever a person suffers any kind of blow to the head or a jolt or intense shaking, this action can cause the brain to become injured. Even a minor brain injury can have an impact on a victim’s life while they are recovering. Failure to obtain the proper medical treatment for a brain injury can result in worsening of the injury, with the potential of permanent disability or even death. This is why it is critical that a person who has sustained any kind of head injury see their doctor. The following symptoms are also signs that something is wrong and the victim should seek medical attention right away.
- Agitation
- Depression
- Difficulty with balance
- Difficulty with comprehension
- Difficulty with memory
- Difficulty with vision
- Dizziness
- Excessive fatigue, trouble staying awake
- Isolation
- Light sensitivity
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Noise sensitivity
- Pupils dilated to different sizes
- Slurred speech
- Trouble remembering accident that caused the injury
How To Resume Your Daily Life After a Brain Injury
Returning to the norm of everyday life can be challenging after a brain injury. The recovery process can be exhausting and brain injury victims might even be left with a long-term disability. Settling your legal case with help from a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL is only the first step to regaining your confidence after a traumatic experience.
Communicate
Being vocal about your situation and your needs is important every step of the way. This means maintaining open communication with your family, your employer, and even your legal team at Therman Law Offices, LTD. When the people around you are made aware of the help and accommodations you require, you will be much more likely to resume a normal life quicker.
Build a Support System
Open communication also opens up the opportunity to establish a support system that will aid and encourage you in the long run. Your brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL can become one of the first parts of your support network as you pursue compensation for your injury. You can expand your circle with friends, family, and like-minded individuals who have similar experiences to your own. Having someone from your support system close at hand is important, especially as you move to resume some of the physical activities you engaged in prior to your injury.
Start a Simple Exercise Program
Once you have the emotional support you require, you can start regaining the physical aspect of your life as well. If you underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process following your injury, you might not be able to resume all of your regular activities right away. You can rebuild your fortitude over time by following a simple exercise routine, starting with simple aerobic workouts. Your preferred physician can help you determine when the time is right to move on to more rigorous activities and exercises.
Follow a Routine
Work and other obligations might be overly strenuous soon after experiencing your brain injury. You may benefit from creating a stress-free routine at home that simulates the focus required of an 8-hour work or school day. When the time comes to resume your regular responsibilities, you can go forth with the confidence of knowing that you have prepared for every eventuality.
Your fight to reclaim a normal life could continue long after closing your case with a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL. The lawyers at Therman Law Offices, LTD can help you put matters to rest quickly so that you can get a strong start on resuming your livelihood.
Illinois Brain Injury Law Firm
The recovery from a brain injury can be a long and difficult one. Many victims are left with permanent disabilities. Even a somewhat minor injury, such as a concussion, can leave a victim with chronic pain and long-term effects. If you have suffered a brain injury because of another party’s negligence, call Therman Law Offices, LTD to speak with a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, and find out what legal options you may have against the person responsible for your condition.
Common Myths About Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are one of the most serious injuries a person can endure during an accident. If you suffered this injury during an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to know the facts. Here are some common myths about brain injuries that you should not believe.
- If you did not hit your head, you do not have a brain injury. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about brain injuries. Just because you did not strike your head against an object, does not mean you did not suffer damage. If your head jolted back and forth suddenly during an accident, it can cause a brain injury.
- Helmets always prevent brain injuries. There is no denying how important it is to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle or bicycle. However, even though helmets can save lives, they can’t always prevent brain injuries. If you get into a motorcycle or bicycle accident while wearing a helmet, you may still suffer a brain injury.
- Mild brain injuries are nothing to worry about. While the term “mild brain injury” might make you assume that it’s not a big deal, it can still cause more damage than you think. Although it’s not as life-threatening as a severe brain injury, it can still change your life in many ways. As a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL can confirm, mild brain injuries can still lead to changes in your personality, memory and learning.
- If you do not feel symptoms after an accident, you don’t have a brain injury. Some people who suffered a brain injury after a vehicle collision or other type of accident may experience a headache, nausea, dizziness or confusion. Other people might not experience any symptoms at all. However, that does not mean they did not suffer a brain injury. Some head injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Even if you feel fine after an accident, you should still seek medical attention.
- It takes approximately a year to recover from a brain injury. There is no exact timeline for recovery from a brain injury. A person with a fairly mild brain injury may recover in less than a year while a person with a more severe injury may take longer than a year to make a recovery. In some cases, the effects of a brain injury are permanent.
4 Benefits of Hiring a Brain Injury Lawyer
The human brain is nothing less than a masterpiece. With that said, sustaining a serious injury to that masterpiece can be life altering. For many Americans, it is. If you are one of the millions of individuals who sustain a brain injury every year, you may wonder what next steps you should take. While the answer is not the same for everyone, having experienced legal representation can be valuable. For example, consider these four benefits of hiring an Illinois brain injury attorney.
1. Compensation Can Be Higher
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may not feel like you are in a position of authority when trying to calculate how much an insurer or individual owes you. Because an experienced brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, will understand the law as well as the compensation process, there is an increased chance they will be able to get you more compensation for your injury.
2. Compensation Can Be Faster
In same token, working with an attorney may not only lead to a higher compensation amount, but it can also speed up the entire process. With years of knowledge on the law and various legal processes, a reputable legal representative should have strong negotiating skills as well as ambition. If you can find an attorney who is willing to put up a fight for your case, compensation can also be faster. Keep in mind, however, final compensation can depend on numerous factors.
3. Paperwork Can Be Less Stressful
When a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, takes your case and begins digging into the details, another benefit you will quickly be able to appreciate is the reduction in stress when it comes to filing and submitting documentation. Given the amount of paperwork and other types of proofs that you need to send to your insurance company, hiring a lawyer can save you significant time and energy.
4. Anxiety Can Be Minimal
Whenever you or a loved one sustains a serious injury, it can be an emotionally traumatic experience for everyone involved. Naturally, anxiety and other mental health conditions often arise as a result. With brain injuries, this is particularly true. An added bonus of hiring a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, is that working with a legal professional can minimize personal anxieties and emotional fears that often prevent people from seeking out the help they need and deserve.
If you or someone you love has sustained a brain injury, do not hesitate to seek out legal assistance. There may be many benefits of doing so.
Common Damages in a Brain Injury Case
A brain injury is one of the most serious injuries you can suffer in an accident. Whether it is caused by a car accident or fall, it can affect your life for a long time. Here are some common damages you may be able to receive in a brain injury case.
- Medical expenses. If you’ve suffered a brain injury in an accident, it is critical to seek medical care immediately. These injuries frequently require extensive testing and treatment, such as CT scans, MRIs, rehabilitation therapy and surgery. These medical costs can easily cost at least tens of thousands of dollars, so you may be entitled to compensation for that.
- Lost wages. While some mild brain injuries may only require a short recovery time, more severe brain injuries may cause you to miss a lot of time off work. In this case, you may be able to recover lost wages through a personal injury claim.
- Pain suffering. For many people, the effects of a brain injury are long-lasting. They may experience chronic pain and other unpleasant symptoms for months. These individuals may have trouble communicating, solving problems and remembering things. If you have experienced pain and suffering following a brain injury, a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL may be able to help you get compensation for that.
- Loss of earning capacity. If your brain injury is severe enough, it could prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all. In this case, you may be eligible to receive loss of earning capacity damages.
- Emotional distress. Suffering a brain injury can also lead to emotional distress. Since you may not be able to live the same lifestyle as you did before, you may feel depressed and angry. You may suffer frequent mood swings. You may be awarded damages for emotional distress.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury?
When you’ve had an accident, it’s essential for you to speak with a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, because you may experience side effects for many years. It can interfere with your ability to drive, make it difficult to work and make it challenging to care for yourself. Here’s a closer look at some of the long-term problems of a brain injury.
Physical Symptoms Associated With a Brain Injury
There are various physical effects of a head injury. These problems may begin immediately after the accident or take years to surface. Regardless of when the symptoms become bothersome, an attorney from Therman Law Offices, LTD, may be able to help. Some of the more common problems are:
- Dizziness – Vertigo and lightheadedness may last up to five years due to a head injury. These symptoms may prevent you from working, driving, and doing basic chores such as cooking. If dizziness keeps you from performing basic tasks, reach out to a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, for guidance.
- Fatigue – Being tired isn’t just a feeling of sleepiness. It is also having difficulty thinking and being able to focus too. The more severe the injury is, the higher chance you may have ongoing issues with fatigue.
- Headaches – Migraines and headaches may start mild but can increase in frequency and discomfort. Headaches may even show up long after the initial injury when you didn’t have any head pain early on.
- Light and Noise Sensitivity – Bright lights and loud sounds may bother anyone, but if you have experienced a head injury, everyday noises and lights can be challenging to tolerate. These side effects can develop anytime within the first three years and may remain noticeable long term.
Cognitive Effects of a Brain Injury
Brain injuries also cause problems that are not noticeable physically. Up to 60% of people with a head injury notice problems with their memory. Fortunately, these symptoms may improve over time, but the difficulties may never completely disappear. Additionally, people report having a hard time concentrating, staying organized, sleeping and being depressed.
Since these symptoms may make it difficult to work and earn money, drive or care for yourself, you should speak with a brain injury lawyer in Schaumburg, IL, as soon as possible after the incident. An attorney from Therman Law Offices, LTD, may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent party that can award you with long-term financial support.
How to Maximize Your Damages in a Brain Injury Case
In order to obtain fair compensation for a brain injury, you may require sufficient evidence and witness testimony. In addition to obtaining copies of your medical records and bills, you may have a financial medical expert testify how many wages you will lose in your life because of your brain injury. Likewise, a life care planner can testify about the future medical costs you can expect for your brain injury.