A traumatic brain injury can forever change your life or the life of a loved one. If you are facing such challenges, the compassionate legal team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. is here to help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Our experienced Pittsburgh brain injury lawyers are committed to supporting you through every step of this difficult time.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain caused by an external force, such as a sudden blow, jolt, bump to the head, or penetrating object that disrupts normal brain function. TBIs range from mild (like concussions) to severe and can affect thinking, movement, sensation, or emotions.
As Pittsburgh brain injury lawyers, we can help victims prove negligence and secure compensation for these devastating injuries.
How TBIs Differ from Other Head Injuries
Not all head injuries result in damage to the brain. While some incidents may involve superficial trauma such as cuts or bruising to the scalp, a traumatic brain injury involves disruption to normal brain function. This distinction is critical, as TBIs often require more extensive medical treatment, longer recovery periods, and can result in lasting cognitive or physical impairments.
Mild, Moderate, and Severe TBI: Understanding the Spectrum
Traumatic brain injuries are typically categorized by severity, which directly affects both medical treatment and legal considerations.
Mild TBIs, such as concussions, may involve temporary symptoms but can still lead to lingering complications. Moderate TBIs often include prolonged confusion, memory loss, or loss of consciousness, while severe TBIs can result in permanent disability, coma, or significant cognitive impairment.
Our Pittsburgh traumatic brain injury lawyers work closely with medical experts to assess the severity of your injury and calculate the full extent of your current and future damages.
Types of Brain Injuries Our Pittsburgh Attorneys Handle
TBIs range from mild concussions to severe, life-threatening trauma. Common types of brain injuries include:
- Concussions, often seen in youth sports.
- Open head injuries, such as from bullet wounds.
- Closed head injuries, where the skull remains intact, but internal brain damage occurs.
- Brain injuries caused by sudden deceleration or shaking, leading to internal damage.
Our Pittsburgh brain injury attorneys can help you pursue the compensation to which you may be entitled if you sustained such losses due to the negligence of another party.
Brain Injury Case Results at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., our Pittsburgh brain injury attorneys have secured impressive results for clients with traumatic brain injuries.
Notable recoveries include:
- $1.2 million for a coal miner who suffered a brain injury due to defective equipment.
- $415,000 for a young man who suffered a concussion after being hit by a car while riding his bike.
Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury to Watch for After an Accident
Symptoms of a TBI can appear immediately or days later, varying by severity, and may include headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Moderate to severe signs often involve repeated vomiting, convulsions, slurred speech, agitation, weakness, or clear fluid from the nose/ears. Emergency rooms personnel assess, treat and stabilize a patient’s condition before discharge and typically recommend follow-up with your PCP if new symptoms appear. Brain injuries are not always diagnosed in the ER because symptoms sometimes do not appear for several days. Schedule an evaluation with a concussion clinic as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, as well as mood swings, short tempered behavior, sensitivity to light or sound, forgetfulness, or dizziness.
Long-term effects can include memory problems, mood swings, fatigue, blurred vision, sensitivity to light/sound, sleep disturbances, or personality changes. Contact a Pennsylvania brain injury attorney right away if you notice these after an accident, as early medical documentation strengthens your potential personal injury case.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Pittsburgh
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3 million Americans suffer from a brain injury each year. Brain injuries can result from various types of accidents, often due to negligence.
The most frequent causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Being struck by an object
- Slip and fall incidents
- Sports and recreational injuries
- Gunshot wounds or other penetrating trauma
- Lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia)
- Hazardous conditions, such as an unsafe property or defective equipment
Discuss your case with our Pittsburgh brain injury attorneys to learn more about your options. Our team will review the details of your accident and determine whether you have grounds to seek compensation. Because the initial case evaluation is entirely free of charge, you have nothing to lose by calling Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C.
How Pennsylvania Law Applies to Brain Injury Claims
Pennsylvania personal injury law allows victims of negligence to pursue compensation for damages resulting from a traumatic brain injury. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your recovery may be reduced if you are found partially at fault, and barred entirely if you are more than 50% responsible.
In addition to proving fault, timing matters. In Pennsylvania, most brain injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident, so it is important to act quickly. Working with a brain injury attorney in Pittsburgh helps ensure your claim is filed properly and within the applicable deadline.
Proving Negligence in a Pittsburgh TBI Case
To recover compensation, you must establish that another party’s negligence caused your injury. This involves demonstrating that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused your traumatic brain injury as a result.
A skilled Pittsburgh brain injury attorney will gather evidence such as accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony to build a compelling case that clearly shows liability and damages.
Compensation Available in a Brain Injury Lawsuit
Victims of brain injuries may be entitled to various types of compensation, including but not limited to:
- Your medical expenses related to the incident (current and future)
- Lost income and benefits if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering/loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against those responsible
We have the knowledge to handle negotiations with insurance companies and opposing legal teams, ensuring your best interests are protected as we seek maximum compensation for your case.
How Our Pittsburgh Brain Injury Attorneys Build Your Case
Our Pennsylvania brain injury lawyers start by thoroughly investigating the accident, gathering police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert medical opinions to establish negligence and causation. We then document all damages, including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain/suffering through life care plans and economist testimony.
We negotiate aggressively with insurers while preparing every case for trial, leveraging our deep knowledge of Pennsylvania tort law to secure significant settlements or verdicts.
Contact a Pittsburgh Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., we understand the profound impact a brain injury can have on you and your family. Our experienced team is ready to help you move forward by offering confident legal guidance and support.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call (412) 391-7610 or reach out online to discuss your options with our dedicated Pittsburgh brain injury attorneys. You do not have to face this battle alone; allow us to fight for the justice you deserve.
Brain Injury FAQs
What should I do after suffering a brain injury caused by an accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms seem minor, as brain injuries can worsen over time. Follow all treatment recommendations and document your symptoms carefully. Then, contact a Pittsburgh brain injury lawyer to protect your rights and begin building your claim.
What compensation can I recover for a traumatic brain injury?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. A Pittsburgh brain injury attorney can also pursue damages for long-term care needs and diminished quality of life. Each case is unique, so a thorough evaluation is essential.
Can a brain injury claim be filed if symptoms appeared days after the accident?
Yes, delayed symptoms are common with TBIs and do not prevent you from filing a claim. What matters is establishing a clear connection between the accident and your injury through medical evidence. A brain injury attorney can help document this link and strengthen your case.
