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Mitri Shatara

Should I Get A Lawyer After A Spinal Cord Injury Accident?

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Sustaining a spinal cord injury after an accident will change your life forever, especially if you face a permanent disability.

Everyone who suffers a spinal injury will at the very least suffer pain, mobility limitations, and a significant drop in their quality of life.

The only thing that could make a spinal injury after an accident worse is when the accident was brought on through no fault of your own.

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, you will need a support network of trusted family, friends, and medical professionals.

These individuals can guide and counsel you through a medical treatment and rehabilitation program so you can achieve maximum recovery.  

But what about a personal injury attorney?

Can a spinal cord injury lawyer be helpful by offering advice and insight in ways that you may not fully be aware of?

The short answer is yes.

In the article below, we will talk about why you should get a lawyer after a spinal cord injury accident.

What’s a Spinal Cord Injury?

Your spinal cord is a large bundle of nerves that travel the length of your spine, from your brain down the middle of the back through the spinal column.

The nerves work as message ways allowing your brain to communicate with your tissues, organs, and other connective components of your body.

A spinal cord injury damages these nerves and often creates devastating consequences.

When messages from your brain cannot move to the legs, arms, or other areas, it results in a loss of movement.

Some people may become paraplegic, which means it’s impossible to move the lower parts of the body, requiring a lifetime of medical care.

Symptoms of Spinal Damage

Your body will display several signs and symptoms if there’s something wrong with your spinal cord or central nervous system.

If you notice significant pain along your spine or lose control of any part of your body, you may have nerve damage.

Other symptoms that indicate a possible spinal cord injury include:

  • numbness or loss of sensation
  • loss of bowel control
  • loss of sexual function
  • loss of bladder control
  • weakness
  • tingling in the extremities.

Always see a doctor immediately after a spinal cord injury to have it diagnosed.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Some spinal injuries result from rare circumstances or unknown conditions, but four main events cause over 90% of spinal cord injuries. These events are:

  • Traffic accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in people under 65. Accidents that occur at high speeds can cause severe injury, including spine and back injuries.

  • Falls Unintentional falls are the leading cause of spinal injuries among the elderly. Simple slip and fall accidents can result in spinal cord injury.

  • Violence

  • Sports accidents Participating in sports is popular among individuals of all ages. But, everyone that plays particular sports risks injury. Brain, spine, and other catastrophic injuries are widespread in full-contact sports.

accident leaves victim in wheelchair due to spinal cord injury

What Kinds of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?

Depending on your spinal cord injury case, you can recover:

  • Medical Costs – Accident victims can recover millions of dollars for medical costs in a spinal cord injury case. These injury victims have to pay for the initial hospitalization and the initial treatments and rehab. Then you have to pay for the additional long-term care, rehab services, and supportive equipment, like wheelchairs, which you may need throughout your life.
  • Loss of Earning Capacity – This type of injury can cause someone to lose anticipated lifetime earnings. Fortunately, some survivors can return to work, often after years of therapy and rehab, but many never return. A vocational expert will testify what the victim would have earned without the injury and the losses of that income from the injury. If you are a stay-at-home caregiver, your replacement costs will be calculated.
  • Life Care Costs – To live with a spinal cord injury will require varying degrees of ongoing care throughout your life. These costs can include everything from housekeepers to nurses and so on. Family members may be able to help, but caring for someone with a spinal cord injury usually requires outside services.
  • Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life are significant compensable damages in a spinal injury case. Pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages that can include mental anguish, disability or disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Experienced spinal cord lawyers know how to explain these losses to a jury or your insurance company so you can receive fair financial compensation for your injuries.

How A Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help

The primary service a spine injury lawyer offers is obtaining maximum compensation for damages in personal injury claims.

 If a negligent party caused your injuries, you have a legal right to seek compensation.  

A personal injury lawyer will ensure your legal rights are protected and guide you through the legal process with your insurance company.  

Your lawyer will build a case to hold the at-fault party responsible and seek compensation to offset the massive financial losses that come with spinal cord injuries.

There is a statute of limitations that applies to personal injury cases, and these spinal injury cases take time to develop and pursue.  

So if you believe you have a legal case, you need to contact a spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible.

Spinal cord injury lawyers know the medical aspects of spinal cord injuries. 

They should have a working knowledge of the injury types and treatment protocols and contacts and information regarding healthcare companies, professionals, and other resources.

At the very least, your spinal cord injury lawyer will monitor treatments and ensure your legal rights are protected while you are still recovering.

Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys For A Free Consultation

A spinal cord injury victim has a long road to recovery in front of them.

A huge adjustment is required in most cases and simply trying to live comfortably becomes expensive overnight.

A spinal cord injury survivor cannot navigate such a situation on their own when the physical, mental, and financial elements are already so difficult.

Luckily you don’t have to.

Instead, depend on an injury law firm such as Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys specializing in accident injuries.

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation so an experienced spinal cord injury attorney can evaluate your claim and advise you on how to proceed effectively.

victim of accident has a spinal cord injury

Can I Sue My Employer If I’m Injured At Work?

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If you suffer an on-the-job injury, you will typically file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

Each state has its own workers’ compensation laws and coverage.

However, in almost all states, employees file a workers comp claim and typically cannot sue their employers for work-related injuries.

But, there are exceptions. 

In the article below, we will discuss when you can potentially sue your employer for an injury at work.

injured worker fills out medical form

What To Do If You’re Injured On The Job

Before you worry about whether or not you can sue your employer for your work injury, there are a few things you need to do immediately after your accident.

These steps will help you build and solidify your workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company.

Here are a few steps to take after being injured at work:

  • Determine Your Workers’ Compensation Coverage. Before figuring out if you need to take legal action against your employer, you must determine your workers’ compensation eligibility. If you are eligible, you most likely cannot sue your employer. However, you can and should file a compensation claim for benefits.
  • Seek Medical Attention. To sue, you need to prove the cause and extent of your injuries. That’s why you need a comprehensive medical evaluation as soon as possible after your accident. Just remember that you might need to see an approved doctor to maintain your eligibility for workers’ comp.
  • Follow Your Treatment Plan. Whether you have only minor injuries or are at risk of permanent disabilities, you need to follow your doctor’s advice. But if you ever have concerns about your treatment plan, you can seek a second opinion. If you plan on suing your employer for your work injury, you need the opinion of a doctor who isn’t company-approved. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you find an experienced physician who has your best interests in mind.
  • Take Notes about the Accident. Write down as many details as you can remember about your workplace injury as soon as you can. If you can sue for your work injury, the more information you have about the accident, the better.
  • Consult with an Experienced Lawyer. An injured at work lawyer experienced in representing injured workers can tell you if you can sue for your work injury. If you can, your lawyer can file a claim on your behalf. If you can’t, your lawyer can help you file for workers’ compensation benefits.

These are some of the most critical steps to take after an accident at work, but there are many more you should take.

To protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery, you should consult with an experienced lawyer right away.

The Workers’ Compensation System

The workers’ compensation system benefits injured workers no matter who is at fault for the accident.

These benefits typically include paying medical expenses, including doctor visits, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.

Injured workers may also receive vocational rehabilitation.

If necessary, you may also receive disability benefits to provide wage replacement if you cannot work.

Injured victims who successfully prevail with a personal injury lawsuit may be able to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, future medical treatment, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering.

Sometimes personal injury victims receive punitive damages, a special type of damages meant to punish employers for egregious misconduct.

But more often than not, injured employees are prohibited from suing their employer for a workplace injury.

Since they provide workers’ compensation insurance to their employees, employers are usually protected from personal injury lawsuits by their employees.

The system is designed so that an employee would give up their right to sue in court in exchange for collecting workers’ compensation benefits without having to show that the employer was negligent.

Understanding Employer Immunity

Workers’ compensation laws establish “employer immunity.”

Employers are required to pay workers’ comp benefits regardless of fault rather than requiring employees to prove that the employer was negligent, so they are protected from lawsuits.

However, there are notable exceptions to employer immunity. Here are some examples of situations in which you may be able to sue your employer.

  • You were injured due to your employer’s willful assault or sanction of an assault by another employee.
  • Your injury became worse or was aggravated due to your employer’s wrongful or fraudulent concealment of your injury and its link to your employment.
  • Your on-the-job injury was caused by a defective product made by your employer, and you had obtained the product from someone other than your employer.
  • Your employer did not have the Workers’ Compensation Insurance required by law.
  • Your injury was caused by a power press with the machine guard removed. If a worker’s injury or death is caused by the employer’s knowing removal or failure to install a point of operation guard on a power press, it can lead to a civil lawsuit. The removal or failure to install the machine guard must have been authorized by the employer under conditions of which the employer has the knowledge to create the possibility of severe injury or death to their employees.
injured worker falls at work

Let Alexander Shunnarah Fight For You!

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is a top-tier firm boasting years of experience in personal injury cases, such as those revolving around worker injuries and workers’ compensation.

We are here to defend your right and prevent exploitation by your employer and the insurance companies.

If you were injured at work, schedule a free consultation so an expert workers’ compensation lawyer can evaluate your case. 

Our attorneys will help you get the maximum compensation you deserve!

employee injured at work
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How Can A Birth Injury Law Firm Help?

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If you’re the parent of a child who was injured during birth, it can be difficult to know what to do. You might not have any idea how to hire birth injury lawyers who will understand your situation and help you get through this tough time. The good news is that birth injury law firms are here for you. They specialize in helping families like yours get the care and compensation they need after a birth injury.

Hiring an experienced birth injury lawyer from a birth injury law firm can help you receive the care and compensation you deserve if your child was injured during birth. If you believe that your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence, an experienced birth injury attorney can help you file a claim and get the care your child needs.

What Can Our Birth Injury Attorneys Do for You?

Our birth injury attorneys will offer a free consultation before you begin the birth injury claims process. A birth injury lawyer can meet you at our office or at a convenient location near you. 

We will learn more about you during the consultation. We will ask you questions such as when and how long ago it was that you suspected that there had been a birth injury. We will also want to know how the injury impacted your child’s life and the lives of your family.

Our legal team can immediately begin working on your case if we agree to collaborate. Our birth injury lawyers offer our clients the following:

Investigating Birth Injury Cases

A release may be required to allow us to access and analyze your medical records during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care. Witnesses who have information about the incident may be interviewed.

Consult with a Medical Professional

Independent medical experts will examine your case and help determine if a doctor or midwife failed to provide the required standard of care. Experts will be consulted to determine the damages you should seek in your case.

Making a Settlement Demand

After we have prepared your case thoroughly, we may submit a first settlement demand to the malpractice insurance company of the medical care provider. A case can be settled if liability and damages cannot be disputed.

File Birth Injury Lawsuits

We can file a complaint at an appropriate Circuit Court or Federal District Court if we cannot reach a pre-litigation agreement. Once a lawsuit has been filed, discovery is the formal evidence-gathering phase. Throughout this stage, we can continue to discuss settlements.

Bring Your Case to Trial

It may be in your best interests to take your case to court if liability or damages are being contested. Our experienced trial lawyers will present your case with the strongest possible arguments, including expert witness testimony and professionally prepared exhibits. Remember that a settlement can be reached during a trial, or after a verdict has been returned.

Collect Your Financial Compensation

We will quickly collect the funds due to you and resolve any liens attached to your recovery if a settlement is reached or a verdict is rendered in your favor. If we are not able to reach a settlement or verdict for you, there will be no legal fees or costs incurred by you when you work with professional law firms dealing with birth injuries.

Types of Birth Injuries

Three out of every 100 births result in a serious birth injury. Sometimes, oxygen deprivation can occur during labor and delivery. The umbilical cord can become twisted or compressed, or the baby might be too big to pass through the birth canal.

Many birth injuries, particularly to the brain, can be caused by a medical mistake made by doctors, hospitals, or other medical professionals during delivery, where birth injuries happen and result in an injured child with birth trauma.

Birth injuries can be caused by medical errors such as:

  • Failure to recognize and address pregnancy problems, such as infection, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or gestational diabetics
  • Giving prescription medication to a mother that has dangerous side effects
  • Failure to immediately respond to bleeding, umbilical cord entanglement, or fetal distress
  • Delayed the Cesarean section (or C-section) even if dire issues arise
  • Premature delivery complications
  • Use a vacuum extractor, forceps, or another device in an inappropriate way
  • Inadequate monitoring of the baby’s health immediately after birth
  • Mistaken medication or the incorrect dosage or type of medication
  • Miscommunications between nurses and doctor

Medical malpractice could have contributed to your child’s birth injury if any of these events happened before, during, or after your child’s labor.

You can pursue fair and full compensation for your child’s injuries by taking legal action. A legal claim can also bring attention to issues and force hospitals or medical professionals to make necessary changes to prevent future birth injuries.

Negligence in Using Vacuum Extractors and Forceps

Sometimes, it is necessary to provide assistance for the birth of an infant. The obstetrician might use forceps or a vacuum to extract the baby in these situations.

These devices can increase the chance of an infant suffering an injury during birth, particularly if negligence or carelessness is involved. Vacuum extractors and forceps increase the risk of:

  • Skull fractures
  • Skull malformations
  • Brain damage
  • Fetal stroke or seizures

We deal with a lot of birth injuries cases that involve the use of forceps and vacuum extractors.

Forceps should not be used if the baby is not moving past the midpoint of the birth canal or if the baby has his shoulders and arms leading the way through it.

The baby could also be at greater risk for injury if it is not able to fit through its pelvis because of its size (or that of the pelvis).

baby incubated after birth injury

Who Pays for Liability and Birth Injuries?

It is crucial to understand how a birth-related injury occurred in order to file a civil case. To be eligible for compensation, a birth injury lawyer must prove negligence. If one of these events occurred, a doctor or medical facility could be sued.

  • During the delivery process, forceps could cause harm to the baby
  • An improper vacuum was used to remove the baby
  • Inadequate action to perform a cesarean delivery
  • Actions that delay oxygen delivery to the baby

Negligence can also be present before birth, as in:

  • Failure to perform standard and specialized tests, if necessary
  • Failure to monitor the baby’s status and position.
  • Infections and other pregnancy-related conditions can be missed if they are not treated promptly.

These are just a few examples of possible negligence. A lawyer can review your medical records and photos, as well as speak with other witnesses to the birth. These documents can help them identify all responsible parties.

There are some complications that can occur during birth, but these errors can be avoided. If these errors are not corrected, a child suffers preventable birth injuries. Our medical negligence lawyers can help you if your doctor made a mistake that could have a lasting impact on your baby’s life.

How Long Do You Have to File a Birth Injury Claim?

A birth injury lawsuit can be considered a form of medical malpractice. A medical malpractice lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the date of the negligent act, omission, or injury. The claim cannot be filed more than four years following the negligent act or neglect. This is known as the statute of limitations. Other rules could apply to your child’s case.

Potential Compensation for Birth Injury Damages

Your child’s birth injury can cause shock and result in additional financial costs. These problems are not permanent as your child may need to receive extensive and costly care for the rest of their lives.

It can be difficult to balance caring for special needs children and your career. Your income and position can be affected by the number of doctor’s visits and absences for related reasons. Our birth injury lawyers often fight for your recovery.

  • Medical Expenses: Both past and future medical expenses as well as medical care requirements such as doctors, surgeons, physical, and occupational therapy.
  • Disability Costs: The cost of disability costs, such as powerchairs, home modifications, and more, are included.
  • Special Education: Special education costs for children with cognitive disabilities. The child’s brain may be affected if the child suffered birth injuries.
  • Payouts lost: The income you lost because of your child’s medical procedures, appointments, and needs.

You cannot predict how your case will turn out. With a member of our team on your side, we can pursue justice and compensation for you and your child. We are able to handle aggressive insurance adjusters that may be reluctant to pay you the rightful compensation for medical malpractice. Our team is familiar with state laws regarding cases involving medical negligence and birth injuries. Do not talk with insurance adjusters who push you.

Take Action for Your Baby’s Birth Injuries

Any potential birth injury lawsuit requires quick action. You may not see the full impact of your injury until years later. If you suspect that something is not right and that the injury resulted from negligent medical care, contact our office immediately.

You can keep track of the first signs and symptoms by recording your concerns. Our team can help you understand the statute of limitations to file a civil suit.

Many cases involving severe injuries suffered by a baby will settle out of court. Your lawyer will not negotiate a fair settlement. They will go to trial. Take legal action right away.

Your lawyer will determine whether your case is within the time limit. With us at your side, you aren’t alone. Our staff is compassionate and ready to assist you. We treat every client with the respect that they deserve, from our front desk staff to our legal team.

Why Work With a Birth Injury Law Firm

Proper medical care could have prevented many birth injuries. Birth injuries can be caused by a doctor’s error before, during, and shortly after delivery. Medical malpractice is when a doctor makes an error that could have been avoided.

You may have placed your trust in your medical team throughout your pregnancy and your child’s birth to ensure your baby is as safe as possible. They can be held responsible if they fail to do so.

Your legal team will help you to file a claim against a law firm that specializes in birth injuries. They will prove that your child was injured due to medical negligence or malpractice, and seek compensation for your damages.

You can hold medical professionals responsible for the mistakes they made and get justice for your child’s injuries. This may help you prevent other families from going through what your family has.

Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer Near You

Families can be financially and emotionally devastated by birth injuries. A birth injury lawsuit is an important step for families. These lawsuits may be used to cover the high cost of birth injury treatment. This could help to reduce the emotional stress in a family.

Having a top birth injury lawyer with a proven track record of success on your side, your birth injury claim will be processed and handled faster and better.

FAQs about Birth Injuries

When Is the Best Time to Contact a Lawyer About a Case Involving a Birth Injury?

If you believe that your child has suffered from a birth injury, it is important to contact an experienced law firm immediately. We may be able to help you even if your child has not received an official diagnosis.

Registered nurses with years of experience in labor and delivery can help you understand the situation. We may be able to help you if a medical professional made mistakes that contributed to the condition of your child.

baby crying from birth injury

What Types of Birth Injuries Could Be Grounds for Legal Action?

Many birth injuries could have been avoided. You might be able to hold your healthcare provider responsible for negligent care that led to a birth injury.

A few common conditions that can result from birth injuries are as follows: cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, brain injuries, Erb’s palsy, Brain damage in infants (often due to fetal distress i.e. lack of oxygen or oxygen deprivation), nerve injuries, and even skull or bone fractures.

What Is the Minimum Time I Must Contact a Law Firm for a Birth Injury Case?

There is a limit to the time you have to file legal action regarding birth injuries. It’s crucial to get in touch with a law firm as soon as possible. These legal deadlines, also known as statutes of limitation, can vary from one state to the next and can be hard to find on your own. To learn more about your legal options, request a case review.

What Is the Cost of Working With a Law Firm That Specializes in Birth Injuries?

Many lawyers work on a contingent basis. This means that they don’t demand an upfront fee. Only if your case succeeds, do lawyers get paid.

What Is the Average Time It Takes for a Lawsuit to Come to a Settlement?

It is difficult to predict how long it will take for your lawsuit to be resolved through settlement or trial. The time it takes to resolve a birth injury case can vary from months to years depending on the facts.

Our lawyers will resolve your case as quickly as possible and will keep you informed throughout the legal process.

What Is a Birth Injury Law Firm?

Birth injury law firms are law firms that specialize in helping families who have children with birth injuries. These law firms can provide you with the resources and support you need to get the care and compensation your child deserves. They can also help you file a claim against the doctor or medical staff who caused your child’s birth injury.

How Can Birth Injury Law Firms Help You?

Birth injury law firms can help you in a number of ways. First, they can provide you with the care and compensation you deserve if your child was injured during birth. Second, they can help you file a claim and get the care your child needs. Third, they can provide you with support and guidance throughout the legal process. Contact a birth injury law firm today to get a free case evaluation.

What Are Some of the Services That Birth Injury Law Firms Offer?

A birth injury attorney offers a variety of services, including helping you understand your legal rights, filing a claim on your behalf, and representing you in court. They can also help you file the appropriate documentation and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. If your child was injured during birth, contact a birth injury law firm today for help.

How Do You Know if You Need to Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer?

If you believe that your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence, you may need to hire a birth injury lawyer. There are several signs that you may need legal assistance, including if you have been denied coverage or benefits by an insurance company, if you have been asked to sign a release or waiver, or if the hospital or doctors are not willing to cooperate. If you have any doubts, contact a birth injury law firm for a free consultation. They can help you decide if hiring an attorney is the right step for you.

birth injury lawyer offers a free consultation
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Do I Need A Workers Compensation Lawyer After A Work Injury?

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If you’ve recently suffered a work-related injury, you might be wondering if you should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to receive compensation benefits.

There’s a lot of uncertainty on top of an injury and filing a workers’ compensation claim may be the last thing you want to do on your own.

It takes a lot of time and knowledge of personal injury law to receive fair workers’ compensation benefits.

Whether or not you ultimately need a lawyer will depend on the severity of your injury, the overall complexity of your case, and the actions of your employer or its insurance company.

But all injured workers should at least speak to an attorney with knowledge of workers’ compensation law.

In the article below, we’ll discuss some of the questions and uncertainties you may feel when hiring a workers’ compensation attorney.  

man falls and injures knee while at work

Common Workplace Injuries

There are an infinite number of injuries you can sustain at work, depending on the work you do.

An experienced worker will take the necessary precautions to avoid being injured, but even the most skilled and careful workers can still be involved in an accident.

Some of the most common types of injuries we see at Shunnarah Law are:

  • Back injuries and spinal cord injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Hearing loss
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Degenerative disc/joint disease
  • Amputation
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Black Lung Disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Electrocution
  • Burn injuries

Always Seek Medical Treatment after a Workplace Injury

If you’ve been injured in an on-the-job accident, you need to seek immediate medical care.

Regardless of the potential medical bills (these should be taken care of by your workers’ comp benefits), it’s vital to look after your health by seeking immediate medical attention.

Seeking medical care also ensures that an injury is documented by a medical professional.

 Your medical records will be crucial to a worker’s compensation claim.

How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim

Although employees can file claims on their own, the legal system is not very easy to navigate.

The first thing you need to do is provide notice to your employer.

If necessary, have a loved one call from the doctor’s office.

Never wait more than a week to report your injury, and always report it as soon as you can.

Follow these steps immediately after your injury:

  • Tell your employer you’ve been hurt
  • Visit your doctor and tell them how you got hurt.
  • Have your doctor tell you whether or not you can return to work and report that information to your employer.
  • Seek legal representation if you are unsure whether you are eligible for benefits or need help filing

How Much Money Can You Receive In A Worker’s Compensation Claim?

In most cases, a fair settlement in a workers’ compensation claim typically includes two-thirds of your wages if you can’t return to work.

All medical expenses related to the injury, including hospital bills, prescription drug costs, rehabilitation, and repayment for travel costs to and from medical facilities, are also included.

Several factors might determine how much an employee will receive.

For example, permanent injuries or disabilities almost always result in larger settlements.

If you can return to work, you might be given a role that doesn’t require the same physical demands as the role you had before your injury.

This will typically be a smaller settlement, but you can still be paid partial benefits if your new role means less pay.

Are There Situations When You Can Represent Yourself?

Sometimes you may be able to get by without an attorney if all of the following statements are true:

  • You suffered just a minor workplace injury
  • Your employer is helpful and admits that the injury happened at work and helps you receive workers’ compensation coverage.
  • You missed little or no work due to your injury.
  • You don’t have a preexisting condition affecting the same part of your body as the recent workplace injury.

Even in these relatively uncomplicated situations, the compensation process is still complex, and it’s still a good idea to contact a workers’ comp attorney.

Your lawyer can walk you through the legal process, alert you to potential pitfalls, and give you an honest appraisal of what your claim may be worth.

Why Should You Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer?

In a perfect world, injured workers wouldn’t have to worry about getting benefits.

However, we don’t live in a perfect world, and you will likely need an experienced attorney to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

If any of the following apply to you, you should speak to a lawyer right away.

Your Employer Is Delaying the Claim

To receive a fair comp settlement, you need to notify your employer as soon as possible, even after a minor injury.

When you’ve notified the employer, they must contact their insurance company and file a claim.

If your employer doesn’t act fast enough, it can negatively affect your case.

An experienced law firm can get the process started so you get the benefits you need as soon as possible.

The Settlement Offer Doesn’t Cause Your Damages

If you suffer an on-the-job injury and you aren’t sure your settlement offer is good enough, don’t rely on your employer or workers’ compensation judge to make sure that you’re getting a fair deal.

Workers’ comp settlements must have judicial approval, but judges will typically sign off on an agreement as long as it’s not grossly unfair.

To get you the best settlement possible, call an attorney.

Your Accident Results in a Permanent Disability

There are two types of disability.

The first is a permanent partial disability, and the second is a permanent total disability.

If you have a permanent partial disability, you can still work, but not at the same capacity as before the accident.

A permanent total disability leaves you completely unable to work altogether.

Disabilities are expensive, and your attorney will help ensure you receive the benefits you need after suffering a disability. 

You Face Retaliation in the Workplace

If your employer seems to be retaliating against you after filing a compensation claim, you need a workers’ compensation attorney immediately.

This retaliation could include reducing your hours, demoting you, harassing you, or terminating your employment.

Employees have the right to collect workers’ compensation benefits, and if an employer retaliates against a worker, that employer violates public policy.

Hiring a workplace injury lawyer can help you right the wrongs invoked through employer retaliation after a workplace injury.

You Have a Pre-existing Condition

If you have a preexisting condition in the same area you were injured during your work accident, the insurance company might fight back and blame it on your condition.

Your attorney can help produce evidence to show your injuries directly resulted from your accident so you receive fair compensation.

When to Speak To A Workers Compensation Lawyer

You need to call as soon as you can after your personal injury to speak to a lawyer so they can help determine your best course of action.

An initial case evaluation can help you determine if you need a workers’ comp lawyer to help you through the workers’ compensation claims process.

The only way you’re going to if you need a workers’ compensation lawyer is by letting one evaluate your claim.

Let Alexander Shunnarah Law Fight For You!

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is a top-tier firm boasting years of experience in personal injury cases, especially those revolving around workers’ compensation.

We are here to defend your right and prevent exploitation.

If you’ve been injured at work, don’t wait any longer to schedule a free consultation now, so your case can be evaluated by an expert workers’ compensation lawyer.

Workers compensation lawyer offers free consultation

What’s Considered A Traumatic Brain Injury?

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A traumatic brain injury can refer to many types of injuries to the brain, skull, or scalp.

A traumatic brain injury always requires immediate medical care. The complications that result from the injury will depend on how the injury occurred, the location of the injury, and the severity of the brain damage.

If you have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to an accident, you will need to speak to a brain injury lawyer soon after receiving medical treatment.

This type of injury typically results in enormous damages, and an injury lawyer will make sure you get the compensation you deserve after your accident.

In the article below, we will discuss the types of brain injuries and the levels of severity of brain injuries to help you understand your personal injury case involving a brain injury. 

What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head from blunt or penetrating trauma.

TBIs can be closed or penetrating injuries.

The injury that occurs at the moment of impact is the primary injury.

Primary injuries can involve a specific brain lobe or the entire brain.

The skull can be fractured sometimes but not always.

During the impact of an accident, the brain crashes back and forth inside the skull causing bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibers.

Immediately after the injury, you may be confused, have trouble remembering what happened, suffer from blurry vision and dizziness, or lose consciousness.

You may feel fine at first, but your condition can decline rapidly.

doctor reads scan of TBI of an accident victim

After the initial impact occurs, the brain can swell, pushing itself against the skull and reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood.

This is a secondary injury, and they are often more damaging than the primary injury.

Traumatic brain injuries are classified according to the severity of the damage.

With a mild TBI, you are awake with your eyes open.

A mild injury may cause you to be confused, disorientated, struggle with memory loss, headaches, and brief loss of consciousness.

If you suffer a moderate TBI, you will be lethargic with your eyes open to stimulation.

You may lose consciousness for 20 minutes to 6 hours.

Some brain swelling or bleeding is common, causing sleepiness, but you’re still arousable.

A severe TBI will leave you unconscious, and your eyes will not open, even with stimulation.

You will experience a loss of consciousness lasting more than 6 hours.

Causes Of TBIs

A traumatic brain injury is caused by a blow or other traumatic injury to the head.

The damage you sustain depends on several factors, including the nature of your injury and the force of impact.

The most common events that cause traumatic brain injuries are:

  • Falls: Several types of falls are common causes of traumatic brain injury overall.
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, or bicycles are another common cause of traumatic brain injury.
  • Violence: Domestic violence, gunshot wounds, child abuse, and other assaults are common causes.
  • Sports injuries: Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by several sports. Football, boxing, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, skateboarding, hockey, and other high-impact sports can all lead to a TBI.

Traumatic brain injury can also result from penetrating wounds or a severe, direct blow to the head.

What Are The Different Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

In addition to mild, moderate, and severe, there are several other types of TBIs.

However, these head injuries are severe and should be taken seriously.

A few other types of TBIs are:

Uncomplicated TBI: With an uncomplicated TBI, your head CT/brain MRI is normal, regardless of mild, moderate, or severe grade.

Complicated TBI: A complicated TBI shows a head CT or brain MRI with changes, such as bleeding.

Closed Head Injury: The majority of TBIs are closed. This means an outside force causes a blow or jolt to the head that didn’t penetrate the skull. This impact causes injury and swelling to the brain.

Open Head Injury: An open brain injury can also be referred to as a penetrating TBI. This injury occurs when something penetrates your skull. If the object goes into the brain, it directly damages brain tissue.

Nontraumatic: These are also known as hypoxic/anoxic brain injuries. These result from strokes, seizures, or events like choking or near-fatal drownings. These incidents deprive the brain of oxygen.

What Are Symptoms of TBIs?

Depending on the type and location of the injury, the person’s symptoms may include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Loss of memory
  • Amnesia
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Visual problems
  • Loss of coordination
  • Poor attention
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Dizziness
  • Blood clot
  • Loss of balance
  • Irritability
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Feelings of depression
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting

Any of these symptoms can keep you from performing your normal activities.

Diffuse injuries like a concussion or diffuse axonal injury typically cause an overall decreased level of consciousness.

Focal injuries like an ICH or a contusion have symptoms based on the affected brain area.

Woman suffering from a traumatic brain injury

Can Your Brain Heal After A TBI?

Many studies have found that once brain cells have been destroyed or damaged, they cannot regenerate.

But accident victims can recover after a brain injury, especially in younger people.

In some cases, other areas of the brain can make up for the injured tissue.

Or, the brain can learn to reroute information and function around the damaged areas.

It’s impossible to estimate the exact amount of recovery at the time of injury.

It could be months or even years until complete recovery has been made.

Recovering from a severe brain injury is unique to each victim.

Recovery from severe injuries often involves prolonged or lifelong treatments and rehabilitation processes.

Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury

If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, there’s a good chance you will suffer from various debilitating symptoms, permanent brain injury, or even be at risk of losing your life.

Traumatic brain injuries involve direct physical damage to the brain, so there are horrible physical and mental consequences.

Physical damage to the brain can affect your cognitive function, personality, and mental state.

This can take the form of memory loss, emotional issues, speech problems, sensory impairment, psychological disorders, and more.

And unfortunately, the damage caused by traumatic brain injuries can often be permanent.

As we mentioned above, not much can be done to repair the damaged tissue of the brain.

You may struggle with the effects of a brain injury for the rest of your life.

But, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel, and many things can be done to manage symptoms and help you live with the effects of a severe traumatic brain injury.

A Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Can Help You Determine Your Options

No two traumatic brain injuries are the same.

Many require specialized care and rehabilitation services.

If you think you’ve sustained a minor TBI like a concussion, you should know that new symptoms can develop in the weeks following the accident.

These symptoms should not be ignored and need to be addressed by a healthcare professional right away.

After seeing a doctor, you should speak to a brain injury lawyer to help you get the treatment you need while also helping with your TBI case.

An attorney who focuses on TBI law will be able to look out for your best interests.

Let Us Fight For You!

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys fight to ensure accident victims get the compensation they deserve.

With the Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, you will receive prompt and personal service.

Whether you have been in a motor vehicle crash or a truck accident, the most crucial thing is not to ignore your physical or emotional symptoms and see a health care provider afterward.

Traumatic brain injuries after a traumatic accident may show themselves long after an incident occurs.

If you have suffered from a car crash that has caused debilitating conditions, contact our injury attorneys for assistance.

We’ve been helping people bring their claims to court for the last decade and continue to fight to get the compensation our clients deserve.

Call us today to schedule your free consultation so that our Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys can start helping you with your personal injury claim.

TBI lawyers offers free consultation for accident victims
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Why Do You Need A TBI Lawyer?

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Your brain is what allows you to do just about everything.

It allows you to connect with other people, work, play, feel love and compassion, and make sense of everything that goes on around us.

The importance of our brain and its pivotal role in executive functioning make traumatic brain injuries devastating.

Head injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can change your life forever.

No matter how devastating they may be, insurance companies will try their hardest to avoid fully paying accident victims for the tremendous costs and losses they suffer after an injury to the brain.

It is essential to hire an experienced TBI attorney to help you navigate the complex legal issues that you may encounter as you pursue compensation for your severe brain injury.

We’ll learn more in the article below.

What are Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Traumatic brain injuries typically involve a blow, jolt, or another form of impact to the head or body.

They often occur during motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents.

These catastrophic injuries can also occur due to an object penetrating brain tissue and often lead to a loss of consciousness.

They range in severity from mild to severe and sometimes life-threatening.

A mild traumatic brain injury will only affect brain injury victims temporarily.

Accident victim is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury

Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries, but they can result in long-term severe brain damage if left untreated.

A severe TBI can result in bleeding, bruising, blurred vision, and torn brain tissue. They can cause long-term complications like memory loss or result in permanent disability or death.

Brain injury victims need to take their injuries seriously and listen to the medical experts. Seek medical care immediately, even if you initially believe the injury is mild.

Can You Recover from a Brain Injury?

Fortunately, it is possible to recover from a brain injury.

However, it’s hard to determine how long your recovery may take.

Recoveries can take anywhere from weeks to years, or you could suffer from the side effects for the rest of your life.

A medical team with extensive experience with brain injuries will do their best to determine your chances of recovery based on the following factors:

  • The part of your brain that was damaged
  • The severity of your injury
  • If you were in a coma and the depth and duration of the coma
  • Your willingness to be active in your recovery and complete a rehabilitation program
  • The options for treatment and rehabilitation available for you

Your chances of making a complete recovery from a traumatic brain injury depend on various factors.

The human brain has a limited ability to heal itself.

The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of recovery will be.

Many rehabilitation programs are available to help you recover, from various medical treatments to physical therapy and more.

Sometimes someone other than the victim is at fault for causing a traumatic brain injury, either by negligence or willful wrongdoing.

If so, a traumatic brain injury law firm can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Why You Need A Brain Injury Lawyer

Your Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Will Help Establish Your Damages

Most of us don’t know how to calculate the monetary value of a traumatic brain injury claim.

Without help from an experienced TBI lawyer, translating economic and non-economic damages into concrete monetary values can be extremely difficult.

An experienced brain injury attorney will know how to calculate the various damages involved in a TBI lawsuit, like:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Past and future medical treatment
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship or consortium
  • Punitive damages

Every brain injury claim is unique and complex, so there’s no online calculator you can use that will give you a reliable estimate of your claim.

A TBI lawyer is essential because they will assess the injury’s circumstances, the insurance coverage that applies, and the total of your losses.

Valuing a TBI claim requires help from experts like doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, accident reconstructionists, and other specialists.

These expert witnesses can establish how your brain injury can lead to a lifetime of medical care and a reduced capacity for earnings, productivity, and enjoyment.

doctor looks at accident victims brain injury

Your Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Will Support Proper Diagnosis and Treatment For Your TBI

Proper diagnosis and treatment soon after your injury are critical to your recovery and future quality of life.

Early detection and treatment will give you the best possible recovery outcome.

Traumatic brain injuries are complex and need to be diagnosed and treated by skilled medical professionals who have expertise in treating brain injuries to avoid permanent damage.

Most traumatic brain injury attorneys can refer you to medical specialists to get the medical care you need.

This helps expedite the diagnosis process so you can make a complete physical recovery and obtain maximum compensation.

Your Brain Injury Lawyer Will Fight The Insurance Companies

Insurance companies want to offer as little compensation as possible to TBI victims and their families.

Unless you have an experienced attorney advocating for them, you could accept a settlement far less than what you deserve.

The insurance adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company’s financial bottom line.

To do that, they need to minimize each claim and look for reasons to issue a denial.

Handling a TBI case on your own never results in a settlement that reflects the actual value of your claim.

The insurance company wants to make your claim go away while paying you as little as possible, and they can get away with it if you don’t have a lawyer.

Before you respond to a settlement offer in a TBI case, always consult an experienced brain injury lawyer.

How To Choose Your Brain Injury Lawyer

Look For Experience

To receive maximum compensation and the care you need after a traumatic brain injury, you need a TBI lawyer with experience.

They should be familiar with the nuances and complexities of a brain injury and how to litigate and win awards in brain injury cases. 

Read Reviews

Before you pick your injury lawyer, you should spend time reading through online reviews from clients who’ve worked with them in the past.

You can find reviews by doing a quick Google search, researching the local legal directories, and checking out their social media. 

Speak With Several Lawyers

If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, you need an exceptional attorney who understands how to leverage all possible medical and legal resources to help in your recovery.

Speaking with several attorneys and meeting them in person will help you evaluate their legal abilities.

Never settle when it comes to hiring a traumatic brain injury lawyer.

Make sure they invest time in discussing your case, concerns, doubts, and needs. 

Contact Shunnarah Law Firm

The traumatic brain injury lawyers at the Shunnnarah Law Firm work hard to give their clients the best legal representation possible.

We understand how a serious brain injury can change the course of your life in an instant.

We strive to help our clients achieve the recovery they deserve to ensure that they are fully compensated under the law.

Call us today to schedule your free consultation so that our Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys can start helping you with your personal injury claim.

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