Our Attorneys Have Decades Of Experience With Brain-Injury Cases
A brain injury is not always apparent, and sometimes the full extent of brain damage is not revealed until months after the accident. Securing full compensation requires a lawyer who commits to working with the family and medical professionals.
The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, of Manassas, Virginia, can make that commitment. We intentionally limit our caseload so that we can provide our full attention to each client. Our brain injury attorneys have nearly 30 years of experience and have demonstrated results in brain injury cases resulting from serious car and truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes and other motor vehicle accidents. Representing victims throughout Northern Virginia , we work to see that our client is compensated for the ongoing care, lost earnings and profound personal impact from the brain injury.
Experience and Compassion ∙ Free Consultation at 703-214-1688
Diagnosing the Full Effects of Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically results in total disability. Those victims have suffered a skull fracture, hematoma or other major head trauma. They may be in a coma, vegetative state or paralyzed, unable to care for themselves. The family often needs help to provide for a lifetime of round-the-clock care and supervision.
A mild traumatic brain injury can be just as devastating for the victim and family. Extensive resources are required to help that person resume their life. Mild brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms may come and go or develop over time. We work with families and care providers to document signs of brain injury:
- Amnesia or short-term memory loss
- Problems with speech or vision
- Difficulty concentrating/cognitive deficits
- Chronic headache or dizziness
- Personality change/mood swings/irritability
A head injury may be originally passed off as a concussion, diagnosed as brain damage only after neurological testing. The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, helps family members document symptoms, treatment and the impact of a brain trauma on the daily life of the victim.
Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI Lawyers
We coordinate with life care planners and other professionals to prepare a comprehensive settlement package that covers the economic damages (medical care, earnings) and the noneconomic damages (lost quality of life, pain and suffering). If the insurance company will not settle for a fair sum, we are prepared to take the case all the way to a jury to get justice.
Potential Concussion Symptoms
A concussion can happen when the brain moves violently within the skull, even if it’s a closed-head injury. These are common in sports where players collide, for example. Potential symptoms include:
- Disruptions to your sleep schedule
- Persistent headaches
- A feeling of pressure inside the skull
- Neck pain
- Dizziness and issues with balance
- Feeling lightheaded or experiencing double vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to sounds or light
- Mental confusion or brain fog
- Trouble focusing
- Short-term memory loss
- Excessive fatigue
- Mood swings, irritability, depression or anxiety
People often consider a concussion to be a minor brain injury, but it’s important to take it very seriously. Repeated concussions can lead to much more severe symptoms such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Skull Fractures
There are many different types of skull fractures, which can happen when someone suffers a blow to the head such as in a car accident. These include:
- Linear fractures – Fairly straightforward breaks in the skull.
- Depressed fractures – A section of the skull is recessed or caved in.
- Basilar fractures – Occur near the spinal cord at the base of the skull. These are very serious but also rare.
- Diastatic fractures – Involve damage to multiple bones. These can be problematic for young children whose skulls are still developing.
A skull fracture can lead to a range of symptoms such as discharge from the ears or nose, a loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, mental confusion, headaches, and physical symptoms, including a notable dent or lump.
Brain Bleeds
A brain bleed, also known as an intracranial hemorrhage, occurs when there is bleeding in the brain tissues or between the brain and the skull. These are very dangerous because they often operate similarly to a stroke, reducing the amount of oxygen in the brain. The bleed can also put pressure on the brain, which builds up over time. This can lead to symptoms such as numbness on one side of the body, confusion, headaches and migraines, among others.
In the most serious instances, a brain bleed can be fatal. This is why it’s so important to seek medical treatment immediately.
Coping With a Brain Injury
When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a brain injury, you may have many questions: How will your family adjust to the financial impact of the head injury? How will you find the necessary appropriate long-term care? What can you expect in terms of recovery? What can you do to help your loved one through this? How can you enable your loved one to have the greatest quality of life possible under the circumstances?
A brain injury is undoubtedly one of the most challenging traumatic injuries — both for the person who has suffered the brain damage, and for the family and friends who are trying to support the individual and help him or her through it. Anger, frustration and uncertainty are all natural feelings for the injured individual and for the family. Recognizing how overwhelming this period is for you and your family, we take special care to ensure you have the financial and support resources you need to help your family move forward.
The Brain Injury Association of Virginia is a local support resource for families dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident, motorcycle accident or other accident that resulted in a brain injury.
Contact a Caring and Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer
Call our Manassas office at 703-214-1688 to arrange a free initial consultation with a skilled brain injury attorney. We make home and hospital visits, and we handle brain injury and all personal injury claims on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
