St. John’s Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

Brain injuries can have catastrophic effects on individuals and their families in Newfoundland. The severity of the injury can range from mild to severe and can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as car accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, or medical malpractice.

The impact of a brain injury is often long-lasting, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, resulting in significant financial burden and emotional distress for the affected person and their loved ones.

In such cases, seeking legal help is essential to ensure that the injured person receives appropriate compensation to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other ongoing damages. Experience in brain injury cases in St. John’s, Newfoundland can provide crucial support to victims and their families, helping them navigate the legal process and gain the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

With our in-depth knowledge of brain injury law and our commitment to our clients, you can trust that you’re in good hands. At NOVA Injury Law, we understand that it is not just about monetary compensation – we also care deeply about your well-being and your future. That’s why we work closely with neurosurgeons and traumatic brain injury specialists to ensure Newfoundlanders receive the best possible care and support throughout their recovery.

Adding to our experience, we have a practicing emergency room physician with special training in occupational medicine consulting on all of our cases, as required. Having this expertise built into our practice means two things:

We have ready-made access to a doctor to provide advice on your injuries from the moment your Free Case Review starts, even if you or your loved one is still admitted and receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, or another health care site in the region.
We have immediate access to brain injury specialists in St. John’s, Newfoundland and abroad to help us build you a watertight compensation claim that accurately forecasts the care and rehabilitation required for you to live the fullest life possible despite your injury.

Our model for building quality injury claims is a key reason why we are considered one of the premier law firms in Atlantic Canada. From the moment you talk with us about your needs, you have immediate access to medical support and advice. It also gives our lawyers the greenlight to build medically-backed watertight compensation claims in a way no other personal injury law firm can. And with our no-win, no-fee arrangements, you get all of this for free until we win your case.

The injury lawyers at NOVA Injury Law provide the following legal services in St. John’s:

Here are some of the more common types of brain injuries

Unfortunately, many brain injuries aren’t reported at the time of the injury, and accurate statistics also rely on regular hospital and doctor reporting. That being said, here is a list of some common brain injuries, ranging in severity.

Concussion: A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that usually occurs as a result of a blow or jolt to the head. Symptoms of a concussion may include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Contusion: A contusion is a bruise on the brain that usually occurs as a result of a direct impact to the head. Symptoms of a contusion may include headache, dizziness, nausea, and weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A TBI is a serious brain injury that usually occurs as a result of a severe blow or jolt to the head. Symptoms of a TBI may include loss of consciousness, confusion, memory loss, seizures, and mood changes.
Anoxic brain injury: An anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. This may occur as a result of drowning, suffocation, or a heart attack. Symptoms of an anoxic brain injury may include memory loss, confusion, seizures, and coma.
Stroke: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Symptoms of a stroke may include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, speech difficulties, and difficulty with balance or coordination.
Brain hemorrhage: A brain hemorrhage occurs when there is bleeding in the brain. Symptoms of a brain hemorrhage may include headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

The severity and long-term effects of a brain injury can vary widely, depending on the type and extent of the injury. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect that you or someone else has suffered a brain injury.

How do brain injuries happen?

Alarmingly, one thing is common to all types of brain injuries:

Even the most minor blow to the head can have catastrophic consequences. Examples of how people suffer brain injuries include:

Slip and falls: A slip and fall accident can cause a traumatic brain injury, particularly if the person hits their head on a hard surface. If the slip and fall was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as a property owner failing to fix a dangerous condition, they may be held liable for the resulting brain injury.
Medical malpractice: Brain injuries can also occur due to medical malpractice, such as surgical errors, anesthesia errors, or improper medication management. If a healthcare provider is negligent in their duty to provide safe and effective care, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of brain injuries, but they can occur due to someone else’s negligence. For example, a pedestrian or cyclist who is hit by a car may suffer a traumatic brain injury due to the driver’s negligence in failing to yield or obey traffic signals.
Defective products: Defective products, such as faulty car parts or dangerous children’s toys, can cause brain injuries if they malfunction or break. If the manufacturer or distributor is found to be negligent in their duty to provide safe products, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Sporting accidents: Concussions and other types of brain injuries can occur during contact sports, such as football, soccer, hockey, and rugby. If a coach, referee, or other player is negligent in their duty to provide a safe playing environment, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Workplace accidents: Jobs that involve physical labour or working with heavy machinery can be dangerous, and a workplace accident can result in a brain injury. If the employer is negligent in providing a safe work environment or proper training, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Assault: Acts of violence, such as assault and battery, can result in traumatic brain injuries. If the perpetrator is found guilty of the crime, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries and required to compensate the victim for their damages.

Other examples include:

Exposure to toxins: Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances can cause brain injuries, such as lead poisoning or carbon monoxide poisoning. If the exposure occurs due to someone else’s negligence, such as a landlord failing to address a mold problem, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Dog bites: A dog bite can cause severe head injuries if the victim falls and hits their head or if the dog shakes them violently. If the dog owner is negligent in controlling their animal or fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent a dog bite, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Swimming pool accidents: Drowning or near-drowning incidents in swimming pools can result in brain injuries due to lack of oxygen to the brain. If the pool owner or operator is negligent in maintaining a safe swimming environment or fails to provide proper supervision, they may be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.

How do you know if you have a brain injury claim?

At NOVA Injury Law, we offer a Free Case Review, and this gives families the chance to consult with an experienced brain injury lawyer free of charge. We encourage you to book a Free Cse Review right away, so we can discuss whether you any legal recourse available to them. Some of the things we consider include:

Symptoms: Common symptoms of mild brain injuries can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. Depending on the cause of your injury, documenting the symptoms you are noticing and when you started to notice them will help us assess the potential for you to bring a claim.

Medical records: We review the individual’s medical records to determine whether they have been diagnosed with a brain injury. This may include reviewing imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, and consulting with medical experts to determine the extent of the injury.

Accident circumstances: We evaluate the circumstances of the accident that caused the injury to determine whether it was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional act. This may include reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other evidence related to the accident.

Impact on daily life: We evaluate how the injury has impacted your daily life. Even mild brain injuries can cause significant disruptions to a person’s ability to work, socialize, and engage in other activities. We also look at the impact on the victim’s quality of life, including their ability to care for themselves and their family.

Potential long-term effects: We consider the potential long-term effects of the injury. Even a mild brain injury can have long-term consequences, including increased risk of future injuries and ongoing cognitive impairments. We work with medical experts in lock step to evaluate an injured person’s long-term prognosis and to estimate the future costs of treatment and care.

Trauma to the head could mean that you have concussion or post-concussion syndrome

Concussions are the common initial symptom for those who have suffered head injuries in Newfoundland. Often resulting from slips and falls and sporting accidents, concussions are known as mild traumatic brain injuries. Not to be taken lightly, they can affect your memory and concentration, leading to mood swings and personality changes, headaches, dizziness, nauseousness, and insomnia.

While victims of head injuries may experience concussion symptoms right away, symptoms can also become present long after the injury. This is known as post-concussion syndrome, and it happens when victims experience ongoing effects following the injury. These symptoms could last weeks or even months, and are usually presented as headaches, dizziness, or problems with concentration and memory.

If you have sustained a traumatic head injury, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You may also consider reaching out to a Brain Injury support group like NLBIA. Likewise, there are options on social media like the NL Brain Injury Association.

How will NOVA Injury Law pursue compensation for brain injury victims in St. John’s?

After a victim or their family has received a Free Case Review, they are best placed to make an informed decision about what to do next.

If a decision is made to pursue the matter, NOVA Injury Law will not charge a legal fee until a settlement is reached. That’s because at NOVA Injury Law we don’t believe that clients should have to take on financial burden in their pursuit of justice.

Once we get to work we may pursue the matter in a number of avenues including negotiation, mediation and even at trial through the courts. Unfortunately, brain injury claims can take years to resolve so it’s important that you have a trusted professional to guide you through the process.

Why is NOVA Injury Law the right firm for you?

By relying on our extensive experience in brain injury law, we know what to look for and who to talk to. We consult with our medical experts to evaluate the circumstances of the case. For example, if the brain injury is sustained in an accident, we will seek out the opinion of a collision forensics expert. Our team also works closely with specialists like neurologists, occupational therapists who perform cognitive testing, and psychiatrists, therapists and occupational therapists trained in brain injury treatment.

We do not stop until we have a complete case that establishes the true cause and extent of the injury to give our clients the best chance at receiving a settlement large enough to restore dignity so that they can live their life to its fullest.

This also means that our lawyers will work with the family members, caregivers, and other representatives to ensure that negotiations, interviews and legal proceedings are conducted in a respectful manner.

While the process is complex and challenging, having a NOVA Injury Lawyer in your corner can assist you move past the trauma and hurt and onwards to a place of acceptance where feelings of anger and blame do not become all consuming.

How does NOVA Injury Law MAXIMIZE a compensation claim for someone with a brain injury?

First we establish the quantum of damages in each of the following areas, before advocating for payment in each:

Medical expenses: entitlements related to the brain injury, including hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Pain and suffering damages: usually monetary entitlements for the actual physical pain and emotional suffering sustained.
Long-term care: entitlements for the person’s ongoing care needs such as showering, standing and going to the toilet.
Counseling and therapy: entitlements to help the victim to cope with the emotional effects of their brain injury.
Compensation for lost income: entitlements related to the victims’ inability to work due to their brain injury, including lost income and future earning capacity. This can also include payments for vocational training for persons who are unable to return to their previous employment and require new skills to re-enter the workforce.
Modifications to living arrangements: entitlements for home and vehicular modifications to support a person with disability as a result of their brain injury access their home surroundings more freely.
Assistive devices: entitlements for things such as mobility aids or communication devices supporting the persons’ ability to function independently.

Trust NOVA Injury Law to secure fair compensation for you

Depending on the circumstances of your case, the other party may seek to limit their liability. For example, an insurance agency will always try to minimize the extent of the injury or argue that the injury was not caused by the accident in question. Friends and family of the victim may try to discourage an injured person from seeking compensation, either because they believe it will be too stressful or because they believe it is unnecessary.

However, seeking compensation is a critical step in recovery, justice and paving a new positive life. With contingency fee arrangements, Free Case Reviews and reliable experienced lawyers who work hand in glove with medical professionals on a daily basis, talking to NOVA Injury Law is guaranteed to be one of your best life decisions.

If you have suffered a brain injury it’s important you act now.

A key aspect of brain injuries is that their symptoms are often delayed or at least not immediately apparent. It can take days or even weeks for symptoms to fully manifest, which means that victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries right away. NOVA Injury Law can help brain injury victims get timely access to cognitive testing to determine the nature and extent of the brain injury.

This is part of the reason that NOVA Injury Law is a leading personal injury law firm in St. John’s Newfoundland, and a key reason why NOVA Injury Law continues to win compensation claims for those who have suffered from brain injuries.

Our brain injury lawyers are also part of the community in Newfoundland – so we can work with professionals, community groups and volunteers all over the city to get you the support you need.

We’ve won countless compensation claims for Newfoundlanders who have suffered brain injuries simply by caring and understanding how important it is for victims and their families to receive good advice and support.

If you believe you or someone close to you is suffering from a brain injury, contact NOVA Injury Law so we can schedule a no obligation, Free Case Review. We will be by your side no matter what. Remember our contingency fee agreements mean you don’t pay a cent unless we get you a settlement out.

Don’t prolong your suffering, contact us today. Our team is available 24/7 to support you, and we can be reached at 1-800-262-8104 or by emailing Jeff Mitchell at jeff@novainjurylaw.com.