Summerside Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Brain injuries are some of the most serious cases we come across, because they can cause significant physical and mental damage. Many victims of brain injuries suffer life-changing consequences, as they can lose the ability to think clearly or function normally in day to day life. In severe cases, traumatic impact to the head can lead to coma or even death.
However, despite the intense pain felt by victims and their families, it’s important to remember that there is often hope for recovery with the right support systems in place. While the scope of brain injuries can vary from fairly minor to potentially devastating and long lasting, it’s crucial to seek legal advice, no matter where you think your injury falls on the scale.
While the consequences of traumatic brain injuries range from relatively minor to catastrophic, it is important to seek legal advice to determine if there is a case that can be pursued in law.
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 all about 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 Islanders 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 Prince County Hospital.
- We have immediate access to brain injury specialists on PEI 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.
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.
This is the reason that NOVA Injury Law is considered to be one of the premier personal injury law firms on PEI, and why we have consistently secured compensation claims for our clients.
Common kinds of brain injuries
Some of the more common kinds of brain injuries we come across include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A serious injury caused by a severe blow or jolt to the head. Symptoms include mood changes, seizures, memory loss, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
- Concussion: Typically caused by a blow or jolt to the head, it is considered a mild traumatic brain injury. Symptoms include light and sound sensitivity, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, and headache.
- Anoxic brain injury: A condition where the brain is deprived of oxygen, commonly due to heart attacks, suffocation, or drowning. Symptoms include coma, seizures, confusion, and memory loss.
- Contusion: A bruise on the brain that results from a direct impact to the head. Symptoms include nausea, headache, weakness or numbness in limbs, and dizziness.
- Brain hemorrhage: Bleeding inside the brain leading to vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, seizures, and nausea.
- Stroke: An interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in difficulty with coordination, balance, and speech, as well as numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
It’s important to note, the extent and severity of a brain injury may vary widely depending on the type of injury and its scope. Often less traumatic head injuries aren’t diagnosed as frequently as more intense types of head injuries, but it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly, if you suspect that you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury, regardless of how serious you think the injury is.
How do brain injuries happen?
Even a seemingly minor knock to the head can have disastrous repercussions. And accidents can happen at any time. Below are just a few possible scenarios:
- Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of brain injuries, often resulting from another driver’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 failure to yield or obey traffic signals.
- Sporting accidents: Contact sports like football, soccer, hockey, and rugby can cause concussions and other brain injuries. Coaches, referees, or other players who fail to ensure a safe playing environment can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
- Medical malpractice: Brain injuries can also occur due to medical malpractice, such as surgical errors, anesthesia errors, or improper medication management. Healthcare providers who fail to provide safe and effective care can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
- Assault: Acts of violence like assault and battery can cause traumatic brain injuries. Perpetrators found guilty of the crime can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries and required to compensate the victim for their damages.
- Slip and falls: Traumatic brain injuries can occur in slip and fall accidents, especially if the person hits their head on a hard surface. If the fall is caused by someone else’s negligence, such as a property owner’s failure to fix a hazardous condition, they may be held responsible.
- Workplace accidents: Physical labor and heavy machinery in some jobs can be dangerous and result in brain injuries. Employers who fail to provide a safe work environment or adequate training can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
- Defective products: Malfunctioning or dangerous products like faulty car parts or children’s toys can cause brain injuries. Manufacturers or distributors who fail to provide safe products can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
Some other examples of how brain injuries can occur include dog bites, exposure to toxins, and swimming pool accidents. In these cases, owners or operators who are negligent in controlling their animals, addressing hazardous conditions, or providing proper supervision can be held liable for any resulting brain injuries.
How do you know if you or a loved one has a brain injury claim?
NOVA Injury Law provides Free Case Reviews to families, giving them an opportunity to consult with an experienced brain injury attorney without any cost or obligation. This consultation can help families assess what legal options are available to the injured person.
During the review, we look at several factors, such as the symptoms experienced by the injured person (including headaches, confusion, memory loss, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating, to evaluate the potential for a claim). We also review medical records, like imaging tests, CT scans and MRIs, and consult with medical experts to assess the extent of the injury.
We examine the circumstances of the accident that led to the injury, to determine whether it was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional act by reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other evidence.
We evaluate the impact of the injury on the victim’s day to day life, how it’s impacted their ability to work and socialize, and how it affects their quality of life and ability to care for themselves and their family.
Finally, we consider the potential long-term effects of the injury and work with medical experts to evaluate the long-term prognosis, future costs of treatment and care, and any ongoing cognitive impairments.
Head trauma can often lead to concussion or post-concussion syndrome
In Summerside, Prince Edward Island, concussions commonly occur from slips and falls or sporting accidents. While concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries, they should not be taken lightly, as they can cause memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and insomnia.
Concussion symptoms can be immediate or delayed, with post-concussion syndrome referring to ongoing symptoms experienced by victims after the injury. These symptoms can last for weeks or months, and typically include headaches, dizziness, and difficulty with memory and concentration.
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, located in Charlottetown. Likewise there are options on social media like the Brain Injury PEI facebook page.
How can NOVA Injury Law seek a brain injury compensation claim for you?
After first seeking medical attention, a head injury victim and their family should contact NOVA Injury Law for a Free Case Review, so they’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision on how to proceed. If they decide to move forward, NOVA Injury Law operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients are not responsible for legal fees until a settlement has been reached. This ensures that financial burdens do not prevent individuals from seeking justice.
Once we begin working on a case, we may pursue a variety of options, including negotiation, mediation, or even litigation through the courts. Brain injury claims can be a long process, often taking years to resolve. However, we are committed to guiding our clients through this process, providing the support they need, every step of the way.
Drawing on our wealth of experience in brain injury law, we have a keen eye for detail and access to the right resources. We work with medical experts to closely analyze the circumstances surrounding each case. For instance, in cases where a brain injury results from an accident, we may seek 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.
Our lawyers also work in close partnership with family members, caregivers, and other representatives to ensure that all negotiations, interviews, and legal proceedings are conducted in a respectful and compassionate manner.
Although the legal process can be complicated and frightening, having a NOVA Injury Lawyer by your side every step of the way means that you can move past trauma and pain, and on to a place of peace and progress.
NOVA Injury Law will always seek maximum compensation for someone with a brain injury
To begin, we assess the amount of damages in each of the following areas before advocating for payment in each:
- Medical expenses: Often the first concern for brain injury victims, this includes expenses related to the brain injury such as hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Pain and suffering damages: These are typically monetary entitlements for the actual physical pain and emotional suffering sustained.
- Counseling and therapy: This covers entitlements to help the victim cope with the emotional effects of their brain injury.
- Long-term care: This includes entitlements for the person’s ongoing care needs, such as assistance with showering, standing, and going to the toilet.
- Compensation for lost income: This covers entitlements related to the victim’s inability to work due to their brain injury, including lost income and future earning capacity. It may also include payments for vocational training for individuals who are unable to return to their previous employment and require new skills to re-enter the workforce.
- Modifications to living arrangements: This covers entitlements for home and vehicle modifications to support a person with a disability resulting from their brain injury, allowing them to access their surroundings more freely.
- Assistive devices: This covers entitlements for items such as mobility aids or communication devices, supporting the person’s ability to function independently.
Trust NOVA Injury Law to get you the compensation you deserve
In some cases, the other side may attempt to limit their liability depending on the specifics of your situation. For example, an insurance company may try to downplay the extent of the injury or argue that the injury was not caused by the accident in question. In other cases, loved ones may discourage an injured person from seeking compensation due to concerns about stress or doubts that the injury is serious enough to merit seeking compensation.
But make no mistake, seeking compensation is a crucial aspect of recovery, achieving justice, and moving forward positively. At NOVA Injury Law, we offer contingency fee arrangements, Free Case Reviews, and highly experienced lawyers who work closely with medical professionals on a regular basis. Reach out to us and we will look at your case and explain your best next steps. It’s one of the best decisions you can make for your future.
If you’ve suffered a head injury don’t delay seeking help
Delaying seeking medical and legal assistance after a head injury can have fatal consequences. The problem is, brain injuries often have delayed or hidden symptoms, which can make it difficult for victims to fully understand the extent of their injuries.
At NOVA Injury Law, we understand this challenge and work hard for our clients to receive timely access to cognitive testing to confirm the nature and extent of the injury and get them the support they need. Our team of experienced lawyers work closely with Dr. Laura Mitchell, a practicing emergency room physician with special training in occupational medicine, to quickly assess injuries and compile compelling medical evidence to support our clients’ claims.
We’ve won countless compensation claims for Islanders 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. We are deeply rooted in the community in Summerside, and work closely with local professionals, community groups, and volunteers to provide the support our clients need.
Don’t wait to seek proper medical and legal care. Reach out to us today for a no obligation, Free Case Review, so we can advise of the legal options available to you and your family. If you decide to let us fight for you, you won’t pay anything unless we win your case, thanks to our contingency fee agreements.
If you believe you or someone close to you is suffering from a brain injury, don’t hesitate to contact us. 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.