Newport News Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any wound or damage to the brain. Sometimes an injury to the brain or head can result in lasting or life-long consequences. If you or a loved one survived brain damage caused by the negligence of another person, you are entitled to seek monetary compensation for your injuries. A Newport News traumatic brain injury lawyer can help.

The consequences of a TBI can be a challenge to live with. If you require assistance to meet your day-to-day needs following your injury, let John Cooper and the team of dedicated injury lawyers at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers help you seek justice.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Any blow to the head could potentially result in a traumatic brain injury. Also, some severe closed head injuries do not immediately manifest physical or psychological symptoms. It is only later that the extent of these injuries becomes clear. Half the time mild TBIs are missed by emergency rooms in hospitals, in part because the symptoms of dizziness or confusion do not become clearer for a few days. While reviewing your traumatic brain injury claim and your medical records, a Newport News attorney may be able to identify the cause of your cognitive impairment. TBIs mostly fall within certain general categories like:

• Concussions
• Contusions
• Coup-Contrecoup
• Diffuse Axonal Injury
• Penetrating Injury

Concussions

Concussions are by far the most common form of traumatic brain injury. A concussion injury is a jolt to the brain caused by head trauma. The results can vary and are hard to predict. While some heal quickly, others can last a lifetime. These injuries are often compounded by a second concussion near the first injury.

Contusions

A brain contusion is the formal name for a brain bruise. A brain contusion is typically more severe than a concussion and results from an impact strong enough to cause bleeding. Contusions that are not treated quickly can lead to fatal hemorrhaging.

Coup-Contrecoup

A coup-contrecoup injury stems from a head impact or shaking so severe that it causes the brain to accelerate and strike the skull opposite the point of impact. The end result may be dual brain injuries on opposite sides.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal injury, or DAI, can result from a more severe concussion. While a concussion is dangerous due to the shaking of the brain, a DAI can result in the tearing of the brain tissue. Even microscopic tears can lead to lasting brain damage, and in some cases can have catastrophic long-term effects.

Penetrating Wounds

The one type of brain trauma that does not result from blunt force impact to the head is a penetrating wound. Penetrating wounds involve a foreign object penetrating the skull and entering the brain. Gunshot wounds are some of the most common forms of penetrating wounds.

Deadline to File a TBI Lawsuit in Newport News, VA

It is essential to comply with all legal deadlines when filing a  TBI lawsuit. One crucial deadline is the statute of limitations. In Virginia, the statute of limitations prevents a plaintiff from filing an injury lawsuit after a certain amount of time.

The length of the statutory deadline varies depending on the type of lawsuit. For brain trauma lawsuits, the Virginia statute of limitations typically expires two years from the date the injury occurs. A Newport News lawyer could work to ensure your traumatic brain injury lawsuit does not get dismissed by the court due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Contact a Newport News Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

If you have questions about bringing a TBI lawsuit or insurance claim, you could benefit from the guidance of experienced legal counsel. To learn about your legal options, contact a Newport News traumatic brain injury lawyer for a free consultation.