Milwaukee Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Few injuries from car accidents, slips and falls, or other incidents are as devastating as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Traumatic brain injuries can take a significant physical, psychological, and financial toll on victims and their loved ones.

If you or a loved one suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can help. Contact our Milwaukee personal injury attorney today for a free obligation to learn more about your right to recovery.

Milwaukee Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction defines a traumatic brain injury as “an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external force” that causes partial or total functional disability, psychosocial impairment, or both. TBIs also adversely affect a child’s educational performance. These injuries can affect areas such as:

  • Cognition
  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Reasoning
  • Speech and language
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Physical functions
  • Psychosocial behavior
  • Executive function

What Are the Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Medical providers place TBIs into the following categories:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

A mild TBI may cause a brief loss of consciousness or none at all. Mild TBIs can generally be treated with minimal medical intervention and close monitoring. Symptoms of a mild TBI include:

  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Changes in sleep patterns

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

A moderate TBI may require emergency care to ensure the victim is receiving adequate blood and oxygen to the brain. Prompt medical treatment is essential to minimize the damage of a moderate TBI.

Victims of moderate TBI may suffer the same symptoms as mild TBI victims. However, the symptoms may not go away like they do with mild TBIs. Additional symptoms of a moderate TBI include:

  • Persistent headache
  • Loss of consciousness from a few minutes to a few hours
  • Loss of vision or dilation of pupils
  • Difficulty waking up
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Weakness or numbness in extremities
  • Loss of coordination
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Slurred speech
  • Increased agitation or combativeness

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

A victim of a severe TBI may experience any of the symptoms experienced by victims of mild or moderate TBIs. They may also suffer from a longer loss of consciousness such as falling into a coma. Severe TBI victims may also suffer from paralysis. Treatment may include surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and more invasive medical interventions. Severe TBI victims may be unable to return to their previous life due to the profound effects on their cognition, motor skills, and behavior.

What Are Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to Medline Plus, the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries are:

If another person’s negligence caused you to suffer a TBI, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you have suffered. But first, it is important that you understand the full impact this injury may have on you or your loved ones.

What Are the Potential Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

With control over one’s thoughts, memory, emotions, speech, gross motor skills, and every process that regulates the human body, the brain is the most important organ in our body. When it sustains damage, the long-term effects can be far-reaching. Traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive problems, such as issues with memory, concentration, learning, or judgment. TBIs can also cause problems with physical function, including loss of bowel or bladder control, sexual dysfunction, or impaired gross or fine motor skills. Some TBIs change victims’ personalities or cause mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. TBIs can even affect a person’s senses, leading to problems such as loss of vision, ringing in the ears, or an altered sense of smell or taste. Victims may find it difficult to communicate with others, and their social relationships may be harmed. TBI victims are also at an increased risk of developing degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

These problems can dramatically affect your life. You may be facing years of medical treatment. You may have to relearn basic skills that may now seem daunting. You might be unable to return to the same line of work or work in any capacity. Your relationship with your spouse, children, friends, and others may be negatively impacted. Your overall quality of life may be diminished. The financial toll is often more than most families are able to bear. Seeking compensation through a personal injury claim may be the only way to reclaim some of what you have lost.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with a Brain Injury Claim?

A Milwaukee traumatic brain injury lawyer can ensure that you receive the medical attention you need. They can investigate how the TBI occurred and who is responsible for your injuries. Our Milwaukee injury lawyers can consult with your medical team to better understand your medical and financial needs. They can account for the full extent of your damages by considering the long-term effects of a TBI on your life. This helps them negotiate from a position of strength. They are familiar with the law and the legal system, so they can advise you of your best options for moving forward.

Resources for Brain Injury Victims and Families

You can get additional information about TBIs, treatment options, estimates of financial costs, and other resources from the following organizations:

Wisconsin Personal Injury Laws That Could Affect Your TBI Case

There are several laws in Wisconsin that could have an impact on your ability to recover compensation in your traumatic brain injury case. The first that you need to be aware of is the statute of limitations. In most cases, under WI Stat § 893.54, you will only have three years to get your claim filed. However, depending on the circumstances of your case there are exceptions that may lengthen or shorten the filing window.

Additionally, Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system at a 51% threshold under WI Stat § 895.045. This means that you can be up to 50% at fault for the accident and still recover compensation in civil court. However, the injury settlement is reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were found to be 15% liable for your traumatic brain injuries, your injury settlement would then be reduced by 15%. If you have questions surrounding how either of these personal injury laws could impact your injury settlement, be sure to contact our office to discuss your concerns in further detail with our Milwaukee accident lawyer.

Contact Mingo & Yankala, S.C. for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you are not alone. Mingo & Yankala, S.C. has extensive experience working with traumatic brain injury victims and their families. Our brain and spinal cord injury lawyers in Milwaukee are knowledgeable about how a serious injury can affect a person and can fight for the compensation you deserve. We will work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you need for the next chapter of your life. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Mingo & Yankala, S.C. when you fill out our online contact form or call our office at 414-273-7400.