A serious brain injury changes how a person thinks, feels, and moves through the world, and families often struggle with the sudden shift that follows. When someone else causes this harm, you may look for a Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer who understands what you’re going through and who can guide you through the legal process with care.
People throughout Richmond reach out to Allen & Allen after a traumatic brain injury leaves them or a loved one with long hospital stays, new limitations, or grief after a preventable loss. Our attorneys step in to protect your rights, build your claim, and stand up to the insurance company on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways: Richmond Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to life-altering damage that affects movement, memory, and behavior.
- People in Richmond often experience TBIs in car crashes, falls, workplace incidents, sports, or violent acts.
- Symptoms sometimes change over time, and some don’t show up right away.
- Virginia law sets time limits for filing a claim, which means early action helps protect your right to pursue compensation.
- Strong medical records often play a major role in connecting the injury to what happened and supporting the value of your claim.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a blow, jolt, or sudden movement disrupts normal brain function. Doctors group TBIs into open injuries, where something breaks the skull, and closed injuries, where the skull stays intact but the brain moves inside it. Concussions, contusions, penetrating injuries, and diffuse axonal injuries fall within this group.
Mild vs. severe brain injuries
A mild TBI, often called a concussion, still creates real problems. People may lose consciousness for a short time or feel dazed. A moderate or severe TBI may involve extended loss of consciousness, memory problems, or long-term changes in thinking or behavior. Severe brain injuries can reshape a person’s daily life and may require ongoing care.
Long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries
Some people recover quickly, but others deal with effects that last for months or years. Problems with balance, speech, memory, or emotional control can appear after a TBI. These changes may affect school, work, or family responsibilities. Doctors sometimes recommend therapy, medication, or assistive devices to help with daily activities.
Common causes of traumatic brain injuries in Richmond
People experience traumatic brain injuries throughout Richmond in many ways. Sudden events can create powerful forces on the brain, especially in busy areas where traffic, construction, and crowded public spaces increase the risk of accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents
Busy intersections like those near Broad Street or the I-95 corridor often see crashes that produce serious head injuries. Car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle collisions create sudden impacts that can injure the brain even without visible head trauma.
Slip and fall accidents
Falls in grocery stores, apartment complexes, office buildings, or public walkways around places like Shockoe Slip can happen when property owners fail to keep their spaces safe. Wet floors, poor lighting, torn carpeting, or uncleared ice sometimes create dangerous conditions that lead to serious injuries.
Workplace injuries
Construction sites, warehouses, restaurants, and other workplaces across Richmond, including areas near Manchester, expose workers to falling objects, machinery, and other hazards. A sudden impact or fall at work may cause a traumatic brain injury that requires prompt medical care and time away from work.
Sports and recreation accidents
Parks and recreation areas like Belle Isle attract athletes, cyclists, and families. Contact sports, biking, skating, and other physical activities sometimes result in head injuries, especially when people fall or collide with others.
Assaults and violent acts
Violence in public or private settings can cause severe trauma to the head. Brain injuries from assaults often require emergency medical treatment and may lead to criminal and civil cases.
What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some show up right away, while others appear hours or days later.
Immediate physical symptoms
Right after a TBI, a person may feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous. Some lose consciousness, while others stay awake but feel “off.” Headaches, blurred vision, balance problems, ringing in the ears, or sensitivity to light sometimes appear soon after the injury.
Cognitive and emotional symptoms
Thinking and memory problems often arise after a TBI. People may struggle to remember conversations, focus on tasks, or follow routines. Mood changes sometimes take families by surprise. A person who used to stay calm may become irritable or anxious. Sleep issues also happen after a brain injury.
Delayed symptoms that may appear later
Some symptoms develop slowly. Problems with concentration, speech, or coordination may take days or weeks to reveal themselves. Family members often notice these changes first because they spend the most time with the injured person.
How does Virginia law address traumatic brain injury cases?
Virginia law outlines rules and deadlines for TBI claims. These laws guide how long you have to file a claim and what you must show to hold an at-fault party responsible.
Proving negligence in Virginia TBI cases
A successful TBI claim in Virginia requires proof that someone acted carelessly and caused the injury. Evidence often includes medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and photographs. A strong claim shows how the other party’s behavior led to the event that harmed you.
Damage caps and compensation limits in Virginia
Most personal injury claims in Virginia don’t involve strict caps on damages, but medical malpractice claims do. These limits may restrict how much a person can recover in that type of case. Our attorneys help you understand how these rules apply to your situation.
What compensation can you recover in a Richmond TBI case?
A traumatic brain injury often creates sudden expenses and long-term needs. A legal claim helps you pursue financial recovery for the losses tied to the injury.
Medical expenses and future care costs
Brain injuries often require emergency treatment, hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation. Some people need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. A claim can include the cost of current and future care.
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Some people miss work for weeks or months after a TBI. Others cannot return to their previous jobs. A claim may include income lost while recovering, along with the reduction in future earning ability caused by the injury.
Pain and suffering
A traumatic brain injury may create daily discomfort, changes in mood, and limitations that affect your sense of control. Pain and suffering damages attempt to address the personal impact of these injuries.
Loss of quality of life
Some people struggle to participate in hobbies, household tasks, or family activities they once enjoyed. A claim may address how the injury changes day-to-day life.
The importance of medical documentation in TBI claims
Strong medical evidence often makes the difference in a traumatic brain injury claim. Medical records help draw a clear line between the event and the harm.
Diagnostic tests and medical records
Doctors use CT scans, MRIs, and neurological exams to diagnose TBIs. These tests show the nature and extent of the injury. Records from each appointment help build a timeline of your symptoms and care.
Expert medical testimony
Sometimes, a doctor must explain how the injury occurred, how it affects the brain, and how it may impact your future. This insight can help support your claim.
Documenting ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
Therapy notes, medication lists, and progress reports help show how the injury affects your recovery. Detailed records provide a clearer picture of the long-term effects.
Who can be held liable for your traumatic brain injury?
A variety of people or companies may share responsibility for a traumatic brain injury, depending on how it happened.
Individual negligence
A careless driver, a distracted cyclist, or a person who acted recklessly may be responsible for your injuries.
Business and property owner liability
Stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and other property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. Unsafe conditions sometimes lead to falls or other accidents that cause TBIs.
Employer responsibility
Employers must take steps to keep workers safe. When a company fails to maintain equipment, train workers, or address hazards, it may be responsible for a resulting TBI.
Product manufacturers
Defective helmets, airbags, machinery, or other products sometimes contribute to severe injuries. When a defective product causes harm, the manufacturer may be liable.
How our attorneys can help
Our attorneys support clients through every stage of a traumatic brain injury claim. We stay focused on building a strong case while giving you the space to focus on your health.
Thorough investigation of your TBI case
We gather evidence, speak with witnesses, review reports, and analyze what happened. A careful investigation helps reveal how the injury occurred and who bears responsibility.
Working with medical experts and specialists
We consult with medical professionals to understand the full impact of your injury. Their insight helps us explain how the TBI affects your life and why your claim needs specific support.
Calculating the full value of your claim
We review medical bills, treatment plans, time away from work, and the long-term impact of your injury. This information helps us estimate the financial recovery you can pursue.
Negotiating with insurance companies
Insurance companies sometimes resist paying fair amounts. Our attorneys push back when an insurer downplays your injuries or tries to limit what they pay.
Trial representation when necessary
If an insurance company refuses to take responsibility, we prepare your case for court. Our attorneys stand with you through the entire process and present your story clearly and confidently.
Why choose Allen & Allen
Families across Richmond trust Allen & Allen because our firm centers every case around integrity, respect, compassion, and trust. These values have guided our work since 1910, and more than a century later, we still hold them close.
- We commit to more than simply providing you with legal representation.
- We commit to making your fight our fight, ensuring you are treated fairly by the insurance companies, and obtaining justice on your behalf.
This level of dedication reflects the heart of our firm. That’s what we mean when we say, “I am an Allen.” Our attorneys listen to your story, protect your rights, and stay by your side through every step of the process.
Frequently asked questions about Richmond traumatic brain injury claims
How long do I have to file a traumatic brain injury claim in Virginia?
Most personal injury cases follow Virginia’s general statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in court. Starting early helps protect your right to pursue a claim.
Can I still receive compensation if my TBI symptoms didn’t appear right away?
Yes. Delayed symptoms happen often after brain injuries. Medical records and evaluations help link the late-appearing symptoms to the original event.
What if the person who caused my injury doesn’t have insurance?
Your own insurance policy may provide certain types of coverage. We can review your options and help you understand possible sources of recovery.
How much does it cost to hire a traumatic brain injury lawyer?
Allen & Allen works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay upfront. Our payment comes from the outcome of the case, such as a settlement or verdict. If the case doesn’t lead to financial recovery, you owe no attorney fee.
What if my loved one suffered a fatal brain injury?
Families can pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims may address funeral costs, lost financial support, and the impact of the loss on the family.
Contact our traumatic brain injury lawyers in Richmond now
Virginia law limits the time you have to bring a traumatic brain injury claim, so early action helps protect your rights and access to evidence. Our attorneys bring compassion, experience, and a long legacy of service to every case. Allen & Allen stands ready to listen to your story, explain your options, and protect your interests at every turn. Call us today for a free consultation at 866-388-1307.
Our Richmond office
1809 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230