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Brain Injury Lawyer in Portland

Working Tirelessly to Protect Your Rights

In Oregon, personal injury lawsuits can be a nightmare for victims of brain injuries. Our Portland personal injury attorneys know the statutes and insurance companies’ policies, including the deadlines for filing brain injury claims. We build compelling cases for our clients, ensuring that all aspects of your injury and its impacts are fully represented.

At Siefman Law LLC, we understand a brain injury’s devastating impact. We know that while you focus on healing, the last thing you need is to deal with the legal system alone. Our goal is to get the maximum compensation for your case. Reach out for a free consultation today.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) happen when the brain suffers damage caused by an impact on the head. Car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and violent crimes can cause these injuries. TBIs can range from mild to severe, really affecting a person’s quality of life.

Car accidents are a common cause of TBIs, especially those involving high speeds or rollovers. The strength of the collision can lead the brain to hit the skull, leading to bruising or bleeding.

It’s very important to seek medical attention right away if you've suffered a head injury. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a world of difference in the recovery from TBIs. Additionally, a Portland traumatic brain injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Compensation Available for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims

When a traumatic brain injury is a result of another person’s negligence, victims may be entitled to compensation. Damage can cover various expenses and losses acquired as a result of the injury:

Medical Expenses: This covers costs for the treatment and rehab following a serious brain injury, including hospital bills, medication, therapy, and other necessary medical procedures, including future medical care.

Lost Wages: This compensates for the income the victim lost due to their inability to work or reduced capacity to work as a result of the injury. It also covers future income loss if the victim cannot return to work or has to switch jobs.

Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain and mental distress experienced by the brain injury victim. It includes physical discomfort, mental anguish, anxiety, and reduced quality of life.

Chronic Pain: Chronic pain can linger long after the injury has healed. This pain can reduce a victim’s quality of life, making it difficult to work or even perform simple tasks.

Wrongful Death: In tragic cases where a TBI leads to death, the family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. This type of claim compensates for losing a loved one’s companionship and financial support. It might also cover funeral and burial costs and medical expenses incurred before the victim’s passing.

Filling a traumatic brain injury claim involves determining all related expenses from the accident. Our lead Portland brain injury lawyer, Jeff Siefman, can assist you in filing a claim against insurance companies and represent you in court.

How a Portland Brain Injury Attorney Can Help

Navigating the legal system after a TBI can be complex, and brain injury lawyers can prove invaluable. Here are some ways we can help:

Legal Guidance: An Oregon brain injury lawyer can guide you through the complex legal system and help you understand your rights and the best course of action to take in your situation.

Case Preparation: A traumatic brain injury attorney can help gather the necessary evidence, handle paperwork, and prepare a strong case to prove negligence and establish liability.

Representation in Court: If your case goes to trial, a Portland brain injury lawyer can represent and advocate for your rights before a judge or jury.

Proving Fault in Brain Injury Cases: Proving fault in brain injury cases can be challenging. A skilled attorney can gather evidence and expert testimony to build a strong brain injury claim that demonstrates fault.

Statute of Limitations in Oregon

In Oregon, a brain injury case should be filed up to two years after the accident. This means a person injured has two years to file a lawsuit. Establishing liability in a brain injury case can be tough, so it’s crucial to consult a professional brain injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure all deadlines are met.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Brain Injuries

The symptoms of a brain injury can change a lot based on the injury. Regular symptoms are headaches, pressure in the head, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and difficulty speaking. Other symptoms may include vision problems, hearing issues, mood changes, irritability, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.

Diagnosing a brain injury can be complex and often involves a variety of tests. Imaging tests like CT or MRI scans are commonly used to detect brain damage.

Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries can manifest various symptoms, some of which may not be immediately evident. Common signs of brain injuries are dizziness, headaches,, memory loss, and changes in mood or behavior. More severe cases may present slurred speech, difficulty walking, or convulsions.

Cognitive symptoms associated with a traumatic brain injury may include difficulty concentrating and impaired functioning. Other symptoms may involve irritability, depression, social withdrawal, personality changes, and difficulty processing emotions. 

Physical symptoms can go from loss of consciousness and headaches to changes in sleep patterns, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are complex and life-altering events that can leave victims and their families facing a daunting path to recovery. The causes of injury are crucial for seeking proper compensation.

  • Car accidents are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries, often resulting from high-speed collisions or rollovers. The impact of a car accident often leads to a traumatic brain injury. In high-speed collisions, the brain can collide with the head, causing swelling or bleeding in the brain. Even in accidents where the head isn't directly hit, the force of the collision can lead to brain trauma.
  • Truck accidents can cause severe brain injuries due to the size of the vehicles involved. The types of traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe. Speed plays a significant role in the severity of injuries in truck accidents, as higher speeds increase the impact, resulting in more severe brain injuries.
  • Pedestrian accidents frequently lead to traumatic brain injuries, especially when pedestrians are struck by vehicles traveling at high speeds. Brain injuries from pedestrian accidents can go from mild concussions to much more severe injuries that can result in permanent brain damage, mobility problems, coma, and even death.
  • Slip and fall accidents are common, often overlooked, accidents caused by hazardous conditions that go unnoticed or unaddressed, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or cluttered walkways. When a person slips or trips and falls, the impact can cause a jarring motion of the head, leading to a traumatic brain injury.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

The type of traumatic brain injury determines how victims and their families navigate the road to recovery. Brain injuries are categorized as acquired brain injury and traumatic brain injury.

Timely medical treatment is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective care, and the substantial costs associated with long-term care and recovery for TBI patients can be significant.

Acquired Brain Injuries

The primary causes of acquired brain injuries include trauma, strokes, oxygen deprivation, and brain infections. In the context of swimming pool accidents, for example, brain injury occurs due to a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) or a total absence of oxygen (anoxia) in the brain. 

When the brain is deprived of oxygen for a long period, cells begin to die, which can result in irreversible brain damage.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow to the head, resulting in temporary or permanent brain damage. Many traumatic brain injuries occur due to falls and vehicle collisions.

The potential symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include hormonal changes, nervous system dysfunction, depression, mood swings, lack of empathy, insomnia, sensory problems, physical or mental disability, extended periods of unconsciousness or amnesia, and severe headaches.

Traumatic brain injury cases often turn victims' lives upside down, requiring intensive medical care and a huge financial toll. Our traumatic brain injury lawyer, Jeff Siefman, is experienced in lawsuits concerning injuries caused by other's negligence, and we can provide legal help to injured accident victims.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Diffuse axonal brain injuries involve widespread damage to the brain’s nerves, causing the brain to shift or rotate inside the skull. Indications of diffuse axonal brain injuries may manifest as disorientation, impaired equilibrium, exhaustion, and nausea. Victims may also experience coma and paralysis.

Penetrating Head Injuries

These brain injuries occur when an object, such as shell fragments or car accident debris, pierces the skull and damages the brain, leading to severe complications.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Finding the best Portland brain injury lawyers is always a challenge, but we have a successful track record representing brain injury survivors in personal injury claims.

Our TBI attorneys fight tooth and nail so that clients can recover financial compensation and regain a sense of normalcy. If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, we have what it takes to go against your insurance company.

We work on a fee contingency basis, so you only pay us if we win your case. You can schedule a free initial consultation so we can discuss your accident, injuries, and possible alternatives moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a TBI?

TBIs are caused by external trauma, like a blow to the head or penetrating injury. TBIs can be mild concussions or major injuries that can lead to long-term disability or death.

What are the signs of a TBI?

Headaches, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, and mood swings. If you have any of these after an accident, get medical attention ASAP.

What kind of damages can I recover in a brain injury case?

You can recover for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and long-term care costs. In cases of permanent disability you can also sue for loss of future earning capacity and quality of life.

How long do I have to file a brain injury claim in Portland?

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury. But it’s best to hire an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

My symptoms showed up weeks after the accident. Can I still file a claim?

Yes, it’s not uncommon for brain injury symptoms to come up later or get worse over time. Get medical attention as soon as you notice symptoms and consult an attorney to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines.

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