Brain Injuries

Madison Brain Injury

Few injuries are as utterly life-altering in their consequences as a brain injury. Depending on the nature of the damage and the areas of the brain affected, head trauma can cause anything from temporary confusion and nausea to permanent physical, cognitive, and emotional disability. Because the brain is essential to the functioning of every other part of the body, those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience debilitating effects in every aspect of their lives.

The legal team at LawtonCates understands the gravity of brain injuries like TBIs, and we want to do everything we can to support your ability to move forward in life. A Madison brain injury lawyer with our firm is prepared to fight assertively for the compensation you deserve from the parties responsible for your injuries.

We recognize that no amount of money will give you your life back. But we believe that holding the at-fault party accountable for their wrongdoing can provide you with both justice and the financial security you need to move forward with confidence and dignity. Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a brain injury lawyer in Madison and find out what we can do for you.

What a Traumatic Brain Injury in Madison, WI, Attorney Can Do

Are you facing the devastating aftermath of a traumatic brain injury? Don’t lose hope. A Madison brain injury attorney from LawtonCates can give you the support and advocacy you need at this time. We will listen compassionately to your story during a free consultation so we can understand how we can best serve your needs.

Some of the steps our brain injury law firm  will take to help you achieve a favorable result in your case include:

• Investigating the accident thoroughly to determine how your head injury occurred
• Identifying all liable parties so we can hold them to account
• Calculating the total value of your economic and non-economic losses due to the head injury, including medical bills, lost income and earning potential, and diminished quality of life
• Working with medical experts who can identify future medical costs and challenges you may face so we can seek appropriate support in advance
• Negotiating aggressively with the at-fault party’s insurance company for a fair compensation package
• Filing a brain injury lawsuit against the at-fault party if their insurer is unwilling to offer you the settlement you deserve

What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Wisconsin law permits brain damage victims to recover compensation from those responsible for their injury-related losses. In many cases, the awards the individuals receive are significant due to the extensive adverse effects a TBI can have on their lives.

A successful brain injury claim in Wisconsin can allow you to recover compensation for losses such as:

• Medical Expenses – Brain injuries often require swift medical action to prevent the worst outcomes. Yet even with early intervention, patients may need long-term or even lifelong medical support. The cost of treatments, assistive devices, and care can be astronomical.
• Lost Income – Even a mild brain injury can force an individual to take a substantial amount of time off work. Severe cases may prevent the individual from ever working again.
• Reduced Earning Capacity – Those who are able to return to work after sustaining a brain injury must often take lower-paying jobs. TBI patients can recover compensation for the difference in income in their pre- and post-injury employment.
• Pain and Suffering – The physical pain and emotional suffering accompanying a brain injury can be enormous. Claimants often receive large payouts for pain and suffering, as Wisconsin does not cap such non-economic damages in most personal injury cases.
• Wrongful Death – If your loved one passed away because of a brain injury someone else caused, you may be able to claim compensation for funeral expenses, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income for dependents.

A knowledgeable Wisconsin attorney can give you a reasonable estimate of how much money your brain injury case is worth.

How Long Do I Have to File a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

When seeking brain injury compensation, it is vital to remember that the Wisconsin personal injury statute of limitations generally requires claimants to file a lawsuit within three years of the injury date. You should contact an attorney at LawtonCates to find out the filing date specific to your case. If you fail to act before this deadline, you will be unlikely to receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a skilled attorney from LawtonCates as soon as possible after an accident to protect your rights.

Taking this important step early on gives your lawyer a better chance of collecting evidence when it is still available and interviewing eyewitnesses while their memories are still fresh. Your legal team will then have time to monitor your progress over the following months to reach an accurate assessment of your condition, your prognosis, and the effects the injury has on your life.

What Are the Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Different types of brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on symptoms and imaging findings.

A mild TBI, also called a concussion, involves a brief change in mental function or consciousness after a blow to the head. Symptoms may include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and brief loss of memory around the event. Most people recover fully within days to weeks.

A moderate TBI causes more significant symptoms that last longer. There may be bruising, bleeding, or torn nerve fibers in the brain. Symptoms can include loss of consciousness for minutes to hours, headache, confusion, dizziness, and slurred speech. Recovery may take weeks to months.

A severe TBI involves more extensive bruising, bleeding, and damage to the brain. There is usually loss of consciousness for hours or days and ongoing confusion and agitation after regaining consciousness. Recovery from a severe TBI can take months to years and may never be complete.

What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Wisconsin?

Some of the most frequent causes of traumatic brain injuries in Wisconsin include:

• Motor Vehicle Crashes – Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians are the single leading cause of TBIs resulting in hospitalization.
• Falls – Slip-and-fall accidents, especially among older adults, are a significant source of head trauma in Wisconsin. Falls down stairways, on ice, and from heights often result in TBIs.
• Sports and Recreation – Contact sports like football and hockey put athletes at high risk of concussions and more severe brain injuries.
• Workplace Accidents – Construction workers, industrial laborers, and other occupations with exposure to heavy equipment and hazardous conditions have an elevated risk of TBIs on the job, especially when safety standards are inadequate.
• Assault/Abuse – Violent crimes, domestic abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse frequently result in blows to the head that can damage the brain. Shaken baby syndrome is one form of abusive head trauma that can have devastating effects.

What Are Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Symptoms vary based on the type and severity of the underlying traumatic brain injury, but may include:

Some symptoms, like headaches, may appear immediately, while problems with cognition, communication, and mental health can develop over time as a person recovers.

What Are the Long-Term Impacts of a Brain Injury?

Moderate to severe TBIs often have lasting effects that require ongoing treatment and lifestyle adjustments. Typical long-term consequences include:

• Cognitive deficits, including difficulties with memory, concentration, organization, judgment, and problem-solving
• Communication problems
• Physical disabilities, including partial paralysis, muscle weakness, spasticity, and balance and coordination problems affecting mobility
• Behavioral changes, including increased aggression, impulsivity, lack of inhibitions, and childlike behaviors
• Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse
• Early dementia
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy
• Sleep disturbances, excessive drowsiness, insomnia, and irregular sleep cycles
• Sensory problems, such as hypersensitivity to light and sounds.

What Treatment Is There for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of injury but may include:

• Hospitalization – To stabilize the person, monitor for swelling or bleeding in the brain, and manage pain and other symptoms
• Medications – Drugs to reduce brain swelling, control seizures, and manage pain and behavioral issues
• Surgery – To repair skull fractures or stop bleeding if present
• Rehabilitation – Physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapies to relearn skills and cope with disabilities
• Assistive Technology – Wheelchairs, braces, communication devices, and aids for memory and cognition
• Psychological Support – Counseling and therapy for emotional issues and family/caregiver training
• Rest and Recovery – Avoiding strenuous activity, getting adequate sleep, and following medical advice to promote brain healing

While mild TBIs generally resolve within weeks, recovery from moderate to severe injuries can be a years-long process. Some symptoms and disabilities may persist for life, requiring ongoing adaptation and care.

Contact a Madison, WI, Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today

If a TBI has turned your world upside down, the team at LawtonCates has the experience, skills, and resources you can rely on. For nearly 70 years we have been fighting for the rights of the injured in South Central Wisconsin and we are passionate about what we do. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You’ll learn more about how a brain injury lawyer in Madison can support you in your journey toward brain injury compensation.