Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a life-altering experience, affecting not only your health but also your daily life and future. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, our Scranton brain injury attorneys understand the challenges you face during this difficult time. You may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party, and we are ready to hold them responsible.
If you have sustained a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, call our law firm at (570) 714-4878 for the help you deserve.
Schedule a free case evaluation today with a Scranton brain injury lawyer to discuss your case and what we can do for you.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Can Help You With a Brain Injury Case In Scranton, PA
With 100 years of combined experience, our Scranton personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources needed to handle complex brain injury cases. Over the last 25 years, we have recovered more than $150 million for our clients. The insurance company is not on your side, but we are here to level the playing field and give you the tireless legal representation you deserve.
After a brain injury in Scranton, Pennsylvania, our Scranton personal injury attorneys are prepared to:
- Conduct a thorough case evaluation to assess the details of your case and determine the best legal strategy
- Offer personalized legal advice and guidance at every step of your case
- Collect and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim
- Collaborate with medical and financial experts to understand the full impact of your injury
- Defend you against unfair tactics to blame you or undervalue your case
- Handle communications and negotiate with insurers to seek a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and present your case to a jury if necessary
You should not be forced to navigate a complex legal environment and fight an insurance company after a serious injury. Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC is here to handle your case while you focus on your health and family. Contact our office today for a free consultation with a Scranton brain injury attorney.
Traumatic Brain Injury Overview
Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force causes damage to the brain. This can result from a blow to the head, a penetrating injury, or rapid back-and-forth movement. TBIs differ from other brain injuries, such as those caused by strokes or tumors, as they are typically sudden and result from external events.
A TBI causes brain damage due to bleeding, swelling, and shearing of axons or nerve fibers. Damage to nerve cells (neurons) in the brain impairs their ability to send signals. This can lead to an array of neurological symptoms and trigger biochemical imbalances that impair brain function. Brain injuries can also cause swelling, inflammation, and bleeding that reduces blood flow in the brain and increases pressure in the skull.
Every year, there are 1.7 to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. About 85,000 of these injuries are disabling, and 50,000 are fatal.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are classified in several ways:
- Severity. A TBI is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the results of a diagnostic tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
- Primary or secondary. A primary TBI happens at the time of the injury due to mechanical forces. A secondary TBI is delayed and caused by the cascade of changes in the brain after an initial injury.
- Open or closed. An open head injury means the skull is penetrated while a closed head injury does not involve a skull fracture or penetrating wound.
- Focal or diffuse. Focal injury refers to damage to a specific area of the brain, while diffuse refers to widespread damage that may be microscopic and harder to detect.
There are also many types of brain injuries. Many of these injuries may fall under several categories depending on the cause.
Common traumatic brain injuries are:
- Concussion
- Contusion
- Hematoma
- Traumatic cerebral vascular injury (TCVI)
- Brain hemorrhage
- Hypoxic injury
- Ischemic injury
Almost three-quarters of all traumatic brain injuries are concussions or mild TBIs. Close to one-third of people experience at least one concussion at some point, but they are not always recognized.
Symptoms and Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
A brain injury can cause a wide range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms may be mild to severe depending on the injury and affected region of the brain. Signs may be apparent immediately after an injury or delayed. Symptoms are more likely to be delayed with a mild TBI.
Common signs include:
- Headache which may worsen or not go away
- Vomiting or nausea
- Dizziness or poor balance
- Slurred speech or other problems speaking
- Sensory changes. This includes double or blurry vision, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sensitivity to sound and/or light, and changes to taste or smell.
- Cognitive issues. This includes trouble concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, “brain fog,” slow processing, and impaired judgment.
- Fatigue and sleep changes, including insomnia or excessive sleep
- Emotional and behavioral changes. This may include depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, outbursts, and personality changes.
It’s a common myth that a brain injury requires loss of consciousness. While this may happen with a mild TBI, a concussion can occur without losing consciousness.
More serious signs of a brain injury include unequal pupils, seizures, clear fluid draining from the ears or nose, and coma.
It’s essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms after a head injury.
Potential Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury
The long-term effects of a TBI can be profound and may include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Emotional and psychological issues
- Physical impairment
- Social difficulties
- Loss of independence
- Challenges with employment
- Post-concussion syndrome
More than 2% of Americans are living with long-term disability caused by a brain injury, including 550,000 in Pennsylvania. TBI is the leading cause of disability in people younger than 45.
What Causes Most Brain Injuries In Scranton, Pennsylvania?
In Scranton, common causes of brain injuries include:
- Slip and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Struck by/against objects
- Sports and recreation
- Violence
- Workplace Accidents
Most traumatic brain injuries are caused by an accident. These accidents can happen while working, driving, enjoying recreational activities, or simply walking through a store.
What Is My Scranton Brain Injury Case Worth?
The value of a brain injury case depends on several factors, such as:
- The severity of your brain injury
- The impact on your daily life
- The effect on your ability to return to work
- The circumstances of the accident
- Insurance coverage and policy limits
- Whether you share responsibility for your accident
The best way to understand what you may be entitled to recover is to consult with a Scranton brain injury attorney. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we work diligently to document the full value of your losses and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
What Compensation Is Available To Brain Injury Victims In Scranton, PA?
In Pennsylvania, brain injury victims may be entitled to compensatory damages. These damages compensate you for your financial or economic damages and intangible or non-economic damages.
Economic damages you may recover include:
- Medical expenses, including future anticipated medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost earnings
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage
- Reasonable out-of-pocket costs
You are also entitled to non-economic damages for your physical pain, emotional and mental suffering and anguish, disfigurement, and reduced quality of life.
In certain cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious.
Am I Still Entitled To Damages If I Share Blame For My Accident In Scranton, Pennsylvania?
You can still recover money for your damages if you share the blame for your accident under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence system. Juries and insurance companies use this legal concept to assign a share of fault to each party and divide liability for damages. The total damages you can recover will be limited by your own degree of negligence.
If your damages are $50,000, for example, you are entitled to the full $50,000 if you did not contribute to the accident. If you are 20% to blame, you can only recover $40,000 (80%).
There is one important caveat to this rule in Pennsylvania: if you are 51% or more at fault, you are not entitled to damages. You must be half or less to blame to recover compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File A Brain Injury Lawsuit In Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the injury. In some cases, you may have even less time to pursue compensation. Failing to file within this timeframe may bar you from seeking compensation. There are a few exceptions to this deadline.
Schedule a free consultation with a Scranton brain injury lawyer today to preserve your claim and get the help you need to recover fair compensation.
Contact Our Scranton Brain Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Scranton, PA, Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC is here to help. With a century of combined experience and a history of significant recoveries, our legal team is ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a Scranton brain injury lawyer. Let us assist you on the path to recovery.