Pennsylvania Brain Injury Lawyer

Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be extremely devastating, causing permanent damage that can change a person’s life. Typically caused by a forceful blow to the head, brain injuries are a type of catastrophic injury that a person literally cannot recover from—once cells are damaged, they cannot be regenerated, and the brain must learn to perform functions in new ways.

It is estimated that as many as 1.4 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Tragically, many of these injuries could have—and should have—been prevented. If you or your loved one suffered a TBI, and you believe someone else was to blame, contact Metzger Wickersham .

For over 135 years, our firm has fought for the rights of individuals and the families. We now focus on the rights of those wrongfully injured or wrongfully killed throughout Pennsylvania. We strive to hold negligent parties accountable and help victims seek the fair compensation and the justice they deserve. We are ready to represent you and your recovery, providing compassionate, personalized legal support every step of the way.

Contact us online or call (888) 707-7704 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Pennsylvania brain injury lawyers today. 

Can a Brain Injury Cause Problems Later in Life?

Because the brain is responsible for every major bodily function, an injury to the brain can result in significant impairment, even when the injury itself is relatively minor.

Some of the most common long-term effects of TBIs include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Chronic headaches
• Depression and anxiety
• Sensory impairment
• Fluid buildup in the brain
• Infections
• Vertigo
• Cognitive impairment
• Learning disabilities
• Nerve damage
• Difficulty speaking or writing
• Trouble understanding others’ speech
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Insomnia
• Degenerative brain disease
• Impaired judgment, reasoning, and attention

In very severe cases, brain injuries may lead to coma, permanent and irreversible brain damage, and/or death.

Survivors of traumatic brain injuries face a lifetime of challenges and must learn to adjust to and cope with the consequences of their catastrophic injury. A TBI can impact your life by making it difficult to communicate or perform previously routine tasks, and you may be unable to earn gainful employment ever again. You likely overwhelmed with the healing process alone and have little attention to devote to seeking justice and compensation.

However, our attorneys encourage you to consider filing a claim so you can secure the financial compensation to which you are entitled. This compensation can help you pay for immediate and future medical costs, in addition to ongoing rehabilitative costs or care, and any costs related to rehabilitative medical supplies. Do not underestimate the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of suffering a TBI. Our attorneys are here to help fight for you, whether it means negotiating on your behalf with hard-nosed insurance companies or pushing to take your case to trial if the insurance company still refuses to pay what you need.

When brain injuries are caused by the careless or intentional actions of another person, victims have a right to pursue compensation for damages, including medical bills, costs associated with in-home assistance and care, lost income and earning capacity, lost quality of life, and more. Talk to Metzger Wickersham today, call (888) 707-7704 to learn more about your legal options.

What Is the Difference Between a Concussion & a TBI?

Concussions are often referred to as being separate from traumatic brain injuries but, in reality, concussions are a type of TBI. Because they are fairly common and relatively mild, many people do not think of concussions as “traumatic brain injuries.” However, they can be extremely serious, especially when a victim suffers multiple concussions throughout their lifetime and/or fails to receive medical treatment for the injury.

Concussions are caused by sudden blows to the head, rapid back-and-forth motions of the head or neck, and the head contacting a stationary surface. They commonly result from falls , car accidents , sports and recreation accidents, and similar traumatic events. If you or a loved one suffers a blow to the head or is involved in a traumatic accident, it is important that you see a medical professional. Keep an eye out for any signs or symptoms of a concussion and be sure to report them to your doctor.

Some of the signs and symptoms of a concussion include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Headache
• Blurry or double vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Loss of memory surrounding the accident/event
• Loss of smell or taste

Emergency concussion symptoms include:

• Symptoms that do not go away for 10 – 14 days or more
• Slurred speech and incoherence following the accident
• Loss of consciousness
• Persistent or worsening headache
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Inability to awaken from sleep
• History of concussions

Call 911 or see a medical professional right away if you or your loved one has any severe signs of a brain injury, including a possible concussion. Remember, your safety and continued well-being are of the utmost importance; never delay seeking medical help, even if you believe your injury is not that serious or will heal on its own.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs are commonly caused by catastrophic accidents and events that result in blows to the head and other violent forces on the head and neck. They are also caused by oxygen deprivation and asphyxia, which can be fatal.

Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls, including slip and falls
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Drowning and near-drowning
• Sports and recreation accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Birth injuries
• Violence and criminal activity
• Workplace accidents

Often, these devastating events are entirely preventable. If you believe your injury only occurred because someone else was negligent, careless, reckless, or acted wrongfully or with the intent to cause injury, reach out to our Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys at Metzger Wickersham today. We can help you explore your legal options and determine if you have grounds for a brain injury case.

Do I Have a Valid Brain Injury Case?

Determining whether you have a valid traumatic brain injury case can depend on a number of different factors. For example, just because your accident or injury was caused by another party, this does not mean you automatically have a claim.

The following factors can help determine if you have a case:

• What caused the accident ( drunk driving , speeding , a defective product , etc.)
• The severity of the injuries you suffered and long-term damage to your brain
• The individual or party at fault for the accident (manufacturer, company, driver, etc.)
• Whether or not you were hospitalized or treated for your brain injury
• How long it will/did take for you to recover
• Whether or not you will need regular treatment or additional medical care
• If permanent damage has been caused to your health
• How much the injury affects your/your family’s financial security
• Insurance coverage you/the other party has

Our team is ready to investigate your claim and help determine if you have grounds for a brain injury claim or lawsuit against a negligent party. We evaluate all possible avenues of compensation when it comes to seeking the full, fair compensation you are owed.

The Challenge of Proving Fault

You will also need to be able to prove the fault and liability of the other party. That is where our firm comes in. The Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys at Metzger Wickersham bring years of combined experience to every case we take on. Our lawyers are well-versed in the evidence needed to prove fault in such cases. With a large support staff , we meticulously comb through every detail of our clients’ cases, ensuring we are able to build a detailed, strategic claim on their behalf.

We know firsthand how devastating and complex these cases can be. With our insight and skill, we can help you pursue justice so that you can focus fully on healing.

Fighting for Justice for 135+ Years

Our Pennsylvania traumatic brain injury attorneys represent clients who have suffered brain injuries due to car accidents, truck accidents , motorcycle accidents , slip and falls, sports accidents, and various other incidents. Metzger Wickersham is backed by over 135 years of experience and is ready to help you through this time.

We provide compassionate, client-focused service and personalize our approach to meet your unique needs, concerns, and goals. When you choose our firm, you will be connected with a team that is dedicated entirely to you and your recovery. We fight for maximum compensation for our clients, even when that means taking their cases to trial. We have the resources, skill, and legal acumen to fully litigate your claim.

Contact us today for a free consultation. With offices in Harrisburg , Lancaster , Pottsville , Shippensburg , Wilkes-Barre , Williamsport , and York , we can meet with you anywhere in Pennsylvania. We can even travel to your home or meet you in the hospital if needed.

Call us at (888) 707-7704 or contact us online 24/7 for the legal help you need. Your consultation is free, and there are no attorney fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.