Chicago Brain Injury Lawyer

Life-altering brain injuries take only minutes to happen, but the damage may last a lifetime. Victims with a severe brain injury often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Unfortunately, the damage from these injuries may leave victims with permanent, lasting effects, even once the initial injury has healed.

At Cooney & Conway, our experienced attorneys have seen firsthand the overwhelming challenges injured victims and their families face after a brain injury. Our trusted law firm is prepared to work tirelessly to recover the resources needed for your recovery while holding responsible parties accountable.

For over six decades, our dedicated legal team has built a reputation for being fierce advocates for injured victims, throughout Chicago and Illinois. We are deeply committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our proven history of results – we have recovered billions in compensation – shows the deep commitment we have to the pursuit of justice for our clients.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma damages the brain, often resulting from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe trauma that can permanently alter cognitive function, physical abilities, and emotional wellbeing. In Chicago, brain injuries frequently result from vehicle accidents, falls, sports collisions, workplace incidents, and acts of violence.

Unlike many other injuries, brain trauma may develop symptoms slowly. These injuries can also worsen over time. Depending on the location of the injury and severity of damage, victims may experience a wide array of varying symptoms and medical issues, including memory issues, speech, personality, and even basic bodily functions.

For many survivors in Illinois, brain injuries create lifelong challenges that require ongoing medical attention, rehabilitation therapy, and assistance with daily activities.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Brain Injury Case?

A valid brain injury case requires proving that another party’s negligence directly caused your injury and resulting damages. These cases are extremely complex, and we do not recommend trying to manage the legal process on your own. Before you can move forward with a legal case, your attorney must be able to establish these elements to determine if you may have grounds for legal action.

Duty of Care:

The responsible party must have had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care toward your safety. Here are a few examples of what a duty of care looks like:

• Drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles responsibly and follow traffic laws
• Property owners have an obligation to maintain safe premises
• Employers must provide proper safety equipment
• Nursing homes must follow protocols for transferring and lifting residents to avoid preventable falls

Breach of Duty:

The party failed to uphold their duty, resulting in the accident that injured you. This could be a driver who was texting while driving or a property owner who failed to repair known property hazards.

Causation:

The breach of duty must directly connect to your injury. In other words, it is not enough that the other party was texting while driving. You or your attorney must also prove that driver’s negligent actions led to the crash and caused your concussion. Our knowledgeable attorneys know how to establish this crucial link between the negligent action and your specific injury.

Damages:

You must have suffered real damages from the brain injury, such as medical costs or lost wages. In brain injury cases, damages often include both current costs and projected future expenses the victim may need for ongoing care and support.

What Is the Value of My Brain Injury Case?

The type and amount of compensation that may be available in Illinois brain injury cases varies significantly. Contributing factors that impact the value of your claim include the severity of your injury, its impact on your life, and the circumstances of your accident.

While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, Illinois law allows brain injury survivors to pursue damages that address both the immediate and long-term consequences of their trauma. The specific types of compensation you may be eligible to recover include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgical interventions, hospital stays, and diagnostic imaging
• Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Cognitive rehabilitation and neuropsychological treatment
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
• Necessary home modifications to accommodate new limitations
• Specialized medical equipment and assistive technology
• Personal care attendants and in-home nursing services
• Pain and suffering resulting from the brain injury
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in former activities
• Loss of consortium for impacts on family relationships
• Permanent disability and cognitive impairment
• Future medical care needs and ongoing treatment expenses

Our brain injury attorneys at Cooney & Conway have extensive experience accurately assessing and valuating claims to help ensure you recover the maximum possible amount of compensation for your damages.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries?

Brain injuries may be the result of a number of accidents that occur throughout the city. Some of the most common causes include:

Motor Vehicle Crashes

Car accidents are all too common on busy roadways, like Lake Shore Drive, I-90, and I-294. Unfortunately, these crashes may often cause minor concussions to life-altering brain injuries through direct head impact. Even if there is no direct impact, the force of a high-speed crash can injure your brain. A crash can cause your brain to move around inside the skull. When the brain strikes against the hard shell of the skull, it can cause a traumatic brain injury.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Chicago’s cycling community is on the rise, but accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians remain common. Without the protection of a vehicle, cyclists and pedestrians are much more likely to suffer direct head impacts during collisions. These incidents can happen in any busy intersection throughout the downtown area or even on quieter neighborhood streets.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls on icy Chicago sidewalks during winter months, wet floors in public buildings, or neglected stairways in apartment complexes can cause victims to hit their heads. Even seemingly minor incidents can cause victims to suffer a concussion or even a serious brain trauma, especially among older adults.

Workplace Incidents

Construction sites present significant brain injury risks from falling objects, scaffolding collapses, and falls from heights. Manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other industrial settings also contribute to workplace-related brain injuries.

Sports and Recreation Injuries

Contact sports in schools and recreational leagues, including football, hockey, and soccer, cause a lot of concussions and other more serious brain injuries. Even with proper equipment and protocols, the competitive nature of these activities creates inherent risks.

Acts of Violence

Unfortunately, physical assaults and other violent acts contribute to brain injury statistics. These incidents often involve direct trauma to the head and can result in severe, life-altering brain injuries.

What Are Some Common Long-Term Effects of Brain Injuries?

Brain injuries often result in persistent challenges that extend far beyond the initial trauma and healing period. For many individuals, these effects require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. Brain injuries can simultaneously affect physical abilities, cognitive function, and emotional well-being in ways that may not be immediately apparent but emerge over time.

• Memory problems and cognitive difficulties
• Chronic headaches and ongoing pain
• Speech and language impairments
• Balance and coordination issues
• Vision and hearing changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Seizures
• Emotional changes and mood disorders
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue and reduced stamina
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Personality changes
• Challenges with planning and organization

How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Claim in Illinois?

In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of your brain injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit, known as the statute of limitations, is strictly enforced by Illinois courts. However, certain exceptions may apply, such as when the injury victim is a minor or when the brain injury was not immediately discovered. The time limit in which to file a personal injury lawsuit may also be shorter than two years if a governmental entity is involved.

Missing this filing deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation, which is why contacting an experienced attorney as soon after your injury as possible is crucial.

What Types of Treatments Are Available Following a Brain Injury?

Brain injury treatment typically follows a multidisciplinary approach tailored to each patient’s specific injuries and needs. Treatment plans often evolve as patients progress through different phases of recovery, with the goal of maximizing independence and quality of life.

• Emergency trauma care to stabilize critical conditions
• Neurosurgical procedures to address bleeding, reduce pressure, or remove damaged tissue
• Medication management for pain, seizures, and cognitive symptoms
• Physical therapy to improve movement, strength, balance, and coordination
• Occupational therapy for rebuilding daily living skills and independence
• Speech-language therapy for communication and swallowing difficulties
• Cognitive rehabilitation to address memory, attention, and problem-solving
• Psychological counseling for emotional and behavioral challenges
• Case management to coordinate care across multiple specialists
• Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
• Community reintegration programs for social skills and independence
• Family education and support services

Call Our Trusted Law Firm in Chicago for Legal Help After a Brain Injury

If you suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by another party’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover significant compensation for your medical costs and other damages.

At Cooney & Conway, we have a highly qualified team of attorneys who are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our dedicated legal team provides compassionate representation while fighting aggressively to protect your legal rights and best interests.

Contact our Chicago office today for a free, confidential consultation to explore your legal options. (800) 322-5573