Brain injuries are frequently misunderstood. If you are in the unfortunate situation where a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you are probably in new territory and trying to find answers to what to do next.Ottawa Brain Injury Lawyers

It helps to have the guidance of legal professionals with years of experience in fighting for the rightful compensation that brain injury victims and their families should receive. This, at least, provides some help for the recovery process, security for the future, and a sense of justice.

Regardless of the cause, almost all brain injuries have serious consequences at least temporarily or, in some cases, permanently. A brain injury suffered as a result of the negligence or wrongful act of another party may seem grossly unfair – especially if your compensation claim hits obstacles.

At Auger Hollingsworth, our Ottawa personal injury lawyers work closely with medical professionals to fight for the quickest possible recovery and best financial outcome for your future. We will handle all communications with the insurance company until there is a fair settlement that reflects the trauma that you and your family have endured. We are accomplished at maximizing claims and, if no out-of-court settlement is forthcoming, we are ready to take the matter further with litigation

Common causes of brain injury in Ottawa

Any form of trauma to the head and neck can cause a brain injury, varying in severity. Some can cause temporary issues, but some brain injuries can cause lifelong issues and large medical bills.

The common causes of traumatic brain injuries are:

  • Motor vehicle accidents – Car, motorcycle, or truck accidents can include impact injuries.
  • Bicycle accident – Hitting or being struck by vehicles.
  • Pedestrian accident – Being struck by motor vehicles.
  • Slip and fall accident – Falling can cause impact or puncture injuries.
  • Sports accidents – Head hitting the ground or being struck by a ball or another person.
  • Firearm injuries – Attacks or suicide attempts.

In such situations, the head can suddenly and violently hit an object or an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.

Because of the wide variety of types of these injuries, victims can experience anything from minor functional interference to complete disability requiring round-the-clock care and life support.

Common types of brain injuries

The aftermath of an accident, fall, or assault can be scary, especially if it involved a head injury. A brain injury can cause serious symptoms and side effects that will change your life – either temporarily, or for the rest of your life. 

Some of the most common brain injuries include:

  • Concussion – A minor brain injury that results from a hit to the head.
  • Contusion – A bruise on your brain tissue.
  • Penetrating injury – A sharp object pierces through skull and into brain tissue.
  • Anoxia or hypoxia – Your brain either getting too little or too much oxygen.
  • Subdural hematoma – Blood flow blockages in the brain, which can be caused by strokes or severe trauma.
  • Brain bleed – When blood leaks into the brain, or between the skull and the brain.

Any brain injury can cause serious symptoms and life-altering side effects. That’s why it’s important to speak to a lawyer after a serious head injury or accident. They can seek the compensation you need to adjust to your new life.

When to contact a brain injury lawyer

If you or a loved one sustained a brain injury due to an accident, assault, fall, or generall the negligence of others, then you should speak to a personal injury attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Even if it was a minor accident, a brain injury can change your life. Working with a lawyer will ensure you get the compensation you deserve, and also help you by:

  • Increasing your chances of winning your claim.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies.
  • Representing you in court.
  • Having in-depth knowledge of damages and potential compensation.
  • Identifying areas of damage and injury that you may not even realize you can be compensated for.
  • Avoiding potential financial loss in court.
  • Having contingency agreements, so you don’t pay them until you have a settlement or judgement.

Working with a brain injury lawyer is a great way to hedge your bet, and ensure court goes smoothly. Set up your free consultation to find out how our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you after your accident.

Free Consultation after a brain injury in Ottawa

Car Accident 2The aftermath of a traumatic brain injury can be scary and uncertain. The severity of the injury can mean temporary or even permanent changes to your life. Managing your pain, medical bills, insurance forms and claims, as well as other things can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced brain injury lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger have represented clients throughout Ontario since 2004 and helped hundreds file their claims.

Regardless of the severity of your accident or the resulting injuries, or how badly your life was upended, it’s likely that the insurance companies involved will try to pay as little as possible in compensation. That’s why working with an attorney is so important to ensure you get the compensation you deserve to recover and adjust to your new normal after a traumatic brain injury.

Contact Auger Hollingsworth as soon as possible after a vehicle accident to book your free consultation. We’ll meet with you wherever you’re comfortable, whether that’s in our office, in your own home, or in the hospital where you’re recovering. We put your needs first, and you won’t pay anything unless and until you get a settlement or judgement.

What to do after a brain injury in Ottawa

Car Accident 2As always, if you’re involved in a serious accident that involved injuries, the first step is to seek medical care. This is especially important if you’re showing signs of a brain injury. Those signs include slurred speech, dizziness of poor balance, sleepiness, nausea, and confusion.

After seeking medical care, you may realize that your injury is affecting your cognition and daily life. Brain injuries are incredibly serious, and can cause issues that will affect you for the rest of your life. You may need to stop working, or ongoing medical care in order to continue your life. But you may find your insurance won’t cover it, or denies your claim. 

That’s why you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. They’ll review the details and records of the accident, as well as your medical records, and then advise you on the compensation you deserve and how to proceed with your case. Speak to our experienced personal injury lawyers today to learn how we can help you get the compensation you need.

Get compensated for a brain injury in Ottawa

Car Accident 2If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another party in Ottawa, you may be able to claim the following damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Ongoing care costs
  • Lost earnings in the past and future
  • Damage to property
  • Pain and suffering

The litigation process for brain injuries in Ottawa can be challenging, especially if the injury is mild and difficult to quantify and prove.

It helps to have an experienced hand to assist with the process. At Auger Hollingsworth in Ottawa, our brain injury lawyers are well accustomed to the litigation process for brain injury victims and have helped local families claim the compensation needed to recover from devastating incidents and rebuild their lives.

Our well-qualified legal team works with medical experts to fight for your best interests.

Start by discussing your case during a free case evaluation with a qualified brain injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Injuries

What are Acquired Brain Injuries?

A brain injury is a disruption in the normal function of the brain. Sometimes, that occurs at birth and is a congenital disorder. An acquired brain injury happens due to a traumatic event – usually, a blow, bump or jolt to the head.

What is a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI)

TBIs are invisible. There may be no external bleeding and no bandages. This makes them difficult to recognize and diagnose without specific imaging and diagnostic equipment.

Sometimes, people fail to get an immediate checkup and diagnosis, making a compensation claim more challenging. Any major blow to the head should be immediately checked by a medical professional regardless of whether you think you are injured.

The brain is a fragile and complex organ and no injury to it should be underestimated. Some people do not become aware that they have suffered a serious injury until a long time after the accident.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be mild, moderate or severe. The most severe injuries can result in permanent paralysis.

Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) can be very difficult to diagnose. They may cause a loss of consciousness and/or disorientation for a short period and may not even show up on an MRI or CT scan.

The symptoms of brain injuries are often perceived as minor although they can still have a major impact upon one’s quality of life – either temporarily or permanently They may involve subtle and barely perceptible behavioural or psychological changes.

MTBI symptoms may include:

  • Confusion/memory/attention problems
  • Difficulties with speech (slurring of words)
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue/lethargy
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Mood swings/irritability/agitation
  • Sensitivity to light/sound

Sometimes, what may be classed as a simple “concussion” may cause a brain injury even if there is no loss of consciousness.

What is a severe TBI?

When an injury causes a loss of consciousness for longer than 20 minutes and up to six hours, it is generally classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Serious physical, cognitive, psychological and emotional impairments may result. As well as the symptoms described above, the victim may experience the following physical symptoms:

  • Convulsions/seizures
  • Severe, recurring headaches
  • Weakness or numbness (especially in the extremities)
  • Chronic nausea and vomiting
  • Dilation of the pupils in the eyes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Full or partial paralysis

What do I need to know about child brain injuries?

For children, a blow to the head can be more serious. They have a less developed skull meaning that the brain has less protection. Any trauma to the head can result in a serious brain injury – and may, unfortunately, lead to permanent brain damage in some cases.

Whether the blow is a result of a car accident, bicycle accident, sporting injury, fall, or something else, an urgent medical checkup is required. You may consider seeking compensation if the accident was due to the negligent or reckless acts of another party.

Compensation claims for child brain injuries are very complex because children’s brains are not yet fully developed and there is less medical history to go on. Therefore, the impact of an injury can be very difficult to assess and the negative effects on the life of the child are often very challenging to prove.

Because of the potential for permanent, life-altering brain injuries in children, it is vital to seek legal advice as well as medical advice as soon as possible.

At Auger Hollingsworth, we have experience in handling child brain injury cases and can help you understand the process of filing a claim and getting you the compensation that you and your family need.

What information will I need for my brain injury claim?

As much as you possibly can gather is the best answer. Try to note down the details of where, how you were injured, as well as getting the contact information of anyone who witnessed it. You’ll also need your medical records and the contact information of our doctor. 

When you contact a personal injury lawyer, they’ll review all the records you’ve compiled and help you find more information to support your claim. They’ll also prepare to take your case to trial and represent you in court, helping to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact Auger Hollingsworth at +1 (613) 233-4529 to set up your free consultation and learn more about brain injury compensation.

To determine the claim amount, the amount of your damages and the extent of your injuries will be considered.

 A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you negotiate the best settlement or fight for a higher claim amount in court.

What Our Clients Say:

“The team at Auger Hollingsworth really stood up for me, I am a Brain Cancer Survivor and fighter , it was extremely hard on me to know where to even start. Until I decided to pick up the phone and call Auger Hollingsworth now I can rest and heal knowing I can always reach out to me team and they care so much about my well being. Three brain surgeries in and they still got my back and check up on me. Thank You Auger Hollingsworth!”

Joseph Proulx

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Get compensated for a brain injury in Ottawa

If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another party in Ottawa, you may be able to claim the following damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Ongoing care costs
  • Lost earnings in the past and future
  • Damage to property
  • Pain and suffering

The litigation process for brain injuries in Ottawa can be challenging, especially if the injury is mild and difficult to quantify and prove.

It helps to have an experienced hand to assist with the process. At Auger Hollingsworth in Ottawa, our brain injury lawyers are well accustomed to the litigation process for brain injury victims and have helped local families claim the compensation needed to recover from devastating incidents and rebuild their lives.

Our well-qualified legal team works with medical experts to fight for your best interests.

Start by discussing your case during a free case evaluation with a qualified brain injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth.

 

More information about brain injuries

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