Columbus Brain Injury Lawyers

Injuries to the brain might not be immediately noticeable following an accident, as they can have delayed consequences masked by adrenaline. Once symptoms show up, dizziness and the sudden loss of equilibrium aren’t uncommon. From there, the condition can worsen until medical attention or hospitalization is necessary. When your injury was the fault of someone else, they should be the ones to pay for your expenses.

As many negligent accidents contribute to head injuries, Rinehardt Injury Attorneys is prepared to fight for justice. We have assisted accident victims in obtaining compensation for their lost income, medical costs, emotional suffering, and other related expenses.

If you have developed a traumatic brain injury after an accident in Columbus, contact the brain injury lawyers at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys for help.

Why Choose Rinehardt Injury Attorneys?

At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we pride ourselves on our dedication to our clients. This is especially important for brain injury victims, who are facing the possibility of a completely different life. We will take the time to understand all of the details of your case to ensure we know your needs and concerns.

We never use a cookie-cutter approach for our cases, because we know that every case and every client is different. This is how we have earned our reputation in the Columbus community, and have successfully secured millions in compensation for our clients.

To learn more about how we can help you recover after a brain injury, contact our Columbus personal injury attorneys today at 614-686-2020.

Brain Injury Statistics

According to TBI reports from the Centers for Disease Control, in 2020 there were approximately 214,110 traumatic brain injury (TBI) related hospitalizations, with 69,473 TBI-related deaths in the United States.

Accident victims aged 75 and older accounted for 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations and 28% of deaths, the highest rates among age groups. Fall accidents make up nearly half of all TBI-related ER visits, with motor vehicle accidents being another common cause.

Common Types of Brain Injuries

Many brain injury classifications may apply to your situation. We’ve identified the following traumatic brain injuries as the most likely to occur from the negligent actions of others:

• Concussions – These occur when your brain is jolted violently against the skull, causing dizziness, headaches, and in some cases, brain bleed. These differ slightly from TBIs in that the pain and discomfort fade much sooner.
• Coup-Contrecoup – This is either a single cerebral contusion (coup) or a contusion to both sides of the cerebral area (contrecoup), closely associated with subarachnoid hemorrhaging.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) – As an accident occurs, your brain may violently shift inside your skull. The end result is scattered lesions in gray and white matter tracts of your brain tissue. People who experience this type of brain trauma have problems walking or maintaining balance, while others are unable to concentrate or retain memories.
• Blood Clot or Hematoma – Formed by massive swelling or clotted blood in parts of the brain, these injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

While some of these injuries may be treatable, many permanently change the lives of victims. Our Columbus brain injury lawyers have litigated cases varying in severity, so whether you have developed only a concussion or will live with a disability for the rest of your life, Rinehardt Injury Attorneys can help.

Why Hire a Columbus Brain Injury Lawyer?

Injured persons often question whether hiring a law firm for their case is in their best interests. Here are a few reasons why hiring a lawyer is worthwhile after a brain injury:

Professional Affiliations

Over the years, lawyers have built rapport with many outside agencies, including hospitals, accountants, medical professionals, and others they can call on as expert witnesses. Some even deal with insurers on a first-name basis.

In other words, law firms have the resources to call upon to help build their case, which are not as readily available for injury victims working cases alone.

Insurance Company Battles 

Insurance company adjusters are focused on protecting their company’s bottom line. Without someone working on your behalf, many victims will receive an offer that’s much less than their case is worth.

Upfront Costs 

Brain injury claims require an exceptional amount of financial resources just to get their case heard before a jury. Law firms can front these costs, and if operating on a contingency basis, won’t charge the client until they’ve settled the case.

General Protection 

People who are living with brain injuries often find it much more difficult to navigate life. A Columbus brain injury lawyer can protect your interests, make the best decisions for you given the circumstances, and provide a support system of resources and care while you recover from your injuries.

How to Prove Brain Injuries in Columbus

Accidents that leave victims with severe brain injuries will require the same burden of proof that other personal injuries have. Plaintiffs and their lawyers must prove that:

• The injured person was owed a duty of care by the defendant. This could be a property owner, driver, medical professional, or other.
• An individual or entity breached that duty of care by performing an action that had the potential to harm the safety and health of another.
• By breaching that duty, an accident occurred which directly caused a brain injury.
• The injury caused the victim significant damages.

Once all elements have enough proof, the case may move forward to the Ohio Common Pleas Court. Our Columbus brain injury lawyers would then file a complaint in Franklin County or whichever adjacent county you reside in, and from there present the evidence required to begin discussing a fair resolution.

Compensation for Brain Injuries

After Rinehardt Injury Attorneys presents sufficient evidence that your brain injury was the result of negligence, we’ll begin pre-litigation settlement discussions with the opposing party.

Although we cannot promise the exact amount you may be entitled to, we will work hard to come up with a compensation amount that factors in the following:

• Any rehabilitation you may need to get your brain and bodily functions back to normal.
• Wages which the injury has deprived you of while you are in recovery.
• Medical bills from your hospital stay, including any equipment, medication, surgical procedures, and similar necessary to sustain life.
• Wages that you may have earned from now until retirement (if paralyzed or deceased).
• Pain and suffering that you may experience after the accident.
• Costs associated with home health care staff required to care for you while unable to perform daily activities.
• Any additional costs that are associated with income loss, your family’s suffering, and costs that arise from caring for your brain injury.

Our team works hard to get as much as you deserve given the circumstances.

Brain Injury FAQs

We understand brain injuries will leave victims and their families with many unanswered questions. Below, you can find answers to some common questions related to accidents, law, and time limits for filing claims.

My accident was partially my fault. Can I still recover damages?

Perhaps you were injured in a motorcycle accident and weren’t wearing a helmet. Provided you were no more at fault than the other party, you are still entitled to recover damages for your accident. Your final settlement will reflect the percentage of fault the jury believed you contributed to the accident; so, if you were awarded $200,000 but the jury believed you were 10% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by $20,000.

What options do I have if my loved one died from their brain injuries?

A wrongful death claim may be filed if an accident caused by another resulted in death, even if the death was not immediate. In some situations, it may be prudent to have the decedent’s estate file a survival action to recover damages your loved one incurred while alive, as well. As this area of law can get pretty complex, we urge you to consult with an experienced lawyer.

What is the statute of limitations for filing action in brain injuries?

In premises liabilities and personal injuries, you have two (2) years to file a claim. For medical malpractice suits, you have one (1) year up to four (4) years to file. Product liability claims have a ten-year statute of repose and two (2) years for injuries. To determine whether you are eligible to file a claim, contact a lawyer.

What if I can’t afford to help my loved one with medical costs?

Brain injuries can cost families plenty of money, especially with tests, surgery, physical therapy, and in-home care. Our firm will connect you with medical care so your loved one can concentrate on getting better; they’ll get paid directly from your settlement.

How Rinehardt Injury Attorneys Can Help Victims of Brain Injuries

Most accident types have the potential to cause brain injuries, although symptoms may be delayed in some people. When these injuries happen, you need a brain injury law firm that will work to settle your accident claim with the most favorable outcome. That firm is Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, a team of dedicated personal injury lawyers who want nothing more than for our clients to get back to living a normal life.

Ohio puts a strict deadline on filing claims, so we urge you to come forward with your claim and allow us to look at the accident, the circumstances that caused the accident, and what your goal in bringing this claim is. We offer a free, confidential case evaluation, so call 614-686-2020 or fill out an online contact form to schedule yours today.