Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

nurse with man going in for a brain scan in chicago, illinois

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, you are not alone. Over the past few decades, the Stein & Shulman team has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Chicago area residents suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It is estimated that around five million Americans are currently living with traumatic brain injuries, and a new TBI occurs about every 15 seconds.

The increase in traumatic brain injuries is not due to the fact that we are living more dangerous lifestyles, or are more prone to injury; the fact is the medical community has made great strides in identifying and diagnosing brain injuries. And it is about time. For far too long TBIs have been misdiagnosed or completely missed.

We are now at the point where doctors and other medical professionals are proactively screening for TBIs when the victim of a motor vehicle accident or someone who has suffered a slip and fall injury comes in for treatment. This is a very good thing since traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 45, and even minor brain injuries can have serious, long-lasting impacts. It is also good because people frequently do not realize that they have a brain injury, or do not know the extent of their injury until they are examined by a medical professional. 

The Impacts of Traumatic Brain Injuries

It used to be that the only recognized brain injuries were paralysis or cognitive decline. We now know that post-accident symptoms like: 

  • Loss of motor skills; 
  • Impaired memory and reasoning skills;
  • Difficulty with communication and speech;
  • Changes in personality; 
  • Loss of bodily functions, control, and sensation; and 
  • Trouble regulating emotions

are related to TBIs. Recent research has also shown that issues like chronic pain, fibromyalgia, depression, persistent headaches, and even diseases like IBS may be traced back to a TBI. This makes perfect sense when you consider the brain controls all bodily functions. 

In order to get a full assessment of your injuries, and develop a care and rehabilitation plan that improves your quality of life, you will need to seek treatment from a host of medical professionals. Your primary care doctor may recommend you meet with physical therapists, occupational therapists, neurologists, neurophysiologists, life care planners, and vocational experts. Though the cost of these treatments and assessments can really add up, this is not the time to be frugal. Improperly treated brain injuries can haunt you for the rest of your life, and may also shorten your life.  

If you are struggling to pay for your TBI treatments, or can no longer support yourself or your family due to your injury, you may be eligible for financial compensation from the person or organization that caused your injury. 

Fighting For Your Full Monetary Compensation 

The Stein & Shulman team has helped Chicagoland residents recover millions of dollars to fund TBI treatments and support themselves and their families. 

Under Illinois law, accident victims who have suffered a traumatic brain injury can seek both economic and non-economic damages. In order to get you the most money possible, we begin by gathering evidence that explicitly enumerates your: 

  • Medical expenses;
  • Lost income; and
  • Decreased future earnings.

In addition to helping with your recovery and improving your quality of life, this is why we encourage all TBI victims to follow the full treatment plan outlined by their doctors. All that medical paperwork becomes evidence in a lawsuit. 

Our team also works with experts who can estimate what it would be fair to pay you for non-economic losses like:

  • Physical pain;
  • Emotional anguish;
  • Permanent disfigurement or disability;
  • Loss of consortium; and 
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Furthermore, if we can prove that the person who caused your injury (the defendant) acted with disregard for human safety or engaged in criminal behavior, Illinois law allows us to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages have a twofold purpose: to punish the defendant and to discourage others from engaging in similarly egregious behavior.

Estimating how much money your injury may be worth is not something that can be done on the internet. To get a realistic figure, and learn more about what it is going to take to actually get your hands on that money, you are going to need to work with an experienced personal injury attorney like those on our staff at Stein & Shulman. Our firm has the resources and know-how to get you to compensation you deserve. 

We Do Not Get Paid Unless Our Clients Do

It takes a lot of time and energy to gather all the evidence needed to make a strong argument for compensation at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, even in a TBI case where the injuries are obvious and serious. But our clients never pay us a cent upfront. 

Stein & Shulman represents Chicago area TBI victims on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not get paid unless you do, and our fee will always be just a portion of what we recover on your behalf. 

We will not pressure you to settle for the first low-ball offer an insurance company throws at you just so we can cash a check. We will aggressively fight for every penny you deserve because we know you need that money to treat your injuries and support yourself and your family. We make defendants and the big insurance companies representing them stand up and pay attention so you get the money you need to move forward with your life. 

Time Is Of The Essence 

If you have suffered a brain injury, you should consider reaching out to Stein & Shulman’s experienced team of personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. Illinois residents only have a short window of time following an accident or injury when they are allowed to seek compensation. Because brain injuries are sometimes slow to develop and are always slow to heal, some people miss their opportunity to file a lawsuit and are then barred by the courts from holding those responsible for their TBIs accountable. Unfortunately, it does not matter how seriously you have been hurt and therefore need to be focusing on other things, the clock is ticking.

Contact Our Chicago Area Brain Injury Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one in the Chicago area has suffered a traumatic brain injury through no fault of your own, the Stein & Shulman team is here to help. Whether you are ready to take legal action right away or are simply curious about what options are available to you, let’s talk. Please contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

The law office of Stein & Shulman routinely represents brain injury victims in Chicago, Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Will County, McHenry County, and Kane County.