Has a traumatic brain injury disrupted your life? Unfortunately, TBIs can leave you with a lot of physical pain, emotional turmoil, and financial stress, all of which are very difficult to handle by yourself, especially when you’re trying to move on from the experience and heal from your injuries.
Many people feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of TBIs, but we want you to know that you are not alone. With Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers by your side, you can trust that a traumatic brain injury lawyer in New London is advocating for you and your rights at all times.
Our attorneys have recovered over $500 million in compensation. We’re here to represent you as your New London personal injury lawyer and pursue a favorable outcome in your case.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden external force causes damage to the brain. This can happen through direct impact—such as hitting your head during a fall—or a jolt and whiplash-like motion, which is common in car accidents.
They can also stem from circumstances involving penetration of the skull, such as in a gunshot wound. TBIs range in severity from mild concussions to severe brain damage with lasting impairment or death. These are common types of traumatic brain injuries:
- Concussion: Often considered a mild TBI, a concussion is caused by a bump or blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Repeated concussions can lead to long-term problems.
- Contusion: This is a bruise on the brain, which usually results from a direct impact. Severe contusions may require surgery.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): Caused by strong rotational forces or shaking, DAI affects nerve fibers in the brain. It can lead to widespread damage, and in some cases, a coma.
- Penetrating injury: This arises when an object—such as a bullet or shard of metal—penetrates the skull and damages brain tissue.
- Coup–contrecoup injury: This involves damage at both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain as a result of the brain moving around inside the skull.
For a free legal consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer serving New London, call 203-437-6190
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in New London
Located along Connecticut’s shoreline, New London is home to a variety of situations that could result in traumatic brain injuries. Your traumatic brain injury attorney in New London will look closely at the details of your case to determine what caused your injuries in the first place.
In the meantime, these are examples of common causes of traumatic brain injuries in the area:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles are among the leading causes of TBIs in Connecticut. Rear-end collisions and high-speed impacts often result in whiplash or direct trauma to the head.
- Falls: Slip-and-fall accidents—particularly on wet sidewalks, icy driveways, or unsafe stairways—are a primary cause of TBIs, especially among older adults.
- Workplace incidents: Construction sites, warehouses, and factories are prone to falling objects, slips, and machinery-related injuries, all of which can lead to head trauma.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports—such as football, soccer, and hockey—all carry a high risk of concussions and other head injuries, especially among young people and college athletes.
- Violence: Assaults—including blunt force trauma from fists, weapons, or thrown objects—can result in moderate to severe brain injuries.
- Recreational accidents: Boating, skateboarding, riding ATVs, and engaging in other recreational activities can lead to head injuries when proper safety gear isn’t in place.
Symptoms and Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The symptoms of a TBI will vary based on the severity and location of the injury. While some signs appear immediately after the injury, others may take hours—if not days—to manifest. People experiencing mild TBIs or concussions might exhibit these symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
Meanwhile, those who have moderate to severe TBIs often have the following side effects:
- Prolonged loss of consciousness from minutes to hours
- Persistent headache or worsening headache
- Seizures or convulsions
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Profound confusion or agitation
- Loss of coordination
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Dilated pupils or drainage of clear fluid from the nose or ears
In children and infants, TBIs may be harder to detect. Even so, warning signs include unusual levels of irritability, persistent crying, loss of interest in toys or activities, and changes in feeding or sleep patterns.
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Connecticut Laws Related to Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Connecticut recognizes personal injury claims related to traumatic brain injuries when they are caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. Several legal doctrines and statutes may apply depending on the circumstances of the injury.
Negligence is a very common legal basis for brain injury claims. It applies when someone fails to exercise reasonable care and causes harm to another. In the state of Connecticut, your New London traumatic brain injury lawyer must prove the following on your behalf:
- The defendant owed a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The breach caused the injury.
- The injury resulted in actual damages.
Comparative Fault Rule
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under General Statutes § 52-572h, an injured party can still recover damages even if they are determined to be partially at fault for the incident. However, their share of fault has to be lower than 51%.
Otherwise, they might not be able to recover any compensation at all. That said, no matter what, your percentage of fault will reduce the amount of compensation you receive. For example, if you are awarded $500,000 but you’re 20% at fault, you would only recover $400,000.
Statute of Limitations
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases—including those that involve TBIs—is two years from the date of the injury. As outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584, if legal action is not filed within this period of time, the injured party might lose their right to file entirely.
However, certain exceptions may apply, such as in cases where the injury was not immediately discoverable or when the injured party is a minor. The sooner you reach out to New London traumatic brain injury lawyers, the more time your attorney will have to act on your behalf.
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Reach Out to Our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in New London for Legal Support and Advice Today
A traumatic brain injury can change everything. If you or someone you love suffered a TBI, you might be experiencing this reality firsthand. It’s not uncommon to find yourself looking down a long road filled with medical questions, financial stress, and emotional uncertainty.
These injuries don’t just affect the body; they can also impact your memory, mood, relationships, and career, among other aspects of your life. The aftermath of an injury like this can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Understanding your legal rights is very important, and that’s exactly what the New London traumatic brain injury attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers can help you figure out. Our team is available 24/7, so reach out now to get started on your case.