Whether caused by a car accident, fall, or workplace incident, brain injuries affect your ability to work, care for yourself, and enjoy life. The legal process for pursuing compensation can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with cognitive challenges and medical appointments.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., guides brain injury victims through every step of seeking compensation. Our personal injury lawyers in Naperville are ready to help you build your case. We don’t rush settlements that shortchange your future needs.
When you Choose Charlie, you get a team that has recovered over $100 million for clients since 2002 and knows how to handle these complicated cases from start to finish. Contact our brain injury lawyers in Naperville for a free consultation.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force damages the brain. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe trauma that causes permanent disability. Common causes of brain injuries include:
- Car accidents that throw your brain against the inside of your skull
- Falls that cause your head to strike a hard surface
- Workplace accidents involving falling objects or falls from heights
- Assaults or violent incidents causing head trauma
- Sports-related impacts or collisions
Mild traumatic brain injuries, often called concussions, may seem minor but can have lasting effects. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light. Some people experience personality changes or depression.
Moderate to severe brain injuries cause more obvious symptoms like loss of consciousness, seizures, slurred speech, weakness in limbs, or severe confusion. These injuries often require emergency surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Claim?
For most brain injury cases in Illinois, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This might seem like plenty of time, but it passes quickly when you’re dealing with medical treatment and cognitive challenges. If you didn’t immediately realize you had a brain injury, the two-year clock may start when you discovered the injury.
While you shouldn’t rush into accepting a settlement, you also can’t wait indefinitely. Our brain injury lawyers in Naperville will start investigating your case immediately while preserving evidence and building the strongest possible claim.
Types of Compensation in Brain Injury Cases
Brain injury cases often involve substantial compensation because these injuries cause extensive damage that lasts for years or even a lifetime. Understanding what you can recover helps you evaluate settlement offers and make informed decisions.
Brain injuries often require years of treatment, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological counseling. We work with medical experts to project your lifetime medical costs.
Common types of compensation in brain injury cases include:
- Past and future medical expenses for all treatment and care needs
- Lost wages from the time you couldn’t work during recovery
- Lost earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous career
- Home modifications to accommodate disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps
- Assistive technology and medical equipment you’ll need long-term
- Pain and suffering for physical discomfort and cognitive difficulties
What to Expect During Settlement Negotiations
Most brain injury cases settle through negotiations rather than going to trial. Understanding the negotiation process helps you make informed decisions about offers and manage your expectations about timing.
Negotiations typically begin after we send a demand package to the insurance company. The demand includes all evidence of liability, medical records, expert opinions, and a detailed calculation of all damages. The insurance company responds with an offer that’s almost always substantially lower than our demand.
We respond with a counter-demand supported by additional evidence. This back-and-forth can continue for weeks or months. Our founding attorney’s experience working for Allstate means we understand insurance company thinking and negotiating strategies.
How Long Will it Take?
Several factors influence settlement timing. If liability is clear and your injuries are well-documented, settlements happen faster. We sometimes need to file a lawsuit to motivate the insurance company to make a reasonable offer. In rare cases, your case will go to trial to be decided in court.
Why You Should Choose Charlie for Your Brain Injury Case
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we understand that brain injury cases require both legal skill and genuine compassion. Your life has been turned upside down by this injury. We handle the legal process while you focus on rehabilitation and recovery.
We’re a boutique firm that gives personal attention to every client. When you call, you’ll speak with someone who knows your situation. We know that brain injury victims sometimes struggle with memory or processing information, so we’re patient and explain things clearly.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Our founding attorney’s background working for insurance companies gives us insight into their strategies and evaluation methods. This insider knowledge helps us negotiate better settlements and achieve superior results.
Reach Out to Our Brain Injury Lawyers in Naperville Today
Brain injuries are among the most life-altering injuries we see, and they require lawyers who understand both the medical complexities and the legal process. Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has been helping brain injury victims in Naperville and throughout the Chicago area get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives for over 20 years.
Don’t fight the insurers on your own. Contact our brain injury attorney in Naperville today for a free consultation and let us guide you through every step while fighting for the maximum compensation you’re owed.
