Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in College Park, Georgia? Contact Rafi Law Firm for a free consultation at (404) 990-4369. Our experienced College Park brain injury lawyers can help you file a claim for as much compensation as you’re entitled to under state law.
We’re one of the most well-respected personal injury law firms in Georgia, with over $150 million recovered for our clients to date. Our legal team will put the full force of our dedication and resources to work for you from the moment you choose us for your case.
Reach out today to learn more about your legal options. We can fill you in on what you should do next during your free consultation.
Why Should I Hire Rafi Law Firm After a Brain Injury in College Park, Georgia?
Brain injury cases are among the most challenging in personal injury law, due in large part to the extensive medical documentation that is usually required. If you aren’t careful and don’t hire a College Park personal injury lawyer to represent you, you risk resolving your claim for a lot less than what it’s really worth.
Rafi Law Firm has a longstanding track record of success that other law offices in the area can’t match—a few reasons to consider hiring us after a brain injury in College Park, GA, include:
- We’ve recovered numerous settlements and verdicts in the seven-figure range.
- We’re led by Attorney Michael Rafi, a nationally recognized, award-winning personal injury trial lawyer.
- We’ll work closely with neurologists, life care planners, and vocational experts to document the true costs of your injury.
- We won’t back down from a courtroom fight with an insurance company that refuses to treat your claim fairly.
Contact our College Park brain injury attorneys today to get started with a free consultation. We’re passionate about our work and will treat you like family throughout the legal process.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden external force causes damage to the brain. The severity of these injuries can range widely depending on the circumstances of the injury and which areas of the brain were affected. A concussion is commonly referred to as a “mild” TBI, while a severe TBI may lead to extended unconsciousness and permanent impairments.
Brain injuries can take several specific forms, including:
- Contusions: Bruising of the brain tissue, usually caused by a direct impact to the head.
- Diffuse axonal injuries: Occur when the brain shifts violently inside the skull, tearing nerve fibers.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries: The brain is damaged on both sides, at the point of impact and on the opposite side where it rebounds against the skull.
- Anoxic injuries: Result from the brain being completely deprived of oxygen, which can happen in situations such as severe blood loss and surgical complications.
It’s also important to note that symptoms don’t always show up right away. Some people feel fine after an accident and only start noticing problems days or weeks later.
Warning signs to watch for include:
- Persistent headaches
- Memory gaps
- Confusion
- Sudden mood changes
- Irritability
- Dizziness with balance
- Difficulty concentrating on routine tasks
If any of these symptoms appear after an accident, seek medical attention immediately. Early documentation protects both your health and your legal claim.
Long-Term Consequences of a Brain Injury
What makes brain injuries so devastating isn’t just the initial trauma; it’s what comes after. Many TBI victims face lasting consequences that don’t fully reveal themselves until months or years down the road.
- Cognitive effects: Your memory may suffer, and tasks that used to come naturally can suddenly require enormous effort. Some victims find themselves unable to return to their previous career.
- Emotional and psychological effects: Many TBI survivors struggle with depression or PTSD long after the physical wounds have healed. Personality changes can make relationships with family and friends feel unrecognizable.
- Physical effects: Chronic headaches and seizure disorders are common. Some victims deal with impaired motor function that never fully goes away.
- Daily living: Severe TBIs can take away a person’s ability to care for themselves entirely, requiring full-time assistance for the rest of their lives.
These realities are why brain injury claims tend to involve such significant dollar amounts. The compensation you pursue needs to account for decades of future care and the personal losses that come with a life-altering injury.
How Much Is My College Park Brain Injury Case Worth?
Brain injury claims can vary dramatically in value depending on the specifics of your situation. A mild concussion with a full recovery will naturally be worth less than a severe TBI that leaves someone permanently disabled. However, even within those extremes, a number of factors shape what your case is ultimately worth.
Some of the things our College Park personal injury attorneys evaluate when assessing a brain injury claim include:
- The type and severity of your brain injury
- Your current and projected future medical treatment needs
- Whether you’re able to return to work, and in what capacity
- The strength of the evidence linking the defendant’s negligence to your injury
- The insurance coverage available from all responsible parties
- Whether you are being blamed for the accident that caused your injury
One of the biggest mistakes brain injury victims make is settling too early before the full extent of their condition is understood. Insurance companies love to push quick settlements precisely because they know the true cost of a TBI often becomes clear only with time.
Our brain injury attorneys in College Park won’t let you accept less than what your case is worth just because an insurer wants to close the file.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover After a Brain Injury in College Park, GA?
Georgia law allows brain injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages from the party responsible for their injuries.
Economic damages cover the financial losses tied to your injury, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal toll the injury has taken, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Loss of companionship
In rare cases involving extreme misconduct, Georgia law also permits punitive damages. However, these damages generally require that your case go all the way to trial and require a stronger showing of evidence as well.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My College Park Brain Injury?
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. Your damages will typically be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can generally still collect as long as you’re less than 50% to blame.
Having an experienced brain injury lawyer in College Park on your side can make a real difference when these arguments come up. We’ll gather the evidence needed to counter the other side’s version of events and work to keep your assigned fault as low as possible. Every percentage point matters, as each one comes directly out of your recovery.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer in College Park?
Rafi Law Firm handles brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge by the hour, and we don’t charge an upfront rate either. Instead, we only receive payment for our work if we successfully handle your case.
At the conclusion of your case, we will be paid as an agreed-upon percentage of the jury verdict or settlement we secure for you. Otherwise, you pay absolutely nothing in terms of attorney’s fees.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia’s statute of limitations usually allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t meet that deadline and file your lawsuit too late, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case altogether.
However, note that there are exceptions to this time limit, such as claims involving government entities and minors under 18. The best way to ensure you take timely legal action is to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Call Our College Park Brain Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
Have you suffered a brain injury in College Park, GA? You deserve to have a legal advocate in your corner who fully grasps the magnitude of what you’re going through and has the track record to back up their promises.
Look no further than Rafi Law Firm for help after a brain injury. Contact our College Park brain injury attorneys today to schedule a free case review and take the first step toward justice and compensation.
