Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer In Melville, NY

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. Whether you suffered a brain injury from a car accident, fall, workplace incident, or another accident in Melville, you face medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. Parker Waichman LLP helps people in Melville and across Long Island recover compensation for traumatic brain injuries. We handle every part of your case so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation at (516) 466-6500.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP For Your Traumatic Brain Injury Case

When you choose Parker Waichman LLP, you work with attorneys who understand catastrophic injuries. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for clients, including substantial settlements in cases involving severe brain damage and life-altering injuries. We handled a $10 million settlement for a family injured in an auto accident that caused brain damage and multiple fractures. We also secured a $4.5 million settlement for a pedestrian who suffered life-changing injuries. These cases required the resources, experience, and dedication that Parker Waichman LLP brings to every client.

We represent clients on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our team includes experienced attorneys, medical experts, and support staff dedicated to building the strongest possible case. We have a convenient office right here in Melville at 201 Old Country Road, Suite 145. This local presence means we understand the specific courts and challenges in Suffolk County. We provide free consultations and explain your rights without pressure or obligation.

What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a blow, bump, or jolt to the head damages the brain. TBIs range from mild to severe. Even a “mild” TBI, such as a concussion, can cause serious long-term problems that affect your thinking, memory, mood, and physical abilities. According to the CDC’s traumatic brain injury statistics, approximately 2.87 million TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occur annually in the United States.

Doctors classify TBIs into several types based on how the injury happens and how much damage occurs:

Closed head injuries happen when you strike your head, but the skull remains intact. These injuries can cause swelling and bleeding inside the brain, even without a visible wound. A car accident or fall commonly causes closed head injuries.

Penetrating injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and damages brain tissue. These injuries are usually obvious and often more immediately severe.

Diffuse axonal injuries damage the brain cells throughout the brain rather than in one spot. These injuries often result from violent shaking or rotation of the head, such as in high-speed vehicle collisions.

Even mild brain injuries deserve attention. Symptoms may appear right after the injury or develop days or weeks later. A concussion, often classified as a mild TBI, can still cause lasting problems with concentration, memory, balance, and mood. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides comprehensive information on TBI diagnosis and treatment options.

How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen In Melville

Traumatic brain injuries happen in many ways. In Melville and across Long Island, certain accidents occur more frequently:

Falls represent the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Slip and fall accidents on wet floors, uneven pavement, or unsecured surfaces happen regularly in homes, businesses, and public spaces. Older adults face particular risk, but people of any age can suffer serious brain injuries from falls. Premises liability claims often arise from these incidents when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions.

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of severe and fatal traumatic brain injuries among adults, accounting for approximately 17-20% of all TBIs according to CDC data. Car accidents, truck collisions, and motorcycle crashes create forces powerful enough to cause brain injuries even in relatively low-speed impacts. Long Island’s busy roads and intersections put drivers and passengers at constant risk.

Workplace and construction accidents injure many Long Island workers. Construction accident injuries, falls from scaffolding, equipment accidents, and struck-by incidents occur on job sites throughout the region. Construction workers and laborers face elevated TBI risk every day. Workers injured on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in addition to personal injury claims.

Pedestrian accidents happen when vehicles strike people on sidewalks and crosswalks. Melville’s mixed commercial and residential areas create situations where pedestrians and vehicles interact, sometimes with tragic results. These incidents often result in catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical care.

Premises liability incidents occur at stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and other properties when owners or managers fail to maintain safe conditions or warn of hazards. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors and customers.

Each accident type requires a different investigation and evidence. Parker Waichman LLP has the experience to handle all these situations.

Symptoms And Long-Term Effects Of TBI

You might not recognize a traumatic brain injury immediately. Some symptoms appear right away, while others develop gradually. Understanding these signs is critical for seeking prompt medical attention.

Immediate symptoms include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Some people lose awareness only briefly, while others remain unconscious for hours or longer. You might feel drowsy, nauseous, or sensitive to light and sound. These early signs require medical attention. If you’ve experienced a car accident or other traumatic event, seek emergency care immediately.

Delayed symptoms often appear days or weeks after the injury. Memory problems might make it difficult to recall recent events or learn new information. Concentration becomes harder. You might struggle to focus at work or follow conversations. Personality and mood changes can strain relationships. Some people become irritable or anxious without obvious cause. Sleep disturbances affect recovery and make symptoms worse.

Physical symptoms persist long-term in many cases. Headaches may return regularly. Balance problems and dizziness interfere with daily activities. Weakness or coordination problems make even simple tasks difficult. Sensitivity to light and noise makes normal environments uncomfortable.

The long-term impact on your life can be substantial. Work capacity decreases if you cannot concentrate or remember instructions. Relationships suffer when mood and personality changes occur. Independence declines if you cannot safely drive or manage daily responsibilities. The emotional toll of these changes creates additional stress and depression.

Medical treatment and rehabilitation often continue for months or years. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation represent just the beginning. Ongoing medical care, specialized medications, and potential future surgeries add to the burden. Many TBI survivors require long-term care and ongoing support.

Compensation Available For Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

New York law allows you to recover compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. In a traumatic brain injury case, recoverable damages include:

In car accident cases, New York’s No-Fault (PIP) insurance typically pays your initial medical bills (up to $50,000) regardless of who caused the crash. To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your TBI must meet the state’s ‘Serious Injury’ threshold (Insurance Law § 5102). A brain injury almost always qualifies, but we ensure this legal standard is proved so you aren’t limited to just basic insurance payouts.

Lost wages compensate you for income you cannot earn while recovering or if your injury prevents you from working in the future. Lost earning capacity applies if the injury reduces your ability to earn in your field. This can represent a significant portion of your total damages.

Pain and suffering damages recognize the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injury. These non-economic damages often exceed medical costs in traumatic brain injury cases because the injuries are so serious.

Rehabilitation and therapy costs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychological counseling necessary for your recovery.

Home care and assistance expenses apply if you need help with daily activities, household tasks, or personal care because of your injury.

Long-term care costs may be recoverable if your injury is severe enough to require ongoing supervision or care.

New York law gives you three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to recover. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact Parker Waichman LLP promptly to protect your rights. Under New York’s statute of limitations, time is of the essence.

How Parker Waichman LLP Handles Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

From the moment you contact Parker Waichman LLP, we take control of your case so you can focus on recovery.

We begin with a thorough investigation. Our team gathers police reports, medical records, accident scene photographs, and witness statements. We preserve evidence before it disappears. We identify all liable parties—the driver who struck you, the property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, or the employer who violated safety rules. In car accident cases, we obtain the police report and analyze liability carefully.

We consult with medical experts who understand traumatic brain injuries. Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuropsychologists review your medical records and examine your condition. They provide expert opinions about the cause of your injury, your prognosis, and the cost of future care. These experts strengthen your case significantly. We work with leading medical professionals to establish the full extent of your injuries.

We document your damages thoroughly. Medical records show the treatment you received and the costs incurred. Our team tracks your lost wages and future earning capacity. We gather evidence of your pain and suffering—testimonies from family members, employment records showing your reduced capacity, and documentation of your ongoing symptoms.

We negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance adjusters try to minimize what they pay. They make early settlement offers that undervalue serious injuries. We counter their tactics with evidence and legal arguments. Most cases settle through negotiation. Our experience with verdicts and settlements demonstrates our ability to secure fair compensation.

If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we prepare for trial. Parker Waichman LLP has the litigation experience necessary to present your case to a jury. We are prepared to fight for you in court.

Throughout your case, we communicate with you regularly. You understand the status of your claim, the strategy we are pursuing, and the decisions ahead. You make the final decisions about settlement or trial, but we provide professional guidance based on our experience with similar cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

How long do I have to file a traumatic brain injury lawsuit in New York?

While New York generally gives you three years to file a lawsuit, if your injury involved a municipal entity (like a public school, the Town of Huntington, or a government vehicle), you generally have only 90 days to file a formal Notice of Claim. Missing this strict deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, even if the three-year window is still open. Two exceptions exist: if you were a minor at the time of injury, the three-year period may extend, and the discovery rule applies in limited circumstances, such as when a foreign object is left in the body during surgery or in toxic exposure cases. Do not delay. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today to protect your rights. For more information, see our guide on New York statute of limitations.

What is the average settlement for a traumatic brain injury case?

Settlement amounts vary widely based on many factors. The severity of your injury, your age, your income level, how much medical care you need, whether you can return to work, and how a jury might view your case all affect settlement value. Parker Waichman LLP has recovered substantial compensation in traumatic brain injury cases—including a $10 million settlement for a family whose members suffered brain damage in a vehicle collision. Each case is unique. We evaluate all the circumstances of your situation to estimate what your claim is worth. View our verdicts and settlements to see examples of cases we’ve handled.

Do I need to go to trial for my TBI case?

Most traumatic brain injury cases settle without going to trial. Settlement allows you to recover compensation faster and with more certainty. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, trial becomes necessary. Parker Waichman LLP prepares every case for trial. We build evidence, consult experts, and develop arguments as if we will present your case to a jury. This thorough preparation often leads insurance companies to settle rather than risk a trial verdict.

How much does it cost to hire Parker Waichman LLP?

You pay nothing upfront to hire Parker Waichman LLP. We represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning we advance all case costs and collect our fee from any recovery we achieve. If we do not recover compensation, you owe us nothing. This arrangement allows people injured by someone else’s negligence to access quality legal representation regardless of their ability to pay upfront.

What evidence do I need for a traumatic brain injury claim?

Multiple types of evidence support traumatic brain injury claims. Medical records document your diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing symptoms. Diagnostic test results—CT scans, MRIs, neuropsychological evaluations—show the injury objectively. Accident reports from police or workplace authorities establish what happened. Witness statements describe how the accident occurred and your condition immediately after. Your own testimony about symptoms and their impact on your life is crucial. Pay stubs and employment records demonstrate lost wages. Testimony from family members and friends establishes changes in your personality, mood, and behavior. Parker Waichman LLP gathers and organizes all evidence needed to build a strong case.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. New York follows a rule called comparative negligence, which allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. You can recover your damages reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and the other party 80% at fault, you recover 80% of your total damages. Parker Waichman LLP has experience handling comparative negligence cases. We argue that the other party bears primary responsibility for your injury.

How long does a traumatic brain injury case take to resolve?

Traumatic brain injury cases typically take one to three years to resolve. The investigation phase usually lasts several months. Settlement negotiations may continue for additional months. If a case goes to trial, the process extends further. The complexity of your injury, the number of defendants, and the insurance company’s willingness to settle all affect the timeline. Parker Waichman LLP works efficiently to resolve your case while taking the time necessary to build the strongest possible claim.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For Your Free Consultation

You deserve compensation for your traumatic brain injury. Do not accept the insurance company’s first offer. Do not navigate the legal system alone. Parker Waichman LLP stands ready to fight for your rights.

Call 800-968-7529 today to schedule a consultation. We serve Melville and all of Long Island. We are available 24/7 to take your call. At your consultation, we answer your questions, explain your rights, and discuss how we can help. You owe nothing for this consultation and nothing if we do not recover compensation for you.

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