Akron Brain Injury Lawyers

Akron Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S., with thousands of cases reported in Ohio each year. According to the CDC, approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer TBIs annually. In Akron and Summit County, these injuries frequently occur in car and truck accidents, workplace incidents, slip-and-falls, and various other acts of negligence.

What are Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)?

TBIs happen when a sudden blow, jolt, or penetrating injury disrupts normal brain function. This can result in temporary impairments or permanent disabilities, depending on the severity and location of the damage. Symptoms may range from mild concussions to life-threatening brain hemorrhages, requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Types of Akron Brain Injuries

Brain injuries vary in severity and type. Some of the most common TBIs our Akron personal injury lawyers have helped with include:

• Concussions – Often caused by car crashes, falls, or sports injuries, leading to dizziness, confusion, and memory loss.
• Contusions – Brain bruising or bleeding due to direct impact, which may require surgery.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) – Severe brain damage from rapid movement or rotational forces, common in high-speed vehicle accidents.
• Penetrating Brain Injuries – Occur when foreign objects pierce the skull, leading to severe tissue damage.
• Coup-Contrecoup Injury – Damage to both the initial impact site and the opposite side of the brain, often seen in severe falls or car accidents.
• Anoxic Brain Injury – Results from oxygen deprivation, often due to medical malpractice, drowning, or suffocation.
• Hemorrhages & Edema – Uncontrolled bleeding and swelling that increase pressure on the brain, potentially causing fatal complications.

Signs & Symptoms of Brain Injuries

Sometimes a brain injury is not immedietley apparent. But the following symptoms may indicate brain trauma.

• Headaches
• Vomiting or nausea
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Confusion or memory loss
• Drowsiness
• Pupil dilation

Brain injuries, particularly mild concussions, can sometimes go undetected for some time. This creates a higher medical risk and the potential for serious and long-lasting impacts.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Akron

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in many settings. Some of the most common causes in Akron include:

• Car Accidents – Collisions on I-77, Route 8, and West Market Street frequently result in serious head trauma.
• Motorcycle & Bicycle Accidents – Riders are especially vulnerable to head injuries, even with protective gear.
• Truck Accidents – The massive force of a semi-truck collision can cause severe TBIs.
• Pedestrian Accidents – Being struck by a car in Downtown Akron or near The University of Akron often leads to serious brain trauma.
• Slip & Falls – Falls at grocery stores, apartment complexes, or on icy sidewalks are a leading cause of TBIs, particularly among older adults.
• Work Accidents – Construction and industrial workers in Summit County frequently suffer head injuries from falls, falling objects, or machinery malfunctions.
• Medical Malpractice – Brain injuries due to oxygen deprivation, surgical errors, or delayed diagnosis.
• Defective Products – Faulty helmets, airbags, or safety gear may fail to protect users, leading to head injuries.

How Brain Injuries Change Your Life

A brain injury can affect every aspect of a victim’s life, making even simple daily tasks challenging or impossible. Depending on the severity, individuals may experience:

• Physical Disabilities – Loss of coordination, chronic pain, paralysis, or reduced mobility.
• Cognitive Impairment – Memory loss, difficulty focusing, and impaired judgment.
• Emotional & Behavioral Changes – Depression, mood swings, anxiety, and personality shifts.
• Speech & Communication Problems – Difficulty forming words, understanding language, or expressing thoughts.
• Sensory Deficits – Loss of vision, hearing, taste, or smell due to brain damage.

Many TBI victims require long-term medical care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications, leading to overwhelming financial burdens.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Akron, call KNR at (330) 869-9007 for a free consultation today.

The Long-Term Cost of a TBI in Akron

A traumatic brain injury often results in lifelong medical needs and financial burdens. Immediate medical treatment may include emergency care at Summa Health or Cleveland Clinic Akron General, hospitalization, and surgical intervention. However, the long-term costs of a brain injury can be even more overwhelming.

• Rehabilitation – Many victims require physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy to regain lost functions.
• Assistive Devices & Home Modifications – TBI victims may need wheelchairs, communication devices, or accessibility modifications to improve their quality of life.
• In-Home & Long-Term Care – Some victims require around-the-clock medical care, either from family members or professional healthcare aides.
• Lost Income – Many TBI victims are unable to return to work, either temporarily or permanently, leading to significant financial hardship.
• Loss of Earning Capacity – Even if victims can return to work, they may no longer be able to perform at the same level, affecting their long-term financial stability.

According to the CDC, the lifetime costs for severe TBI treatment can exceed $3 million, depending on the victim’s age, severity of the injury, and ongoing medical needs. This makes it essential to secure full and fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and future care.

What Brain Injury Damages are Available?

A personal injury claim, or lawsuit may help you recover from the financial damages and assorted losses after a brain injury. KNR can assist in pursuing compensation for:

• Medical Bills – Hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care expenses.
• Lost Wages & Future Earnings – Compensation for missed work and reduced earning potential.
• Pain & Suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Mental Anguish – Anxiety, depression, and trauma caused by the injury’s impact.
• Disability & Physical Limitations – Compensation for permanent impairments affecting daily life.

Fatal Brain Injury Compensation

If your loved one suffered a fatal brain injury due to an accident in Akron, your family may also be entitled to compensation for:

• Loss of companionship and support – The emotional impact of losing a loved one, including guidance and care.
• Loss of future earnings and benefits – The financial contributions the deceased would have provided.
• Funeral and burial expenses – The costs associated with laying your loved one to rest.
• Emotional suffering for surviving family members – The mental anguish and grief caused by the loss.

An Akron wrongful death claim can help secure financial relief after a fatal TBI while ensuring that negligent parties are held accountable.

Don’t Settle for Less After a Brain Injury

Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts after a traumatic brain injury by:

• Offering quick, lowball settlements that don’t account for long-term medical care, rehabilitation, or in-home support.
• Downplaying the severity of cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments caused by the injury.
• Arguing that the victim was partially responsible for the accident to minimize liability.

Understanding Ohio’s comparative negligence laws is critical—if the insurance company tries to assign partial blame to the victim, it can impact the compensation awarded. Seeking legal guidance ensures that you are not unfairly pressured into accepting less than you deserve.

More About Lowball Settlements

The Role of TBI Expert Witnesses in Your Case

Proving the severity of a brain injury and its impact on your life often requires expert testimony. KNR works with:

• Medical Experts – Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and rehabilitation specialists who can explain the extent of your injury and long-term prognosis.
• Economic Experts – Professionals who assess the financial impact of lost wages and future medical costs.
• Life Care Planners – Specialists who determine your long-term care needs and necessary accommodations.
• Vocational Experts – Professionals who assess whether you can return to work and what job modifications may be required.

These expert witnesses play a crucial role in establishing the full impact of your TBI and securing the maximum compensation available.

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How KNR Helps After a Brain Injury

With decades of experience handling complex brain injury cases, KNR provides dedicated legal support for victims and their families in Akron and Summit County.

Our Brain Injury Legal Team Will

• Investigate Your Head Injury – We collect medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony to determine who is responsible.
• Handle All Legal Aspects – From filing insurance claims to negotiating settlements, we manage the legal process so you can focus on healing.
• Work with Medical Experts – Our team consults neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to document the full extent of your injuries.
• Fight for Max Compensation – We aggressively pursue damages for medical expenses, lost income, future care, and pain and suffering.
• Represent You in Court – If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to fight for what you deserve.

Akron Brain Injury FAQs