Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most severe and life-altering injuries a person can endure, often leaving a profound impact on every aspect of life. These injuries can result in devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences not only for the victim but also for their loved ones. Because of this, retaining a traumatic brain injury lawyer is critical to ensuring that full compensation is received.
The financial burden of a TBI is staggering, with the lifetime cost for medical care, rehabilitation, and associated expenses often ranging into millions of dollars depending on the severity of the injury.[1] These costs don’t account for lost income, diminished earning capacity, or the emotional toll of adapting to life after such a catastrophic event.
As TBI attorneys, we understand the immense challenges faced by traumatic brain injury victims in Fort Collins and throughout Colorado. Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping victims secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. From covering extensive medical expenses to addressing lost wages and future financial security, we are committed to supporting TBI victims and their families every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else, you don’t have to navigate this overwhelming journey alone.
If you are seeking the best TBI lawyer for your case, we invite you to call us at 970-893-8857 to speak with a traumatic brain injury attorney about your case. We provide contingency fee representation and advance all litigation costs and expenses.
At Anzen Legal Group, we will work tirelessly for justice and full and fair compensation for TBI victims and their families,. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation, and let us advocate for you during this difficult time. Together, we’ll pursue the money you need to move forward with your life.
Looking for the Best TBI Lawyer for Your Traumatic Brain Injury Case?
As TBI lawyers, we understand the profound impact that a traumatic brain injury can have. From medical challenges to financial strain and potential lost work opportunities to emotional distress and psychological issues, these injuries demand comprehensive legal and medical support. Here’s why so many individuals and families in Fort Collins and across Colorado trust us to handle their critical cases:
Compassionate, Personalized Representation
You’ll work directly with a TBI lawyer at every step of your case. You deserved personalized attention, and to be able to get your questions answered. We’ll keep you abreast of the status of your case throughout the litigation process.
A Deliberate, Detail-Oriented Approach
In many TBI cases, the defendants and insurance companies will offer undervalued settlements in an effort to avoid paying what they owe. They may even assert that a TBI victim is responsible – in whole or in part – for their injuries.
As TBI attorneys, we challenge these assertions and invest the time and effort to thoroughly prove liability and the full amount owed for the injuries caused. In severe TBI cases, the fair compensation owed sometimes extends into the millions of dollars when the person injured may not be able to work and must cope with significant lifestyle and other matters caused by their TBI.
Our role is to position your cases so that you can receive every penny to which you are owed.
Pursuing Every Source of Accountability
TBIs often result from complex circumstances, and liability isn’t always limited to one party. Whether the injury stems from a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or even a crime, we investigate all potentially liable parties. From property owners to product manufacturers, we leave no avenue unexplored to ensure you receive full compensation.
Advancing the Costs of Building Your Case
TBI cases often require extensive resources, including expert testimony, medical evaluations, and accident reconstructions. At Anzen Legal Group, we advance all litigation costs while your case is ongoing so that you do not need to come out of pocket for these costs. In most cases, these expenses are repaid out of a settlement or jury verdict.
Contingency Fee Representation
We believe finances should never stand in the way of justice in brain injury matters. That’s why we represent those injured on a contingency fee basis. With contingency fee representation, you will not owe us any money while your case is ongoing, as we are only paid out of a settlement or jury award. This fee structure provides additional incentive for us to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Local Experience in Fort Collins and Colorado
As a Fort Collins-based TBI law firm, we have a deep understanding of Colorado’s laws, courts, and local dynamics. This familiarity allows us to navigate the nuances of TBI cases effectively, leveraging our local knowledge to advocate powerfully on your behalf.
We Stand Behind Your Case
At Anzen Legal Group, we’re not just your legal advocates—we’re your partners in navigating this challenging time. We take the time to explain your legal options, help you understand the value of your claim, and empower you to make informed decisions about your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and begin building a strategy to secure the justice and compensation you deserve. In the meantime, explore the FAQs below to learn more about TBIs and your legal options in Colorado.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged due to a sudden impact or force, such as a blow to the head. TBIs vary in severity, ranging from mild concussions that resolve with time to severe brain injuries that result in permanent disabilities or even death. TBI injuries disrupt the brain’s ability to function normally and can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including physical abilities, cognitive functions, and emotional well-being.
Even a seemingly minor TBI can have long-lasting effects, which is why it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after the injury is sustained. Understanding the nature and extent of the injury is also essential for pursuing a legal claim to cover the significant costs associated with treatment and recovery.
How Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused?
Traumatic brain injuries can result from various causes, many of which are preventable. Common causes of TBIs include:
- Car and Motorcycle Accidents: Motorvehicle crashes are a leading cause of TBIs. Sudden impacts, rollovers, and high-speed collisions can all result in significant head injuries. These cases often involve negligent behavior, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence on the part of another driver.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Falls are another major cause of TBIs, particularly among older adults and young children. Unsafe premises, such as wet floors, broken staircases, poor lighting, and icy parking lots often are the direct cause of these injuries.
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports like football, hockey, and boxing are frequent sources of concussions and more severe brain injuries. Schools, coaches, sports organizations, and equipment manufacturers may all be held liable if negligence contributed to the injury.
- Workplace Accidents: Construction sites, factories, and other high-risk workplaces often see head injuries from falling objects, slips, or faulty equipment. Employers may bear responsibility if proper safety protocols were not followed.
- Assaults: Physical violence, including domestic abuse or fights, can result in traumatic brain injuries. In such cases, the assailant may be held legally accountable.
Every situation is unique, and identifying the specific cause of a TBI is critical for determining liability and pursuing appropriate compensation. As TBI lawyers, we fully investigate the cause of TBI injuries to determine who may be legally responsible.
What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain affected. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
In the immediate aftermath of a brain injury, victims typically suffer severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Whenever a person receives a blow to the head or other injury that involves a violent head movement and suffers from any of these conditions, they should immediately seek emergency room treatment and evaluation.
Common symptoms that can also be suffered in the days or weeks after a TBI often include:
- Cognitive Difficulties: Victims may experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion, or impaired decision-making skills.
- Physical Impairments: Persistent headaches, dizziness, nausea, seizures, and coordination problems are frequent physical symptoms of TBIs.
- Sensory Changes: Many TBI victims report changes in vision, hearing loss, sensitivity to light or sound, or an altered sense of taste or smell.
- Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Depression, anxiety, irritability, aggression, and mood swings are common emotional impacts. In severe cases, victims may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions.
These conditions may be either temporary or long-term. Long-term effects can be debilitating, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, and may cause serious lifestyle impacts to not only the person receiving the injury but also to that person’s family.
If you or a loved one has experienced a significant TBI that may have been the result of someone else, we invite you to contact one of our TBI lawyers to learn how we can help.
Who Can Be Liable for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Determining liability for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves identifying the parties whose negligence or actions contributed to the injury. Depending on the circumstances, multiple individuals or entities may share responsibility. Potentially liable parties include:
- Property Owners: Property owners can be liable for TBIs caused by slip-and-fall accidents or other hazards resulting from poorly maintained or unsafe premises.
- Individual Drivers: Drivers who cause accidents through negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, can be held responsible for TBIs sustained in collisions.
- Government Entities: Local or state governments may be liable for poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or other roadway hazards that lead to car accidents causing TBIs.
- Medical Professionals: Doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers can be liable if medical malpractice, such as surgical errors or misdiagnosis, results in a brain injury.
- Manufacturers: Companies that produce defective products, including vehicles, safety equipment, or medical devices, may be held accountable for injuries caused by their products.
- Assailants: Individuals who intentionally harm another person, such as in cases of assault, may be directly liable for resulting brain injuries. In addition, if a person was injured while on someone else’s property – such as if they were assaulted in a bar or parking lot – the property owner or lessee may also be legally liable.
As traumatic brain injury lawyers with years of experience representing those who have been injured by others, we can thoroughly investigate your case in seeking to uncover all potentially liable parties, ensuring that victims pursue compensation from every possible source to cover the extensive costs and losses associated with a TBI.
Can I Recover Compensation for a TBI Sustained at Work?
If you were injured at work, in most instances your ability to recover against your employer will be limited under Colorado’s workers’ compensation laws, which prescribe certain benefits depending upon the extent of your injuries. However, if someone other than your employer was partially or fully at fault for your TBI and any other injuries, workers’ compensation laws do not prevent a lawsuit against those people or entities.
For example, in a construction work site injury, others who may be responsible for injuries often include:
- Other contractors or subcontractors,
- The makers of defective equipment that causes injury, as well as equipment resellers,
- Property owners, especially when the injury is the result of a non-obvious dangerous property condition.
As a result, an injured worker will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and will also be free to bring a lawsuit against third parties other than their employer, and thus compensation for pain and suffering and other types of damages can be recovered.
Importantly, workers’ compensation benefits do not have a separate cause of action for matters such as pain and suffering, which often can be the largest part of an injury claim. Third-party actions (actions against someone other than an employer) are not limited by workers’ compensation restrictions.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover for a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit in Colorado?
A TBI can lead to substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering. Colorado law allows TBI victims to pursue compensation for these and other damages, including:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for past and future medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or prosthetics.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Damages for diminished ability to earn income if the injury prevents the victim from returning to their previous job, career, or any future work.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the injury.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to engage in activities or hobbies that the victim previously enjoyed.
- Loss of Consortium: Damages for the loss of companionship, love, and support experienced by family members in severe TBI cases.
In addition, in some cases, family members may also be entitled to bring a lawsuit for the way that their life has been impacted by a loved one suffering from a severe TBI.
Each case is unique, and the value of these damages depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, the victim’s age, and the impact on their life. As Fort Collins TBI attorneys, we can help you calculate the full extent of your losses and tenaciously seek for you the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Colorado for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Colorado law imposes strict time limits for filing a lawsuit related to a traumatic brain injury. Under the state’s statute of limitations:
- For personal injury claims, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (R.S. § 13-80-102).
- For motor vehicle accident claims, the deadline extends to three years from the date of the crash (R.S. § 13-80-101).
In some instances, the filing deadlines may be extended, such as if it was a minor who was injured or if the injuries were not initially known. Nevertheless, it is important to contact a TBI lawyer as soon as possible, not only so that filing deadlines are not missed, but also so that evidence can be gathered regarding the cause of the injury before such evidence is lost. Thus acting promptly is crucial to protect your claim and preserve critical evidence.
As Colorado TBI lawyers, we are here to take on the full legal representation and management of your case. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation, and get your questions answered.
How Much Is a Traumatic Brain Injury Worth?
The value of a traumatic brain injury depends on multiple factors, including the severity of the injury, the cost of medical care, and the current and future impact on the victim’s quality of life and ability to earn a living. Compensation can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on these circumstances.
Critical factors influencing the worth of a TBI case include:
- Medical and Rehabilitation Costs: The extent of past and future treatment needed significantly affects the value of the case. In some TBI cases, the medical costs may be limited to an overnight hospital visit and one or more post-hospitalization check-ups. In other cases, an extended hospital stay may be required, and numerous rehabilitation visits may be necessary (perhaps extending long into the future).
- Lost Income: Damages for lost wages and diminished earning capacity often constitute a large portion of a TBI claim. TBI cases can range from an injured person missing only a few days of work to being so injured that they can no longer ever work again.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain, suffering, and emotional distress also can greatly influence the total compensation amount. As with lost income, these damages can vary greatly depending upon the severity of the TBI.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The ability to recover in any injury lawsuit will largely hinge upon the financial ability of the defendants (and their insurance company or companies) to pay a settlement or verdict. In addition, if an injured person has their own insurance (such as uninsured/underinsured insurance in the case of a car crash, and/or short and long-term disability insurance), such insurance may also help supplement a shortfall if the defendants (or their insurance companies) are unable to fully pay a settlement or verdict.
At our firm, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can carefully analyze your case and provide you with a realistic idea of the damages that should be sought for your case.
Schedule A Free Consultation and Case Evaluation with a Fort Collins Brain Injury Lawyer and TBI Attorney.
At Anzen Legal Group, we understand the devastating impact a traumatic brain injury can have on you and your family. We are dedicated to fighting for justice and securing the compensation needed to move forward. We offer personalized attention, extensive resources, and a proven track record of success in handling injury cases.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Fort Collins or anywhere in Colorado, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal challenges while you focus on your recovery.
We represent traumatic brain injury victims on a contingency-fee basis and we advance all litigation expenses while a case is ongoing.
[1] The Steep Cost of Brain Injury Recovery – Northwestern Now
