New York City Brain Injury Lawyer

Every second counts after a traumatic brain injury shatters your life. The constant headaches, memory problems, and personality changes leave you wondering if you'll ever feel like yourself again. Medical bills pile up while you're unable to work, and family members struggle to adjust to your new limitations. This overwhelming reality wasn't your choice – but now you're living with the consequences of someone else's negligence.

These feelings of frustration, fear, and uncertainty are entirely valid. Brain injuries create a unique kind of suffering that affects every aspect of your daily existence, from basic tasks to your most important relationships.

In New York City, traumatic brain injuries occur at alarming rates, with over 6,000 hospitalizations annually. Whether your injury happened on the FDR Drive, at a Manhattan construction site, or due to medical negligence at NYU Langone, you deserve specialized legal representation.

Without a NYC brain injury lawyer fighting for your rights, insurance companies will offer settlements far below what you truly need for long-term care. Their tactics specifically target vulnerable New Yorkers, knowing you face mounting financial pressure.

For over 30 years, Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm has secured over $800 million for serious injury victims throughout the five boroughs. Our traumatic brain injury attorneys are recognized as "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by National Trial Lawyers and "Best Lawyers In America©" by U.S. News – with specific expertise in New York's complex brain injury cases and litigation.

Every day you wait can weaken your claim.

Call (212) 268-3222 now for your free consultation. We charge nothing unless we win your case.

Our New York traumatic brain injury attorneys serve TBI and head injury victims throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and Greater New York.

What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 138 people die each day from traumatic brain injuries. Approximately 2.5 million people in New York and across the country are affected by traumatic brain injuries each year. In the United States, statistics show the two most common causes of traumatic brain injuries result from falls (32.5%) and traffic accidents (17.3%). Other frequent causes include auto accidents and sports injuries, both of which can lead to significant head trauma.

A traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force impacts the head, causing the brain to impact the skull. Typically, the soft tissue of the brain lies suspended within the skull cavity, surrounded by hard bone, which is designed to protect the soft tissue from injury. However, a hard jolt or a sudden blow to the head can cause the brain to impact against the hard layer of the bone.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, this occurrence is referred to as a closed head injury. Closed head injuries can occur when the head hits the steering wheel or side window of the car during a car accident. A hard impact can cause brain tissue to bruise, bleed, and swell. Open brain injuries can also occur when flying objects in the car penetrate the skull and damage the brain tissue.

A medical professional is required to assess and diagnose traumatic brain injuries, as they can determine the severity and appropriate treatment. Such an injury is considered acquired and is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or birth-related.

Types of Brain Injuries and Diagnosis

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are complex and can vary greatly in severity and impact. They are generally classified into three main categories: mild, moderate, and severe. 

Mild TBI, often referred to as a concussion, is the most common type and may result in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and temporary confusion. While these symptoms can resolve with proper care, even a mild TBI should never be ignored, as it can have lasting effects on brain function.

Moderate to severe TBIs are far more serious and can lead to significant, long-term challenges, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and even permanent disability. 

Severe TBI may result in a loss of consciousness, profound cognitive impairment, or the need for lifelong care.

Diagnosing a brain injury typically involves a thorough physical examination, a detailed review of the injured person’s medical history, and advanced imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs. These diagnostic tools help medical professionals assess the extent of brain tissue damage and determine the best course of treatment.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, more than 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, with hundreds of thousands requiring hospitalization and tens of thousands resulting in death. 

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in New York, a York brain injury attorney at Raphaelson & Levine can help you navigate the complex process of diagnosis, treatment, and legal recovery, ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including a lapse into a coma, can redefine people'’s lives in ways both dramatic and subtle. The severity of the injury to the brain can cause a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe and debilitating. 

TBIs can impact both physical and mental abilities, and may also result in sensory impairments such as changes in vision, hearing, or touch. Also, the signs and symptoms of a brain injury may vary depending on what area of the brain was injured, as well as the extent of the tissue damage. For example, damage to the area of the brain that processes language may make it difficult for the injured victim to read, write, speak, or even understand others.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including a lapse into a coma, can redefine people'’s lives in ways both dramatic and subtle. The severity of the injury to the brain can cause a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe and debilitating. TBIs can impact both physical and mental abilities, and may also result in sensory impairments such as changes in vision, hearing, or touch. 

Also, the signs and symptoms of a brain injury may vary depending on what area of the brain was injured, as well as the extent of the tissue damage. For example, damage to the area of the brain that processes language may make it difficult for the injured victim to read, write, speak, or even understand others.

While some traumatic Brain injuries are acute, not all severe brain and head injuries are immediately evident and sometimes take time to accurately diagnose. It is crucial that people who have been involved in an auto accident know how to identify the signs of a brain injury so that they can receive the medical attention they need.

These symptoms can significantly affect normal functioning, making it challenging for TBI victims to perform daily activities as they did before the injury. In the most severe cases, TBI victims may face lifelong disability and, in some instances, become permanently disabled, unable to return to their previous level of independence.

While some traumatic brain injuries are acute, not all severe brain and head injuries are immediately evident and sometimes take time to accurately diagnose. 

It's crucial that people who have been involved in an auto accident know how to identify the signs of a brain injury so that they can receive the medical attention they need. 

For those who have suffered TBI, seeking prompt help is essential to address both immediate and long-term consequences.

Understanding Common Signs of Brain Injuries

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke common signs of brain injuries include the following:

• Profound Confusion
• Changes To Personality
• Slurred/Difficult to Understand Speech
• Difficulty Focusing/Concentrating
• Memory Problems
• Dramatic Changes In Sleeping Patterns
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Difficulties With Problem-Solving, Concentrating & Planning
• Dizziness, Lightheadedness or Persistent Headaches
• Increased Anxiety & Depression
• Mood Swings
• Trouble Swallowing

These and other symptoms can appear in varying degrees of intensity. Someone who has suffered a TBI may be able to function at near-normal levels, may be unable to work or care for himself or herself, or may have some level of functionality that resides somewhere between those two points.

Our attorneys will work to get to know how your injury has changed your life. Furthermore, people who have moderate to severe brain trauma may experience seizures or convulsions.

Receiving Medical Treatment for Brain Injuries

People that sustain severe head trauma that includes bleeding, open skull injuries, loss of consciousness, and comatose activities are always immediately treated by emergency rooms in hospitals or urgent care centers. 

The medical costs associated with emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment, and rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries can be overwhelming for victims and their families. Many diagnostic tools are available to doctors and neurologists today and are extremely helpful in limiting the permanency of brain injuries if immediately used.

In the hospital setting, a medical professional will use Glasgow coma scores to assess cognitive functioning, which are an indicator of a client’s awareness and potential head injury. 

Cat Scan and Brain MRI are powerful diagnostic tools that a medical professional uses to determine whether there is bleeding on the brain or other acute factors inside the head that may impact the treatment and care following a severe and acute traumatic brain injury. 

If bleeding does exist in the brain, early and immediate detection can allow for an evacuation procedure that will drain the blood and prevent further injury to the head and brain.

Accident victims who sustain an acute and severe brain injury that requires hospitalization for extensive periods of time and surgery are often left with permanent conditions of confusion, disorder, memory loss, disorientation, inability to communicate, and inability to function independently. 

In the most serious cases, a severe brain injury can result in lifelong disability, with individuals becoming permanently disabled and unable to recover their previous level of normal functioning.

Those injuries are permanent and prevent accident victims from ever returning to work and usually require a lifetime of medical treatment and care. The result of these damages has devastating effects on families

Proving Negligence and Liability in Brain Injury Cases

Establishing negligence and liability is a critical step in any brain injury case. To recover compensation, a traumatic brain injury lawyer must demonstrate that another party’s careless or reckless actions directly caused the injury. 

This process involves a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the accident, whether it was a car crash, fall, or another incident.

A successful brain injury claim relies on gathering strong evidence, such as witness statements, comprehensive medical records, and expert testimony. 

Your personal injury attorney must show that the defendant owed a duty of care to the injured person, breached that duty, and that this breach resulted in the traumatic brain injury.

In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including those involving brain injuries, is generally three years from the date of the accident. 

This makes it essential to act quickly and consult with a knowledgeable brain injury attorney at our firm who can build a compelling case and prove liability. 

Severe TBI cases often involve substantial medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages, making it even more important to secure fair compensation for the injured person’s current and future needs.

Recovering Compensation in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

At Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, located in Manhattan, New York, our head injury attorneys have earned numerous recognition for the quality of personal injury representation we provide — including being featured in New York’s Top Verdicts & Settlements and New York’s Top Personal Injury Litigators. 

We're committed to securing full and fair compensation for our clients, ensuring that TBI victims receive the financial recovery they deserve. We have hundreds of brain injury victims and their families recover financial compensation by winning successful brain injury lawsuit verdicts and settlements.

While the appellate division in New York does set limits on the amount of pain and suffering that a person can recover for all types of injuries, traumatic brain injuries can be the most devastating and the courts have upheld jury awards in traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases for extremely large amounts. 

Seeking legal counsel is crucial for TBI victims to navigate the complexities of personal injury claims and to pursue a TBI lawsuit with the help of experienced TBI lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine.

How Much Is My Brain Injury Case Worth?

Many TBI settlements in New York fall in the low six-figure range ($100,000+), but it is not unusual for cases with severe injuries and strong evidence to settle for $1 million or more. 

The value depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, clarity of liability, long-term impact on the victim’s life, and the quality of legal representation.

In New York, brain injury victims can recover compensation for both economic losses and personal suffering. Your settlement may include:

• Medical expenses – hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs
• Lost income – wages, benefits, and reduced earning capacity due to your injury
• Life care planning – comprehensive assessment of your lifetime medical and care needs
• Pain and suffering – compensation for physical and emotional trauma

The cornerstone of maximizing your brain injury settlement is developing a detailed life care plan. We work with medical experts, life care planners, and vocational specialists to document exactly what care you'll need – and what it will cost – for the rest of your life.

This isn't just about your current medical bills. Brain injuries often require decades of ongoing treatment, from cognitive therapy to adaptive equipment to attendant care. Insurance companies know this, which is why they fight so hard to minimize these claims.

We've seen clients whose initial "headache" after a car accident turned into years of memory problems, personality changes, and inability to work. That's why we don't settle quickly or cheaply. Your brain injury case is worth what it takes to secure your future – not just cover today's expenses.

If you're dealing with a traumatic brain injury from someone else's negligence, the financial reality can feel overwhelming. Our NYC brain injury attorneys handle your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Free Consultation & Initial Assessment With A NY Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, taking prompt action is essential. A free consultation with a York brain injury attorney offers an opportunity to discuss your case, understand your legal options, and receive an initial assessment of your potential claim. All at no cost to you.

During this consultation, a brain injury lawyer will review the details of your accident, evaluate the extent of your injuries, and explain the legal process for pursuing compensation. 

This is also your chance to ask questions about our firm's experience with brain injury cases, including those involving mild TBI, severe TBI, or diffuse axonal injury.

By seeking the guidance of a skilled New York brain injury attorney at our firm, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the fair compensation you deserve. 

Your attorney will help you access the medical treatment and rehabilitation you need, while also handling the complexities of your brain injury claim. 

Don’t wait—schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward recovering compensation and rebuilding your life.

Call 212-268-3222 for a free consultation with a skilled New York brain injury lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm.