Brain injuries transform lives in ways that defy simple explanation. What begins as a moment of impact—a car crash, fall, or workplace accident—evolves into years of rehabilitation, cognitive struggles, and profound changes to personality and abilities. Your family may be watching you struggle with tasks that once came naturally, while medical professionals use terms like "mild TBI" that feel anything but mild. The financial pressure compounds daily as specialized treatments, therapies, and long-term care needs mount. Fields Injury Law recognizes that brain injury cases require deep understanding of both complex medical evidence and the human cost these injuries inflict on Minnesota families.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) present unique legal challenges beyond typical personal injury claims. Insurance companies may dispute the extent of cognitive impairments, arguing that "invisible" symptoms lack validity. Meanwhile, families navigate overwhelming medical decisions while trying to secure financial stability for an uncertain future. At Fields Injury Law, we work with neurological experts and life care planners to document the full scope of brain injuries, helping families pursue compensation that addresses both current struggles and future needs.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota's six-year statute of limitations (Minn. Stat. § 541.05) applies to brain injury claims, though early action may help preserve crucial medical evidence
- Brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe TBI, each requiring different medical documentation and legal approaches
- Compensation may address medical costs, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, cognitive therapy, and necessary life adjustments
- Insurance companies frequently challenge brain injury claims due to the subjective nature of many symptoms
- Fields Injury Law collaborates with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists to build comprehensive cases
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries in Legal Context
Brain injuries occupy a unique space in personal injury law due to their complex presentation and long-term effects. Unlike observable injuries, brain trauma often manifests through cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that develop over time.
Types and Classifications of Brain Injuries
Medical professionals classify brain injuries along a spectrum from mild to severe, though these labels often fail to capture the real impact on victims' lives. Mild traumatic brain injuries, commonly called concussions, may cause persistent headaches, memory problems, and personality changes lasting months or years. Moderate TBI often results in extended loss of consciousness and permanent cognitive deficits. Severe brain injuries may lead to coma, permanent disability, or the need for lifetime care.
The mechanism of injury also affects legal claims. Closed head injuries from blunt force trauma present differently than penetrating injuries. Diffuse axonal injuries, which impact transmission of electrical impulse from the brain, resulting from violent shaking or rotation may show minimal initial symptoms but cause devastating long-term effects. Fields Injury Law works with medical experts who understand these distinctions and can explain them clearly to insurance companies and juries.
Mark and his team gave excellent guidance throughout my whole ordeal as kept me in loop throughout all my proceedings and successfully won my case I would recommend fields law firm to all close friends and family because of professional and kind manner they carry themselves
Google Review
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Minnesota
Brain injuries result from various accidents and incidents throughout Minnesota. Understanding the cause helps establish liability and identify all potentially responsible parties for comprehensive recovery efforts.
Leading Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Motor vehicle accidents remain the primary cause of traumatic brain injuries in Minnesota. The forces involved in high-speed collisions, particularly when vehicles roll or occupants strike interior surfaces, may cause both blunt force injuries and acceleration-deceleration trauma. Even accidents without direct head contact may cause brain injuries through violent motion alone.
Falls represent another significant source of brain injuries, particularly among construction workers and elderly individuals. Minnesota's icy winters increase fall risks, while workplace safety violations contribute to preventable injuries. Sports and recreational activities, assaults, and defective products also cause brain injuries that might benefit from legal intervention.
The Hidden Costs of Brain Injuries
Brain injury expenses extend far beyond initial emergency treatment. Families often discover the true financial impact months or years after the injury, as ongoing needs become apparent and insurance coverage reaches its limits.
Comprehensive Financial Impact
The economic burden of brain injuries encompasses immediate medical needs and long-term life adjustments. Initial hospitalization, including emergency surgery and intensive care, may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, these acute care expenses represent only the beginning of financial challenges. Ongoing costs associated with brain injuries typically include:
- Rehabilitation programs, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Neuropsychological testing and cognitive rehabilitation services
- Medications for seizures, mood changes, and pain management
- Home modifications for safety and accessibility needs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity over a lifetime
Beyond direct costs, families often face indirect expenses like travel to specialized treatment centers, family counseling, and caregiving needs. Fields Injury Law works with life care planners and economic experts to project these future costs accurately, working to document losses so any compensation pursued accounts for decades of potential expenses.
Hear From Our Clients
Challenges in Brain Injury Cases
Brain injury claims face unique obstacles that require focused legal strategies. Insurance companies may exploit the invisible nature (and cause) of many symptoms to minimize or deny legitimate claims.
Overcoming Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance adjusters often argue that mild brain injuries heal completely within weeks, ignoring extensive medical literature documenting long-term effects. They may claim that psychological symptoms stem from pre-existing conditions rather than the injury. Insurance company doctors frequently minimize symptoms or attribute them to other causes.
Successfully pursuing brain injury claims requires comprehensive medical documentation and expert analysis. Neuropsychological testing provides objective evidence of cognitive deficits. Functional capacity evaluations demonstrate practical limitations. Brain imaging, though not always useful in mild TBI cases, may show structural changes supporting the diagnosis. Fields Injury Law coordinates this complex evidence gathering, presenting clear narratives that connect injuries to their life-altering consequences.
Building Your Brain Injury Case
Strong brain injury cases rest on thorough documentation beginning immediately after the injury. Early medical attention creates crucial records, even when symptoms seem mild initially.
Essential Evidence and Documentation
Documenting brain injuries requires attention to both medical evidence and functional impacts on daily life. Emergency room records establish the initial injury and early symptoms. Follow-up care with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists tracks recovery progress and persistent deficits. However, medical records alone rarely capture the full picture of how brain injuries affect victims' lives. Comprehensive case building also involves:
- Detailed symptom journals tracking headaches, memory issues, and mood changes
- Statements from family members describing personality or behavioral changes
- Employment records showing declining performance or inability to work
- School records for children demonstrating academic struggles post-injury
- Expert testimony explaining the connection between injury and ongoing symptoms
This multi-faceted approach helps overcome insurance company skepticism and demonstrates the genuine impact of brain injuries. Fields Injury Law guides families through this documentation process while connecting them with appropriate medical specialists.
FAQ for Minnesota Brain Injury / TBI Lawyer
How long after a head injury can symptoms appear?
Brain injury symptoms may emerge immediately or develop over days, weeks, or even months. Post-concussion syndrome can cause delayed symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and cognitive problems. Minnesota's six-year statute of limitations (Minn. Stat. § 541.05) generally provides time for symptoms to manifest, though documenting the connection to the original injury becomes more challenging over time. In some cases, Minnesota law may toll (pause) the statute of limitations if a person is legally incapacitated after the injury. An attorney can evaluate whether this applies to your situation.
What if doctors initially said the brain injury was "mild"?
The term "mild" TBI refers only to initial presentation, not long-term effects. Many victims with mild TBI diagnoses experience persistent symptoms that significantly impact their lives. Fields Injury Law works with specialists who understand that even "mild" brain injuries can cause permanent changes that warrant substantial compensation.
How do you prove invisible symptoms like memory loss or personality changes?
Documenting invisible symptoms requires multiple approaches. Neuropsychological testing provides objective measures of cognitive function. Testimony from family, friends, and coworkers establishes behavioral changes. Functional capacity evaluations demonstrate practical limitations. We coordinate these various forms of evidence to create comprehensive proof of injury impacts.
Can I pursue a claim if I didn't lose consciousness?
Yes, loss of consciousness is not required for valid brain injury claims. Many serious brain injuries occur without loss of consciousness. Symptoms like confusion, memory gaps, or "seeing stars" indicate potential brain trauma requiring medical evaluation and possible legal action.
Brain Injury Resources
Protecting Your Future After Brain Injury
Brain injuries create uncertainty that extends far beyond physical healing. Cognitive changes, emotional struggles, and financial pressures combine to challenge every aspect of life. Fields Injury Law brings specialized knowledge and genuine compassion to help Minnesota brain injury victims navigate this difficult journey. We understand the lasting effects of TBI and help clients pursue compensation that reflects their long-term needs.
Don't face the insurance companies alone while managing your recovery. Contact Fields Injury Law at (612) 206-3495 for a free consultation. Available 24/7 throughout Minnesota, we're ready to review your case and explain how we can help protect your family's future after brain injury.
