Brain Injuries & Head Trauma

Every year, thousands of Canadians sustain a brain injury, and over ten thousand victims die because of trauma to their brains. Brain injuries may take the form of many different symptoms that have a profound effect on an injured victim’s life. Contact our brain injury lawyers today and schedule a free consultation.

A brain injury is not always visible from the outside, but the impact of an injury to the brain can be immediate, delayed, and life-changing. Many people try to “push through” an injury after a collision or fall, only to realize days later that their brain is not working the way it did before the injury.

If you are in Ontario and you suspect a brain injury after an accident, getting medical care and legal guidance early can protect your health and your rights.

At Bernstein Law Group, our law firm approaches every injury with care and seriousness, especially when the injury involves the brain. Brain injuries can affect memory, balance, mood, communication, and the ability to work.

When you are dealing with a brain injury, paperwork, deadlines, and questions from insurance companies can feel overwhelming. That is why speaking with a lawyer early and booking a consultation can make the process clearer.

Brain Injuries Can Have Lifelong Effects

Not every brain injury looks the same. Some brain injuries are diagnosed as a concussion, while other brain injuries are classified as traumatic brain injuries that require intensive treatment and long-term support.

In legal terms, your injury history, your symptoms, and your recovery plan can matter in a personal injury case. If you suffer a brain injury, or if a loved one has suffered a brain injury, do not assume the injury will “just go away.”

It is wise to document the brain injury, follow medical advice, and obtain legal advice from a lawyer who understands brain injuries and injury claims.

Why Brain Injuries Are Often Missed After an Accident

After a car accident, slip and fall, or other serious incident, it is common for an injured person to focus on obvious pain, such as a fracture, a deep cut, or a back injury. A brain injury may be harder to recognize because the brain can be affected without a visible wound. In some cases, an injured person feels “fine” at first, then experiences symptoms later.

This is one reason brain injuries can be misunderstood by friends, employers, and even insurance companies. A careful medical assessment can help confirm whether the brain has been injured and whether the injury is consistent with the accident.

Mild Symptoms Can Still Signal a Serious Injury

Some brain injuries start with subtle symptoms, but the injury can still interfere with daily life. A brain injury can affect concentration at work, safe driving after a car accident, and even normal conversations at home.

Traumatic brain injuries can also lead to fatigue, confusion, and emotional changes that strain relationships. For many families, the most difficult part of a brain injury is that the person looks the same, but the brain is working differently after the injury.

• Dizziness
• Double/blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Mood swings
• Headaches/nausea
• Memory loss
• Difficulty thinking clearly/concentrating
• Speech and communication troubles

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can happen in many ways, but the most common cause we see in a personal injury context is a motor vehicle collision. A car accident can cause the brain to move inside the skull, even if there is no direct impact. Brain injuries can also occur after a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, a fall in a store, or a fall due to poor maintenance on private property.

In higher-impact events, brain injuries may occur alongside other catastrophic injuries, such as a spinal cord injury, fractures, or significant soft tissue injury. Regardless of the cause, a brain injury deserves serious attention.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries and TBI

Traumatic brain injuries are often referred to as “TBI” in medical notes and rehabilitation records. A TBI can include a concussion, but it can also include more complex brain trauma that affects cognitive function, personality, balance, and executive decision-making.

Traumatic brain injuries may require a long period of recovery, and some brain injuries can result in permanent limitations. In some cases, a person may also experience an acquired brain injury from events such as oxygen loss or other non-collision causes.

When an acquired brain injury is part of the injury picture, the medical history and the timing of symptoms are especially important. In an injury claim, the details matter, and a lawyer can help you organize the evidence.

The good news is that the medical society at large is making significant strides towards improving treatment methods and services. The effects of a brain injury may not be immediate, and oftentimes, victims may not exhibit obvious symptoms even though they are suffering from a brain injury.

Early medical treatment is highly recommended, and the lawyers at Bernstein Law Group are here to help you connect with the health practitioners necessary for your optimal recovery.

What to Do After a Brain Injury

If you suspect a brain injury, prioritize your health and follow the direction of your healthcare providers. A brain injury can worsen when it is ignored, and returning to work or sport too early can complicate recovery.

From a legal perspective, the steps you take after an injury can also affect your brain injury case. Keep copies of discharge instructions, follow-up appointments, and referrals.

Track symptoms, because brain injuries often change over time. This kind of documentation can be helpful in both medical care and in a personal injury claim.

Building Evidence in a Brain Injury Case

A brain injury case often turns on details that are easy to overlook when you are injured and trying to heal. Evidence can include ambulance records, emergency department notes, imaging results when appropriate, family doctor notes, specialist assessments, and rehabilitation plans.

It can also include practical evidence such as missed work, reduced ability to perform tasks, and changes that family members observe after the injury. In many brain injuries, the symptoms are real even when tests are normal. That is why consistent documentation, credible reporting, and professional assessments are so important.

How a Lawyer Can Help With the Insurance Process

Many injured people have never dealt with injury paperwork before. The process can involve forms, appointments, and repeated questions about the injury and the brain symptoms.

A lawyer can help you understand what information matters, what deadlines apply, and how to avoid common mistakes. Insurance companies may request statements or documents that can feel intrusive, especially when you are dealing with a brain injury and are not thinking clearly.

Having a lawyer can reduce stress and help keep the injury claim on track.

Damages and Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim

The goal in a personal injury matter is to pursue fair compensation for the losses caused by the injury. In a brain injury claim, this may include the cost of treatment, rehabilitation, medications, and future care needs.

It may also include loss of income and loss of earning capacity if the brain injury affects the ability to work. In serious cases involving traumatic brain injuries, the impact can extend to family support, home assistance, and long-term planning.

Where the law allows, damages may also include pain and suffering. Every injury is different, and the value of an injury claim depends on the evidence, the medical outlook, and the real effect of the brain injury on daily life.

When to Speak With a Brain Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a brain injury or if a loved one has suffered a brain injury, speaking with a brain injury lawyer early can help you understand your options. A consultation can also help you understand whether your situation fits within personal injury law and what steps should be taken next.

The earlier you obtain guidance, the easier it is to collect accurate records and protect important evidence. In Ontario, these cases can be complex, and early support from a lawyer can make the process more manageable. If you need a free consultation, our law firm is available to review the facts and explain the next steps in plain language.

When someone sustains a brain injury of which another party is responsible, the victim can file a claim for damages. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, contact a lawyer to speak about your case. If there is adequate evidence, we may be able to help you obtain a generous settlement to get you on the road to recovery and compensate you for your losses.

Bernstein Law Group represents injured clients across Southern Ontario, including Milton, Oakville, Dundas, Brantford, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Ancaster, and Cayuga. If you need a traumatic brain injury lawyer, or you are unsure whether your injury symptoms point to a TBI, book a consultation and let our personal injury lawyer team review your brain injury case.