Lodi Brain Injury Lawyer

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, you generally have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss it, the court will likely dismiss your case.

There are some exceptions. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21, the clock usually waits until a child turns 18, and it can pause for a person whose mental disability keeps them from grasping their legal rights or starting a lawsuit.

A severe TBI may fall under that rule, but courts look closely at the facts, so do not count on extra time. Claims against a town, county or state agency move even faster, with written notice due within 90 days.

Acting quickly makes your case stronger. Crash footage, store video and witness memories are easiest to secure in the first few weeks.

Additional reading: How long after a wreck can you file a claim in New Jersey?

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. Here is what Lodi families should know about the signs, causes and long-term effects.

Signs and symptoms of TBIs

A concussion is a mild TBI, but its effects can still be serious. The CDC notes that some symptoms appear right away, while others may not show up for hours or days.

• Headaches: A headache that gets worse and does not go away is a danger sign that needs emergency care. Report even milder headaches to your doctor.
• Thinking and memory problems: You may have trouble focusing, remembering new information or thinking clearly. Tasks that were easy may now feel slow and draining.
• Physical symptoms: Dizziness, nausea, blurry vision and balance problems are common. Many people also become sensitive to light and noise.
• Sleep changes: Some people sleep far more than usual, while others struggle to fall asleep. Both can slow your recovery.
• Emotional changes: Irritability, sadness, anxiety and mood swings can follow a brain injury. Family members often notice these changes first.
• Loss of consciousness or extreme drowsiness: Passing out, even briefly, is a warning sign. If someone cannot be woken up, call 911.
• Signs in young children: A child may cry and refuse to be comforted after a blow to the head. Refusing to nurse or eat is another danger sign.

Doctors often rate a TBI’s severity with the Glasgow Coma Scale, which scores eye, verbal and motor responses from 3 to 15. A score of 13 to 15 is mild, 9 to 12 is moderate and 3 to 8 is severe.

Additional reading: Everything you need to know about brain injuries

Common causes of traumatic brain injuries

Brain injuries are common in our state. New Jersey estimates that 12,000 to 15,000 people sustain brain injuries from traumatic events each year, and about 1,000 of those injuries are fatal.

• Falls: Falls lead to nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations nationwide. Older adults face the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying from a TBI.
• Car, truck and motorcycle crashes: Motor vehicle crashes are another common cause of TBIs. A sudden stop can jolt the brain inside the skull, even without a direct blow to the head.
• Pedestrian and bike accidents: People on foot or on bikes have little protection when a vehicle hits them. Busy Lodi roads like Route 46 and Main Street put walkers and riders close to traffic.
• Workplace accidents: Falls from ladders and objects dropped from heights cause many on-the-job head injuries. Construction and warehouse workers face the greatest exposure.
• Assaults: Assaults are a common cause of TBIs. Poor security at a bar, apartment complex or parking lot may make the property owner partly responsible.
• Sports and recreation: Collisions and falls in youth and adult sports can cause concussions. Repeated concussions may lead to a longer recovery.

Additional reading: What type of accidents cause blunt force trauma to the head in Lodi, New Jersey?

Complications of a brain injury

Many people recover well from a mild TBI, but a moderate or severe injury can bring problems that last for life. The same state data estimates that about 175,000 New Jersey residents live with disabilities caused by a TBI.

• Lasting thinking problems: Memory loss, slow processing and trouble learning new skills can remain after treatment ends. These changes can make school and work much harder.
• Motor, hearing and vision problems: Weakness, poor coordination and balance problems are common after a serious TBI. Some survivors also have lasting hearing or vision loss.
• Personality and behavior changes: A survivor may become more impulsive, angry or emotional than before. These changes can strain even the closest relationships.
• Seizures: Seizures can develop after a moderate or severe brain injury. Some people need medication to control them for years.
• Depression and anxiety: Mental health problems often follow a brain injury. Treatment can help, but it adds to the cost of recovery.

The long-term numbers are sobering. Five years after a moderate or severe TBI, 57% of people are moderately or severely disabled, and 33% rely on others for help with everyday activities.

How a TBI can impact the life of the injured

A brain injury affects more than health. Work, money and family life can all change at once.

Work is often the first loss. CDC data on that same 5-year window shows that 55% of people who had a job when they were injured no longer have one.

Hypothetical scenario: A warehouse worker in Bergen County suffers a moderate TBI after a fall from a loading dock ladder. Two years later, balance problems keep him from returning to forklift work, so the claim includes the gap between his old pay and the lower-paying job he can now do.

Families feel the change, too. Spouses may become caregivers, children may take on new roles and household budgets can shrink fast.

New Jersey offers help for survivors. The state’s Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, run by the Division of Disability Services, buys supports and services for residents of any age when insurance and other programs fall short.

Under the Fund’s eligibility rules, applicants must have liquid assets of less than $100,000 and can request up to $15,000 a year. The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey also runs a helpline and virtual support groups for survivors and caregivers.