For nearly 70 years, Munley Law’s Bethlehem brain injury lawyers have ensured that Pennsylvanians who’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury do not need to seek justice alone. Thanks to our efforts, those responsible have been held accountable for their negligence, and many victims have received multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
All our partners have AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, and all our attorneys have been honored by Best Lawyers. We’ve also been recognized and honored by Super Lawyers, the Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates Forum/Million-Dollar Advocates Forum, the International Society of Barristers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and other prestigious institutions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, a birth injury, a sporting accident, a workplace accident, or another event that led to severe head trauma, let our personal injury attorneys bear the legal burden on your behalf. Contact Munley Law’s brain injury lawyers in Bethlehem, PA, today to schedule a free consultation.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be the result of various injuries that typically involve a blow to the head in penetrating (entering the skull/open) or non-penetrating (skull surface/closed) damage. When physical forced trauma is imposed on the head, chemical and energy shifts occur in the brain. This often makes the victims experience various symptoms, which, according to Cleveland Clinic, can include:
- Behavioral or mood changes, depression
- Confusion or memory failure
- Convulsions or seizures
- Vision impairment
- Dizziness, faintness, or fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Restlessness or agitation
- Light sensitivity
- Smell sensitivity
- Slurred speech, trouble finding words
- Excessive or not enough sleep
A TBI can have a profound effect on a person’s life, impacting virtually every aspect. Turn to Munley Law. We’ll listen to your story, treat you with respect, and do what we can to ensure those responsible for your or your loved one’s brain injury are brought to justice.
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Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Are the Leading Causes of TBIs?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are a leading cause of disability death in the U.S. There were more than 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the US in 2021, which was around 190 deaths per day. Half of all TBIs result from a fall; the injured are typically senior adults over 65 years old, or adolescents 17 years old and younger. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reported that adults aged 65 and older are at the greatest risk of being hospitalized and dying from TBI. Common circumstances leading to TBI injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Domestic violence, assault & shaken baby syndrome
- Sports or recreational injuries
- Work injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Gunshot wounds
- Military actions
How Do I Know If I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The TBI symptoms cited above are a good place to start; however, if you or a loved one feels vulnerable after a head injury, it is critical that you see your healthcare provider — brain injuries are difficult to diagnose at a glance and can worsen and cause long-term damage. Assessments typically include:
- Neurological evaluation of your memory, balance, reflexes, coordination, vision & hearing
- Imaging brain scans to determine if there is internal bleeding or bruising/swelling
- The Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator (BTI) blood test can detect proteins that are present when there is a TBI or mild head trauma
There are different types of brain injuries that TBI victims can be evaluated for. These include:
- Penetrating (open) injury: Involves a fracture or breaks in the skull, often against the ground or by a foreign object.
- Concussion (Mild, grade 1; Moderate, grade 2; Severe, grade 3): Is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or to the body, which causes the head to move back and forth.
- Hemorrhage (closed) injury: Requires immediate medical attention and results in bleeding and swelling in the brain after an artery in the brain has burst.
If you suspect you or a loved one has a TBI, it’s vitally important that you or they are examined by a medical professional. In addition to protecting your health and well-being, your visit will result in medical records that can help strengthen your case.
“Munley Law is far more than just a law firm. We’re a family of attorneys who truly understand the meaning of family and bring deep compassion to every client we serve.”
J. Christopher Munley
How Can a TBI Affect My Everyday Life?
“Unlike bones or muscle tissue, the neurons in the brain do not mend themselves. New nerves do not grow in ways that lead to full recovery. In fact, certain areas of the brain remain damaged, and the functions that were controlled by those areas may be disrupted and lead to challenges in the individual’s life (The Brain Injury Association of America, 2023).”
That said, there are long-term solutions, therapies, and treatments to promote recovery. TBI victims can have a full recovery, depending on the degree of damage and on how much effort they put into their rehabilitation. The CDC found that those who have mild to severe TBI, even after 5 years of its onset and therapy:
- 57% are moderately or severely disabled.
- 55% do not have a job (but were employed at the time of their injury).
- 50% return to a hospital at least once.
- 33% rely on others for help with everyday activities.
- 29% are not satisfied with life.
- 29% use illicit drugs or misuse alcohol.
- 12% reside in nursing homes or other institutions.
If you or a loved one has endured a traumatic brain injury from someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation to ensure that proper care is achieved and to re-establish a healthy quality of life. TBI cases are complex, and it is in your best interest to consult an experienced Bethlehem brain injury lawyer.
Our head injury lawyers will allow you to focus on your own recovery or the care of an injured loved one who was hurt by the negligence of another.
What Evidence Do I Need For My Brain Injury Case?
Document all doctor visits, prescriptions, and missed time from work, as well as any witness statements that are available. If the insurance company should call after the accident, remember that you do not have to speak with the adjuster; if you do talk, keep statements brief and state that you do not consent to be on a recorded line. Do not describe your injuries, medical treatments, or anything other than basic, identifying information. Documentation that you can collect includes:
- Medical images (CT scans, MRI scans, x-rays, etc.)
- Brain mapping or diagrams to show brain injury occurred
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring to document swelling in the brain
- Diagnostic tests for mental/physical function, cognitive ability, information processing skills, speech control, motor skills, etc.
- Witness testimony
- Medical expert testimony
- Testimony from those who knew you or your loved one before AND after the event to illustrate how the brain injury has impacted the victim’s life
- Testimony from mental health experts
This documentation can be critical, as traumatic brain injuries may not be immediately apparent; testing is critical here.
How Can a Bethlehem Head Injury Lawyer Help?
There are two main ways a Bethlehem brain injury lawyer can help you. One way is to hold those responsible for your or your loved one’s TBI accountable for their negligence. The other is to pursue fair compensation on your behalf. To recover damages and compensation due to someone else’s negligence, negligence must be proven:
- Duty: Prove that the defendant owed you the duty of care not to be harmed
- Breach: Demonstrate defendant failed to execute their duty of care
- Causation: Prove that the defendant’s failure to execute their duty of care is why you were injured
- Suffering: The victim was injured and suffered damages
As the injury may be a result of medical negligence, product liability, or a personal injury event like a car accident, understanding brain injury laws is of the utmost importance. Evidence from these cases can disappear quickly, but your Bethlehem brain injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can manage discovery, secure evidence, and collect data to help to secure your compensation efforts. Contact us as soon as possible, as Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) allows you only two years from the date of injury to file a claim.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Brain Injury Lawyer in Bethlehem, PA?
Having helped injured Pennsylvanians seek justice and obtain compensation for their losses for almost 7 decades, Munley Law has become the go-to law firm for personal injury cases, including TBIs, in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Best Lawyers named Marion Munley Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. Daniel Munley was also named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, and J. Christopher Munley was named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation.
In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named Caroline Munley to the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania list, Mackenzie Wilson to the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys in Pennsylvania list, and all our partners to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania list. Daniel won Martindale-Hubbell’s Platinum Client Champion Award, and Caroline the Silver Client Champion Award. The respected directory has also given all our partners AV Preeminent ratings, which is its highest rating. Super Lawyers named Marion to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania for the past three years. She has also been named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Marion, Daniel, J. Christopher, and John Mulcahey are all board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Among our client victories are:
- $8.7 million settlement/jury verdict for a family who suffered brain and other injuries in a truck accident
- $3.75 million settlement for a man who was struck by two tractor-trailers in an accident that left him with serious injuries, including a TBI
- $2.8 million settlement for a woman who suffered a brain injury when she was struck by a commercial work truck in a mall parking lot
Munley Law began as a family law firm, and to us, you’re not a client – you’re family. If we accept your case, we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice and fair compensation for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bethlehem Brain Injury Lawyers
How Serious is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can range from mild to life-altering, although even so-called ‘mild’ TBIs can cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Symptoms might not appear immediately and can worsen over time without proper treatment. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI, it’s vitally important to get medical care and legal guidance as soon as possible.
Do I Have a Brain Injury Case if My Symptoms Appeared Days or Weeks After the Incident?
You may have a brain injury case if your symptoms appeared days or weeks after the injury. It’s very common for TBI symptoms to develop gradually, especially in cases involving concussions or closed-head injuries. Delayed symptoms do not weaken your claim, but medical documentation linking the injury to the incident is essential.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Bethlehem Brain Injury Lawsuit?
The compensation you can recover in a Bethlehem brain injury lawsuit may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and reduced earning capacity (economic damages), as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life (non-economic damages). In severe cases, damages may also include future medical treatment and long-term care needs. An experienced Bethlehem brain injury lawyer can assess the full value of your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), Pennsylvania law generally gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a traumatic brain injury claim in the Keystone State. If you miss this deadline, you could waive your right to pursue compensation. This is why it’s important to speak to a Munley Law brain injury lawyer in Bethlehem as soon as possible.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Handle a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim?
While you are not required to have a lawyer to handle a traumatic brain injury claim, TBI cases are complex and often heavily disputed by insurance companies. A skilled lawyer can gather medical evidence, work with experts, and negotiate or litigate to pursue full compensation. This allows you to focus on recovery while your legal team handles the case.
Entrust Your Case to Munley Law’s Bethlehem Brain Injury Lawyers
TBI cases can be difficult to prove on your own, which is why it is important to hire a traumatic brain injury attorney who has not only the legal claim experience but also the trial experience to bring forth a traumatic brain injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. The Bethlehem brain injury team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has the reputation, successful track record, knowledge, and expertise to get you all the compensation that you deserve.
Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys now by phone, filling out a contact form, or chatting online now for a no-obligation, free consultation.
J. Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation by Best Lawyers, and has been listed on Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2013.
