Valparaiso Brain Injury Attorneys
A brain injury can change a person’s life in a matter of seconds. Whether caused by a car crash, a fall, or a medical mistake, trauma to the brain affects everything: how you think, feel, move, and interact with the world. For victims and families in Porter County, these injuries often come with staggering emotional and financial consequences.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we understand the unique challenges that follow a brain injury. Since 1988, we’ve represented injured individuals in Northwest Indiana with compassion and determination. Our Valparaiso brain injury attorneys bring more than 75 years of combined experience and a deep commitment to helping clients rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), birth-related brain damage, or any other brain trauma due to negligence, we’re here to fight for justice and secure the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most complex and serious forms of trauma a person can endure. At their core, brain injuries disrupt the way the brain sends and receives signals, which can lead to changes in memory, movement, mood, and cognition. These injuries are generally categorized as either traumatic or acquired:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by an external force, such as a fall, vehicle collision, or blow to the head, causing the brain to move within the skull or strike the inner walls. TBIs can be either “open” (where the skull is fractured or penetrated) or “closed” (internal damage without visible external wounds).
- Acquired brain injuries (ABIs), on the other hand, may occur without any external trauma. These injuries are often the result of medical negligence, birth injury, or other types of oxygen deprivation.
TBIs are further classified by severity: mild, moderate, or severe. A concussion is considered a mild TBI, but it can still result in long-lasting symptoms. Severe TBIs may result in loss of consciousness for extended periods, permanent disability, or even death. Regardless of classification, every brain injury should be treated seriously and thoroughly evaluated by medical professionals.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can happen in a wide variety of settings, often with little to no warning. In Valparaiso, IN, the most frequent causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, and medical errors, many of which stem from preventable negligence.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents as well as collisions involving large trucks or high-speed impacts, can cause the head to whip forward violently or strike hard surfaces, leading to concussions or more severe TBIs. These types of injuries are also common in motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls, particularly among older adults and children, are another major cause. A fall from a ladder, down a staircase, or on an icy sidewalk can result in a blow to the head with lasting neurological consequences.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is also responsible for many acquired brain injuries. When a doctor fails to monitor oxygen levels during surgery, delays diagnosis of a stroke, or mismanages medication, the resulting lack of oxygen or blood flow can cause irreversible brain damage.
Birth injuries, such as those caused by improper use of forceps or a failure to perform a timely cesarean section, can leave newborns with permanent brain damage like cerebral palsy.
Other Causes of TBI
Other causes include workplace accidents (particularly in industrial settings), sports injuries, and violent assaults. No matter the cause, if someone else’s negligence contributed to the injury, Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. is prepared to hold them accountable.
Types of Brain Injuries We Handle
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our Valparaiso brain injury attorneys represent clients facing a broad spectrum of brain injuries, from relatively mild concussions to catastrophic trauma. Each type of injury presents unique challenges and requires a tailored legal and medical approach.
Concussions
Concussions are the most common type of TBI, typically caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Though often labeled “mild,” concussions can cause lingering cognitive, emotional, and sensory issues.
Brain Contusions
Contusions, or bruises on the brain, may result from direct impact and can lead to swelling or bleeding, sometimes requiring surgical intervention.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Diffuse axonal injuries occur when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, shearing connections between brain cells. These are often caused by high-speed car crashes or serious falls and can result in coma or permanent disability.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
Coup-contrecoup injuries involve damage at both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain due to the brain rebounding inside the skull. These injuries can cause widespread impairment and require long-term rehabilitation.
Penetrating Head Injuries
Penetrating injuries, such as those caused by bullets or debris, carry a high risk of infection, bleeding, and permanent cognitive damage.
Oxygen Deprivation Injuries
Anoxic and hypoxic injuries happen when the brain is deprived of oxygen. This often results from medical negligence, such as anesthesia errors or birth complications. These injuries may lead to lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities.
Each case is unique, and we work with neurologists, radiologists, and cognitive therapists to ensure your injury is accurately diagnosed and fairly valued.
Symptoms and Long-Term Effects
The effects of a brain injury are often far-reaching and unpredictable. While some symptoms appear immediately, others may not emerge for days or weeks after the incident. This delay can make brain injuries more challenging to diagnose and treat promptly.
Physical symptoms may include chronic headaches, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, coordination issues, and seizures. Victims often find themselves exhausted by simple activities that were once routine.
Cognitive symptoms are equally disruptive. Memory lapses, trouble concentrating, difficulty processing information, and impaired decision-making can interfere with everything from daily chores to full-time employment. Some individuals struggle to read, speak, or perform basic math after a TBI.
Emotional and psychological symptoms are frequently overlooked but deeply impactful. Brain injury victims may suffer from depression, anxiety, personality changes, irritability, or emotional outbursts. Loved ones often describe these changes as “not recognizing the same person anymore.”
These impairments can dramatically alter a person’s relationships, independence, and self-worth. That’s why Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. takes a comprehensive approach to every case, working with psychologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation experts to ensure our clients’ full spectrum of symptoms is recognized and compensated.
Proving a Brain Injury Claim
Establishing a strong brain injury case requires more than just a diagnosis. Brain trauma is often called an “invisible injury” because its effects don’t always show up on standard tests or outward appearances. That’s why building a compelling claim takes thorough documentation, expert analysis, and experienced legal guidance.
The Valparaiso brain injury lawyers at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. begin by gathering all available medical evidence. This includes emergency room records, MRIs, CT scans, and neuropsychological evaluations. We also obtain opinions from neurologists and treating specialists who can explain how the injury affects daily life and long-term function.
In addition to medical records, we work closely with family members, coworkers, and friends to collect testimony about how the injury has changed the victim’s behavior, mood, memory, and capacity to perform everyday tasks. These insights help paint a full picture of how the injury affects quality of life.
Expert witnesses, such as life care planners, vocational experts, and forensic economists, are often critical in estimating future costs, loss of earnings, and ongoing care needs. With this layered approach, we build persuasive claims that go far beyond surface-level medical findings, giving our clients the best possible chance at meaningful compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Brain Injury Case?
Determining liability in a brain injury case often involves careful investigation and a deep understanding of Indiana personal injury law. Unlike straightforward accidents, brain injuries can result from a wide range of incidents, each with its own web of potentially responsible parties.
In car and truck accidents, the at-fault driver is typically liable; however, there may be additional parties, such as trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, or municipalities that failed to maintain safe road conditions. Commercial trucking cases are especially complicated. Theodoros & Rooth leverages its attorneys’ unique training in large vehicle operations to identify all contributing factors.
In slip-and-fall or premises liability cases, property owners, business operators, or maintenance companies may be liable for failing to address known hazards or provide proper warnings.
In medical malpractice cases, hospitals, doctors, anesthesiologists, and other providers can be held accountable for mistakes that lead to oxygen deprivation, stroke mismanagement, or surgical errors resulting in brain damage. Birth injuries may involve obstetricians, delivery nurses, or negligent prenatal care providers.
When defective products, such as helmets, medical devices, or industrial equipment, are to blame, manufacturers and distributors can be pursued under product liability law.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we investigate every case thoroughly, using subpoenas, accident reconstruction experts to identify all liable parties and hold them accountable under Indiana law.
Damages Available to Brain Injury Victims
Brain injury cases often involve some of the most substantial damage claims in all of personal injury law. Because these injuries can be permanent and affect every area of life, financial recovery must address both immediate needs and long-term impacts.
Victims are typically entitled to economic damages, including medical expenses for hospitalization, imaging, surgery, rehabilitation, and medications. Many brain injury survivors require long-term care, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or home health aides. These costs can add up over a lifetime, especially if the injury results in permanent disability. Our attorneys also pursue compensation for lost income and reduced earning potential, whether you’re temporarily out of work or no longer able to return to your profession.
Non-economic damages are also a critical component. These include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of independence, and loss of enjoyment of life. The emotional toll of a brain injury on both the victim and their family is often immense. Mood disorders, strained relationships, and inability to participate in once-loved activities can all be considered when determining value.
In particularly egregious cases, such as gross medical negligence or reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our brain injury lawyers partner with financial experts, life care planners, and medical professionals to calculate a settlement or jury award that truly reflects the magnitude of your losses.
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations
Under Indiana law, brain injury victims generally have two years from the date of the accident or incident to file a personal injury claim. This legal deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and missing it can result in the permanent loss of your right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.
However, there are some exceptions. If the brain injury occurred to a minor or if the full extent of the injury wasn’t immediately discoverable, Indiana law may allow for additional time. However, determining whether an exception applies is often tricky and should never be left to chance.
There are also special time limits for cases involving government agencies, such as when a public hospital or municipal vehicle is involved. In those situations, a formal notice of claim must be filed in a much shorter window.
Our Valparaiso brain injury lawyers urge all potential clients to act quickly. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin preserving critical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing a strong case. Don’t let a legal deadline jeopardize your recovery.
Why Choose the Brain Injury Attorneys at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. for Your Case?
Since 1988, Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. has stood beside victims of catastrophic injuries throughout Valparaiso and Porter County. We are not a volume-based law firm; we focus on providing personalized, high-level representation to people facing life-changing harm.
Our brain injury attorneys bring over 75 years of combined experience to every case, and we approach each client’s story with care, urgency, and grit. Our firm has earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Indiana Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for a reason: we fight relentlessly and skillfully for those who cannot fight for themselves.
We offer free consultations, 24/7 availability, and no fees unless we secure a favorable outcome. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in Northwest Indiana, let us be your guardians of justice.
Speak With Our Valparaiso Brain Injury Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love is facing the overwhelming consequences of a brain injury, don’t try to handle the legal system alone. The stakes are too high, and time may be running out.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we’re ready to listen, investigate, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our brain injury lawyers today.