Dedicated Legal Representation For New York City Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors
If you or a loved one have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), let us start by saying we are genuinely saddened that yet another individual has suffered such an unfortunate life event. We wish you and all survivors of TBI a speedy and complete recovery.
At Siegel & Coonerty LLP, our attorneys represent individuals and their families who have survived a traumatic brain injury. We have the experience, understanding, and proven excellence in representing TBI survivors and never resolve a case until our sense of justice is fully satisfied.
If you or a loved one has survived a traumatic brain injury, contact our office for a free consultation. We proudly serve all of the New York City area, including non-English speaking communities. Se habla español.
Our Mission: Fighting For TBI Survivors
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) never discriminates. Each of us is vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances that — in the space of a heartbeat — can change life forever. Recognizing this, we see our responsibility as personal injury lawyers representing TBI survivors in New York courts, not simply to strive to achieve the fullest justice for our clients, but also to do our best to make their life easier in any way we can.
Experience has taught us too well how likely it is that an injured person will face a future with long challenges. Having empathy with these clients matters greatly to us every step of the way. As a result, the relationships we enter into with clients are also journeys we take together. At the same time, securing fair compensation for their pain and suffering winds up being only a fraction of what we do.
TBI is a complex injury that comprises a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities in which “mild” brain damage is never less than functionally severe. From the initial shock and despair associated with the trauma and throughout the recovery phases, TBI survivors and their families face a life of continuous coping and problem-solving. For the above reasons, we have dedicated our practice to helping all those impacted by TBI.
Choose A Brain Injury “Super Lawyer”
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
The objective of Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys in New York that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
At Siegel & Coonerty LLP, we believe it is important that the lawyer you choose to handle your traumatic brain injury case be a member of the select attorneys who have been chosen as a Super Lawyer. But beware: not all attorneys selected as a Super Lawyer are experienced or have the requisite know-how to handle a traumatic brain injury matter.
Andrew W. Siegel has been selected as a New York Super Lawyer continuously since 2010. In addition, Sean E. Coonerty has been selected as a Super Lawyer continuously since 2014.
What Sets Siegel & Coonerty LLP Apart?
Decades of advocating for the TBI community led Andy Siegel to sit on the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of New York State. Andy’s knowledge, unmatched ability to explain brain anatomy and function, and deep litigation experience has resulted in him obtaining more than $80 MILLION in JURY VERDICTS.
These incredible results have achieved the status of Top 100 Verdicts reported in New York State on multiple occasions. He is also a published author of multiple award-winning novels chronicling the stories of these courageous survivors. With Suzy’s Case, his debut novel, Andy was able to put a human face on a reality he knows so well from his work life: the intensity of the experience of TBI survivors and their families. Suzy’s Case was optioned by CBS Television, was a People.com Best Beach Read, and was a Suspense Magazine Best Book.
Andy also wrote Second Impact – The Ray Ciancaglini Story. Ray is a former professional boxer and award-winning concussion awareness activist who sustained a brain injury in the ring. Andy wrote the novel to educate and protect today’s youth athletes from the harm that can result by “playing through” a concussion. All proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to Ray’s non-profit organization, thesecondimpact.com.
Siegel & Coonerty LLP possesses the essential knowledge and expertise to properly, appropriately, and successfully litigate to a more than satisfactory conclusion all cases involving mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury.
Our NYC traumatic brain injury lawyers can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, future care and treatment, cost of rehabilitation, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and, in some cases, pain and suffering.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) send thousands of New Yorkers to the emergency room each year. Many common causes of traumatic brain injury, such as slip and fall accidents and motor vehicle accidents, are preventable and often caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is commonly defined as an insult to the brain from an external force with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness. In simple terms, a TBI can lead to temporary or permanent impairments of the way we think (cognitive), how we feel (emotional), and how we act (behavioral).
Physical limitations can also occur including restrictions in walking, talking, and use of your arms with the list being endless.
A traumatic brain injury occurs when there is a disruption in the brain’s normal function caused by a force or blow to the head. Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include car accidents, slip, trip and fall accidents, sports accidents, and violent assaults. While traumatic brain injuries can range in severity, many can be catastrophic, requiring lifelong care and treatment.
TBI can be classified based on severity—mild, moderate and severe. There are different forms of head trauma leading to TBI, including a closed head injury absent skull fracture, or a penetrating injury associated with fracture. There are other features of brain injury such as in a specific location (focal) or over a widespread area (diffuse). These are just some examples of the forms of classification.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact our office to speak with a NYC traumatic brain injury lawyer today. We have proven results and will work hard to get you compensation for your injuries.
What Are Common Signs of a TBI?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 150 people die each day from TBI-related injuries. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can range from relatively mild, lasting for a few hours to severe, resulting in premature death. It is imperative to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect that you may have a TBI.
After any sudden force to the head, such as a car accident or fall from elevation, you should be seen by a medical professional. Early diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury may present more treatment options and may help prevent further impairment.
Common signs and symptoms of TBIs include:
- Drowsiness
- Sluggishness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Different sized pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Paralysis
- Light sensitivity
- Trouble with balance or coordination
Personality Changes Caused by TBI
There can be great uncertainty regarding how or when a brain will regain normal functioning after a traumatic injury, which adds significantly to the anxieties and burdens faced by all TBI survivors and their families. Since our brains define who we are, the consequences of a brain injury can affect all aspects of our lives, including our personalities.
In fact, changes in personality are a very frequent result from frontal lobe injuries, which are the most common form of TBI. These personality changes may be dramatic or subtle, but very often go unnoticed by survivors themselves. Denial remains one of TBI’s most important coping mechanisms.