Reading Brain Injury Attorney

Getting hurt in an accident in Reading, Pennsylvania, is hard enough, but when that injury affects your brain, it can change everything. The impact of a head injury might not show up right away, and in many cases, the effects are permanent.

That’s why it’s so important to take any possible brain injury seriously—especially if it happened because someone else was careless.

Need help with your traumatic brain injury claim in Reading, Pennsylvania? Our experienced Reading brain injury lawyers will fight to recover maximum financial compensation. Contact Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (302) 438-8018 today!

If you’ve hit your head in a car crash, fall, or other accident, see a doctor right away. You don’t have to lose consciousness to suffer a brain injury. Some signs include confusion, dizziness, trouble focusing, memory issues, personality changes, or mood swings. These symptoms may come and go—or worsen over time. Don’t wait to get checked out.

It’s not fair to carry the costs of something caused by someone else. If you’re dealing with symptoms of a brain injury, medical attention is the first step to protecting your health and your future.

How Our Brain Injury Lawyers in Reading Can Help With Your Claim

Brain injury cases aren’t like other personal injury claims. They take more investigation, more medical insight, and more legal experience. At Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve spent over a decade helping people in Reading and across Pennsylvania who’ve suffered life-changing head injuries. Here’s how we can help.

We Understand the Medical and Legal Complexities

Brain injuries are complicated, and proving the full extent of damage takes more than just medical records. We work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other medical experts to fully understand your diagnosis and how it affects your life. We use this information to build a strong legal case that reflects the seriousness of your injury.

We Handle the Legal Process So You Can Focus on Recovery

We manage every part of your case—from collecting evidence and filing paperwork to dealing with the insurance company. Our job is to protect your rights while you focus on healing. If the insurance company tries to delay, deny, or underpay your claim, we’re ready to push back.

We Fight for Maximum Compensation

Whether your brain injury came from a car crash, fall, or other accident, we work to make sure you’re fairly compensated. That includes current and future medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re ready to take your case to trial.

We’ve Been Doing This for Over a Decade

Tyler Wilk has spent more than 10 years helping people recover after serious injuries. He knows how to hold negligent parties accountable and how to navigate tough negotiations with insurance companies.

If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury in Reading, we can help you move forward. At Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’re ready to take the legal burden off your shoulders and guide you through every step.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen in an instant and have lasting consequences. At Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve worked with clients who’ve suffered brain injuries in ways they never saw coming.

Whether it’s from a fall or a serious accident, the cause of a TBI often determines the legal path forward and what kind of compensation may be available. Here’s what we’ve seen most often.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and bicycle collisions are some of the most common causes of brain injuries we see. A sudden impact can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull or tear nerve fibers, even if there’s no direct blow to the head. We’ve handled many TBI cases tied to distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and unsafe road conditions.

Slip and Fall or Premises Accidents

Slip and falls on wet floors, uneven pavement, or icy steps can easily lead to head injuries—especially in older adults. Whether it’s a workplace accident, a fall at a store, or an incident in a swimming pool area, we investigate whether negligence played a role. TBIs caused by property hazards can be severe and sometimes fatal.

Construction and Industrial Accidents

Construction zones and industrial work sites are high-risk areas for serious injuries. We’ve helped injured workers and their families recover after falls from height, equipment malfunctions, and explosions. Many of these cases involve TBIs caused by either blunt force trauma or violent shaking of the head.

Medical Malpractice

Mistakes during surgery or anesthesia administration can lead to brain damage. We’ve represented victims of surgical errors, oxygen deprivation, and medication mistakes that caused cognitive impairment or permanent disability. These are complex cases that require expert analysis, but we have the resources to handle them.

Childhood and Recreational Accidents

Children are vulnerable to playground falls, sports injuries, and accidents at summer camps or school events. We’ve seen TBIs result from unsafe equipment, poor supervision, or even defective helmets.

No matter the cause, a brain injury often leads to long-term medical needs and financial pressure.

Types of TBIs

Traumatic brain injuries come in many forms, each with its own set of symptoms, complications, and long-term effects.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of TBIs and how they affect the brain:

Concussion

A concussion is the most common type of TBI and is often labeled as “mild,” but the effects can be anything but. It happens when a blow or jolt causes the brain to move inside the skull. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, confusion, dizziness, and short-term memory issues. Some clients experience lingering problems, especially after multiple concussions.

Contusion

A brain contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by a direct blow to the head. This type of injury can lead to localized swelling and bleeding, which may require surgery if pressure builds up. In more serious cases, contusions can result in permanent brain damage in the affected area.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

DAI is one of the most severe forms of TBI. It occurs when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, tearing long nerve fibers known as axons.

This is common in high-speed crashes or violent shaking. People with DAI may lose consciousness for extended periods and suffer widespread, lasting brain damage.

Subdural and Epidural Hematomas

Both injuries involve bleeding around the brain. A subdural hematoma involves blood collecting between the brain and its outer membrane, usually from torn veins.

An epidural hematoma involves bleeding between the skull and the dura mater, often due to a skull fracture. Both conditions are life-threatening and require immediate surgery.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

This is bleeding deep within the brain tissue itself, usually from a strong impact or stroke. It can cause serious brain damage, depending on the location and amount of bleeding. Many clients with this injury face long recoveries and permanent impairments.

Penetrating Brain Injury

Penetrating injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain—such as from a gunshot or sharp tool. These injuries often involve major brain damage and require emergency surgery and long-term care.

When Can I Sue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Not every brain injury leads to a lawsuit, but many do. If your injury was caused by an accident and someone else is legally at fault, you may have grounds to pursue compensation. Here are the five main factors our experienced Reading brain injury lawyers look at to determine whether you can file a claim:

Was the Injury Caused by an Accident?

You need to have suffered a brain injury as the result of an accident—something sudden, not a medical condition or genetic disorder. TBIs often result from crashes, falls, workplace incidents, or even violent assaults. Injuries from medical malpractice—such as anesthesia errors or surgical mistakes—can also qualify.

Is Someone Else Legally Responsible?

If someone else’s actions (or inaction) caused the accident, they may be liable. That includes reckless drivers, property owners who fail to maintain safe premises, employers who ignore safety rules, or doctors who make avoidable mistakes. The specific cause of the accident determines the legal path forward.

Did That Person Owe You a Duty of Care?

To sue, we need to show that the at-fault party had a legal obligation to act responsibly. If they failed in that duty, they can be held accountable.

Are Your Damages Significant?

Even if someone else caused the injury, it’s only worth pursuing a case if your losses are substantial. That includes medical costs, lost income, long-term care, pain, emotional suffering, or impact on your quality of life.

Can We Prove It?

Finally, we need evidence. Medical records, accident reports, expert opinions, and financial documentation all help establish that the injury—and your losses—stem from the accident. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better the chance of preserving that proof.

Proving Fault in a Pennsylvania Brain Injury Claim

When you suffer a brain injury due to someone else’s actions, proving fault is the foundation of a successful claim. In Pennsylvania, this means showing that the other party acted carelessly and caused your injury. That process centers on four legal elements.

1. Proving a Duty of Care

You first need to show that the other person or company owed you a duty of care.

• Drivers owe this duty to others on the road.
• Property owners owe it to lawful visitors.
• Manufacturers owe it to consumers using their products as intended.

If no duty existed, your claim may fail before it starts.

2. Showing a Breach of Duty

Next, you must show that the duty of care was violated.

• A driver who texts while driving breaches their duty.
• A store that fails to clean a spill may be negligent.
• A company that sells a defective product may have violated safety standards.

In these cases, negligence is proven by comparing the actions taken to what a reasonable person would have done.

3. Linking the Breach to the Injury

It’s not enough to show someone acted carelessly—you must also show that their behavior caused your injury.

• In car accidents, police reports, crash data, and medical records help connect the dots.
• In malpractice claims, medical expert testimony often plays a key role.

4. Proving Your Damages

Finally, you’ll need to prove the harm you suffered:

• Hospital and therapy bills
• Lost income or reduced ability to work
• Pain, suffering, and emotional stress

Without proof of damages tied directly to the injury, even a strong negligence case can fall apart. A lawyer helps gather the right evidence to support each element.

What Is the Value of My TBI Injury Claim?

The value of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) claim depends on a mix of legal, medical, and financial factors. No two claims are the same, so calculating a fair settlement starts with a careful look at your specific circumstances.

Key Factors That Affect TBI Compensation

Severity of the Injury:

• Mild TBIs may involve short-term effects and lower medical costs.
• Severe or permanent injuries that impair speech, memory, or movement often lead to larger settlements due to lifelong care needs.

Age and Earning Potential:

• A younger person with years of earning potential lost due to a TBI may receive higher compensation than someone close to retirement.
• Lost wages and loss of future earning ability are key pieces of a claim’s value.

Liability and Fault:

• When the at-fault party’s conduct was reckless or intentional, punitive damages may apply.
• If liability is shared, your compensation might be reduced depending on your share of the fault.

Insurance Coverage:

• The defendant’s insurance policy limits often set the ceiling for what can be recovered.
• If damages exceed those limits, collecting the full amount may be difficult without additional sources.

State Laws and Deadlines:

• Some states cap certain damages.
• Each state also has a deadline to file a claim, known as a statute of limitations. Missing this deadline can bar your case entirely.

Because TBI claims involve so many moving parts, getting the right legal help can make a major difference.

Schedule a Consultation With Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Today

Traumatic brain injuries can be life-altering, even when the symptoms seem minor at first. Whether your injury was caused by a car accident, fall, or another form of negligence, it’s critical to understand your legal rights and act quickly.

At Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we take the time to understand how your injury has changed your life and build a case that reflects the full extent of your losses.

Proving damages in a brain injury case requires experience, careful documentation, and medical insight. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

Our award winning accident and injury attorneys also serve residents of cities including West Chester, Philadelphia, Coatesville, Downingtown, Phoenixville, Devon, Frazer, and more.