New York Brain Injury Lawyer  

When another person’s negligence, recklessness, or malice causes an accident and injury in New York City, you have the right to pursue damages.

Traumatic brain injuries can happen in an instant during routine parts of daily life: car crashes on the Cross Bronx Expressway or the Long Island Expressway, construction accidents on job sites in Midtown and the Financial District, slip-and-fall accidents at StuyTown or in Central Park, or even pedestrian and cyclist collisions on crowded city streets. These injuries often have lasting effects, impacting memory, cognition, balance, mood, and a person’s ability to work or live independently.

The New York traumatic brain injury attorneys at Douglas & London have the resources and experience to fully investigate complex TBI claims, consult with respected neurological and medical experts, and build strong cases for compensation. We represent people and families throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island who are coping with the long-term effects of brain injuries caused by preventable accidents.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced NYC brain injury lawyer and learn how we can help protect your future.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?  

A traumatic brain injury is an injury that impacts how the brain functions. It is usually caused by a forceful bump or blow to the head or body. For instance, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when an object penetrates the head, like a bullet or a skull fragment.  

TBIs are a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 210,000 brain injury-related hospitalizations in a single year (2020). Someone with a severe TBI can experience life-long disability. 

Because severe concussions and brain injuries can affect long-term physical and cognitive function, these conditions can have a lasting impact on a person’s ability to perform routine tasks, be employed, and care for loved ones.  

What if you can never work at your old job again? What if your earning capacity diminishes as medical expenses rise? What if you’re unable to enjoy the company of your children, spouse, friends, and family the way you once did? What if your whole life changes for the worse in an instant due to another person’s poor decisions or disregard for others?  

It’s your right under the law to hold the person responsible for causing your concussion or TBI accountable and to pursue full damages for what was taken from you. The compensation to which you are entitled includes money to cover medical bills, lost income, and current and future care. 

If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury, the New York personal injury lawyers with Douglas & London are ready to help. Take the first step to justice today by scheduling a free consultation.  

What Are the Most Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?  

There are many possible causes of TBIs in children and adults. Here are the most common:  

  • Motor vehicle collisions 
  • Slip and fall accidents 
  • Physical violence  
  • Sports injuries  
  • Explosions  
  • Gunshots  
  • Combat injuries 
  • Falling objects 
  • Truck accidents 
  • Construction accidents  
  • Bus accidents 
  • Pedestrian accidents  

Falls account for nearly half of all TBI-related emergency room visits, according to Cleveland Clinic. If your TBI was the result of a fall on someone else’s property, including municipal property, a New York slip and fall lawyer at Douglas & London can review the circumstances of your injury, identify any and all liable parties, and give you a candid and accurate assessment of the value of your case. Our aim is to give you all the information you need to decide whether taking legal action is the right next step for you and your family. 

What Should I Do After a Brain Injury?

A brain injury can be difficult to recognize immediately, especially after a collision or fall. Symptoms may appear hours or even days later, but early action is critical for both medical recovery and protecting your legal rights.

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in New York, you should:

  • Seek emergency medical care right away. Head injuries should never be ignored. Even if symptoms seem mild, conditions like concussions, brain bleeds, or swelling can worsen quickly without proper evaluation.
  • Call 911 or report the incident. If the injury resulted from a car crash, pedestrian accident, or cyclist collision, make sure a police report is filed. If it occurred at work, notify your employer. For falls in apartment buildings, subway stations, construction sites, or commercial properties, report the hazard to the property owner or manager.
  • Document everything you can. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, any dangerous conditions, and visible injuries. Write down symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, or sensitivity to light and noise.
  • Avoid discussing the incident with insurance companies alone. Insurers may attempt to minimize the seriousness of a brain injury or argue that symptoms are unrelated. Do not give recorded statements without legal guidance.
  • Follow all medical instructions carefully. Attend follow-up appointments, neurological evaluations, imaging studies, and cognitive therapy as recommended. Gaps in treatment can jeopardize both recovery and a legal claim.
  • Consult a lawyer as soon as you are able. Brain injury cases often involve complex medical evidence and high stakes. Early legal support helps preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and protect your right to compensation.

Taking these steps can help safeguard your health, your future, and your legal options.

Where Can I Get Treatment for My Brain Injury in New York?

Brain injuries often require specialized, ongoing care from experienced medical professionals. New York City is home to several leading hospitals with advanced neurological and trauma programs equipped to diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries, including:

  • NYU Langone Health: NYU Langone Health is nationally recognized for its neurology and neurosurgery programs, offering advanced imaging, emergency care, and long-term treatment for concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and complex neurological conditions.
  • The Mount Sinai Hospital: This esteemed healthcare facility provides comprehensive brain injury care, including emergency treatment, neurosurgical intervention, cognitive evaluation, and rehabilitation services for patients suffering from serious head trauma.
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital: NewYork-Presbyterian is a leader in neurological and trauma care, treating mild to severe brain injuries through a multidisciplinary approach that includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, and rehabilitation specialists.
  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: The oldest hospital in America, Bellevue is a Level I trauma center with extensive experience handling traumatic brain injuries, particularly those resulting from car crashes, falls, assaults, and workplace accidents.

Receiving fast and effective treatment from a qualified medical provider not only supports recovery but also creates solid medical documentation that may play a vital role in your brain injury claim.

Where to Seek Support for a Brain Injury in New York

Recovering from a brain injury involves much more than medical treatment. Emotional support, peer connection, and ongoing resources can be essential to navigating life after a TBI.

The following organizations and support groups in New York provide community, advocacy, education, and shared experience for brain injury survivors and their families:

  • Brain Injury Association of New York State: This statewide nonprofit offers peer support groups, educational resources, advocacy, and connection to local TBI support opportunities, including virtual and in-person groups serving all five boroughs.
  • BIRC Support Groups at Mount Sinai: The Brain Injury Research Center at Mount Sinai hosts support groups for adults living with brain injury, young adults, and loved ones, creating structured peer connections and shared coping strategies.
  • Columbia Synapse: This peer-led support community (often virtual and accessible across NYC) focuses on survivors and families while providing regular opportunities to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.
  • NYU Langone Rusk Rehabilitation Support Groups: NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation offers rehabilitation support groups aimed at helping people adjust to life after serious injuries, including brain injuries, with peer and expert guidance.

Can I Sue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?  

If someone else caused your TBI, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for damages. When you sue the person or organization responsible for your injuries, your New York brain injury lawyer builds your case and pursues compensation in the form of a negotiated settlement or, in the rare instances where a case goes to trial, a jury award.  

The goal is to recover damages that represent all the ways a TBI has negatively impacted your life. These damages include:  

  • Current and future medical bills 
  • Lost wages 
  • Physical therapy 
  • Lost earning potential 
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Emotional distress  

Unlike other states, New York does not have a cap on the dollar value of your case. This is especially important for individuals with TBIs, because they often require expensive, long-term medical care. You can therefore rest assured that Douglas & London attorneys will take an aggressive approach when pursuing justice and full compensation on your behalf.   

If you sustained a severe brain injury or concussion at work, you may be entitled to pursue damages above and beyond the workers comp benefits you receive. A worker on a construction site, for example, may not be allowed to sue their direct employer if they suffer head trauma on the job, but a New York construction accident lawyer at our firm can determine if another party, such as the property owner or a sub-contractor, may be liable. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a TBI? 

In New York State, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a claim. There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, if your TBI occurred due to medical malpractice, that deadline is shorter.  The law in this regard can be nuanced, so it’s best to consult a brain injury lawyer in New York to discuss your individual situation.    

The Role of a New York Brain Injury Attorney 

Your attorney provides many critical services throughout the lawsuit process. It all starts with that first no-cost, no-obligation consultation.  

  • We find out how and why your injury occurred.  
  • We determine who is liable for your condition. 
  • We gather evidence to build a compelling case.  
  • We demand damages from all responsible parties.  
  • We communicate with insurance companies, other attorneys, and experts.  

Our primary goal is to oversee your claim and alleviate any additional stress and financial burden so you can focus on rebuilding and recovering after a TBI.  

Benefits of Choosing Douglas & London to Handle Your Case  

If you want a reason to trust Douglas & London New York brain injury lawyers with your case, just look at our track record of great results. To date, we have secured many multi-million dollar settlements for individuals who have been harmed through no fault of their own. We consider it a privilege to advocate for those affected by the negligent and fraudulent actions of others.  

Call or inquire online to schedule a free case review today. Based in Manhattan, Douglas & London represents clients throughout New York City, New York, and across the nation.