A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change a person’s life in an instant. Unlike many other injuries, brain injuries are often complex, unpredictable, and long-lasting. Victims may struggle with memory loss, cognitive impairment, emotional changes, or physical limitations that affect their ability to work, maintain relationships, and live independently. For families, the impact can be overwhelming.

In Green Bay, TBIs frequently result from serious accidents such as car crashes, falls, and workplace incidents. Some brain injuries are immediately obvious, while others may not be fully diagnosed until days or weeks after the initial trauma. Even a “mild” TBI can have serious, lasting effects.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, an experienced Green Bay brain injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we represent people affected by TBIs, working to pursue compensation that reflects not only immediate medical costs, but the long-term care and support these injuries often require.

Contact us now for a free consultation.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI occurs when a sudden impact, jolt, or blow to the head disrupts normal brain function. TBIs can also result from penetrating injuries or violent shaking of the head and body. Because the brain controls every aspect of how a person thinks, feels, and functions, damage to the brain can affect nearly every part of daily life.

TBIs are categorized by severity:

• Mild (Concussions): Short-term symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, or sensitivity to light and noise
• Moderate: Longer periods of confusion, loss of consciousness, more pronounced cognitive or physical symptoms, greater risk of long-term impairment
• Severe: Extended unconsciousness, significant brain damage, permanent disability requiring ongoing medical care

One of the most challenging aspects of a brain injury is that symptoms are not always immediately apparent. Some people feel relatively normal after an accident but experience worsening cognitive, emotional, or physical symptoms days or weeks later. For this reason, brain injuries are often misunderstood in the early stages.

Understanding what a TBI is and how it can affect the brain over time is important for victims and families seeking answers, treatment, and legal guidance after a serious injury.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

The symptoms of a TBI can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain affected. In many cases, symptoms fluctuate, making TBIs particularly difficult to recognize and diagnose.

Physical Symptoms

• Persistent headaches or migraines
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Visual disturbances

Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory loss or difficulty concentrating
• Confusion or slowed thinking
• Trouble processing information
• Difficulty following conversations or instructions

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms

• Mood swings or irritability
• Anxiety or depression
• Changes in personality
• Increased frustration or impulsivity

Sleep-Related Symptoms

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Sleeping significantly more or less than usual
• Feeling unrested despite adequate sleep

These symptoms can interfere with work, school, relationships, and everyday tasks. Family members may notice changes before the injured person does, particularly when it comes to behavior or personality shifts. Because symptoms are not always visible on imaging tests, medical documentation and ongoing evaluation are often necessary to fully understand the impact of a TBI.

Living With the Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury

For many people, a brain injury is a long-term condition that affects daily life. Even after initial treatment ends, individuals with a TBI may continue to face challenges that interfere with their independence, relationships, and ability to work.

Some of the long-term effects are:

• Ongoing cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems, slowed processing, or trouble with decision-making
• Emotional and behavioral changes that strain personal and professional relationships
• Chronic headaches, fatigue, or sensory sensitivities
• Difficulty returning to previous employment or managing job responsibilities

These challenges often extend beyond the injured person. Family members may take on caregiving roles, adjust work schedules, or experience emotional stress as they help a loved one recover. In some cases, therapy, counseling, or assisted living support may be necessary.

Because the effects of a TBI can evolve over time, compensation claims must account for future medical needs, ongoing care, and reduced quality of life. Our Green Bay brain injury lawyers can ensure these long-term consequences are fully considered when pursuing compensation.

Contact Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers now and take the first step toward recovering the damages you need to move forward.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Green Bay

TBIs can result from a wide range of accidents that involve sudden force or violent impact to the head. While some TBIs occur in events like serious vehicle crashes, others happen in everyday situations that people may not associate with brain injury.

Common causes of TBIs in the Green Bay area include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes on busy roads such as US-41, I-43, Lombardi Avenue, Mason Street, and other high-traffic corridors, where the head can strike a steering wheel, window, roadway, or other object
• Falls, particularly among older adults and construction or industrial workers, involving ladders, stairways, uneven surfaces, or icy conditions
• Workplace accidents, such as being struck by falling objects, equipment-related incidents, or slip-and-fall injuries on job sites
• Sports and recreational injuries, including contact sports, cycling accidents, and recreational activities that involve speed or physical contact
• Assaults or violent acts, which may result in blunt-force trauma to the head

A TBI can still occur even when there is no visible head wound or skull fracture. The force of rapid acceleration or deceleration alone can be enough to cause the brain to move within the skull, leading to serious injury.

Identifying the cause of a brain injury is an important part of determining liability. Our team of attorneys can review how an injury occurred and identify the responsible parties.

What to Do After a Traumatic Brain Injury

After a TBI, the actions you take in the hours and days following the incident can have a significant impact on both recovery and any future legal claim. Because brain injuries are not always immediately obvious, early action is critical.

Victims in Green Bay are often evaluated and treated at Bellin Hospital or HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center because of their neurological and imaging capabilities – critical for identifying brain injuries early and beginning appropriate treatment.

If you or a loved one may have suffered a TBI, consider taking the following steps:

• Seek medical evaluation immediately, even if symptoms seem mild or delayed.
• Follow all recommended treatment plans, including referrals to neurologists or specialists.
• Document symptoms as they develop, noting changes in memory, mood, sleep, or physical abilities.
• Avoid returning to work or activities too soon, especially those that risk further head injury.
• Keep records of medical care and expenses, as well as missed work or changes in daily functioning.

It’s also important to understand that concussions and other mild TBIs can worsen if left untreated or if a second injury occurs. Prompt diagnosis and consistent follow-up care help protect long-term brain health and create a clear medical record of the injury’s impact.

Support Resources for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims in Green Bay

TBIs can require ongoing rehabilitation, therapy, and community support to manage the physical, cognitive, and emotional effects. Connecting with local and statewide resources can help reduce isolation and provide valuable tools for navigating the challenges of recovery.

Individuals with TBIs in and around Green Bay may benefit from contacting:

• Cedarburg Brain Injury Center
• ProHealth Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin
• Medical College of Wisconsin Brain Injury Program
• Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin

When pursuing a TBI claim, the compensation you receive must cover not only your medical treatment, but also the cost of your long-term rehabilitation and support services.

How We Can Help Traumatic Brain Injury Victims

TBI cases require a careful, informed legal approach. These injuries are often complex, and their full impact may not be immediately clear.

Our clients are Wisconsin residents who face long-term consequences caused by someone else’s negligence. We’re proud to fight on your side and defend the rights of our community.

We take the time to understand how a TBI has affected your health, daily life, and future. We can review medical records, consult with professionals, and build cases that reflect not only current medical needs but also anticipated long-term support. Throughout the process, we provide clear communication and steady guidance, so you aren’t facing these challenges alone.

Contact Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in Green Bay, we’re here for you. We can explain your legal options and take steps to protect your future.

Contact Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers now for a free consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help you move forward. Our No Fee Guarantee® means you only pay when we win.