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Buffalo Brain Injury Lawyer
Client-focused legal services for survivors of brain injuries in and around Buffalo, New York
Recent data suggests that a person in the U.S. sustains a brain injury roughly every nine seconds. These injuries – while startlingly common – have the potential to completely change the way a person lives their life and engages with the world around them.
Brain injuries may happen in a variety of different accident scenarios. Our team has handled a wide range of cases involving brain injuries. Whether you sustained a brain injury in a car accident on the 290, in a construction-site fall or while participating in a local sporting event, the cumulative effects of your injury may already be outpacing your resources.
When a brain injury happens because of someone else’s negligence, survivors and their loved ones may have legal options available to help them recover the compensation they need to address certain personal and financial losses. At O’Brien & Ford, PC, we are committed to helping brain injury survivors fight for their rights in the wake of a negligence-related accident.
We understand that no amount of compensation can truly make up for all you’ve lost, but we believe that accountability is key both in terms of helping survivors move forward and in preventing future incidents within our community. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to another party’s negligence, contact our team today to learn more about your legal options. There’s no cost to call, and you won’t be expected to pay any attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation in your case.
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More than $100 million recovered in verdicts and settlements for those injured in New York.
How We Can Help
- Brain injury basics: What is a brain injury?
- Are there different kinds of brain injuries?
- Common causes of brain injuries in Buffalo
- The long-term impact of a brain injury
- Can someone else be held liable for my brain injury?
- What if I was partly to blame for the accident?
- What compensation is available in Buffalo brain injury cases?
- Why work with O’Brien & Ford?
- Frequently asked questions about Buffalo brain injury cases
Brain injury basics: What is a brain injury?
The Brain Injury Association of New York State defines a brain injury as “an injury to the brain that occurs after birth and is not congenital, degenerative, or hereditary.” Brain injuries can occur in many different ways and may range somewhat widely in their severity.
Some of these injuries are categorized as traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. TBIs are fairly common in many accident scenarios because they are caused by direct blows to the head or rapid motions that cause the brain to move inside the skull. Penetrating injuries (like from a gunshot) may also be classified as a form of traumatic brain injury.
People can experience brain injuries for other reasons, though. If a person loses oxygen to their brain for an extended period of time, for example, their neurological functioning may be seriously impacted. Because the brain works as the control system for the whole body, any disruption to the cells, tissues and nerves within the brain can cause major complications ranging from mild cognitive impairment or sensory changes to a complete loss of functioning.
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What Our Clients Say About Us
“I cannot say enough good things about Chris Pannozzo and this law firm! From start to finish, the professionalism, communication, and dedication was exceptional. I always felt supported, comfortable, listened to, and confident that I was in good hands. My case was handled with the utmost care and attention, and I couldn’t be happier with the way everything was resolved. I would highly recommend the firm to anyone.”
“The professionalism I received from the entire staff was great. Christopher Pannozzo, Annat and John worked tirelessly to get me the justice I deserve. Even Patrice the receptionist was professional and always a joy to talk to. Thank you guys for the hard work and taking my case.”
“I highly recommend O'Brien & Ford, P.C. to anyone who has been injured and needs someone they can trust. I’m extremely thankful for everything Anant and his team did for me and for the way I was treated throughout the entire process. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to explain things clearly and answer my questions. I would highly recommend this law firm.”
Are there different kinds of brain injuries?
The brain is made up of many different parts that must work together to perform certain biological and motor functions. When one part of the brain becomes damaged, it can lead to major changes in the way a person thinks, talks, moves or processes information.
The effects and severity of a brain injury can vary significantly depending on the location and cause, and it can be helpful to understand some of the key differences between common brain injuries. As Buffalo brain injury lawyers, we commonly work with clients who have experienced injuries like:
Concussions
These injuries are often caused by a blow to the head, but they can also happen because of sudden jerking movements. Concussions are particularly common in motor vehicle accidents and slip-and-fall incidents, but they can happen in many traumatic accident scenarios.
Contusions
In some situations, a person’s brain can become bruised due to blunt force trauma. These injuries are known as contusions and present as bleeding in the brain tissue.
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
This type of injury occurs when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, tearing axons or connecting nerve fibers. In some cases, DAIs can lead to long-term brain damage.
Penetrating injuries
When an object pierces a person’s skull and enters the brain tissue, it can do extensive damage to the brain, neurons, nerves and other structures. These injuries are common in violent crime scenarios but can also happen in negligence-related accidents.
Anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries
These are the kinds of injuries that happen when a victim’s brain is deprived of oxygen. Anoxic injuries are caused by a complete lack of oxygen, and hypoxic injuries happen when there is insufficient oxygen. Drowning, poisoning, smoke inhalation and other accidents are commonly linked to these injuries.
Medical professionals classify traumatic brain injuries with the help of the Glasgow Coma Scale. Depending on the results of this assessment, a brain injury may be classified as mild, moderate or severe. Concussions are on the mild end of this spectrum, while penetrating injuries and DAIs tend to be more severe.
Common causes of brain injuries in Buffalo
Our firm has represented survivors of brain injuries in a variety of personal injury cases. These injuries are extremely common in many accident scenarios, which makes them a frequent subject of insurance claims and civil lawsuits.
In our practice, we commonly work with individuals who sustained brain injuries in negligence-related accidents like:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slips and falls
- Sports-related accidents
- Violent assaults
- Machinery-related accidents
- Poisonings
- House fires and smoke-inhalation incidents
While brain injuries are fairly common in traumatic accident scenarios, it’s important to understand that not every brain injury has legal implications. Freak accidents do happen, and some incidents cannot be traced back to the actions of any one party. In other cases, however, the evidence may show that the negligence of one or more involved parties directly contributed to the accident and the victim’s resulting injuries.
When this happens, survivors may be within their rights to take action against the at-fault party. Many victims of negligence-related accidents choose to pursue claims for compensation to help them offset some of the costs associated with their past, present and future care needs. An experienced brain injury lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into an accident in order to identify any potential sources of liability. If the evidence supports your claim of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation under New York law.
The long-term impact of a brain injury
Many brain injury survivors experience long-term complications related to their injuries. Even relatively minor brain injuries can cause physical and cognitive symptoms that take time to resolve. Of course, more severe injuries pose additional challenges for survivors and their families, and many individuals living with serious brain injuries experience permanent changes in functioning.
Depending on the nature and severity of a brain injury, a survivor may suffer long-term symptoms like:
- Memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Increased sensory sensitivities
- Loss of motor coordination
- Difficulty with balance
- Physical disabilities
- Chronic headaches
- Sleep difficulties
- Changes in speech and other communication skills
- Changes in mood and emotion regulation capabilities
Catastrophic brain injuries can also lead to a long-term loss of consciousness. Some victims of these injuries may end up in a coma or may need to be placed in a medically induced coma to support their recovery. Survivors of these extensive injuries may never return to their pre-accident levels of functioning, and some may need to be placed in long-term care facilities to ensure they receive the round-the-clock support they need to stay healthy and safe.
Because the symptoms of a brain injury can seriously affect a patient’s cognitive and physical abilities, these injuries commonly compromise survivors’ professional prospects. Some individuals may need to miss work shifts for doctors’ appointments or simply due to their recovery needs. Others may suffer such extreme effects that they are ultimately unable to return to their previous work duties or may be rendered completely incapable of working. This further compounds the costs associated with these injuries and often places survivors and their caregivers in a dire financial position.
Can someone else be held liable for my brain injury?
As we mentioned earlier, not every brain injury provides sufficient basis for a personal injury lawsuit. If, for example, you tripped over an extension cord in your own home, fell and sustained a concussion, you probably don’t have any grounds to take legal action against another party. If, however, you slipped on a puddle in the middle of a grocery store aisle, you may be able to pursue a claim against the owner or operator of the store if the evidence shows that they knew or should have known about the slip hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
More simply put, liability often depends on findings of negligence. If you can show that you suffered identifiable harm because someone else failed to uphold a legal duty of care, you may be able to file a claim for compensation related to your injuries and other losses.
We need to look at all of the facts and circumstances surrounding a case in order to determine whether there is a viable claim for compensation in there somewhere. While every case is different, our team knows what to look for in these cases and can work with you to compile the necessary evidence to support your claim.
What if I was partly to blame for the accident?
Some accident survivors are surprised to learn that New York law allows accident victims to pursue a claim against another party even if the injured party was partially to blame for the incident. In most standard personal injury cases, you can recover compensation from another at-fault party even if you were 99% responsible for the accident that injured you.
Please note that most motor vehicle accident cases are handled differently. Due to a recent change in the law, for personal injury actions subject to New York’s no-fault law that are commenced on or after May 26, 2026, only motor vehicle accident victims who were 50% or less responsible for their injuries may recover tort damages, and any damages they receive will be reduced by the same percentage as their level of fault.
What compensation is available in Buffalo brain injury cases?
Every case is different, and the value and nature of the compensation available to you may vary significantly depending on the severity of your brain injury and the extent of your losses.
Many plaintiffs in Buffalo brain injury cases pursue claims for compensation related to their medical care. Economic damages may be available to help survivors and their families cover emergency medical treatment, long-term medical care, rehabilitation services, prescription medication costs and even placement in nursing facilities, when applicable. If a brain injury causes a person to miss work or prevents them from returning to their job in the future, they may also be able to recover compensation for lost wages and reduced earning capacity over time.
Some survivors may also suffer non-economic losses related to their injuries. Accidents can be incredibly traumatic, and the debilitating effects of many brain injuries can take a serious toll on a survivor’s mental health. In these cases, an injured victim may be able to recover compensation for emotional distress, physical pain and suffering and loss of quality of life, among other things.
Why work with O’Brien & Ford?
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a preventable accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and just plain sad. These injuries come at an incredibly high cost for the victims themselves, as well as for the people who care about them. At O’Brien & Ford, PC, we understand that brain injuries can completely change the way a person moves through the world, and trying to find some semblance of normalcy after suffering a serious injury can feel all but impossible.
This is precisely why our team works as hard as it does to put our clients first throughout the entire legal process. You need someone you can count on to pick up the phone when you call and to provide you with the individualized support you need to land on the right path forward. Our team deliberately keeps its caseload small so we can show up well for the clients we represent. We’ll know your name and your story and do whatever we can to advocate for the best possible outcome for you and your family.
With over 84 years of combined experience and a track record that includes six- and seven-figure recoveries for local accident victims, our team knows what it takes to advocate for our neighbors in moments of uncertainty. While our past results cannot guarantee future outcomes, our track record speaks to our team’s dedication to providing intentional, trial-ready legal support to the members of our local community.
Whether you’re embroiled in an insurance dispute or are on the brink of filing a personal injury lawsuit, our team would be honored to learn more about your case and give you the insight you need to make a decision about where to go from here.
Frequently asked questions about Buffalo brain injury cases
Can I file a claim for a mild brain injury?
You don’t have to have suffered a severe injury in order to file a claim. If you suffered a mild brain injury like a concussion, you may still be entitled to compensation if you can show that your injury was caused by another person’s negligence and that you suffered identifiable losses due to your accident.
How long do I have to file a brain injury lawsuit in New York?
What if my brain injury symptoms appeared later?
What evidence can support a brain injury claim?
Do you have a brain injury lawyer near me?
Speak to a Buffalo brain injury lawyer
If you’re ready to take the next step in pursuing justice for your brain injury, the team at O’Brien & Ford, PC would be honored to walk beside you. Your story matters and your voice deserves to be heard, and we’ll do whatever we can to help you advocate for your rights during this difficult time. Give us a call at 716-222-2222 to get connected with a lawyer within two minutes, or stop by and visit us in person at 4549 Main St., Suite 201, or 701 Seneca St., Suite 208. We’ll be here when you need us.