Brain Injury Attorneys in New Jersey

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change a person’s life forever. Whether caused by a car crash, workplace accident, or fall on unsafe property, brain injuries often result in long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Victims may lose their ability to work, care for themselves, or engage in daily activities they once took for granted. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Freehold, Point Pleasant, or anywhere in Monmouth County or Ocean County, the attorneys at Mallon and Tranger are here to help.

We understand the devastating impact a brain injury can have on victims and their families. Our team fights to hold negligent individuals, employers, or companies accountable and to recover the compensation needed to cover medical costs, long-term care, and lost income. With offices conveniently located near many of New Jersey’s busiest towns, we are proud to serve clients in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Long Branch, Red Bank, and throughout the state.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden blow or jolt to the head disrupts the brain’s normal function. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe injuries that result in permanent disability or death. Because the brain controls nearly every aspect of bodily function and behavior, even a “mild” injury can have profound and lasting effects.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in nearly any situation where there is a sudden impact to the head or a violent jolt to the body. In Freehold, Point Pleasant, and across Monmouth County and Ocean County, these injuries often result from preventable accidents caused by negligence or unsafe conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

• Car Accidents: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and side-impact wrecks frequently cause concussions, contusions, and coup-contrecoup injuries. Drivers and passengers in Freehold and neighboring towns are often at risk on roads like Route 9, Route 18, and the Garden State Parkway.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Even with a helmet, riders have little protection in a crash. TBIs are common in motorcycle accidents due to direct impact with the pavement or other vehicles.
• Truck Accidents: Large commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic damage in a crash. Victims of truck collisions in cities like Lakewood or Toms River often sustain severe head trauma due to the force of impact.
• Pedestrian Accidents: When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, head injuries are extremely common and often life-threatening. Many of these accidents occur in crosswalks or parking lots throughout Freehold and Point Pleasant.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: A fall on a slippery floor, cracked sidewalk, or poorly maintained staircase can lead to a traumatic brain injury, especially for seniors. These incidents are common in grocery stores, apartment complexes, and public buildings.
• Construction and Workplace Accidents: Falling tools, collapsing scaffolding, or equipment malfunctions frequently lead to brain injuries among construction workers and industrial employees in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
• Surgical and Medical Errors: Although less common, brain injuries can result from oxygen deprivation during surgery, anesthesia mistakes, or failure to diagnose a stroke or other neurological emergency.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Concussions: Often considered mild, but repeated concussions or those accompanied by loss of consciousness can lead to lasting cognitive and emotional issues.
• Contusions: Bruising on the brain, usually caused by direct impact to the head. These may require surgery if bleeding or swelling occurs.
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Caused by rotational forces or severe shaking, this type of injury stretches and tears brain tissue and often results in coma or death.
• Penetrating Brain Injuries: Occur when an object breaks through the skull and enters brain tissue, frequently resulting in severe long-term damage.
• Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: Involve damage at the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain due to the force of the blow. These injuries are common in vehicle collisions.

Related: What should you know about traumatic brain injuries?

A traumatic brain injury may not always be immediately apparent. Symptoms can appear hours or even days after an accident, which is why early medical evaluation is critical after any head trauma, especially in high-risk areas like Freehold, Point Pleasant, or nearby cities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can manifest in various ways, and symptoms may appear immediately or be delayed by hours or even days. The severity and type of symptoms often depend on the area of the brain affected and the nature of the injury. It is critical for individuals in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and nearby areas to recognize the signs of a TBI and seek prompt medical attention. Early intervention can help limit long-term damage and improve recovery outcomes.

If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms after a fall, car accident, or other traumatic event, do not delay care:

• Headaches or migraines that worsen or persist
• Dizziness or balance problems, increasing the risk of further injury
• Nausea or vomiting, especially when recurring
• Sensitivity to light or sound, which may suggest deeper neurological issues
• Blurred or double vision, which can indicate visual processing disruption
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering, even with simple tasks
• Confusion or disorientation, particularly in familiar environments
• Slurred or slowed speech, a warning sign of impaired brain function
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or excessive fatigue
• Personality changes or irritability, which may be early indicators of emotional dysregulation
• Seizures, which can emerge even days after the injury
• Loss of consciousness, even briefly, should always be evaluated

In Monmouth County, Ocean County, and cities like Lakewood, Asbury Park, and Toms River, brain injury victims should be treated at hospitals equipped to handle neurological emergencies. Timely diagnosis is crucial to managing symptoms and preventing long-term complications. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact a medical professional and speak with a brain injury attorney as soon as possible.

Determining Liability for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Establishing liability is a foundational part of any traumatic brain injury (TBI) claim. In order to recover compensation, your attorney must demonstrate that another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct directly caused your injury. This requires a careful legal and factual investigation, including the review of accident reports, surveillance footage, witness testimony, and expert opinions.

In brain injury cases throughout Freehold, Point Pleasant, and across Monmouth County and Ocean County, liability may be clear in some situations and far more complex in others. Multiple parties may be held responsible, depending on the cause of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Liability may fall on:

• Negligent drivers in car, motorcycle, or truck accidents who were speeding, distracted, or intoxicated
• Property owners or managers who fail to maintain safe premises, resulting in slip and fall injuries
• Construction companies that do not follow safety standards or provide fall protection on worksites
• Employers that fail to provide helmets, harnesses, or appropriate training to their workers
• Healthcare providers who commit surgical errors or misdiagnose strokes, aneurysms, or head trauma
• Manufacturers or distributors of defective helmets, vehicles, or heavy machinery

For instance, a truck crash on Route 70 near Toms River might involve both a driver who was fatigued and a company that failed to properly maintain its fleet. In another example, a slip and fall in a Point Pleasant grocery store might expose the store owner and maintenance contractor to liability.

At Mallon and Tranger, we leave no stone unturned. Our attorneys work with medical experts, safety engineers, and accident reconstruction professionals to pinpoint liability and build a strong case on your behalf. We aggressively pursue claims against all responsible parties to help you recover full compensation for your traumatic brain injury.

How Can an Attorney Help After a TBI?

Traumatic brain injury cases are complex, both medically and legally. The full impact of a brain injury may not be immediately visible, and insurance companies often try to downplay symptoms or offer quick settlements that fall far short of a victim’s long-term needs.

At Mallon and Tranger, our attorneys help clients throughout Freehold, Point Pleasant, Lakewood, Long Branch, and the surrounding areas by:

• Gathering and presenting medical evidence from neurologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists
• Consulting with life care planners to estimate future medical expenses, therapy, and support services
• Calculating lost income and loss of future earning capacity
• Demonstrating non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
• Taking cases to trial if a fair settlement is not offered

Our goal is to ensure that every client receives the full compensation they need to move forward with dignity and stability. With decades of experience handling complex injury cases, we are committed to protecting the rights of brain injury victims across New Jersey.

What Compensation Is Available After a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Victims of traumatic brain injuries often face staggering expenses and life-altering consequences. Under New Jersey law, individuals who suffer a TBI due to someone else’s negligence may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages. These include both economic damages, which compensate for measurable financial losses, and non-economic damages, which account for the personal impact of the injury on your quality of life.

Economic damages may include:

• Emergency room and hospital bills related to immediate treatment after the injury
• Long-term rehabilitation and therapy, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Prescription medications and medical equipment, including wheelchairs, mobility aids, or cognitive support tools
• Lost wages from missed work due to the injury
• Loss of future earning potential if the victim is unable to return to work or must take a lower-paying position
• Home modifications for accessibility, including ramps, widened doorways, or stair lifts
• In-home nursing or personal care for those with permanent disabilities requiring assistance with daily living

Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering, accounting for chronic physical discomfort and limitations
• Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life, such as the inability to participate in hobbies, travel, or family activities
• Loss of consortium, if the injury affects marital relationships or family dynamics

Punitive damages may also be awarded in cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Because traumatic brain injuries often involve lifelong consequences, calculating appropriate compensation requires legal insight and expert support. 

At Mallon and Tranger, we may work with economists, life care planners, and medical professionals to ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your losses. Our firm is known throughout Freehold, Point Pleasant, and the surrounding areas of Monmouth County and Ocean County for delivering both compassionate guidance and aggressive legal representation.

Additional Legal Services

In addition to traumatic brain injury cases, Mallon and Tranger represents clients across a wide range of personal injury and workers’ compensation matters in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and throughout Monmouth County and Ocean County. With over 30 years of experience, Thomas J. Mallon, a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court, has built a reputation for delivering thorough, trial-ready representation in complex injury cases.

Our team is dedicated to helping individuals and families recover after serious accidents caused by negligence or unsafe conditions. We provide skilled legal support in cases involving:

• Public transportation accidents
• Workers’ compensation claims
• Catastrophic injuries
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Wrongful death
• And more

Whether your injury occurred on a bus in Lakewood, at a construction site in Freehold, or during a rideshare trip in Point Pleasant, Mallon and Tranger is here to protect your rights and pursue full compensation. We approach every case with personalized attention and a commitment to securing real results for our clients.

Contact Mallon and Tranger for Help After a TBI in New Jersey

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need legal guidance from a team that understands the gravity of your situation. At Mallon and Tranger, we are dedicated to helping victims and families in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and all across Monmouth County and Ocean County recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

We know that TBIs impact far more than just physical health; they affect your independence, your career, your family, and your future. That’s why we work with medical professionals, life care planners, and financial experts to fight for compensation that truly reflects your long-term needs.

Whether your injury happened in a car accident on Route 9 in Freehold, a construction site in Point Pleasant, or a slip and fall in a store in Long Branch, our attorneys are ready to help. With decades of experience and a strong reputation in New Jersey’s legal community, Mallon and Tranger is here to protect your rights.

Call today at (732) 780-0230 or connect with us online for a free consultation to discuss your traumatic brain injury claim and learn how we can make a difference in your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information in New Jersey

• Comprehensive Overview of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Offers a thorough introduction to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It defines what constitutes a TBI, details symptoms ranging from mild concussion to severe head trauma, outlines diagnostic methods, explores risk factors and prevention strategies, and reviews current treatment and rehabilitation options.
• Long-Term Study Finds TBI Outcomes in New Jersey Can Improve or Decline Up to Seven Years After Injury: This AAN press release shares findings from a landmark study showing that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) should be regarded as a chronic condition, rather than a static event. Researchers tracked over 1,100 individuals—with mild, moderate, or severe TBI—across seven years. The results reveal that while many patients show sustained improvement in cognitive function and daily activities, a substantial number also experience decline.
• Top Causes of Work-Related Injuries in the U.S.: The National Safety Council reports that the majority of nonfatal workplace injuries in the United States stem from overexertion and bodily reaction, contact with objects and equipment, slips, trips and falls, and exposure to harmful substances or environments. These incidents, which include everything from lifting injuries and falls to chemical exposure and illnesses like COVID-19, collectively account for more than three-quarters of all injuries requiring days away from work. The resource provides detailed definitions and insights into how each category contributes to workplace injury statistics.