*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
At Schmidt & Salita Law Team, we understand how a traumatic brain injury can disrupt every part of your life—your health, career, and relationships. That’s why our Minneapolis brain injury lawyers are committed to helping Minnetonka clients move forward with their recovery. With decades of legal insight and a personal touch, we fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
When someone else’s carelessness is to blame, you need more than sympathy—you need action. Our team stands ready to protect your rights and pursue the outcome you deserve.
The Schmidt & Salita Law Team is widely recognized for its focus on concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases. Douglas Schmidt, a senior trial lawyer on our team, is a leading voice in Minnesota concussion-related law. His advocacy began nearly two decades ago as president of District 6 youth hockey, where he helped develop concussion recognition protocols with the Mayo Clinic.
Today, that expertise helps guide our work with car, truck, and motorcycle accident victims. Our team thoroughly evaluates each case to detect concussions and TBIs that medical providers may have missed. We’ve found nearly 60% of injury victims suffer from undiagnosed concussions—conditions we’re committed to identifying and addressing. We also regularly educate medical professionals, including chiropractors, on early signs of brain trauma.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in normal brain function caused by a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head. This disruption can range from mild concussions to severe, life-threatening damage. TBIs are a leading cause of disability and death in the United States and require immediate medical attention.
People who suffer a TBI may experience long-term consequences that affect memory, mobility, mood, and cognition. These injuries often involve lengthy recovery periods, ongoing medical treatment, and significant lifestyle changes.
Common classifications of TBIs include:
The severity of the injury often determines the type and extent of treatment needed and whether long-term care or rehabilitation will be required.
A brain injury occurs when an external force disrupts the normal function of the brain, either temporarily or permanently. It can result from trauma, oxygen deprivation, or other medical events like a stroke. Brain injuries are classified as either traumatic (caused by external physical force) or acquired (caused by internal factors).
Traumatic brain injuries are particularly common in personal injury cases, especially from incidents such as vehicle collisions, falls, or workplace accidents. Brain injuries interfere with the brain’s ability to carry out daily activities, from remembering names to performing household chores.
Severity and symptoms vary widely. Some people recover quickly; others may need ongoing therapy and care.
A concussion is the same as a traumatic brain injury. That fact is universally accepted in the medical community.
Mayo Clinic’s online medical information states:
“A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions.”
Many brain injuries result from sudden trauma or impact to the head. Identifying common causes can help determine whether negligence played a role.
Leading causes include:
Each of these situations could justify legal action if safety rules were ignored or negligence was involved. A Minneapolis brain injury lawyer can evaluate your case and help pursue compensation for injuries sustained in Minnetonka and beyond.
Brain injury symptoms vary by severity and location, but even mild trauma can lead to serious complications. It’s essential to recognize these warning signs early because they can influence recovery outcomes and the ability to pursue compensation.
According to Hennepin Healthcare, common symptoms of brain injuries include:
Some symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. Early medical evaluation is critical, even if symptoms seem minor. Documentation also supports legal claims, especially when working with a Minneapolis brain injury lawyer.
“Post-concussion syndrome” is defined as a complex disorder in which various symptoms of a concussion, such as headaches and dizziness, last longer than just weeks or months immediately following the injury that caused the concussion. Post-concussion syndrome is a collection of symptoms of a concussion that don’t go away in the weeks or months immediately following the injury.
If your brain injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover financial and emotional damages through a personal injury claim. These compensatory damages aim to make you “whole” again after the trauma.
The types of damages include:
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded when the at-fault party shows gross negligence or intentional harm. A Minneapolis brain injury lawyer at Schmidt & Salita Law Team ensures all potential damages are thoroughly evaluated.
*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
The Mayo Clinic says that car accidents are a common cause of concussions and traumatic brain injuries:
Sudden acceleration-deceleration of the head, resulting from certain events such as a car crash or being violently shaken, can also cause brain injury.
The Schmidt & Salita Law Team has found that 60% of the victims of car accidents, trucking accidents, and motorcycle accidents have experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury. You can always contact our Minneapolis brain injury lawyer for more information on your injuries.
I understand how overwhelming this can be. Let me handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery and getting back to normal.
The Mayo Clinic says the majority of concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness.
A “loss of consciousness” can be total or partial. Loss of consciousness is medically defined as a “coma.” Partial loss of consciousness is medically defined as either “stupor” or “lethargy.” “Stupor” is defined as a condition of significant or severe unresponsiveness. “Lethargy” is defined as a condition of reduced responsiveness.
The online publication of the Mayo Clinic recognizes that car accidents are a frequent cause of concussions and many brain injuries.
The statistics compiled by the Schmidt & Salita Law Team indicate that 60% of the people who have been involved in a motor vehicle collision, whether a car accident, trucking accident, or motorcycle accident that results in moderate to severe property damage, have also sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
Recently, the author of an article that was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine recognized that emergency room doctors cannot reliably assess a concussion or traumatic brain injury. The author recognized that patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury often appear normal in the acute clinical presentation.
Further, the author stated that emergency room doctors have no valid way of predicting at the time of injury which patients will subsequently develop a post-concussion syndrome. Research reported in that article indicated that 38% of patients who later develop post-concussion syndrome were discharged from the emergency department without recommendations for any follow-up care, and that 80% of mild traumatic brain injury patients will end up suffering persistent neuropsychological symptoms.
A brain injury can change your life in an instant—don’t face it alone. The Minneapolis brain injury lawyers at Schmidt & Salita Law Team are here to help Minnetonka residents take action and rebuild. Call (952) 473-4530 now for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.
Dean Salita is a seasoned Personal Injury lawyer with over 30 years of experience, specializing in workplace injuries and occupational diseases like asbestos-related illnesses. He’s the chair of the Minnesota Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation section and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer with an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Dean is dedicated to providing personal, compassionate legal support to his clients, guiding them through trials and the legal process.
Client Reviews
Google Review Schmidt Law Firm is so much more than the usual out for their back pocket firm they are a group of truly caring people. I was hit by a car & have memory loss. I don’t know how many times they all had to go over and over the same thing with me. They even gave me reminder calls for my doctors appointments. When things were so overwhelming I would call and all I could do is cry and they listened and never once complained or cut me short. Doug and Vanessa were all very helpful so was the rest of the staff. God Bless them all. By the way they got me a lot more than I had hoped for. You really don’t want to be on the opposing side of the table of Doug, he will rip you before you know he did it and he does it in such a nice way.
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When you schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Minnesota, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address. Some of the common questions clients ask us are:
Yes, in almost all cases, having an attorney is crucial to protect your rights and secure the settlement you deserve. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team supports you from start to finish—gathering evidence, managing medical records, valuing your claim, negotiating with insurers, and going to court if needed.
It’s very important to start collecting evidence right away to support your case. Our team helps obtain accident reports, speak with witnesses, and work with your doctors. We’ll also handle insurer communications. Waiting too long can cost you key opportunities—we’re ready to act quickly and protect your claim.
There are no upfront legal fees. Schmidt & Salita Law Team handles brain injury claims on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is free, and fees are a percentage of your settlement, never out-of-pocket.
We bring over 160 years of combined experience and a deep understanding of brain injury litigation. Our attorneys have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases and offer personalized service to every client. We focus on maximizing compensation while treating clients with compassion and respect.
The statute of limitations for filing a brain injury lawsuit in Minnesota is generally six years from the date of injury. However, certain factors may shorten or extend this timeframe, especially in cases involving minors or delayed symptom onset. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
It depends on the severity of the injury and the length of medical treatment. Most brain injury cases take a year or longer due to the need to establish long-term impacts and gather extensive documentation. After your medical condition stabilizes, we submit a demand package to the insurance company. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re ready to file a lawsuit.
Case value depends on medical costs, lost income, the extent of injury, and emotional impact. Factors like long-term disability, rehabilitation needs, and loss of quality of life are also considered. Our legal team works with medical and financial experts to determine a fair and full valuation of your damages.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (952) 473-4530
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“I wanted to extend my personal thanks and appreciation, as well as that of my siblings. We are appreciative of the representation you extended to our father. He always battled for the “little guy,” and you did that for him thru this process. Please extend this thank you to Molly as well. Thank you.”
“Doug Schmidt and his team were a godsend – they were compassionate and professional in helping my sister and I navigate our mother’s Wrongful Death. They were easy to communicate with, and I always felt my concerns and opinions were being heard. I would recommend Schmidt Law Firm to anyone who asks.”
“I feel very lucky to have Mr. Schmidt working for me. He took my case when my first lawyer would not and could not fight his way out of a paper bag. My case was very involved but Mr. Schmidt made it look so easy.”
“Doug and his team are top notch. They are hard working and meticulous with getting the best results… I felt like I was in good hands through the entire process. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
“I wanted to tell you thank you for everything you have done for me I really appreciate it…I truly appreciate everything you did just taking the time to answer my questions, makes me feel good about what was going on and understanding what was happening and everything and just being patient with me. Again I truly appreciate ha...
“Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for all your efforts to collect benefits on behalf of my husband. Your kindness and sympathy during our initial visit with you was very much appreciated.”
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Dean M. Salita, with more than 30 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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1600 Hopkins Crossroad
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Phone (952) 473-4530
Toll Free 1-800-656-8450
Fax (952) 544-1308
call us: 952.473.4530
