Liane Brown and Karen Vigmond to Speak at the American Association for Justice’s Annual Convention 2026

Oatley Vigmond is proud to announce that partners Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown will be presenting at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention 2026, one of North America’s leading conferences for plaintiff trial lawyers. Their session, “New Developments and Challenges in Presenting mTBI Cases at Trial,” will focus on one of the most complex and rapidly evolving areas of personal injury litigation: proving mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) at trial.

For individuals and families living with the effects of a traumatic brain injury, this speaking engagement reflects something important. It demonstrates that Oatley Vigmond’s lawyers are actively contributing to conversations that shape how brain injury cases are understood and presented, not only in Ontario, but across North America.

Key Takeaways

• Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown will speak at the American Association for Justice Annual Convention 2026.
• Their presentation is titled “New Developments and Challenges in Presenting mTBI Cases at Trial.”
• The session takes place Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 10:25 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• The AAJ Annual Convention is one of North America’s premier educational conferences for plaintiff trial lawyers.
• Mild traumatic brain injury cases can be among the most medically and legally complex personal injury claims.
• Oatley Vigmond has extensive experience representing Ontarians living with traumatic brain injuries following serious accidents.

Event Details

American Association for Justice Annual Convention 2026

Event: American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention

Dates: July 24-28, 2026

Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Speaking Session:

• Title: New Developments and Challenges in Presenting mTBI Cases at Trial
• Speakers: Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown
• Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
• Time: 10:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (Central Time)

What Is the American Association for Justice?

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is an international organization dedicated to protecting the civil justice system and supporting lawyers who represent injured people and their families. Each year, its Annual Convention brings together plaintiff trial lawyers to learn about emerging legal issues, trial advocacy, medical evidence, and litigation strategy.

The conference includes continuing legal education (CLE), specialty litigation sessions, and presentations from experienced trial lawyers on topics affecting personal injury litigation. It is widely recognized as one of the most significant educational events for

lawyers who advocate on behalf of injured individuals.

Why Is This Presentation Important?

Traumatic brain injuries remain one of the most challenging injuries to prove in court.

Unlike many physical injuries, a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may not appear on standard imaging such as CT scans or MRIs. Yet the effects can be profound, including:

• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Mood and emotional changes
• Sensory issues
• Challenges returning to work or school

Because symptoms are often “invisible,” these cases require careful medical evidence, expert testimony, and a thorough understanding of how brain injuries affect daily life.

Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown’s presentation will explore new developments and practical challenges involved in presenting these cases at trial, helping fellow plaintiff lawyers better advocate for people living with brain injuries.

Oatley Vigmond’s Experience Advocating for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries

For decades, Oatley Vigmond has represented individuals throughout Ontario who have sustained traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes, cycling accidents, and other serious incidents.

Brain injuries often affect every aspect of a person’s life. Recovery can involve:

• Extensive rehabilitation
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Cognitive therapy
• Psychological support
• Occupational therapy
• Future care planning
• Assistance returning to work or school

In addition to pursuing compensation through personal injury claims, these cases frequently involve Ontario accident benefits, future care costs, income replacement issues, and long-term planning for injured individuals and their families.

Every brain injury is unique, which is why building a successful case requires careful investigation, collaboration with medical experts, and an understanding of both the medical and legal issues involved.

Why Do Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases Present Unique Challenges?

Many people assume that the word “mild” means a person has only minor injuries.

In medicine, however, “mild” describes the initial severity of the injury, not necessarily the long-term outcome.

Some individuals recover relatively quickly. Others continue experiencing significant cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms for months or years.

These cases often require evidence from multiple healthcare professionals to explain how symptoms affect employment, education, relationships, and everyday activities.

As research into brain injuries continues to evolve, lawyers must stay current with medical literature, emerging diagnostic approaches, and developments in trial advocacy.

What Does This Mean for People Injured in Ontario?

Although the AAJ conference takes place in the United States, the knowledge shared benefits lawyers representing injured clients throughout Ontario.

Continuing education allows lawyers to:

• Stay informed about evolving medical research.
• Learn new approaches to presenting complex evidence.
• Exchange ideas with experienced trial lawyers from across North America.
• Improve advocacy for clients living with serious injuries.

At Oatley Vigmond, ongoing professional development is part of our commitment to providing knowledgeable representation for individuals and families facing life-changing injuries.

When Should You Contact an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer After a Brain Injury?

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury following an accident, it is important to obtain legal advice as early as possible.

Early legal guidance can help protect important evidence while ensuring you understand your legal rights, available accident benefits, insurance obligations, and applicable limitation periods.

Because every case is different, speaking with an experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can help you make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American Association for Justice (AAJ)?

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is an international organization that supports lawyers who represent injured people and their families while promoting the civil justice system. Its Annual Convention brings together plaintiff trial lawyers from across North America to learn about developments in trial advocacy, medical evidence, litigation strategy, and emerging legal issues. Educational sessions allow experienced lawyers to share knowledge that can ultimately improve the representation of injured individuals.

Why is Oatley Vigmond speaking at the AAJ Annual Convention important?

Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown’s invitation to present at the AAJ Annual Convention reflects their experience handling complex traumatic brain injury cases. Their presentation allows them to share practical insights with other plaintiff lawyers while contributing to discussions about evolving medical evidence and trial advocacy. The knowledge exchanged at conferences like AAJ can help improve how complex brain injury cases are presented and understood, benefiting injured individuals in Ontario and beyond.

What is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?

A mild traumatic brain injury, often called an mTBI, refers to the initial severity of the brain injury rather than the long-term effects a person may experience. Although it is described as “mild” medically, some individuals continue to experience significant symptoms that affect their daily lives for months or even years. Symptoms may include memory problems, headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, sensory issues, and challenges returning to work or school.

Why can mild traumatic brain injuries be difficult to prove?

Unlike many physical injuries, a mild traumatic brain injury may not appear on standard CT scans or MRI imaging. As a result, these cases often depend on detailed medical evidence, expert opinions, and documentation showing how symptoms affect everyday life. Lawyers may work with multiple healthcare professionals to explain the injury’s impact on employment, education, relationships, and daily functioning. This makes careful preparation especially important in complex mTBI cases.

What types of accidents can result in a traumatic brain injury?

The blog explains that Oatley Vigmond represents individuals throughout Ontario who have sustained traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes, cycling accidents, and other serious incidents. Every accident is different, and the circumstances surrounding the injury may affect the legal and insurance issues involved. If someone in Toronto, Barrie, or another Ontario community has suffered a brain injury after an accident, speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help them better understand their options.

What kinds of treatment and support might someone with a traumatic brain injury need?

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury can involve a wide range of medical and rehabilitative services depending on the individual’s needs. The blog notes that treatment may include rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, cognitive therapy, psychological support, occupational therapy, future care planning, and assistance returning to work or school. Because every brain injury is unique, recovery plans often involve several healthcare professionals working together over time.

How does continuing legal education benefit injured people in Ontario?

Continuing legal education helps lawyers stay informed about evolving medical research, new approaches to presenting evidence, and developments in personal injury law. Conferences such as the AAJ Annual Convention also provide opportunities to exchange ideas with experienced trial lawyers from across North America. For individuals and families in communities such as Mississauga or Vaughan, lawyers who continue developing their knowledge may be better equipped to understand complex brain injury cases and the evidence needed to present them effectively.

When should I contact an Ontario personal injury lawyer after a traumatic brain injury?

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury following an accident, it is generally helpful to seek legal advice as early as possible. Early guidance may help protect important evidence while allowing you to better understand your legal rights, available accident benefits, insurance obligations, and any applicable limitation periods. Because every situation is unique, an experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can explain how the law applies to your individual circumstances.

Does every person with a mild traumatic brain injury recover the same way?

No. The blog explains that recovery varies significantly from one person to another. Some people recover relatively quickly, while others continue to experience cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms for months or years. The severity of long-term symptoms cannot always be determined by the initial classification of the injury. This is one reason why each case requires careful medical assessment and individualized evidence.

How can an experienced personal injury lawyer help with a traumatic brain injury claim?

Traumatic brain injury claims often involve complex medical evidence, accident benefits, future care considerations, income replacement issues, and long-term planning. An experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can help explain the legal process, coordinate with appropriate experts, and ensure that important evidence is preserved. Individuals throughout Ontario, including those in Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area, can benefit from obtaining advice that is tailored to their particular circumstances rather than assuming every case is treated the same way.

Why Oatley Vigmond?

Oatley Vigmond has long been recognized for representing individuals with catastrophic and serious personal injuries across Ontario.

Karen Vigmond and Liane Brown’s invitation to present at the AAJ Annual Convention reflects their ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge in traumatic brain injury litigation and contributing to the broader legal profession.

By sharing their experience with fellow trial lawyers, they continue helping improve the understanding and presentation of complex brain injury cases—ultimately benefiting injured people both in Ontario and beyond.

Contact Oatley Vigmond

If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury after a motor vehicle accident or another serious incident in Ontario, our team is available to answer your questions and discuss your legal options.

We proudly assist clients throughout Ontario, including Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Bradford, Barrie, and surrounding communities.