Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit
Every year up to 1.1 million Americans will suffer from a traumatic brain injury, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-changing experience that can leave you or a loved one with a mental impairment or no longer able to participate in certain activities. A skilled TBI lawyer can help you or your family navigate the complex process of filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) developed this basic definition of what constitutes a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the damage to the brain, and can include:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or tired eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes
- Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.
A person with moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms in addition to the following:
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of coordination and increased confusion
- Restlessness or agitation
A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. A moderate to severe TBI could result in more extended periods of unconsciousness.
Brain Injuries Can Be Long-Lasting
Brain injuries can occur due to many events, including car and truck accidents, serious falls, and medical negligence. Regardless of the cause of the damage, a traumatic brain injury can be life-altering and severe. A TBI is often a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and surgery. Other times, diagnostic tests must be performed to accurately diagnose, pinpoint, and treat a traumatic brain injury.
Beyond emergency treatment and acute/intensive care, persons living with a brain injury might require months of rehabilitation and therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and cognitive and emotional support. Some people find their mobility and cognitive skills permanently impaired, requiring a lifetime of skilled care or daily living support.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Traumatic Brain Injury
Physical and economic damages from a traumatic brain injury can be devastating. Thankfully, if your injury was caused by the negligent or wrongful act of another, you could pursue compensation for your injuries. Depending on the injuries sustained, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Decrease in quality of life
If you are pursuing compensation for a traumatic brain injury for you or a loved one, keeping all paperwork related to medical care is vital. Your attorney will use this information to assign value to your case.
Discussing the Accident and Your Condition
It may seem harmless, but it is essential that you do not share too much information about the accident and your condition or injuries online or with people outside of your immediate family. Insurance adjusters will check your social media pages to gather any information they can and try and use it to show you are not suffering as bad as you may claim or that your injuries are not as bad as you are making them out to be. They will take comments, posts, and photos out of context to try to diminish your claim.
You should not accept friend requests from strangers.
A harmless profile could be the agents of insurance companies in disguise, hoping to access your posts.
Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney for Compassionate Legal Guidance
If you have been injured, an experienced attorney can help guide you through the process of receiving compensation from the person who caused you harm.
In addition, Charles Boyk law offices have healthcare professionals on staff who will review your medical records to ensure you are receiving the best treatment.
If you have questions about filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit, contact the Charles Boyk law office for a free consultation of your case.
