Suffering from a car accident, a slip & fall, a workplace accident, or a traumatic event like physical assault can often result in serious injury. Head and brain injuries are some of the most severe types of bodily damage that a person can experience.
Whenever a head or brain injury occurs, it is sometimes catastrophic and often leads to long-term debilitation, loss of income, or even death. The person suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may face life-long cognitive difficulty and vision impairment that affects their quality of life. Several important facts and details can help someone understand their injury and know what to expect when looking for a Dallas brain injury lawyer.
Brain Injury Causes
There are several potential causes of brain injury:
Slip and Fall
Falls are the primary cause of brain injuries, and they can occur almost anywhere: at work, at home, or even while an individual enjoys an evening of shopping and dining. Falling at home would include falls from roofs, ladders, and other places around the house. Even falling out of bed can cause injury. A slip on an icy sidewalk can cause a traumatic brain injury if a person’s head hits violently against a hard surface, such as a concrete sidewalk.
Car Accidents
Automobile accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle accidents could range from severe concussions to a penetrating wound that pierces the skull. In addition, the type of auto accident can affect the severity of the brain injury. Even something as minor as a back-end fender-bender can cause whiplash and lead to a brain injury. A person who experiences a side-impact crash or a head-on accident may receive the most traumatic types of brain injuries.
Commercial Truck Accidents
Big rig trucks are much larger than regular cars, and when accidents between semis and cars occur, the results are often catastrophic for those inside the passenger vehicle. While accidents between large trucks and smaller vehicles account for a relatively small number of overall accidents, they cause a disproportionate amount of severe or fatal injuries. Individuals may want to consult with a traumatic brain injury attorney if a loved one receives a severe brain injury in this type of accident.
Assault or Battery
Physical assault or battery accounts for a smaller portion of severe brain injuries. This category would include a blunt object or fists striking the head or a bullet traveling through the brain. Even what may seem like a minor fight may lead to brain injury. Sometimes, a person doesn’t know the extent of their injury right away, which is why consultation with a brain damage lawyer is crucial — even for minor injuries.
Work Accidents
Falls on the job include falling from ladders, roofs, and construction site scaffolding. However, while workplace accidents include falls, they also include many other types of accidents. For example, if an auto accident causes a traumatic brain injury while driving for an employer, it is a work-related accident. An individual who experiences any workplace accident, even if minor, should seek out medical evaluation as soon as possible. After enough time passes, it is sometimes difficult to prove that the brain injury occurred at work.
Premises Liability Accident
A premises liability accident occurs on someone else’s property, and the owner is liable for damages. As an example, this type of accident could happen when a person is out shopping or enjoying a vacation. Property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment on their property, since everything from wet floors to cracked pavement can cause serious accidents. Even government property, such as highways, can cause severe injury. An accident victim will want to consult a Dallas brain injury lawyer to receive adequate compensation after an incident occurs.
Brain Injury Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 61,000 traumatic brain injury deaths occur in the United States annually. Altogether, about 2.8 million individuals in the U.S. will experience a TBI every year. While most people suffering from a brain injury will survive, many struggle for years trying to recover and regain a normal life. TBI also causes disability at six times the rate of spinal cord injuries. Consulting with a traumatic brain injury attorney can help many people receive the necessary compensation to rebuild their lives.
Contact a Dallas Brain Injury Lawyer at Marye Law
When looking for a qualified traumatic brain injury attorney, it’s important to find a firm with specific experience working with personal injury. The attorneys at Marye Law in Dallas, Texas, have over 20 years of legal experience. Their practice areas include personal injury, workplace injury, and auto accidents, and they fight to make sure their clients receive fair and just compensation for serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic head or brain injury, contact a Dallas brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.
FAQ
What are some Dallas-specific brain injury statistics?
According to the Brain Injury Network of Dallas, approximately 146,000 people in Texas experience some type of brain injury each year. However, about 500,000 people live with a disability that resulted from a traumatic brain injury. The Brain Injury Network also explains that only 5 percent of Texas TBI survivors get all the services and help they need. This shocking statistic shows why it is crucial to contact a traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
How much is a head injury lawsuit worth?
How much a head injury lawsuit is worth depends on several factors, including how severe the injuries are and how much medical treatment is necessary. Potential medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost income are all aspects to consider when determining how much a head injury lawsuit is worth. A person will need to consult with a traumatic brain injury attorney to find out about their specific case.
How much compensation do you get for a brain injury?
A brain injury can range from mild to severe. How much compensation an individual receives will depend on the type of injury, how much it affects a person’s day-to-day life, and if the person is responsible for dependents who rely on that person’s income. The type of legal representation the individual has is another factor. An experienced legal team that knows the law and can fight for an individual’s right to full compensation will likely make a difference regarding how much compensation a person receives. Sometimes, it’s better to make a settlement than go to court, since cases that go to court may take years to finish. Making a settlement means an injured person will receive compensation sooner.
Can I sue for traumatic brain injuries (TBI)?
In some situations, you can file a lawsuit. However, an individual filing a lawsuit for themselves or on behalf of a loved one would first need to consider several aspects. The primary concern is that the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits in Texas is usually two years. Therefore, it’s important to contact a brain damage lawyer as soon as possible after an accident occurs to make sure there is time to gather evidence and put together a solid case.
What are the four types of traumatic brain injuries?
Following are the specific types of traumatic brain injuries:
- Concussion – A concussion is a minor brain injury that occurs after a person experiences shaking or a sudden movement. A concussion can occur after experiencing whiplash in a car accident.
- Anoxic – Anoxic brain injuries are the result of not receiving enough oxygen. This injury can take place after four or five minutes without adequate oxygen.
- Contusion – This injury involves bruising of the brain tissue, including the breaking of small blood vessels.
- Penetrating – A penetrating injury occurs when an object pierces through the skull. Hair, skin, and other things may directly contact the brain.
Can the brain heal itself from brain damage?
The brain is often resilient and sometimes can heal after a traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, though, the damage is too severe for a person to recover fully. When recovery is possible, it can take months and sometimes years for an individual to return to a normal life. In addition, a person may require years of therapy to regain memory or mobility. A brain damage lawyer can help a person receive the compensation necessary for adequate therapy and medical treatment.
How long does it take to heal from a traumatic brain injury?
How long it takes to heal from a TBI will depend on the type and severity of the injury. For example, according to the Premier Neurology & Wellness Center, it takes approximately 7 to 10 days to recover from a moderate concussion. The National Institutes of Health states that, on average, it takes two years for an individual to recover from a traumatic brain injury. Some recoveries, however, can take five years or longer.
Are traumatic brain injuries permanent?
While some individuals will recover from a TBI, others may develop a permanent condition. Some people recover partially and live with the inability to walk or talk, or they may have memory difficulties. Unfortunately, some traumatic brain injuries may leave an individual in a permanent coma. The more severe the initial damage is, the more likely it is that the injury never heals. According to Brainline, more moderate or severe injuries may become permanent.
What are the three symptoms of a serious brain injury?
While there are potentially several symptoms that might accompany serious brain injury, the following are three of the most common:
- Physical Symptoms – Headaches, nausea, and loss of balance can occur in concussions or other types of severe brain injury.
- Sensory Symptoms – Blurring vision, ringing in the ears, and a strange taste in the mouth are examples of sensory symptoms.
- Cognitive Symptoms – These symptoms include difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much. Memory lapses, concentration problems, and mood changes are also symptoms.
What qualifies as a traumatic brain injury?
MedlinePlus defines a traumatic brain injury as a sudden injury that results in severe damage to the brain. This injury is considered a closed head injury whenever there is a jolt, bump, or blow to the head. A penetrating injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain. In practical terms, a traumatic brain injury is any injury that impedes the brain’s functions and interferes with daily living. TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, although even mild brain injuries may inhibit a person’s ability to work or function normally for a length of time. Contact a traumatic brain injury attorney immediately if a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, even if the brain injury appears mild.
Do traumatic brain injuries get worse over time?
A traumatic brain injury will normally improve over time if a person survives, but there are cases in which an individual’s health will decline. According to the CDC, primary and secondary factors in brain injuries can affect outcomes. For example, infections can occur after the primary accident and make the brain injury worse, or the individual may never get the best medical care or therapy to keep progressing. For this reason, it’s important to consult with a Dallas brain injury lawyer to receive compensation for the necessary care.
A traumatic brain injury is devastating for the individual and entire family, and loss of income and former lifestyle can cause immeasurable damage. Marye Law in Dallas-Fort Worth has over 20 years of experience working with personal injury victims. If you or a loved one is seeking a brain injury lawyer, contact Marye Law for a free consultation.