Traumatic brain injury, commonly called TBI, is a severe condition that requires immediate medical care. Costs associated with TBI treatment can often be enormous and overwhelming. If you or a loved one suffered TBI due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and medical expenses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem in the United States. Each year, an estimated 2.87 million people sustain a TBI, and of those, 52,000 die as a result. TBI can occur when the head is hit by an object or when the head hits an object. Common causes of TBI include falls, car accidents, and assaults.
Symptoms of TBI can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but may include headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, sleep problems, fatigue, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. In Dallas TX, the rate of TBI hospitalizations is higher than the state average. From 2010 to 2014, there were an average of 2,631 TBI hospitalizations per year in Dallas County.
The leading cause of TBI hospitalizations in Dallas County was (29%), followed by motor vehicle traffic accidents (22%). Males accounted for 62% of all TBI hospitalizations during this time period. The highest rates of TBI hospitalization were among people ages 75 and older (566 per 100,000 population), followed by people ages 65-74 (479 per 100,000 population). People ages 0-4 had the lowest rate of TBI hospitalization (68 per 100,000 population).
At Thompson Law, our Dallas brain injury lawyers offer free evaluations to determine whether you have a case. Texas has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, so call us today to get started. Your Dallas brain injury lawyer will make sure everything is organized and filed on time so you can focus on your health and recovery.
A brain injury can be a catastrophic, life-changing event. After an accident, individuals with TBI often experience physical, psychological, and financial overwhelm. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries sometimes go undiagnosed if an accident is considered minor or the individual is hesitant to seek medical attention.
Traumatic brain injury symptoms include:
If you or a loved one are experiencing TBI symptoms after an accident, you must see a medical professional right away. Once you receive the care you need, you can consult a Dallas brain injury lawyer to discuss compensation for your damages and medical bills.
Traumatic brain injuries are more common than many people think. The impact of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and slip and fall accidents can cause severe trauma to the brain. You also see TBI in drowning victims, work accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
A wide range of accidents cause traumatic brain injury:
Whatever the circumstances of your TBI, you have rights if someone else’s negligence caused your injury. The Dallas brain injury lawyers at Thompson Law are here to ensure you and your family have excellent legal help so you can get back to focusing on your health and recovery.
We provide traumatic brain injury victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our Dallas brain injury lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.
Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury. They occur when a strong force strikes your head, causing your brain to collide with your skull. Concussions can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. In some cases, concussions can even lead to lifelong difficulties. Concussions used to be considered minor inconveniences, but doctors now take them much more seriously.
If concussion symptoms persist for longer than a month, then you most likely have developed post-concussion syndrome. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this condition with certain post-concussion syndrome treatments. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can experience significant improvements in your symptoms.
A contusion is a bruise on the brain, which is a small amount of bleeding. Contusions are common with concussions. Most contusions heal on their own within two weeks. Some contusions require surgery to remove the hematoma.
The prognosis for most people with a contusion is good, with most people making a full recovery within four weeks. Some people may experience some long-term effects, such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or depression.
A brain hemorrhage is a type of focal brain injury that refers to uncontrolled bleeding on the surface of the brain or within the brain tissue itself. Hemorrhages that occur in the space surrounding the brain are known as subarachnoid hemorrhages, while those that originate in the cerebral matter are called intracerebral hemorrhages. While these injuries tend to cause less severe damage than other types of TBI, they can still be life-threatening if they are not treated promptly.
The most common symptoms of a brain hemorrhage include headache, violent vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, and paralysis. If you think you or someone else may have suffered a brain hemorrhage, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Brain hemorrhages are considered medical emergencies and require prompt treatment to minimize the risk of long-term complications.
A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. In the brain, hematomas can be epidural, subdural, or intracerebral. Epidural hematomas are collections of blood between the skull and brain, while subdural hematomas are collections of blood under the thin layer of protection surrounding the brain.
Intracerebral hematomas are collections of blood within the brain itself. Hematomas can develop several days or weeks after a head injury and often result in vomiting, severe headache, unequal pupil sizes, and slurred speech. If you experience any of these symptoms after your brain injury, call your physician immediately. Left untreated, hematomas can lead to serious injury and even death.
A coup-contrecoup injury is a serious type of traumatic brain injury that actually refers to two separate injuries. The first injury, known as a coup injury, occurs directly under the point of impact. The second injury, known as a contrecoup injury, occurs on the opposite side of the brain from where the blow struck.
Most coup-contrecoup injuries occur when the person’s head slams against a stationary object. When the skull hits the object, the brain moves forward until it collides with the front of the skull. Then, due to the strength of the impact, it rebounds off the front of the skull and strikes the back, causing a second impact. These types of injuries can be extremely serious, and often require immediate medical attention.
A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most catastrophic types of brain damage that can occur after trauma to the head. DAI occurs when the brain is violently shaken or jarred, causing it to twist and turn within the skull. This twisting motion Tears microscopic fibers called axons that connect different areas of the brain. As a result of this axonal shearing, messages that neurons send to one another are disrupted, leading to a loss of function.
Although DAI can occur in any part of the brain, it is typically most damaging to the corpus callosum – the bundle of nerves that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This can lead to severe problems with coordination and balance, as well as cognitive deficits such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, DAI can also cause changes in personality and emotional instability.
Unfortunately, because diffuse axonal injuries typically involve only tiny tears in the brain tissue, they can be difficult to detect on standard imaging tests such as MRI. To show a DAI, a special type of MRI known as Diffuse Tensor Imaging (DTI) is used. However, if you suspect that you or someone you know has suffered a DAI, it is important to seek medical attention immediately as daily treatment is critical for minimizing long-term disability.
A penetrating brain injury is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when an object penetrates the skull and brain. The most common cause of PBI is a gunshot wound, but it can also occur because of a stabbing or other sharp object. People with PBI often experience seizures and are more likely to develop epilepsy after TBI than people with other types of brain injuries.
If someone you know has suffered a PBI, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Never remove an object lodged in someone’s skull until a doctor has assessed them, as that could worsen the bleeding and cause further damage. With prompt medical treatment, people with PBI can often make a full recovery.
A second brain injury, also called a recurrent traumatic brain injury, is much more severe than the first one and can have devastating effects. The second brain injury usually causes more damage than the first, so it is crucial to get medical help as soon as possible. Neurologists will do a CT scan or MRI to check for any bleeding or swelling in the brain.
If you have a recurrent traumatic brain injury, you may need surgery to remove any damaged tissue and to relieve pressure on the brain. In some cases, a shunt may need to be placed to drain excess fluid from the brain. With proper treatment, many people with recurrent traumatic brain injuries make a full recovery. However, it is important to keep in mind that each person’s situation is unique, so it is essential to follow your doctor’s advice and stay under close medical supervision.
Traumatic brain injury cases can be complex. Our lawyers have years of experience advocating for TBI victims and their families. We are happy to deal with insurance companies, answer all your questions, and work to make sure you get fair compensation.
A Dallas brain injury lawyer will:
Remember, we do not collect any compensation until you win. Our Dallas brain injury lawyers are here 24/7 to assist with your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. We are happy to answer any questions during your free case evaluation.
Winning a brain injury case often hinges on demonstrating that another party’s negligence directly caused the injury. To effectively prove negligence, the following four points must be established:
Successfully proving these points requires thorough preparation and compelling evidence, such as medical records, expert testimony, and detailed documentation of all related expenses and impacts on the life of the injured party.
Choosing our Dallas brain injury lawyers to represent you in your traumatic brain injury case means selecting a team with a profound understanding of both the medical and legal complexities involved. Our attorneys are not only experienced in litigation and negotiation, but we also possess a deep empathy for our clients, recognizing the immense challenges they face post-injury. We stand out because:
At our firm, we not only strive to secure the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, but we also aim to facilitate your path to healing and recovery. Our commitment, experience, and compassionate approach make us the right choice for your Texas brain injury case.
Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.