Brain injuries can cause a variety of symptoms that make it challenging to engage in everyday activities, and the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) extend beyond obvious physical impairments. Victims will usually experience a great deal of emotional distress, worrying about daily shortcomings and how the injury will affect their lifestyle and quality of life, as well as their personal relationships and financial situation.
If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI, attorney Tim Reed can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule your free, initial consultation. No matter how you’ve been injured, attorney Tim Reed will carefully review your legal options with you so you can understand your legal rights.
Types of Brain Injury Cases We Handle
A TBI can occur in nearly any type of accident, many of which are preventable. For example, when drivers cause accidents by texting while driving, driving while intoxicated, or driving recklessly, innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can suffer serious brain injuries. Attorney Tim Reed understands how devastating brain injuries can be for victims and their loved ones. He has a successful track record of obtaining compensation for victims who’ve suffered brain injuries, which may be caused in any of the following scenarios:
- Auto accidents, including car, truck, pedestrian, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents
- Aviation and boating accidents
- Sports injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice, including birth injuries
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Infection
- Electric shock
- Gunshot wounds
- Boating accidents
- Amusement park incidents
Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are a wide range of brain injuries with varying degrees of severity. For example, a concussion is a type of TBI that may have mild symptoms that resolve over a period of months. Concussions are diagnosed by medical providers based on the victim’s symptoms and medical history. In other words, a concussion is not a apparent on a CT or MRI; rather, victims are diagnosed using other information. Concussion victims may have lost consciousness, they may be dazed and confused, or they have memory problems.
In other cases, victims may suffer a fractured skull or bleeding within the skull. A TBI of that nature can be diagnosed using a CT or MRI. Whether a victim has suffered a concussion or a fracture or brain bleed, they often suffer symptoms that can be devastating. Though brain injuries can heal over time, those that suffer a TBI must often endure significant recovery periods, requiring physical rehabilitation and treatment by a neurologist, neuropsychologist, or psychologist.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Be Severe and Disabling
A seemingly minor car accident or slip and fall can lead to a TBI. We’re all familiar with traumatic brain injuries that result from direct, blunt-force head trauma, but a TBI can also be caused by whiplash injuries, which can cause the brain to move about within the skull. In those cases, the brain can impact the inside of the skull, causing a TBI.
Every TBI case is unique, and patients should work with a comprehensive medical team to identify and treat their symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include the following:
- Nausea or repeated vomiting
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Dilated pupils in one or both eyes
- Drainage of clear fluid from the ears or nose
- Slurred speech
- Disorientation or confusion
- Weakness or numbness in toes or fingers
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Coma
- Changes in behavior or mood, including aggression or restlessness
Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome
A TBI doesn’t need to be severe to cause significant problems. Persistent post-concussive symptoms, often called post-concussion syndrome, happen when someone has symptoms of a seemingly mild brain injury that continue to last longer than expected. The medical community used to assume that if someone did not lose consciousness after a head injury, there wouldn’t be long-lasting, severe issues. Now, we know that concussions can cause symptoms that last many months or even years. Persistent post-concussive symptoms include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of concentration and memory
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Blurry vision
What To Do After a Brain Injury
If you’ve been in an accident, it’s crucial that you undergo a comprehensive, medical evaluation as quickly as possible. TBI symptoms may not appear until a few days after the accident. Also, don’t assume that you didn’t suffer a TBI or lose consciousness simply because you weren’t “knocked out” or unresponsive for some period. Many people lose consciousness without realizing it; there is simply a small gap in memory. For example, you may recall a vehicle slamming into your car, and the next memory you have is hearing sirens. It may not feel as though you were “out,” but that memory gap indicates that you lost consciousness.
Speak to a skilled attorney. If you’ve suffered a TBI, or any injury for that matter, the last thing you need to worry about is how to negotiate an insurance claim or lawsuit. And don’t assume that you’re okay. Your symptoms may persist. It’s important that you seek medical treatment, follow your doctor’s instructions, and keep all of your medical documentation.
Pursuing Full Compensation After a Brain Injury
Treatment for brain injuries can be complex and result in significant medical expenses. Surgery may be required. Physical and occupational therapy may be necessary. You may also incur lost wages and suffer significant pain and suffering. If you want to be properly compensated for these losses, you will need a skilled attorney, someone you can trust, that understands what it takes to prepare your case for the best possible outcome. You simply cannot rely on an insurance company and its attorneys to help you through the claims process, hoping that they’ll be fair. Chances are, they won’t.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Little Rock, Arkansas Brain Injury Attorney
Our Little Rock, Arkansas brain injury attorney provides clients with knowledgeable, legal counsel. As a personal injury victim, you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim for compensation. The sooner you discuss your case with an attorney, the more time your attorney will have to investigate your case, gather evidence, and develop an effective strategy. If you or your loved one has suffered a brain injury, contact the Reed Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.