Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are one of the most devastating injuries a person could suffer. They are disruptions to normal brain function caused by external forces, ranging in severity from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
TBIs happen everywhere – at home, at work, and on the road. They can put a victim out of work for days, weeks, months, or even the rest of their life, and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, when you factor in medical bills, lost wages and earning potential, and other damages.
Anyone who has been the victim of a traumatic brain injury should contact a lawyer familiar with the causes of traumatic brain injuries in Houston. By working with one of our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys, you can get started on pursuing compensation for your injury, so that you can start rebuilding your life.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Just as TBIs can range in severity, they can also happen in many ways. The most common causes of these types of injuries are:
- Sports
- Work injuries
- Military combat
- Bicycle accidents
- Assaults and violence
- Shaken baby syndrome
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Penetration from bullets, knives, or other sharp objects
- Falls from uneven ground, slippery surfaces, or heights
No matter the cause, TBI is an awful diagnosis to receive. This type of injury can have a significant and debilitating impact on a person’s life. Some types of TBI include:
- Hematoma
- Contusions
- Concussions
- Second impact syndrome
- Shear and penetration injuries
- Anoxic and Hypoxic brain injuries
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) (widespread damage to nerve fibers)
- Coup-contrecoup injuries (when the brain hits the skull on both sides in a car accident)
It is important to speak with an attorney in Houston about anything that could have contributed to the TBI, as it will help with evidence in the case.
Costs and Medical Treatments Associated With TBI
A TBI can cost a person hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills for emergency treatment through imaging and surgery, pain medications, and rehabilitation for the body, speech, and brain. A person might also need other medications like anti-seizure, diuretics, and stimulants to treat their symptoms. Additionally, a person suffering a TBI will most likely require physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as cognitive rehabilitation.
In addition, a victim of TBI is likely to need assistive devices, such as wheelchair or communications device, as well as psychological support. A lawyer in Houston with experience in TBI claims could advise as to the full range of costs and craft a plan for obtaining compensation for expenses.
Receiving Compensation for a Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI cases are governed by several statutes. One is Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, which outlines the requirements for a personal injury claim in the state. An injury case in Houston might involve a TBI caused by a car accident or a slip-and-fall at a neighbor’s house. On the other hand, TBI cases that occur as a result of medical malpractice are covered by Chapter 74.251 of the code. This chapter provides a two-year statute of limitations and outlines other requirements for a medical malpractice case.
There are a couple of ways to obtain damages. A person could file a lawsuit and pursue damages in court or negotiate a commensurate payout from the involved insurance companies. Regardless of the plaintiff’s choice, they should consult an attorney to argue the TBI case and deal with the insurance representatives on their behalf. Insurance representatives must protect their companies’ bottom lines and are prone to making lowball settlement offers and trapping people into making statements against their interest. A lawyer avoids these pitfalls.
Contact an Attorney in Houston About TBI Causes Today
While TBI’s can be costly and difficult to manage, you do not have to go through the process alone. Our team is here to help you make your case to insurance companies and mitigate your financial stress. When you have suffered a TBI, call one of our lawyers who understand the common causes of traumatic brain injuries in Houston today for a free consultation on how we might help you recover from this devastating accident.