What to Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

We’ve compiled information regarding everything you need to know about traumatic brain injuries:

What is TBI?
What causes a traumatic brain injury?
What are the symptoms of TBI?
How common are traumatic brain injuries?

And we’re answering questions related to traumatic brain injury claims:

How long do you have to file a brain injury lawsuit?
How much if a TBI claim worth?
Why should you hire an attorney for a TBI claim?

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury disrupts the normal function of the brain. It’s often called a “TBI” or simply a “brain injury.” Brain injuries can be caused by a direct blow to the head, a penetrating head injury, or by the force of something like a car wreck. This trauma causes the brain to swell, and it can result in a number of physical and cognitive symptoms.

Brain injuries can result from any event that causes head trauma, but data shows that some causes are more common than others. The leading cause of TBIs in the United States is falling. Other common causes:

Falls
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Sports/Recreation Injuries
Assault or abuse
Workplace injuries
Gunshot wounds

There are two main categories of head injuries: open head injury and closed head injury.

Unfortunately, brain injuries are not rare. Statistics show that 1.4 million Americans sustain a TBI each year. Traumatic brain injuries can have both short- and long-term consequences for victims. And TBIs are unique because the full extent of the injury can take years to fully develop.

What are the symptoms of a brain injury?

Since your brain is the center of thought, memory, speech, and movement, a TBI is clearly a serious injury. There are many symptoms that could indicate a brain injury:

Memory loss – either temporary or permanent
Difficulty speaking
Mood swings or changes in personality
Difficulty answering basic questions or completing simple tasks
Loss of motor skills (both fine and gross movements)
Persistent numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Loss of balance or coordination
Loss of vision
Sudden onset of depression or symptoms of mental disorder
Inability to work
Social isolation

No two brain injuries are the same. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. If you experience any of these symptoms after falling, being struck by an object, or being in a car crash, get medical help immediately.

How long do I have to file a TBI case?

Like other injuries, traumatic brain injuries have what’s known as a “statute of limitations.”

Arkansas requires TBI victims to file a claim within 3 years of the accident. If your injury was caused by medical malpractice, the limit to file is 2 years from the date of the injury.

In Mississippi, the statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of the accident or the date the injury was discovered.

The law in Texas gives victims 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

How much is a TBI case worth?

Each TBI case is unique, so the monetary value of the case will also vary.

If another person caused your brain injury, you may be entitled to recover damages in several different categories:

Medical Bills
Lost Wages
Long-Term Medical Treatment or Care
Future Loss of Income
Pain and Suffering
Lower Quality of Life

Why should I hire an attorney for a brain injury claim?

As the name would suggest, a brain injury may be a traumatic, life-altering event. Accident victims may be left with permanent disabilities and an ongoing need for treatment.

No two brain injuries are exactly the same. As a result, TBI cases are often complex and require a great deal of time and attention. A personal injury attorney who handles TBI cases will know how to build your case, preserve evidence, and protect your future. They’ll ensure you receive compensation for the pain you’ve already suffered in addition to future lost wages or medical expenses.

Questions about traumatic brain injuries and TBI claims?

Are you – or someone you love – dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury? Was your injury the result of another person’s negligent actions? You may have a right to compensation. Taylor King Law can help.

It can be a difficult road to walk, but you don’t have to do it alone. We have over 25 years of experience helping personal injury victims get the help they deserve. At Taylor King Law, we handle the process from start to finish. Our practice areas also include slip and fall injuries, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle wrecks, medical malpractice, wrongful death cases, defective products, and more.