Houston Brain Injury Lawyers

A traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone no matter how old they are. Males between the ages of 15 and 24 years are more susceptible to suffer this type of injury. Children and the elderly are also more vulnerable to brain injury. For example, slips and falls are considered to be a leading cause of traumatic brain injury for infants, toddlers, and elderly people. In motor vehicle accidents, adolescents and adults frequently sustain serious brain injuries.

Regardless of the cause, it is important for victims and their families to take traumatic brain injury cases seriously. A brain injury can affect virtually every aspect of your life, and can do so permanently. That’s one reason to consider hiring a team of qualified Houston personal injury attorneys who can help you obtain the compensation that will cover your medical costs and help you regain normalcy after a catastrophic injury.

Defining Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries happen when an external force causes brain dysfunction. Traumatic brain injury characteristically results from a violent blow to the head or body that causes the brain to be jarred. An object penetrating the skull or a shattered piece of skull can also cause a traumatic brain injury.

Even a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injuries often result in bleeding, bruising, torn soft tissues, and other significant damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death.

Traumatic brain injury can typically be categorized into two main types:

• Severe TBI is a condition that results when the victim is left with severe cognitive or motor impairment or is left in a vegetative state. Round-the-clock nursing care is commonly required for these victims.
• Moderate or mild TBI may ultimately result in a broad spectrum of physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional harm or impairment. Victims may appear to function conventionally in some ways yet require assistance and supervision for many activities. Repercussions of TBI may surface as memory impairment, sleep disturbances, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light and sounds, nausea, depression, mood swings, and severe anxiety.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by an impact to the head that disturbs normal brain function. This could result in memory loss, loss of consciousness, physical and cognitive issues, emotional and anxiety-related problems, and even permanent disability. There are a number of causes of TBIs, and some of the most common are discussed below.

Falls Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the more common ways that TBIs happen is when falls, typically in the elderly and young children, occur. Falls happen in a variety of places, both at home and out in public. If a fall takes place from a height, like on a roof or from a ladder, the resulting injuries can be more severe.

Falls can be prevented by employers, business owners, and others taking precautions like adding handrails and grab bars, providing adequate lighting, clearing clutter, and obstacles, using proper footwear, and using personal safety equipment in work areas. Pay careful attention, especially when working at heights.

Motor Vehicle Accidents are to Blame for Many TBIs

Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents with other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians can lead to brain injuries. In motor vehicle accidents, heads can hit the dashboard, windshield, or even the ground, causing trauma directly to the brain. Vehicle and pedestrian accidents can end catastrophically.

Secondary brain injuries can be caused by sudden acceleration or deceleration while the collision is taking place. This can cause the brain to move inside the skull leading to swelling, bleeding, and bruising.

The severity of a car accident-related brain injury depends on the factors listed below: 

• The vehicle’s speed
• How hard the impact was
• The angle of the impact
• Whether seatbelts were in use
• The accident victim’s health and physical well-being before the crash

The injuries sustained in an auto accident can range in severity and can include the following symptoms: 

• Headaches
• Confusion
• Mood Swings
• Diminished ability to concentrate
• Memory loss

Suffering a TBI could leave you or your loved one with long-term damage or even permanent disabilities. Car accident victims could suffer from cognitive impairment, emotional anguish, and physical disabilities. Accidents like these can be prevented by avoiding alcohol when driving, keeping your vehicle properly maintained, and focusing on the road.

Injuries Caused by Sports Participation

Those who participate in sports are at greater risk of injury because of their active nature. Those who participate in contact sports are even more likely to sustain traumatic brain injuries. Athletes often suffer repeated concussions and can be permanently impaired by the injuries that happen.

In an effort to prevent traumatic brain injuries when playing sports, athletes should be provided with and wear helmets and mouthguards and should play appropriately. Coaches, athletic departments, and gyms should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of head injuries and know how to respond.

Assaults Result in Serious Brain Injuries

Physical violence can happen at home in domestic violence situations or by other physical threats. Violent assaults can end in traumatic brain injuries for the victims. They can suffer brain damage and long-term cognitive disabilities.

If you are in an abusive relationship, seek help. If you have been assaulted, seek immediate medical care. Let the police know about the incident, even if you were hurt by someone you are in a relationship with.

Explosive Incidents

Blasts and explosions can be caused by construction explosions, offshore oil rig explosions, mining incidents, car accidents, or even fireworks. Traumatic brain injuries may happen because the brain shifts inside the skull.

When working with explosives, it is critical that you work within the proper safety guidelines to avoid injury. Avoid using any type of explosive without being properly trained. Keeping your distance and wearing protective gear can help protect you against traumatic brain injuries. 

On-The-Job Accidents

Workplace accidents are common causes of traumatic brain injuries. This often happens in construction and manufacturing jobs. Workers can fall, have accidents using machinery, and can suffer head injuries.

Proper safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used on job sites. Wearing hard hats can protect workers from injuries when they are working in environments that can be prone to hazards. Employers should ensure that all of their employees are trained to prevent risks and to understand how to handle them if the worst does occur.

Impairments as a Result of Traumatic Brain Injury

Identifying impairments resulting from a traumatic brain injury is a process that often depends on how severe the injury is, where the injury happened, and the age or condition of the individual before the accident occurred. 

Common impairments associated with TBI include:

• Thinking and memory, also known as cognition
• Sensory processing
• Communication
• Behavior or mental difficulties

When a brain injury is more severe, it may result in a stupor or an unresponsive state, but one from which a victim can be awakened briefly by a strong stimulus such as sharp pain. Victims with radically traumatic brain injuries may exist in a coma where they are unconscious, unresponsive, and completely unaware of their surroundings. A persistent vegetative state develops when an individual stays in that condition longer than 30 days.

Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can cause victims to experience a host of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral effects. Outcomes can vary greatly, ranging from complete recovery to permanent impairment or death. The latter part of the 20th century and the early years of this century bore witness to critical developments in diagnosis and treatment that decreased death rates and improved outcomes for many victims of traumatic brain injuries.

Some of the current imaging techniques used for the diagnosis and treatment of TBI include computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, treatment can range from minimal physical intervention to more drastic steps, including medications, emergency surgery, and more. Other techniques may be employed for rehabilitation, including physical therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, and vision therapy. Emotional and psychological support may also be offered by a variety of community support services, which may include counseling or supported employment.

How To Cope With a TBI

Traumatic brain injuries are serious, life-changing events. This means that victims who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and their families must find ways to get the resources they need for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration back into daily life. In order to move on with their lives, victims with a TBI must recover not only medically but also financially and emotionally.

At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., we have handled numerous cases involving traumatic brain injuries over the course of four decades in practice. Our Houston personal injury lawyers are passionate about helping the victims of traumatic brain injuries get access to the resources they need to improve their quality of life.

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Brain Injury Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE IF I HAVE SUFFERED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT?

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligent or wrongful conduct of another, you have a right to fair compensation for your damages. This includes amounts to cover your medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and lost wages. You can also receive compensation for loss of future earning capacity, as well as your pain and suffering. Often, TBI sufferers require lifelong care. The experienced brain injury lawyers at The Krist Law Firm will help you get the full recovery you need.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO MAKE A TBI PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

As a general rule, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim in Texas is two years from the date of the accident. However, in some cases — such as instances where a government entity is involved — the timeline to file a claim could be shorter. In certain circumstances, the statute of limitations can also be extended. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to advise you on the time limits as they apply to your particular circumstances.

How a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You Seek Justice

If you or someone you care about has experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you have the right to seek compensation or have monetary damages sought on your behalf. Facing insurance companies after sustaining a personal injury can be intimidating and daunting.

You can ensure your case is handled properly by seeking an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney to advocate for you. Here are some ways that legal representation can help if you are pursuing a brain injury claim:

• An experienced TBI lawyer will assess your medical reports, review witness testimony, gather evidence, and study police reports to determine whether you have a valid brain injury claim.
• If you have experienced head trauma due to the negligence of someone else, your TBI lawyer can investigate and help you gather evidence that demonstrates who is responsible for your injuries so you can recover damages.
• Your TBI attorney can guide you through the process of recovering compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and the pain and suffering you sustained.
• Negotiating with insurance companies is another way traumatic brain injury lawyers work for brain injury victims. TBI attorneys work hard so their clients have the right legal representation when dealing with head trauma and can focus on their recovery instead of the stress of legal proceedings.
• If negotiations do not work out, your traumatic brain injury attorney will be beside you in court once a lawsuit is filed.
• While facing a brain injury lawsuit, your attorney can not only offer you guidance, but because they will also understand the ins and outs of the legal system, and so they can offer you peace of mind as well.

Having a skilled trial attorney beside you, advocating for the compensation to which you are entitled so that you can afford to pay the medical bills from your initial emergency room visit and any other medical attention you may require in the future.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO HIRE A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LAWYER?

The personal injury lawyers at The Krist Law Firm accept traumatic brain injury clients on a contingency fee basis. What that means is we do not charge you anything unless and until we obtain financial compensation for your injuries on your behalf. Only after we obtain a settlement or win at trial will we charge you a legal fee in the form of a percentage of the amount of money we recover on your behalf.

Contact a Houston Brain Injury Lawyer Today

We understand what type of compensation is needed for the long-term care and replacement of lost earnings over a lifetime due to a traumatic brain injury. We understand the personal toll an injury this severe may take not only on victims but also on family members. We understand the Texas legal landscape, and we can work closely with you and your family to strategize ways to translate your need for resources into compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical limitations, physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of earning capacity. Contact us our experienced brain injury lawyers today for help with your case.