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Kentucky Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Experienced help if you suffer a TBI in Lexington or Louisville
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blunt force blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head wound that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. TBI is often caused by a car accident, falling from heights or being hit in the head with a heavy object. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 69,000 deaths from TBI in the US in 2021. There is a wide spectrum of TBI, which can range from a mild concussion to severe brain damage leading to coma.
The legal team at Crandall & Pera Law has helped many traumatic brain injury victims and their families obtain the justice and compensation they need to move forward. Our skilled team of litigators in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, have secured millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements for people just like you who have suffered because of another person’s negligence. When you need someone to fight for you after a catastrophic injury, Crandall & Pera Law is by your side.
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What are the types of traumatic brain injuries?
There are two primary categories of TBIs:
Closed (non-penetrating) brain injury
This occurs when the head is injured, but the skull remains intact. The brain is damaged due to the impact or shaking within the skull. Common types include:
- Concussion: A mild TBI is often caused by a jolt to the head.
- Contusion: Bruising of the brain tissue.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): Widespread damage to nerve fibers in the brain.
- Second impact syndrome: A rare but potentially fatal condition that occurs when a second brain injury happens before the first has fully healed.
Penetrating (open) brain injury
This happens when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue. Examples include gunshot wounds and injuries from sharp objects.
It is important to note that these categories often overlap, and a person can experience multiple types of brain injuries at once. The severity of a TBI can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms and recovery time can vary widely.
What are the symptoms of Kentucky traumatic brain injury?
Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury. Here are some common symptoms:
Mild TBI (concussion)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
Moderate to severe TBI
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe headache
- Seizures
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Loss of coordination
- Changes in vision
- Pupils of different sizes
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a TBI. Even mild injuries can have long-term consequences if not properly treated. The Kentucky brain injury attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can help.
How do traumatic brain injuries happen?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when the head experiences a sudden, violent jolt or blow. This can cause damage to the brain. Common causes of TBIs include:
- Falls: This cause is especially common in the elderly and young children. The CDC notes that “falls lead to nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations.”
- Motor vehicle accidents: This category includes injuries as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer are common culprits of TBIs.
- Acts of violence: Violence-related TBI injuries include assaults and domestic violence.
- Penetrating head injuries: This type of injury involves objects piercing the skull.
It is important to note that even a mild TBI can have serious consequences.
What are the consequences of traumatic brain injury?
Every individual is different therefore every injury will have different results. However, the consequences of a TBI can be devastating to a person’s life. From long-term physical disabilities to behavioral, personality, and cognitive changes, a TBI can destroy the life that the injured individual once enjoyed and bring about a sense of confusion and chaos.
Some of the significant consequences of traumatic brain injury include:
- Behavioral/personality changes: Mood swings, rage, impulsivity, depression, anxiety and frustration are all common side effects of a TBI. In some cases, the change in personality may be permanent; in others, these behavior changes are temporary.
- Physical side effects: Headaches, difficulties paying attention, speech impairment and even paralysis – either partial or total – could result from a traumatic brain injury. In some cases, a serious enough head wound could put a person in a coma.
- Cognitive difficulty: Concentrating, disorientation, memory loss, impairment of higher-level cognitive function, and loss of thinking ability are all possible. These effects could be temporary or permanent.
- Permanent brain damage: After an accident, a person’s oxygen supply may be cut off from his or her brain. Anoxic brain injuries occur when all oxygen is cut off, and hypoxic brain injuries can occur if the oxygen supply is depleted or weakened.
Traumatic brain injury can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. With symptoms ranging from severe, debilitating headaches to a coma or persistent vegetative state, some victims of TBI will require ongoing medical care and will have a drastic effect on the quality of life, work, and relationships of the injured person. Therapy is almost a guarantee, and some people may take years to “get well” again. Others may never recover because the damage to their brains is too severe. If the traumatic brain injury occurs during the labor and delivery process, parents are looking at a literal lifetime of added medical bills and expenses, as well as a distinct possibility of having to pay for a private facility if the child’s needs require expert medical care.
Who is liable for my Kentucky traumatic brain injury?
Determining liability for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Kentucky depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Here are some common scenarios:
- Motor vehicle accidents: In these cases, the at-fault driver is likely
- Slip and falls: Property owners or occupants may be responsible in cases where the premises were
- Workplace accidents: Employers may be liable if they violated safety regulations.
- Medical malpractice: If a medical error caused the TBI, the healthcare provider or facility could be liable.
- Product liability: If a defective product caused the injury, the manufacturer could be liable.
- Assault or other crimes: The perpetrator or responsible party may be liable.
It is important to note that multiple parties may share responsibility for the injury. The skilled Kentucky TBI attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can help determine who is liable and build a strong case to recover damages on your behalf.
What is the value of my Kentucky traumatic brain injury claim?
The value of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) claim in Kentucky can vary significantly based on numerous factors. Each case is unique, and the severity of the injury, long-term effects, and economic losses play a crucial role in determining the final settlement or verdict.
Here are some elements that influence the value of a TBI claim:
- Severity of the injury: The extent of brain damage and its impact on your life will play a role in the amount you may recover.
- Medical expenses: Courts will consider your past, present, and future medical costs, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost wages: You should be able to collect income you lost due to the injury and inability to work.
- Pain and suffering: You may be able to recover compensation for physical and emotional pain.
- Loss of earning capacity: This category includes your future income potential that you lost due to the injury.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation is often available for the impact on your relationships with family and loved ones.
- Property damage: If you suffered property damage, such as to your vehicle, you may collect the costs to repair or replace that property.
It is essential to consult with the experienced Kentucky TBI attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law to accurately assess the potential value of your claim. We will thoroughly investigate the case, gather evidence, and calculate potential damages.
Our Kentucky TBI attorneys seek justice for traumatic brain injury accident victims
At Crandall & Pera Law, we advocate for the rights of our clients who have suffered serious injuries in accidents caused by negligence. If you or your family member suffered a traumatic brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help. Please call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Kentucky traumatic brain injury attorney. We have offices conveniently located in Lexington and Louisville.