Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the medical term for a head injury that impacts the brain. TBI is a common injury, and many people recover fully. Even so, in its more severe forms, TBI can be a life-altering, catastrophic injury.
When you suffer a mild TBI, you might have challenging symptoms for a few days or weeks that require medical care. You probably will have to miss some time at work or school and vary your usual routine. A moderate or severe TBI could result in diminished cognitive and physical functioning to the point that you may never return to work or live independently.
Accidents caused by other parties’ negligence often cause TBIs. A seasoned catastrophic injury attorney could review your situation and determine whether another party is liable for your injury. If you live in Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, or Sun City and you or your family member suffered a TBI, contact a Summerlin traumatic brain injury lawyer at Shook & Stone to pursue compensation from the liable parties.
Important Facts About TBI
TBIs happen when an impact to the head causes the brain to slam against the hard walls of the skull. The brain tears, swells, and some brain tissue dies. A penetrating injury like a gunshot or impalement also can cause a TBI. A mild TBI is commonly called a concussion.
The injury from a TBI could be diffuse, meaning it affects a large area of the brain, or focal, meaning it impacts only a small area. Penetrating injuries tend to cause focal damage, and impact injuries often cause more diffuse damage. Many people who suffer from TBIs have immediate symptoms that may resolve, but develop lingering symptoms during their recovery.
TBIs can be cumulative, and a person who suffers multiple TBIs could develop significant impairment. However, a single incident could cause a moderate or severe TBI that leads to permanent injury. A dedicated Summerlin attorney could ensure that someone who suffers losses due to a TBI—no matter how mild or severe—receives adequate compensation for their injuries.
Determining Responsibility for a TBI
According to a fact sheet published by the National Institutes for Health, the leading causes of TBIs include the following:
- Falls
- Violence
- Explosions
- Sports injuries
- Vehicle crashes
- Projectiles and falling objects
Events that cause the head to move back and forth rapidly and forcefully could also cause TBI.
Many of the common causes of TBI are preventable and would not happen but for someone not exercising the care the circumstances required. A party that does not exercise reasonable caution is negligent, and a negligent party is responsible for the damages of someone who suffers injuries due to their lack of care. In many cases, the person who suffered the injury carries some responsibility for the incident.
A proactive Summerlin lawyer could investigate an incident to determine whose actions led to the TBI. Although a negligent claimant cannot collect 100 percent of their damages, a TBI sufferer who bears partial responsibility can collect the portion of their damages attributable to others’ conduct.
Preserve Rights with Prompt Action
Most personal injury claims never go to court, and cases often settle before an injured person files a lawsuit. Even so, the threat of a lawsuit motivates potentially responsible parties and their insurance companies to negotiate a settlement in good faith and make a reasonable offer.
According to Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190(4)(e), an adult must file a lawsuit seeking damages within two years of the event that caused the injury. When a child gets hurt, their parent or guardian may bring a case within two years, or the child could sue within two years of their 18th birthday.
Although two years might seem like plenty of time, reaching out to an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney in Summerlin soon after an accident makes good sense. Engaging legal representation early in the process allows for the collection of evidence while it is fresh. At the same time, it insulates the injured person and their family members from pressure tactics by responsible parties and their insurers.
Meet With a Summerlin Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
A brain injury is always a serious matter with potentially significant consequences. Any party whose negligence created the situation that led to a TBI must be accountable and pay your injury-related damages.
Get help pursuing comprehensive compensation with a Summerlin traumatic brain injury lawyer at Shook & Stone. Call today to discuss your situation with one of our knowledgeable and compassionate legal professionals.
