Why would you need a Fort Worth brain injury lawyer? Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans suffer from some form of traumatic brain injury. The vast majority of these injuries are minor, with 90 percent of people who suffer them getting released from ER after treatment. However, the remaining 10 percent may be in for a much longer recovery period and potentially even a lifetime of suffering due to their brain injury. Unfortunately, 50,000 never make it out of the hospital alive.
Suffering a brain injury can be quite disruptive, given how crucial the brain is to innumerable body and mental functions. The type and severity of the injury will vary from person to person. Still, some common side effects include changes in behavior, speech problems, vision problems, hearing loss, cognitive issues, and even paralysis. In many brain injury cases, these injuries can be life-altering for victims and their families.
Where the brain injury you or your loved one suffered was caused by another person’s negligence or wrongful act, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim in Fort Worth, Texas. Unfortunately, no amount of money can truly make up for a traumatic brain injury. Still, a successful personal injury lawsuit can provide victims with much-needed financial assistance to help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses. An experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, can help you understand your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with Heller Law Office today to get started.
What to Know About Brain Injuries
Brain injuries refer to all types of physical damage to the brain, whether an auto accident, slip, and fall, or any other traumatic event cause it. Brain injuries can be divided into two main categories:
Open Head Brain Injuries
Your brain is, in most cases, encased inside your skull. An open head injury occurs when an external force, such as a flying object or blunt instrument, damages the skull. These types of injuries are often accompanied by penetration of the brain tissue itself, resulting in severe physical and cognitive damage.
Closed Head Brain Injuries
A closed head injury is when the brain suffers trauma without an open wound. This type of injury occurs if you experience a violent jolt or shaking of your head, such as whiplash from car accidents. It can also occur due to oxygen deprivation or any other internal disruption that affects the functioning of the brain.
What Are Some Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
There are several types of traumatic brain injuries, each with its own distinct symptoms and severity. However, some of the commonest ones Fort Worth traumatic brain injury lawyers may come across include:
Edema
This type of injury happens when the brain swells due to abnormal fluid buildup. This swelling can affect normal brain functioning and require medical attention.
Hypoxia/Anoxia
Hypoxia is when not enough oxygen reaches the brain, while anoxia refers to a complete lack of oxygen. Both can cause cell death and severe physical, cognitive, and behavioral complications.
Hematoma
In this type of injury, blood vessels are ruptured due to trauma, and clot forms within the brain. If left untreated, a hematoma can cause serious complications and even death.
Concussion
This is one of the most common types of brain injuries caused by direct blow or jolts to the head that causes the brain to move around inside the skull. Concussions can cause disorientation, confusion, and loss of consciousness in some cases.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
This type of injury is usually caused by a severe blow to the head, resulting in bleeding within the brain. Depending on the severity, it can range from mild to more serious and fatal.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
This happens when a blood vessel within the brain bursts and bleeds into the space between the brain and its outer protective covering. Where not detected early, the prognosis for this type of injury can be very poor.
Any of the above injuries can quickly worsen if left untreated. That’s why it is important to get help as soon as possible after trauma. However, keep in mind that certain brain injuries aren’t always obvious, especially in the case of closed-head injuries, so it’s best to always err on the side of caution.
Which Symptoms Should You Look for After a Brain Injury?
If you or someone else has suffered trauma to the head, it’s important to watch out for the following signs and symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Loss of balance/difficulty walking
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory loss
- Changes in the sense of taste, hearing, and smell
If you notice any of these signs, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is crucial. Waiting too long could worsen the condition and even lead to death.
What Damages Are Available to Brain Injury Victims?
For those who have suffered a serious brain injury due to the negligence of another party, it may be possible to seek financial compensation. Our experienced brain injury lawyers at Heller Law Office will evaluate your case and determine what compensatory damages you may seek. Here are some of the top damages victims may be able to get in a brain injury lawsuit:
Medical Expenses
Following a traumatic brain injury, the victim may incur huge medical bills for treatments such as hospitalization, medication, surgery, and more. Over the course of a lifetime, medical costs for brain injury victims can go up to $4 million. That’s why it’s so important that those affected by brain injuries get the financial support they need.
Rehabilitation Cost
In some cases, the brain injury victim may require physical therapy and other rehabilitation to help them recover from the injury. Costs may be as high as $8,000 per day. The court may award compensation for these costs.
Loss of Income/Income Replacement
Brain injuries can lead to long-term disability, which can lead to income loss and other economic losses, such as reduced earning capacity. Therefore, the court may order the defendant to pay the victim lost wages, future earnings, and benefits they were entitled to prior to the severe injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Brain injuries can cause immense physical suffering and mental anguish due to depression, anxiety, stress, and other related issues. An experienced brain injury lawyer can help you seek damages for this.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Because of the debilitating effects of a brain injury, the victim might not be able to enjoy life as much or participate in activities that used to bring joy. This can be compensated for by way of damages.
What Will Heller Law Office Do for You After You’ve Suffered a Brain Injury?
At Heller Law Office, we understand how traumatic brain injuries can affect you and your family members. Our compassionate team of brain injury lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, will work hard to get you the justice and compensation you deserve for your losses. Since 2016, we have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Here are some of the things we’ll do to help you get the highest compensation possible:
Find a Team of Experts
In personal injury cases, an independent team of experts, such as doctors and accident reconstruction specialists, can be consulted to help build your case. We will ensure they are qualified and have the experience to strengthen your brain injury claim.
Gather Evidence
We understand that personal injury cases require lots of evidence to prove liability. Therefore, our legal team will collect and review all possible documents related to your case, such as medical records, photos or videos of the accident, witness statements, and police reports. By thoroughly investigating the details of the accident, we can establish who was at fault and provide a strong case to recover compensation.
Determine the Value of Your Claim
We’ll carefully calculate the amount of compensation you should seek. This can include economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic losses, like pain and suffering. We will make sure to get you the highest possible settlement allowed by law.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to offer lower settlements than the victim is entitled to. However, our experienced attorneys will aggressively negotiate with them, ensuring they understand your claim’s value and are ready to pay you what you deserve.
Represent You in Court
If negotiations fail, Heller Law Office will be ready to represent you in court. We understand the complexities of a brain injury case and have the knowledge and expertise needed to present a strong case for you.
What Is the Average Payout for Traumatic Brain Injury?
The amount of compensation you can receive for a brain injury depends on the nature and severity of your case. Additionally, the size and financial resources of the liable party will also be taken into consideration. On average, though, traumatic brain injury victims almost always receive over $100,000. Million-dollar settlements are not uncommon.
Heller Law Office for Your Fort Worth Brain Injury Lawyer
A brain injury can have a devastating impact on you and your loved ones. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced brain injury lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, on your side. At Heller Law Office, our attorneys are prepared to fight for the justice you deserve. We will do everything possible to get you the maximum compensation allowable by law in Fort Worth, TX. So, schedule a free consultation today with an experienced Fort Worth brain injury lawyer.