Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force causes brain dysfunction. Common causes include:
• Motor vehicle accidents (leading cause)
• Falls from heights
• Construction accidents
• Sports injuries
• Assault and violence
• Explosions and blast injuries
TBI severity ranges from mild concussions to severe injuries causing permanent disability. Even "mild" TBIs can cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical problems that significantly impact quality of life and earning capacity.
A traumatic brain injury lawyer understands that initial diagnoses often underestimate long-term impacts. Many TBI symptoms worsen or emerge over time, making comprehensive medical documentation essential.
• Motor vehicle accidents (leading cause)
• Falls from heights
• Construction accidents
• Sports injuries
• Assault and violence
• Explosions and blast injuries
TBI severity ranges from mild concussions to severe injuries causing permanent disability. Even "mild" TBIs can cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical problems that significantly impact quality of life and earning capacity.
A traumatic brain injury lawyer understands that initial diagnoses often underestimate long-term impacts. Many TBI symptoms worsen or emerge over time, making comprehensive medical documentation essential.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Our TBI attorneys handle all types of brain injuries:
**Concussions**
The most common TBI, often dismissed as minor but can cause persistent symptoms including headaches, memory problems, and personality changes.
**Contusions**
Bruising of brain tissue causing localized damage and swelling.
**Diffuse Axonal Injury**
Widespread damage from rotational forces, often causing extended unconsciousness and severe cognitive impairment.
**Penetrating Brain Injuries**
Objects entering the skull cause direct brain damage with serious long-term effects.
**Coup-Contrecoup Injuries**
Brain damage at both the impact site and opposite side of the skull.
**Second Impact Syndrome**
Catastrophic brain swelling from a second concussion before the first heals.
**Concussions**
The most common TBI, often dismissed as minor but can cause persistent symptoms including headaches, memory problems, and personality changes.
**Contusions**
Bruising of brain tissue causing localized damage and swelling.
**Diffuse Axonal Injury**
Widespread damage from rotational forces, often causing extended unconsciousness and severe cognitive impairment.
**Penetrating Brain Injuries**
Objects entering the skull cause direct brain damage with serious long-term effects.
**Coup-Contrecoup Injuries**
Brain damage at both the impact site and opposite side of the skull.
**Second Impact Syndrome**
Catastrophic brain swelling from a second concussion before the first heals.
Compensation in TBI Cases
Traumatic brain injury settlements and verdicts often reach millions of dollars because of extensive damages:
**Medical Expenses**
• Emergency care and hospitalization
• Neurosurgery and procedures
• Rehabilitation (physical, occupational, speech, cognitive)
• Medications and medical equipment
• Future medical care (often lifetime)
**Lost Earning Capacity**
Many TBI victims cannot return to their previous occupation or any employment. Economists calculate lifetime wage loss including benefits and career advancement.
**Life Care Costs**
• 24/7 attendant care
• Home modifications
• Adaptive equipment
• Transportation needs
• Case management services
**Non-Economic Damages**
• Pain and suffering
• Cognitive impairment
• Personality changes
• Loss of relationships
• Reduced quality of life
Our TBI lawyers work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, life care planners, and economists to document the full impact of brain injuries.
**Medical Expenses**
• Emergency care and hospitalization
• Neurosurgery and procedures
• Rehabilitation (physical, occupational, speech, cognitive)
• Medications and medical equipment
• Future medical care (often lifetime)
**Lost Earning Capacity**
Many TBI victims cannot return to their previous occupation or any employment. Economists calculate lifetime wage loss including benefits and career advancement.
**Life Care Costs**
• 24/7 attendant care
• Home modifications
• Adaptive equipment
• Transportation needs
• Case management services
**Non-Economic Damages**
• Pain and suffering
• Cognitive impairment
• Personality changes
• Loss of relationships
• Reduced quality of life
Our TBI lawyers work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, life care planners, and economists to document the full impact of brain injuries.
Proving Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
TBI cases require extensive medical evidence and expert testimony:
**Diagnostic Testing**
• CT scans and MRIs
• Neuropsychological testing
• EEG studies
• PET scans
• Functional MRI
**Expert Witnesses**
• Neurologists testify about injury mechanism and prognosis
• Neuropsychologists document cognitive deficits through comprehensive testing
• Life care planners assess lifetime care needs
• Economists calculate lost earning capacity
• Vocational experts evaluate work limitations
**Documentation Challenges**
TBI symptoms are often invisible. Defense attorneys frequently argue that victims are exaggerating or that symptoms result from pre-existing conditions. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers know how to overcome these challenges with compelling evidence.
**Diagnostic Testing**
• CT scans and MRIs
• Neuropsychological testing
• EEG studies
• PET scans
• Functional MRI
**Expert Witnesses**
• Neurologists testify about injury mechanism and prognosis
• Neuropsychologists document cognitive deficits through comprehensive testing
• Life care planners assess lifetime care needs
• Economists calculate lost earning capacity
• Vocational experts evaluate work limitations
**Documentation Challenges**
TBI symptoms are often invisible. Defense attorneys frequently argue that victims are exaggerating or that symptoms result from pre-existing conditions. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers know how to overcome these challenges with compelling evidence.
TBI Settlement Amounts and Case Values
Traumatic brain injury settlements vary significantly based on injury severity:
**Mild TBI/Concussion**: $100,000 - $500,000
Persistent post-concussion syndrome with documented cognitive deficits.
**Moderate TBI**: $500,000 - $2,000,000
Significant cognitive impairment requiring rehabilitation and career changes.
**Severe TBI**: $2,000,000 - $30,000,000+
Permanent disability requiring lifetime care, including supervision, assistance with daily activities, and ongoing medical treatment.
Our firm has recovered $47.5 million for a construction worker with severe TBI and $28 million for a car accident victim with permanent cognitive impairment. These results reflect our commitment to maximizing compensation for brain injury victims.
**Mild TBI/Concussion**: $100,000 - $500,000
Persistent post-concussion syndrome with documented cognitive deficits.
**Moderate TBI**: $500,000 - $2,000,000
Significant cognitive impairment requiring rehabilitation and career changes.
**Severe TBI**: $2,000,000 - $30,000,000+
Permanent disability requiring lifetime care, including supervision, assistance with daily activities, and ongoing medical treatment.
Our firm has recovered $47.5 million for a construction worker with severe TBI and $28 million for a car accident victim with permanent cognitive impairment. These results reflect our commitment to maximizing compensation for brain injury victims.