Huntsville Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Representing those who have sustained a brain injury because of someone else’s negligence
If your brain injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you may have grounds for taking legal action against the person who caused your injury. At Martin & Helms, our Huntsville traumatic brain injury attorneys put the needs of our clients first, and we are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome in every case. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, and you will never pay attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you.
What is traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be the result of a bump or a blow to the head, or from a penetrating head injury which disrupts the brain's normal function, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) definition of the injury. The CDC considers TBI to be a serious public health problem in the U.S.: about 1.7 million people suffer a brain injury each year, and TBI is the cause of about one-third of all injury-related deaths.
The severity of a TBI can range from "mild," which causes a brief change in mental status or consciousness, to "severe," which is an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are also referred to as concussions, especially in a sports-related context. There is a wide variety in how victims will be affected by their injury, how long the effects of it will last, and what treatment they will receive.
What causes traumatic brain injury?
There are many ways in which a person can sustain a blow to the head that is significant enough to damage the brain, including:
- Falls. Falls account for TBI-related emergency room visits in disproportionate numbers in children (49%) and in adults over 65 (81%).
- Being struck. Being struck by or against an object accounted for about 17% of TBI-related emergency department visits.
- Wrecks. Motor vehicle crashes accounts for about 20% of TBI-related hospitalizations.
- Intentional self-harm. Self-harm, including suicide attempts, is a leading cause of TBI-related deaths (33%).
Slips/trips and falls, acts of violence, and medical negligence can also lead to TBI.
What are some of the common signs and symptoms of TBI?
Most people who sustain a traumatic brain injury will heal and recover from the symptoms of the initial injury in a few days, weeks, months or even longer. Again, every case of traumatic brain injury is different, so there is no way to characterize how long it might take to recover. A person who has had a TBI before might take longer to recover after having another one. The following are the CDC’s four categories of signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury:
| Thinking/Remembering | Physical | Emotional/Mood | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty thinking clearly | Headache Fuzzy or blurry vision |
Irritability | Sleeping more than usual |
| Feeling slowed down | Nausea or vomiting (early on) dizziness |
Sadness | Sleep less than usual |
| Difficulty concentrating | Sensitivity to noise or light Balance problems |
More emotional | Trouble falling asleep |
| Difficulty remembering new information | Feeling tired, having no energy | Nervousness or anxiety |
Sometimes, these symptoms do not show up immediately following the incident. If it was a car accident or any other type of accident, it is critical that the injured person is examined by a doctor after having sustained a serious blow or jolt to the head especially if he or she lost consciousness for any period of time.
What are the long-term consequences of a brain injury?
Depending on whether a brain injury is mild or severe, the near and long-term effects of the injury will be different for every person. And what is considered a mild TBI can still have devastating effects on a person's life. A person who survives a severe head injury may be left in a persistent vegetative state, or can appear to be perfectly normal while suffering from psychological and emotional effects of the injury. A brain injured person must learn how to navigate life and relationships as he or she recovers from the effects of TBI.
In the long term, a traumatic brain injury can increase a person's risk for health conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, and other brain disorders, according to the CDC.
How can a Huntsville TBI lawyer help my injury case?
Brain injury cases are complex, and they require representation from a law firm with experience handling these kinds of cases successfully. At Martin & Helms, we work with seasoned medical experts who review your medical records and evaluate the extent of your injury and how the effects of your injury might impact your life now and in the future. When a person is suffering from an injury that will require ongoing medical attention, or where the long-term effects will prevent the injured person from working and earning a living, those losses must be documented and included in the damages.
We are prepared to advance costs to pursue compensation for you and protect your right to recover the maximum compensation available for your losses.
How much is my traumatic brain injury case worth?
As with any personal injury case, the more severe the injury, the greater the long-term health consequences, the degree of negligence or recklessness that caused the injury and the past, current, and future medical costs all have a bearing on how much the case is worth. We cannot know how much it will be worth until we know how the injury resolves itself, if you are left with any residual disabilities that effect your ability to work or live your life.
If we are successful in proving liability for your injuries, you might expect to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity for disabling injuries. You might also receive compensation for your pain and suffering and emotional distress from the accident. In severe brain injury cases, the medical expenses are higher, so the settlement or verdict might also be higher. At Martin & Helms, we have more than 45 years of combined legal experience helping others who have been injured recover the compensation they need to be whole again and to get back to their lives as much as possible given their condition after the injury. We are here to guide you through the process of neurological testing to demonstrate the effects the injury has had on the brain, and statements from your doctors about the effect the injury is having on your ability to function.
If you or someone you care about has sustained a traumatic brain injury because of someone else's negligence, our Huntsville brain injury lawyers guide you through the complicated process and protect your rights every step of the way.
Schedule a free consultation with an experienced Huntsville brain injury lawyer now
After a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence, the trusted Huntsville personal injury lawyers at Martin & Helms are here to fight for justice for you. You may call us at 256-361-1140 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We also serve seriously injured clients in Decatur, Athens and Madison, and throughout Alabama.
Huntsville Office
2317 Market Place SW
Suite A
Huntsville, AL 35801
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