Brain injuries are one of the worst possible outcomes of an accident. Your life may never be the same again and can even be cut short. Additionally, these types of injuries can lead to exorbitant costs. If you have suffered a brain injury, you need legal representation immediately to look out for your right to full compensation. Call the family at Inzina Law Firm Injury Attorneys today.
What Causes Brain Injuries in Louisiana?
Most often, brain injuries are caused by sudden and violent trauma. Your head can be suddenly jolted, or a sharp movement can cause your brain to slam against the base of your skull.
Brain injury can also be caused by a lack of oxygen. Brain damage can occur in as little as four minutes after the human body does not receive enough oxygen, resulting in a permanent injury.
Once brain cells and tissue are destroyed, they cannot regenerate themselves. Although you can make a complete recovery from a more minor injury, it is difficult to recover fully from moderate to severe brain injuries.
Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries include the following:
- Diffuse Axonal: A blunt injury to the head will shear the brain’s nerves and fibers.
- Coup Contrecoup: A sudden and violent movement can cause the brain to strike both sides of the skull.
- Penetrating Brain Injuries: A foreign object can penetrate the skull and into the brain, destroying brain cells and tissue.
- Concussions: A blow or injury to the head may cause the brain’s tissue to change shape, stretching and damaging brain cells in the process.
Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
You may not know immediately after the accident that you have suffered a brain injury. The symptoms may appear after a period of time, or you could notice small changes in your day-to-day life. It is vital that you act as soon as you begin to experience any symptoms of a brain injury, and you should be especially vigilant when there is any loss of consciousness during an accident. It is always better to act out of caution and seek medical attention when necessary.
Symptoms of a brain injury include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Mood swings and changes
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Problems with memory
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with speaking and processing
It is possible for doctors to treat your injury and you make a full recovery. However, the longer you delay treatment, the harder it is to recover to the fullest extent possible.
Establishing Liability for a Brain Injury Under Louisiana Law
The prerequisite for receiving compensation for a traumatic brain injury is proving that someone else was negligent. In a brain injury case, negligence means that someone else acted unreasonably under the circumstances. For example, rear-ending another car is an act of negligence because a reasonable driver would not do that.
The victim has the burden of proof in any personal injury case. You must come forward with evidence that shows that someone else should be held responsible, or you cannot receive any compensation for your injuries. Your attorney can perform a complete investigation and gather proof that could show that someone else has a legal obligation to pay you.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Brain Injury in Lafayette, LA?
Depending on the severity of your brain injury, medical expenses alone could be millions of dollars. Medical bills are just part of the damages that you would suffer when you have sustained a brain injury. Your entire life may be uprooted, and you may experience numerous effects of the injury. If someone else is responsible for these damages, you should be compensated for all of them.
Your brain injury compensation can include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of care and assistance with daily activities
- Adaptive medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Scarring and disfigurement
Many brain injury victims are no longer able to work. Those who have suffered moderate to severe brain injuries may also have a shorter life expectancy. All of this can and should be factored into the amount of your settlement.
How a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You
In the aftermath of a brain injury, you may not be able to handle the basic functions of daily life, let alone manage the legal process that could result in financial compensation. The insurance company is not going to give you money, regardless of how severe your injuries are, without a fight. They will make you work for it.
An attorney’s job is to fight for you to get every dollar that you deserve. Since your damages can be considerable, there are very high stakes involved. When you hire Inzina Law Firm Injury Attorneys for your brain injury lawsuit, they can do the following for your case:
- Investigate the accident and determine the cause
- Gather evidence that can establish your legal right to compensation
- Work with experts to ascertain the amount of your damages (it is critical that this calculation be done correctly since your needs may be profound)
- File a claim or lawsuit on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement or try your case in court
Remember that you have only one chance to get full compensation for your injuries. If you do not receive enough compensation or come away empty-handed, you do not get a second chance.
Contact Our Lafayette Brain Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, you need the help of an experienced attorney who can fight for you to receive every dollar you deserve in compensation. Your choice should be the family at Inzina Law Injury Attorneys. We know how the system works and the lengths that insurance companies go to save themselves money. We will do everything within our power to keep that from happening to you. To schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer, you can contact us through our website, or you can call us today at 337-243-1237.