People who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) face an uncertain future. Treatment for a TBI can last for years, possibly even the rest of the victim’s life, and the medical bills for such treatment can be very expensive. If you or a loved one sustained a TBI from an accident caused by another’s negligence or lack of care in Columbus, Ohio, you could seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses suffered due to your condition.
For more than three decades, the Fitch Law Firm LLC has been fighting for the rights of Ohio TBI victims. We understand the challenges people with TBIs face and want to help them get the compensation they need to restore their lives. If you or a loved one has a TBI, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Our Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer can meet with you during a free consultation at our Columbus office to review your legal options and next steps.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) explains that a traumatic brain injury occurs when sudden trauma harms the brain. It also explains that it can result when the head either hits an object suddenly and violently or after an object strikes the head.
Not all TBIs are apparent. Some can be hidden, particularly if the head is struck in some way, but there is no bleeding. A TBI’s severity may range from mild (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).
A person can suffer a TBI in Columbus from any of the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Birth injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Anesthesia during surgery
- Workplace accidents
- Sports injuries
- Concussions
More Than 150 People in the U.S. Die From a TBI Every Day
An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living today with devastating disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injuries (TBI)—a blow to the head that can disrupt normal brain functions.
Also, 176 people in the United States die daily from injuries that include TBI as of 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also says TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the U.S., contributing to about 30% of all injury deaths.
For a free legal consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer serving Columbus, call 614-545-3930
You Could Recover These Awards for Your Columbus TBI Injury
You can trust that our Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer will fight hard for your recovery and get you the results you need. That includes compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage.
You could also recover compensation for any long-term rehabilitative treatment you will need as well as any assistive devices and equipment you may need, such as a wheelchair or cane. You also may be able to cover therapy and counseling to help you mentally and emotionally cope with your condition.
Wrongful Death Damages Are Also Possible in a Columbus Brain Injury Case
If you lost a loved one due to a brain injury, you could bring forth a wrongful death action that would allow you to collect awards for expenses of the decedent, such as final medical bills. You also could ask for compensation to cover their funeral, cremation, or burial services, loss of household income, and loss of companionship.
Seeking legal action could mean you would be compensated for these damages and others that may not be covered here. We will look at the details of your situation and determine the damages you incurred to determine how much compensation you could seek.
Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Near Me 614-545-3930
How Our Lawyers Can Help You Fight to Win Your Brain Injury Case
The professionals of the Fitch Law Firm LLC have extensive experience representing brain injury and spinal cord injury cases. We understand how the injuries suffered as the result of a TBI often are severe and life-altering. The Fitch Law Firm LLC knows that the costs associated with caring for the victim of a TBI or spinal cord injury can be very expensive.
In addition to seeking compensation for your brain injury, our lawyer serving Columbus can also manage your entire traumatic brain injury case from start to finish, giving you the time you need to concentrate on improving your health and well-being.
From the minute you become our client, we will:
- Investigate your case and collect evidence to support your case
- Review your evidence, such as photos, videos, and witness testimony, to back up your account of events
- Represent you in all meetings and legal proceedings
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and attorneys involved
- Negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf
- Prepare to take your case to court if a settlement does not occur
- Manage daily case communications, including phone calls, emails, and text messages
- Meet all important legal deadlines, including filing your case with the civil court on time
We Will Handle the Insurance Company for You in Your Columbus TBI Case
We can represent you in discussions with insurance companies, which are known to try to stall negotiations as long as possible or refuse to settle by paying claims. We know how to manage these situations and can take care of them. If a settlement agreement is unreachable, we will take your case to court and let a judge and/or jury decide.
Proving Liability and Negligence
We will also help you establish negligence in your case if there is evidence to prove the accident that caused your TBI happened due to someone’s carelessness. We must be able to prove:
- The liable party owed you a duty of care to keep you safe from harm.
- They breached or broke that duty of care.
- You suffered severe injuries due to that breach.
- You sustained damages from your injuries.
If your case meets all these elements, we can likely move forward with legal action.
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Ohio’s Statutes of Limitations Govern Your Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Case’s Timeline
We encourage you or your loved one to reach out to us as soon as you can after your accident so we can learn more about how we can help you. Injury victims who wish to bring forth a personal injury lawsuit generally have two years to do so, per Ohio Revised Code Section ) 2305.10. A wrongful death action must be brought within a two-year window from the decedent’s death, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02.
If you wish to pursue a medical malpractice case, we can discuss the statutes of limitations that shape the timelines in that kind of case during your free consultation.
Missing a Deadline Can Have Consequences for Your Case
It’s so important to contact our Columbus traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident or after you discover you or your loved one has suffered a TBI. That’s because missing your deadline to file a lawsuit to recover compensation can result in:
- Losing your legal right to hold the at-fault party accountable for the negligence that caused the injury
- Getting your case dismissed
- Losing out on your chance to recover much-needed compensation from the liable party
The sooner you can start working with our Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer, the more time we have to build your case and take all legal actions we need to get you and your family the compensation you deserve.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are three major types of TBIs:
Mild TBI
A mild TBI and a concussion are often categorized together because the causes and outcomes of these injuries tend to be similar. These injuries typically occur due to a hard bump to the head or when the head and neck jolt quickly back and forth, such as during a car accident. Mild TBIs are not typically life-threatening as is, but without diagnosis and treatment, the effects of a mild TBI or concussion can affect a victim for life.
Moderate and Severe TBIs
Moderate and severe TBIs are often categorized together since the causes, recovery outlook, and impacts on victims’ lives are similar. However, your doctor will likely distinguish your injury as either a moderate TBI or a severe TBI, depending on your symptoms and prognosis for recovery. For example, a penetrative injury may be considered severe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that some of the most common causes of moderate and severe TBIs include:
- Firearm-related suicide attempts
- Vehicle accidents
- Assaults
Those with a moderate or severe TBI are more likely to be hospitalized and need long-term or lifelong medical care. These treatments may be to sustain or improve the condition and its symptoms.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
The types and severity of symptoms can vary, depending on the type of brain injury a victim sustains. Here are the symptoms of different brain injuries:
Physical Symptoms
Some of the most common physical symptoms you may experience if you have a TBI include:
- Headaches or migraines, especially if they last for longer periods, happen more frequently than usual, or occur suddenly after an accident
- Dizziness and balance issues
- Blurred vision or hearing loss
- Seizures
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Insomnia or struggle to wake from sleep
Cognitive Symptoms
Some cognitive symptoms to look out for include:
- Struggles with concentration or memory
- Challenges in processing information
- Personality changes or mood swings
- Impulse control issues
- Depression or anxiety, especially if you don’t typically experience these feelings
- Issues with holding a conversation
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of TBIs include:
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Slurred speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Temporary loss of consciousness after the incident
- Coma
If you’ve been in an accident, you might want to consider whether you’ve experienced any of these symptoms. Or, you can ask a friend or family member if they’ve noticed these symptoms. Doing so can help you determine if you should consult a doctor about a potential TBI should you not have done so already or if tests were inconclusive after your first visit to the doctor.
What to Do if You Suspect You Have a Brain Injury
If you believe you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury, you should:
- Go to a local emergency room to be evaluated.
- Document the symptoms. If you are caring for a loved one who you believe may have suffered a head injury, watch for the symptoms listed above.
- Be sure to have all the necessary tests done. Specifically, ask about MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.
Let the Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys at the Fitch Law Firm LLC Fight for You
Your initial consultation about a traumatic brain injury with us is free. We will discuss your brain injury situation with you and evaluate the options available. If you need to talk to a Columbus, Ohio, attorney about your possible traumatic brain and spinal cord injury case, call us or fill out our free online personal injury case consultation form.
Call or text 614-545-3930 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
