A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have devastating effects and may include permanent brain damage.
During a TBI, a person’s brain functioning is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head, which can lead to a number of both short-term and long-term consequences.
Whether the effects of traumatic brain injury will be permanent may depend on a number of factors, such as:
- How the injury occurred
- The extent of damage from your injury
- How your body and brain are responding to treatment and recovery
Unfortunately, many people who experience a traumatic brain injury will be impacted by its effects for months or years to come. There are resources available that can help with everything from finding the right treatment to connecting with support groups for other brain injury survivors, one of them being the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA).
In addition, if your injury was caused by a situation that was out of your control, you may have options for recourse, such as filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the liable party.
Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury may include changes to cognitive function, like effects on emotions, thinking, sensations, and language. Many TBIs are concussions or mild in nature, but repeated TBIs can have consequences over time. These injuries can increase your risk of developing brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you experience a traumatic brain injury and are unlucky enough to experience another TBI within a short period of time, the result could be fatal.
Getting Help After a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you have suffered a TBI, help is available, both for recovery and to help you seek recourse if your injuries were caused by the fault of another.
How the Personal Injury Claims Process Works
Personal injury claims and lawsuits can help mitigate the costs related to serious injuries by allowing accident victims to sue the person who is at fault for their injuries. These claims and lawsuits are dependent on the concept of negligence, or whether the person at fault for the accident acted in a negligent manner.
When the at-fault party is found to have acted negligently, they may be held liable for your injuries, meaning they may have to pay you compensation for damages.
In the State of Ohio, contributory negligence is the principle for all personal injury cases. This statute holds that any compensation you obtain in a personal injury claim or lawsuit may be reduced according to any fault you may have had for the accident, according to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2315.33.
A lawyer can help you understand whether you had any fault in the accident that led to your injuries and what this may mean for your claim.
If you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, you have a limited amount of time to do so, so it is important that you act quickly. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10 dictates that personal injury victims generally have two years to file their lawsuit. If you do not bring your lawsuit in time, the court may not hear your case. It may then be up to you to pay for all of your expenses related to your traumatic brain injury.
Types of Damages in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
One of the most common types of damages in traumatic brain injury claims is medical expenses, which cover costs of treatment for your injuries. Other common types of damages include:
- Projected future medical expenses for those experiencing permanent traumatic brain injury effects
- Lost wages to cover time missed from work during treatment and recovery
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for wrongful death due to a TBI after an accident
The Fitch Law Firm Can Help You Fight for Compensation
You may have legal options to help get your life back on track after a traumatic brain injury, permanent or otherwise, and a lawyer can help you understand these options.
For help with your traumatic brain injury case, call on the Fitch Law Firm LLC today. Reach out to us now at (614) 545-3930 to learn more.