Individuals who experience traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in accidents face a long and difficult path to recovery. TBIs cause significant physical and cognitive harm, and often, these changes are permanent. While many victims are able to adjust to their limitations with time, the considerable effects of TBIs can be very challenging to manage. Additionally, their family members and other loved ones face difficulties of their own in acclimating to the injury, as many of them find themselves unexpectedly taking on caregiving duties.
If you were injured in an accident someone else caused, you may be dealing with significant financial and personal losses. The team at The Patel Firm can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve through a brain injury claim. Contact us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation and learn how a brain injury attorney in Austin can support you in your recovery. You pay nothing for us to get started, and there are no fees unless we win your case.
What an Austin Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Can Do for You
The process of recovering from a traumatic brain injury involves extensive medical care, therapy, missed work, and long wait times. It’s typical for victims and their families to quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Fortunately, an experienced Austin brain injury lawyer can manage the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on recovery.
At The Patel Firm, we will fight to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical costs, lost income, and long-term care. We’ll begin by investigating the cause of your injury to identify who is responsible. This involves gathering evidence and thoroughly reviewing your medical records to build a strong brain injury case.
Additionally, we collaborate with medical and financial experts to fully understand the extent of your current and anticipated future losses, as well as their long-term implications. Our attorneys fight back against insurance companies’ attempts to minimize payouts or deny valid claims. If they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court and advocate on your behalf.
Brain injury accidents are the source of some of the most complicated cases in our practice area. They involve technical medical evidence, large amounts of money, and strict legal deadlines, and they face aggressive opposition from insurers. Attempting to manage this process on your own could compromise your recovery and financial stability. Instead, let The Patel Firm pursue the fair results you deserve.
Contact us today to speak with a qualified brain injury lawyer in Austin. Your case review is free and fully confidential.
What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can lead to overwhelming financial and personal losses. You may be able to pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Costs of long-term care or home modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
The amount of compensation available in a brain injury claim depends on many factors. A relatively mild brain injury will typically yield less compensation than a severe, permanent injury that limits your ability to work and requires long-term care. When you meet with our injury attorneys, we can assess your situation to determine the compensation you may be eligible to pursue.
How Long Do I Have to File a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law limits the amount of time you have to file a traumatic brain injury lawsuit. In most cases, the statute of limitations gives you just two years from the accident date to file. Otherwise, you may jeopardize your right to pursue brain injury compensation.
There are limited exceptions that can affect this deadline. For example, if the injured person was a minor or if the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the law may allow additional time to file. However, regardless of the deadline, waiting too long to begin preparing can make it more difficult to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.
Speak with an Austin brain injury attorney from The Patel Firm as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and preserve important evidence.
What Are the Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries range in severity and long-term impact. Some are mild and temporary, while others cause lasting cognitive or physical impairment. The type of brain injury you or a loved one has suffered has important implications for the approach to treatment and influences how your brain injury law firm prepares your claim.
Some of the most common types of brain injuries include the following:
- Concussion – Often caused by a blow or jolt to the head, concussions can disrupt brain function and lead to headaches, confusion, and memory issues.
- Contusion – A bruise on the brain results from direct impact, and sometimes requires surgery if swelling occurs.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury – Caused by strong rotational forces, this type of injury damages brain cells and can lead to unconsciousness or long-term cognitive problems.
- Penetrating Injury – Penetrating brain injuries occur when an object pierces the skull and often result in severe and localized brain damage.
What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Austin?
Brain injuries and head trauma occur in many different ways, often during sudden and violent accidents. These incidents may occur at home, at work, on the road, or in public places, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or occupation.
Some of the common causes of brain injuries in Texas include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle and bicycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Falls from heights or slip-and-fall incidents
- Workplace accidents
- Sports or recreational injuries
- Acts of violence
- Medical malpractice or surgical errors
While the circumstances may vary, most of these accidents share a common factor: someone else’s negligence. Whether the at-fault party was a careless driver, property owner, medical professional, or employer, their failure to act responsibly can have devastating consequences for TBI victims and their families.
What Are Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The TBI symptoms you experience depend on factors like how severe the damage is and which part of the brain sustained damage. Physical, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral symptoms may appear immediately or develop over a period of days or weeks. Because these symptoms can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and employment, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention and legal support after a head injury.
Some of the most common physical symptoms of a TBI include the following:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sensitivity to light or noise
TBIs also display certain cognitive symptoms, such as the following:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- Slowed thinking or problem-solving
- Trouble speaking or understanding language
Many TBI victims experience significant changes in their personality, as well, including the following:
- Inability to manage mood or emotions
- New mental health challenges
- Poor impulse control
- Withdrawal from family and friends
What Are the Long-Term Impacts of a Brain Injury?
The consequences of a brain injury often require lifelong adjustments and support. A TBI can permanently alter how a person lives, works, and relates to others. Even after the initial medical crisis has passed, many victims face ongoing challenges that reshape their independence and quality of life, including the following:
- Lasting cognitive and memory difficulties
- Reduced ability to maintain employment
- Dependence on caregivers
- The need for assistive devices
- Strain on family and social relationships
- Emotional instability and mental health struggles
- Diminished ability to enjoy hobbies or daily activities
- Ongoing financial stress from medical and living expenses
What Treatment Is There for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Immediate TBI treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient and preventing further damage. Emergency medical providers work to maintain oxygen and blood flow to the brain and address related injuries. In severe cases, the patient may need surgery to relieve pressure, remove blood clots, or repair skull fractures. Early medical intervention improves their likelihood of survival and minimizes long-term effects.
After the initial crisis, patients often need ongoing rehabilitation and supportive care. For example, they may require physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain lost skills and independence. Patients struggling with mood changes and cognitive challenges may benefit from psychological counseling and medication.
In some cases, patients require long-term care in the form of in-home assistance, adaptive technology, and regular follow-up with neurologists to monitor their progress and address any complications.
Contact an Austin Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
A traumatic brain injury can change the life of a victim and their loved ones forever. Adapting to a new reality and persevering through the recovery process can take a lot out of a person with a TBI, and their family faces significant challenges in managing their daily needs and care.
If your family was recently impacted by an accident that left a person with brain damage, you may be eligible to recover compensation from the responsible party – and an experienced and knowledgeable Austin brain injury attorney can help.
When you turn to The Patel Firm for support with a brain injury claim, you’ll get the benefit of having a team with a track record of securing millions for Texas injury victims. Our law practice places an emphasis on personalized service and building close relationships with our clients. We’re here to support you 24/7 and provide quick communication with answers to your questions and updates on your case.
Contact us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation and learn more about your legal rights and options.