In personal injury law, a brain injury is usually considered catastrophic, having a severe and lasting impact on a person’s ability to live the life they once lived.
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by another party’s negligence, you have legal options. A Lexington brain injury lawyer from Peterson Law Office can evaluate your case and determine the best means for emotional, physical, and financial recovery.
A brain injury lawsuit may be able to help you regain financial stability, so you can afford high-quality, lifelong medical care and assistance. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with one of the top brain injury attorneys in Lexington, KY.
How Common Are Brain Injuries?
Brain injury cases are more common than many people realize. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, brain injuries affect approximately 1.5 million people in the United States every year.
- Every day, roughly 176 people in the U.S. die from head trauma.
- Over 223,000 people were hospitalized for TBI injuries in 2019.
- In 2020 alone, 64,362 individuals died from TBI-related injuries.
These statistics only reflect accidents that were reported or treated in a hospital setting. It’s estimated that thousands more injuries and fatalities are not recognized in TBI statistics published by organizations like the CDC.
Peterson Law Office Advocates for Victims of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injury victims suffer some of the direst consequences of any type of physical injury. At Peterson Law Office, we devote an area of our legal practice to defending the rights of those who sustained traumatic brain injuries at the hands of a negligent party. This is important to us at our law firm, because we know we have an opportunity to help people when they need it most.
Our Lexington brain injury lawyers can help you and your loved ones:
- Investigate the cause of your accident
- Determine liability
- Gather evidence to support your personal injury claim
- Calculate all past and future medical expenses
- Take legal action to recover damages
- Seek maximum compensation, including compensatory damages and punitive damages if they apply
- Request your medical bills and other relevant information to build your claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company and handle all communications with adjusters
- Offer compassionate, understanding guidance and support through every step of the legal process
We also have strong relationships with top medical experts throughout Kentucky. The attorneys at our firm frequently confer with medical professionals who can evaluate our clients’ prognoses and analyze comparable brain injury incidents and any past cases with similar outcomes. These experts are instrumental in helping our clients assess the financial compensation they need to afford medical treatment throughout their lifetime.
A Lexington brain injury lawyer from Peterson Law Office is ready to provide you with a no-obligation, free consultation to discuss your legal options. We will patiently explore all paths to recovery with you and your family and answer any questions you may have.
Our experienced brain injury attorneys know how difficult it can be to take the first step toward achieving justice. We are here to take that step with you. As your personal injury lawyers, we will expertly manage the entire process from beginning to end, allowing you the space to focus on what’s most important to you.
New clients are invited to contact our injury lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation at our Lexington, KY law office.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) as an acquired brain injury that occurs when sudden trauma damages the brain. TBIs can have many different causes, and sufferers may exhibit varying symptoms based on factors such as age, gender, trauma type and severity, genetic factors, and the timeliness of medical interventions.
No matter how minor you may think your head injury might be, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Countless victims have pushed aside the warning signs, only to suffer permanent disability or death after returning home.
Head injuries can be deceptive, and brain damage can happen rapidly and unexpectedly. If you suffered any kind of incident involving a head injury, we strongly recommend you seek emergency medical care. Don’t let financial worries stand in the way of your health. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, your Lexington brain injury attorney can help you recover the cost of medical bills through your personal injury claim.
After head trauma, be alert for any symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, such as:
Physical Symptoms
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Nausea
- Weakness or excessive drowsiness
- Blurred or spotty vision
- Clear liquid or blood draining from the nose or ears
- Loss of balance
- Body temperature instability
- Seizures
- Sensitivity to light and/or noise
Cognitive Impairments
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Lack of focus
- Poor judgment
- Inability to make decisions
- Difficulty following logic
- Diminished problem-solving skills
Mood and Behavioral Changes
- Insomnia or disruptions to normal sleep patterns
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Trouble interacting socially
- Personality changes
- Mood swings and temperament fluctuations
Brain Injuries in Children
The CDC has reported that traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in children and youth. In 2019, 16,070 children under 17 were hospitalized for TBI-related injuries. In 2020, 2,774 children died TBI-related deaths.
Sports injuries are a particularly common cause of traumatic brain injuries in youth. On a recent CDC survey, approximately 15% of U.S. high school students self-reported that they had suffered at least one concussion due to a sports or recreation injury in the preceding year. Accidents that happen during play, falls from playground equipment, motor vehicle accidents, and trips, slips, and falls are also common causes of TBIs in children.
Children suffering head injuries may not exhibit the same symptoms commonly seen in adults. If you observe any of the following symptoms, call 911 or contact your child’s physician right away.
- Uncontrolled crying
- Vomiting
- Difficulty waking from sleep
- Bleeding from the ears or nose
- Complaints of head, neck, or ear pain
- Trouble walking, standing, or sitting up without help
- Unresponsiveness to their name
- Inability to answer simple questions
Brain Injuries in Older Adults
Elderly adults are highly vulnerable to the effects of a severe TBI. Falls among adults over 65 are also more common, putting this age group at a much higher risk of suffering catastrophic head injuries. CDC data shows that individuals aged 75 years and older have the highest rates of head injury-related hospitalizations and fatalities—about 32% of hospitalizations and 28% of deaths.
The Long-Term Impact of a Brain Injury
Head injuries can result in brain damage that lasts weeks, months, or for the remainder of a person’s life. Victims of mild to moderate brain injuries may be able to recover some or all of the lost functions, but those who suffer more severe cases will likely experience permanent impairment.
If you or a loved one sustained a moderate to severe TBI, long-term effects could include:
- Coma
- Locked-in syndrome
- Seizures
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Reduced language skills
- Personality changes
- Balance and mobility problems
- Persistent vertigo (dizziness), headaches, fatigue, and lethargy
Common Causes of Head Injuries in Kentucky
Brain damage that completely alters a victim’s life can happen in mere seconds.
As Lexington brain injury attorneys, we know that head injuries in Kentucky result from a wide range of negligent or reckless conduct. Our law firm handles cases involving all manner of head injuries stemming from:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Criminal violence
- Slip and fall accidents
- Large commercial truck accidents
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Workplace injuries
Our Lexington brain injury lawyers have experience in multiple legal practice areas. No matter the circumstances of your or a loved one’s TBI injury, we can meet with your family to discuss options for recovering compensation.
If you are a new client, we invite you to learn more about Peterson Law Office during a free consultation at our Lexington, Kentucky office.
Recovering Compensation After a Traumatic Head Injury
Any victim who is injured by the negligence of another party deserves compensation for their pain, suffering, and financial losses. TBI victims often incur medical expenses that last for the rest of their life. Many victims are never able to work again, resulting in lost wages than can no longer support their families.
At Peterson Law Office, we believe part of building a strong attorney-client relationship is getting to know your life outside of our law office. Our injury lawyers make the effort to better understand the impact your injury had on your life and the life of your loved ones. We believe this is the best way to ensure our attorneys seek full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Fair compensation means recovering more than just medical bills. Our injury lawyers seek any and all damages our clients are eligible to receive. Depending on the circumstance of your or your loved one’s case, you may be entitled to damages for:
- Hospitalization costs
- Ambulance fees
- Fees for MRI, X-ray, CT scan, and other diagnostic tests
- Doctor and specialist fees
- Pain and suffering
- Transportation costs to attend appointments
- Cost for nursing and in-home care
- Prescription medications
- Assistive medical devices
- Accommodations to a home or vehicle
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Cost for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, and other rehabilitative services
Depend on a Lexington Brain Injury Lawyer From Peterson Law Office for Skilled and Compassionate Legal Guidance
If your traumatic brain injury occurred in Kentucky, a Lexington brain injury lawyer from Peterson Law Office has the knowledge and experience to give your case the best chance of success. Injury victims should never be left to defend their rights alone. Our clients know they can depend on the trusted legal guidance and support our injury lawyers provide.
Our office is ready to offer a free consultation to any potential clients hoping to learn more about what makes Peterson Law Office different from other Lexington, KY law firms.
Schedule a free consultation on behalf of yourself or an injured loved one today.
