Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can take a devastating toll on families. Patients often face a long recovery, or worse, a lifetime of impairment. The financial ramifications of these catastrophic injuries could be long-lasting, and severe, but relief may be available with the help of a catastrophic injury attorney. If a physician diagnoses you or a family member with TBI after an accident, a Kenneth City traumatic brain injury lawyer could help you fight to recover the compensation you need from the negligent party.
What is a TBI?
Scientists have recently linked traumatic brain injuries to several professional football players, but anyone injured while playing a sport, or in a motor vehicle crash, a fall, or any other situation in which the head strikes another surface, or the brain is jarred or makes contact with the inside of the skull may have suffered a TBI. It is important to note that a person suffering from a TBI may not have been knocked unconscious. Some signs that may signal a TBI, and which should be evaluated immediately by a doctor:
- Loss of memory or disorientation in familiar surroundings
- Slurred speech and dizziness
- Severe headaches
- Numbness or paralysis in the extremities
- Inability to concentrate or any change in behavior
Steps in Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit
Plaintiffs who contact an attorney to file suit for a brain injury caused by another person or by faulty products should continue to consult their physicians for recommended treatment. After a client signs a retainer agreement, a seasoned Kenneth City head injury attorney could handle the legal steps to bring a claim to trial.
Investigation and Negotiations
Investigating how a brain injury occurred is the first step in organizing a claim. An attorney must review medical records, consult police reports, expert witnesses, evaluate family income -including a plaintiff’s wages-, and formulate a case to pursue the largest amount of compensation possible. A demand letter can be sent to an insurance company or a responsible person, and a settlement may be negotiated.
Filing a Lawsuit
If the demand sent to the insurance company or responsible party is rejected, or if an unsuitable counteroffer is made, the plaintiff’s brain injury attorney could file a lawsuit backed up by the evidence gathered in the investigation. These suits generally ask for compensatory damages that include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Pre-Trial and Trial
Prior to the trial, both parties will share the information they have gathered independently. This is called discovery, and it helps both sides see the whole picture. A Kenneth City head trauma attorney may find a defendant’s information can help bolster a plaintiff’s case. If the case goes to trial, a judge and jury will hear the evidence presented by the injury victim’s attorney and by opposing counsel. Eventually, the judge and jury will make a ruling.
Negligence
Most attorneys file traumatic brain injury lawsuits in district court as a personal injury tort for negligence. Kenneth City is part of the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas and Pasco counties. To win in a lawsuit for negligence, plaintiffs must show that the defendant’s reckless actions caused the injury, and the plaintiff has been harmed as a result.
A Kenneth City Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help
Injuries that traumatize the brain often require extensive medical care over a long time. A Kenneth City traumatic brain injury lawyer is here to help you recover the money you deserve for your care and suffering from the negligent party. Call today to get started on your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
