Legal Options for Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries After an Accident 

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) present a unique set of symptoms and often result in severe and long-lasting consequences. TBIs can turn lives upside down in an instant. Whether caused by a car crash, a fall, or a sports accident, TBIs can lead to long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If you or a loved one have suffered from a TBI, we can help. The Paducah brain injury lawyers at Saladino & Schaaf have the experience to guide you through the legal process while you put the pieces of your life back together in the wake of a life-changing injury.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A TBI occurs when a sudden, external force causes damage to the brain. This can happen from a direct blow to the head, a jolt that causes the brain to move within the skull, or an object penetrating the brain tissue. Falls, sports activities, and vehicle accidents are some of the most common sources of TBIs. 

TBI symptoms can range from mild (like a concussion) to severe (causing long-term disability or death). Headaches, confusion, memory, and mood changes are common signs of a potential TBI. In addition, difficulty with concentration and balance issues can also be indications of an injury more severe than a concussion. Sensory problems (like blurred vision or ringing in the ears) sometimes occur when it is a more serious head-related injury. In severe cases, TBIs can lead to coma, permanent cognitive impairment, or physical disabilities.

Steps to Take After a TBI

If you’ve suffered a TBI, there are steps you can take to protect your health and your legal rights. First, seek medical attention and follow your treatment plans. When you can, begin to document everything related to your injury and recovery, and keep notes on your physical progress. It is important to note any changes you’re finding over time in your mental and emotional state as you start to recover. Keeping a detailed account of how the TBI has affected your daily life, relationships, and ability to work can help illustrate the non-economic damages should your case go to trial. 

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim

 TBIs are often severe in scope and sometimes permanent in their consequences. Aside from the more easily visible injuries related to an accident or assault, severe brain injuries usually result in more subtle changes to your quality of life, including your emotional regulation, your cognitive functioning, your ability to speak, and your movement control and coordination.

As your Paducah brain injury lawyers, it is our job to pursue compensation for the injury you or a loved one have suffered. Kentucky provides compensation for economic damages, including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, and any loss to earning capacity as a result of the TBI. These are tangible monetary losses.

Kentucky also allows for seeking non-economic damages. These include pain and suffering and the cost of any rehabilitation and necessary therapy required for a full and complete recovery. While these damages may be more challenging to measure, they can be quantifiable through medical expert testimony, documentation, and personal testimony. 

In some cases, punitive damages may be available where the wrongdoer (the person who caused the injury) acted with gross negligence, malice, or recklessness. These damages are aimed at punishing the wrongdoer and discouraging the conduct more than compensating you for a specific loss. 

Paducah Brain Injury Lawyers – We Can Help

Suffering from a TBI can be a life-altering experience, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The path to recovery and justice may be long, but with the proper support and legal strategy, we at Saladino & Schaaf can help you secure the resources you need to move forward after a TBI. 

We’ll help you understand your rights and explore your options. We’re committed to getting you the compensation you deserve. Call us at (270) 444-0406 or (270) 753-1529 for a free consultation.  Our offices are conveniently located in Paducah and Murray.