Midland Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
An average of 1.5 million people in America suffer a serious brain injury each and every year. The real-life implications of even a minor injury to the head can be severe and long-lasting. If you or someone you love has been hurt, a Midland traumatic brain injury lawyer will fight for your right to full and fair compensation.
We understand that brain injuries can make accomplishing certain tasks difficult. At Barrera Law Group LLC, our team of experienced and compassionate attorneys strives to make every aspect of the legal process as easy and straightforward as possible. We invite you to learn more about your rights and legal options during a completely free case evaluation. Call or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your no-obligation informational meeting.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death in the United States. Further data showcases just how dangerous these injuries can be:
- In 2020, there were around 214,100 hospitalizations for TBIs.
- 69,473 people died from TBI-related complications in 2021.
- Adults aged 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI hospitalizations and deaths.
- Men are twice as likely to require hospitalization and three times as likely to die from TBI compared to women.
Statistics can help us get a better understanding of the broad impact and implications of traumatic brain injuries. However, it’s important to remember that this data only tells part of the story. Anyone of any age can suffer a serious, life-altering, or even deadly TBI.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
The symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries will vary from person to person. The location of the injury, its cause, age, and other unique factors will also influence the types and severity of symptoms that an individual experiences.
Let’s break down some of the most common TBI symptoms by age.
General symptoms of TBIs that anyone (especially adults) may experience include:
- A headache that won’t go away or worsens over time
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Dilation of pupils
- Loss of consciousness (no matter how brief)
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Excessive tiredness or fatigue
- Clear liquid leaking from the ears or nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to sound and light
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Tingling or numbness in limbs
- Loss of balance
- Memory problems
In addition to these signs and symptoms, babies and young children may also display symptoms unique for their age:
- Excessive irritability or inability to be consoled
- Continued crying
- Changes in attention span
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little)
- Loss of language acquisition
- Lethargy or limp limbs
- Refusal to eat, take a bottle, or nurse
- Change in play habits
- Loss of physical milestones (such as walking or crawling)
If you, your child, or a loved one is displaying any of the above symptoms—even if it’s just one or two—seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room.
Don’t drive yourself if you suspect you have a TBI. Have a friend or family member drive you, or call 911 and ask that an ambulance be sent to your location.
Receiving prompt medical care in as timely a manner as possible is the most important step you can take after a serious injury to the head. The longer you wait to see a health care professional, the more severe your injury may become.
Types of Brain Injury Cases We Handle
The expert legal team of Barrera Law Group LLC handles a wide variety of traumatic brain injury case types, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Premises liability
- Negligent security
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Dangerous and defective products
- Sports injuries
- Explosions
- Work injuries
- Oil field accidents
Falls, motor vehicle accidents, and violent assaults are among the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries, as reported by the CDC.
The Most Common Types of Head and Brain Injuries – What Counts as a TBI?
Concussions are by far the most common type of traumatic brain injury. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 75% of TBIs in any given year are classified as mild concussions.
It is important to note that the modifier of “mild” does not mean that mild concussions are not serious medical events. Anyone who has been diagnosed with this type of brain injury can attest to the long-lasting impact, such as drowsiness, confusion, insomnia, and fatigue that can last for weeks or even months.
Any type of injury that occurs to the brain is a serious medical event. Aside from concussions, other common types of brain injuries include:
- Extra-axial hematoma
- Contusion
- Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
A brain injury can also be classified as either closed or penetrating (open).
A closed brain injury is almost always the result of rapid back-and-forth movement of the brain, such as the kind that occurs with shaking or a sudden jolt. A penetrating brain injury occurs when there is a break in the skull and a foreign object pierces, punctures, or penetrates the brain.
So, what counts as a traumatic brain injury? Johns Hopkins Medicine defines this type of injury as something that occurs “when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain.”
Looking to the Future – The Lifelong Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Every person who suffers an injury to the head will have a different lived experience. It’s important that you work closely with your medical team to anticipate and prepare for both your current and future medical needs.
Life after a TBI can include a number of health risks, including an increased risk of:
- Seizures
- Infections
- Pneumonia
There are also a number of physical, mental, and emotional challenges that can persist throughout life for survivors of traumatic brain injuries:
- Moderate to severe disability
- Unemployment (or limited employment)
- Multiple hospitalizations
- Dissatisfaction with life
- Drug and alcohol use
Depending on the severity and lasting impact, a TBI survivor may need help accomplishing daily tasks. In especially severe cases, care in a residential facility (such as a nursing home) may become necessary.
The Long-Term Impact of TBIs in Children & Teens
Just like children and teens can experience different TBI symptoms than adults, this age demographic can also have a different lived experience after injury.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, kids and teens who have experienced at least one brain injury are:
- 50% more likely to engage in binge drinking
- Three times more likely to abuse prescription or illegal drugs
- More than two times more likely to smoke cigarettes every day
Minors in elementary, middle, and high school may also face added educational hurdles. If your child has suffered a TBI and they are struggling to complete homework or comprehend classroom information, reach out to their school and their doctor to help secure necessary accommodations as soon as possible.
When To Speak with a Midland Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
You’ve been hurt, and now you’re wondering, “Do I need to speak with a lawyer?”
No one can answer that question except for you. However, we have seen time and time again how big insurance companies will refuse to pay reasonable and fair settlements to those who have been negligently or wrongfully injured.
Working alongside a brain injury attorney will provide your case with the strong foundation that it needs to succeed. We recommend speaking with a lawyer when:
- Someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions caused your injury.
- You are facing months or even years of ongoing medical care.
- You’re no longer able to work, or can only work in a reduced capacity or for fewer hours.
- Damages related to your injury are causing a significant financial, emotional, or physical strain on your life.
- The insurance company is refusing to play fair or offer you a reasonable settlement.
- You’re unsure of your legal options or want to learn about your rights.
At our Texas law firm, we provide completely free-of-cost informational meetings to injury victims and their families. Every meeting comes with no obligation to continue working with our attorneys. Our goal is to make sure that every person has access to the legal knowledge they need when they need it.
Compensation for a Serious Head Injury
When you’ve been seriously injured, almost every facet of your life will be negatively impacted. The goal of a personal injury claim is to help you be made “whole” again. This includes securing the compensation you need to fully address your physical, financial, and emotional damages.
Compensation for traumatic brain injuries typically falls into one of two categories: economic and noneconomic compensation.
Economic damages refer to your direct financial losses, including your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, medications, transportation costs, and more. Your noneconomic damages compensate you for all the non-financial ways that your life has been impacted, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life.
In rare cases, a judge or jury might also decide to award punitive damages. These are only awarded in cases where the at-fault party engaged in particularly malicious or grossly negligent behavior.
Your brain injury attorney will advise you of any and all compensation that you are entitled to, and will conduct a thorough and in-depth investigation to correctly value the total worth of your claim.
Finding Hope Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
A brain injury is a traumatizing life event. For survivors, life may forever be divided into “before” and “after” their accidents.
At Barrera Law Group LLC, it’s our goal to help every client secure a better, happier future. We know that for most injury victims, the key to a better future is recovering maximum compensation for their full range of damages and losses.
We’re here to help. For a free meeting with a Midland traumatic brain injury lawyer who cares about you and your future, call or contact us online today.