Brain Injury Lawyers in Opelika
Brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to the deaths of over 50,000 individuals each year. That averages out to more than 150 TBI-related deaths each and every day. TBI is also the diagnosis in more than 280,000 hospitalizations and more than 2.5 million emergency room visits every year.
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump, jolt, or blow to the head. Not every individual that is struck in the head ends up with TBI, but severe head trauma can greatly increase the chances of this condition occurring. There are various forms of TBI that range in severity and affect different parts of the brain. This condition is unique in that the symptoms tend to manifest themselves differently in each individual case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury and another party was responsible, you deserve to be compensated. Before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company, it is important to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney, so you fully understand your rights and legal options. At Alsobrook Law Group, we have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered brain injuries and other kinds of personal injury in Alabama. Our attorneys have and in depth understanding of this area of the law, and we have a proven track record of success with these types of cases.
We understand that a traumatic brain injury can take a major physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their loved ones, and our goal is to make the legal process smooth and seamless. We work closely with our clients and handle the entire legal process from A to Z. We provide frequent updates on the progress of the case, and we are always happy to answer any questions or concerns that may come up along the way. Our skilled representation and highly personalized approach are major reasons so many clients have trusted us with their injury cases over the years.
How do Brain Injuries Occur?
There are many types of events that can result in a traumatic brain injury. Some of the most common include:
1. Falls
Falls are the most common cause of brain injuries in the U.S., accounting for about 35% of these cases. The rates are higher (50%) among children ages 0-14 and 62% among seniors over the age of 65.
A slip and fall on another person’s property can lead to a TBI, even if your head doesn’t hit the ground. The simple act of the body being violently jolted is enough to cause a brain injury.
2. Motor Vehicle Accidents
The second-leading cause of brain injuries is traffic accidents, which accounts for 17% of TBIs. However, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death related to brain injuries.
Whiplash from a car, truck, or motorcycle accident can lead to TBI. Even when whiplash doesn’t exist, a collision that causes the head to strike an object can have severe consequences.
3. Struck by Object
The next leading cause (16.5%) comes from a person being struck by an object. However, this is the second leading cause of TBIs (25%) among children ages 0-14.
An example of this type of injury is materials that fall off of a store shelf onto a customer’s head. Another is falling materials on a construction site that hit a passing worker.
4. Violence
A person being the victim of physical violence related to assault or a being shot is the cause of roughly 10% of all TBIs. Some examples of TBIs related to violence are stabbing and gunshot wounds to the head as well as the head striking the ground during an assault. Shaken baby syndrome can lead to a TBI in infants.
5. Other/Unknown
There are other causes of brain injury that don’t fall into one of the above categories. This group accounts for 21% of all TBIs.
A common cause that ends up in this catch-all category is sports, and these aren’t always the “extreme” sports that most people imagine. While boxing, hockey, and football are dangerous, so are sports like soccer, baseball, and cycling. In short, it’s always a good idea to have proper training and wear a helmet.
Brain Injury Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, brain injuries range in severity from more mild types (commonly known as concussions) that last from just a few hours to a few days, to serious traumatic brain injuries that are debilitating and last a lifetime. Symptoms tend to show up differently in each individual, depending on the severity and other specific circumstances.
Some of the most common symptoms of TBI include:
Damages in Alabama Brain Injury Cases
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, they often need extensive medical care to recover. In the more severe cases, there is a long road to recovery and the condition may be permanent. Compensation for brain injuries can be divided into two general categories:
Proving damages in an Alabama brain injury case can be difficult because of the state’s “contributory negligence” legal standard. With contributory negligence, if a plaintiff is found to have “contributed” in any way to the underlying incident that caused the injury, they can be barred from recovering compensation. This is why it is very important to work with an attorney who knows how to effectively an injury case in a way that can overcome this defendant-friendly standard.
Speak with a Seasoned Opelika Brain Injury Attorney
Head and brain injuries are some of the most severe conditions individuals can suffer. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, and you believe another party was responsible, you need strong legal counsel by your side advocating forcefully for your rights and interests. For a free consultation with one of the skilled Alabama personal injury lawyers at Alsobrook Law Group, call our office today at 334-737-3718 or send us a message through our web contact form. You may also stop by our office is Opelika at your convenience.