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Traumatic Brain Injury

Chattanooga Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

Chattanooga Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

Compassionate representation for victims of accidents that cause TBIs

Accidental injuries to the head often impact the brain, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The effects of a TBI can be long-lasting, requiring extensive medical treatment and years or a lifetime of costly rehabilitation. Without adequate compensation for the harm placed upon them, victims and their families may find that these expenses prevent them from getting the care that they need.

Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers is a law firm that fights for the rights of those injured by the negligence of others. We have been a staple of the community for 80 years, providing skilled and trustworthy legal guidance. Our Chattanooga TBI lawyers have the experience and working relationships with liability and medical professionals to help you hold the people and businesses responsible for TBIs accountable for all your personal and financial damages.

How can we help?

  • What is a traumatic brain injury?
  • How common are traumatic brain injuries?
  • What are the symptoms of a TBI?
  • What are some long-term effects of TBI?
  • How do doctors diagnose a TBI?
  • What types of treatments help TBI victims?
  • What types of accidents cause traumatic brain injuries in Chattanooga?
  • What are the legal time limits for filing a TBI lawsuit in Tennessee?
  • How much money is my TBI claim worth?
  • Frequently Asked Questions about TBIs
  • Do you have a Chattanooga traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?

What is a traumatic brain injury?

Various incidents can trigger a brain injury. The impact of a vehicle crash may jolt the head violently, causing the brain to move around and hit the skull. A brain injury may also result from a foreign object penetrating the skull or a blunt force blow to the head.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, TBI damage can be confined to one part of the brain or affect multiple areas. TBIs can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that causes coma or death.

A primary brain injury refers to the “sudden and profound injury to the brain that is considered to be more or less complete at the time of impact.” A secondary brain injury refers to the “changes that evolve over a period of hours to days after the primary brain injury. It includes an entire series of steps or stages of cellular, chemical, tissue, or blood vessel changes in the brain that contribute to further destruction of brain tissue.”

How common are traumatic brain injuries?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 69,473 people died because of TBIs in 2021, while 214,110 people were hospitalized for these injuries. When it comes to total TBI injuries, the numbers are likely even higher, as not everyone seeks medical care for head injuries.

What types of accidents cause traumatic brain injuries in Chattanooga?

The personal injury lawyers of Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers have helped numerous victims affected by brain injuries. These injuries can result from a variety of accidents, including those involving:

  • Falls. The leading cause of head injuries is falling. People whose work requires them to use ladders or scaffolding or who work at elevation are at a greater risk of falling. However, tripping up (or down) a set of stairs at the office, falling off stools or merchandise, falling into an open manhole in the street—all can also lead to a TBI. Falls due to wet surfaces, loose cables, debris, and uneven surfaces are also common causes of TBIs.
  • Nursing home abuse and neglect. According to the CDC report, seniors 75 and over have the highest risk for TBIs, which is why competent nursing home care is critical.
  • Vehicle accidents. The impact caused by a head-on, side-impact, or rear-end collision can lead to a TBI. Severe brain injuries are also common in crashes involving bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
  • Premises liability. A blow to the head can cause serious harm. Violent assaults, particularly those involving objects, are among the leading causes of TBIs. We file personal injury claims when negligent security while you’re on someone else’s premises causes an assault.
  • Work-related injuries. Head injuries are a constant risk for employees of construction sites and industrial work. Falling objects can strike the head, causing severe damage to the brain.
  • Defective products. Defective vehicles, ladders, scaffolds, helmets, and other products can cause a person to be struck or fall. Some defective products can cause explosions.

What are the symptoms of a TBI?

TBIs can present with a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • Unconsciousness, or decreased consciousness
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Unequal eye pupil size/dilation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Clear fluid that drains from the nose and ears
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of balance
  • Weakness in arms, legs, or face
  • Loss of memory
  • Confusion
  • Frustration and irritability
  • Changes to sleep patterns
  • Difficulty hearing or ringing in the ears
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Experiencing an unexplained bad taste

What are some long-term effects of TBI?

Not all TBIs have long-term effects, but a moderate to severe injury could cause permanent brain damage. You may experience several long-lasting cognitive, physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. The effects are wide-ranging and different for everyone, but they could include:

  • Difficulty concentrating and/or remembering things
  • Speech, smell, taste, and/or vision problems
  • Depression, anxiety, and/or mental health issues
  • Insomnia
  • Trouble reading or writing
  • Inattention and/or impulsiveness
  • Mood swings
  • Paralysis
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness and balance issues
  • Seizures

How do doctors diagnose a TBI?

After an accident, a doctor will review information about the injury and ask certain questions. Facts related to the accident and whether the person suffered unconsciousness can help medical providers get a better understanding of the person’s injuries. Doctors may also perform imaging tests, like a CT scan or MRI, to further evaluate any brain damage. Another tool doctors may use is an intracranial pressure monitor, which helps them determine if the brain is swelling.

What types of treatments help TBI victims?

When seeking compensation for a TBI, our knowledgeable attorneys are not only concerned about the immediate effects. We fight to secure compensation that adequately addresses your current and future medical needs. Treatment for TBIs varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury. In the case of mild TBIs, the treatment might include rest and monitoring.

More serious cases may require medications like anti-seizure drugs and surgery. Severe TBIs require long-term care and rehabilitation with a team of specialists. The costs related to this treatment can be difficult for many people to cover, making pursuing a personal injury claim important for anyone who might have a case.

Victims of severe TBIs often need long-term medical assistance, which is why we work with medical experts and life planners to identify your needs and future costs, including the following:

  • Surgical procedures. Under some circumstances, surgery is the most appropriate method of treating symptoms of brain injury.
  • Rehabilitative care. A patient with a TBI may need to relearn basic bodily functions and movements, which can require months and even years of rehabilitation.
  • Providers may prescribe medication as a method of pain management or to treat additional conditions brought on by brain damage.
  • Living accommodations. The most severe TBI injuries may require alterations to the victim’s home and transportation methods.
  • Psychological assistance. Depression and anxietyare commonly associated with TBIs. Psychological assistance is essential to promoting a high quality of life for these victims.

What are the legal time limits for filing a TBI lawsuit in Tennessee?

If you or a loved one experiences a TBI, you could be facing serious costs related to that injury. In cases where someone else caused the TBI, our Chattanooga TBI lawyers work to recover damages to cover those costs and compensate for your pain and suffering. However, you need to act quickly. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is just one year.

We strongly recommend that you don’t wait. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can investigate what happened, review your medical care, answer your questions, and start the claims process.

How much money is my TBI claim worth?

We work with your neurologists and other physicians to understand the full scope and severity of your traumatic brain injury, including the possible complications, all your limitations, and every way that your TBI is affecting every part of your life. We also work with life planners, your employers, and other experts. Our TBI lawyers demand compensation from those responsible for your TBI, for the following damages (from the date of the accident for as long as your TBI lasts):

  • Medical bills of every type by every healthcare provider
  • Supplemental costs, such as the cost to renovate a home and the cost of personal daily assistance
  • Lost income, including wages, benefits, business income, and long-term disability compensation
  • Physical pain, emotional suffering, cognitive disability, socialization difficulties, and other challenges
  • Property damage
  • Loss of life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium (marital companionship)

We may also seek punitive damages if the conduct of the person or business that caused your TBI was intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the warning signs of a traumatic brain injury in children?

Adults might have a better grasp of how to describe their symptoms than children, which can make it more challenging for parents and caregivers to determine if a child suffered a TBI. However, the symptoms are similar to those that adults experience, including loss of consciousness, memory issues, irritability, sensitivity to light, nausea, changes in sleeping habits, and more. Because these injuries are so serious, it’s important to seek medical attention if a child suffers a head injury, even if you are on the fence about how severe it might be.

How do TBIs affect children differently from adults?

A TBI can cause long-term changes in children’s cognition, behavior, self-regulation, social participation, and learning. Families who are caring for a child who suffered a TBI need to seek out all the support they can find and pursue compensation where possible so that they can provide the best possible future for that child.

What is the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury?

A concussion is a mild TBI. These injuries are common in accidents and sports, and fortunately, they are not life-threatening. Still, even a mild TBI or concussion can cause serious issues that linger, such as post-concussive syndrome.

Will this TBI change my personality?

Brain injuries sometimes cause subtle or pronounced changes in personality. Depending on the part of the brain that the injury impacted, you could experience mood swings, irritability, or behavioral outbursts. Studies have shown that around 30% of traumatic brain injury patients report struggles with anger and aggressive behavior.

However, every situation is different, and help is available. You can speak with a doctor to learn what options, including medication and therapy, can help you cope.

My loved one has a TBI – what can I do to help them?

During the first few months after a TBI, your loved one may be experiencing difficulty with fulfilling basic needs. You may need to cook, clean, run errands, and watch the children for them. Do not make your loved one feel like a burden. Instead, show up with open arms and offer assistance. Be patient, compassionate, and generous with your time and resources. Be a kind, listening ear as well. Consulting with professionals and possibly even support groups will help ease some of your emotional burden.

What kinds of doctors can I work with to manage my TBI?

Many types of healthcare providers and TBI support professionals can help manage your TBI. These providers include the following:

Healthcare providers

  • Neurologist/neurosurgeon
  • Physiatrist
  • Internists and specialists
  • Rehabilitation nurse
  • Therapists
    • Physical therapist
    • Occupational therapist
    • Speech/language pathologist
    • Recreation therapist
    • Respiratory therapist
    • Vocational therapist
  • Psychologist/neuropsychologist/psychiatrist
  • Audiologist
  • Dietitian
  • Orthotist

TBI support professionals

  • Social worker
  • Case manager
  • Chaplain

Can I go back to my old job after a TBI?

This depends on the extent of your injury, how it affected you, and what job-related tasks you need to perform. If you require special accommodations post-TBI, then, generally, your employer may be required to provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (unless doing so would cause undue hardship for them). Alternatively, you may be able to get a different job that better suits your new condition.

Do you have a Chattanooga traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet TBI victims and family members at our Chattanooga office located at 701 Market Street, Suite 310, Chattanooga, TN 37402. We can make arrangements to see you or a loved one if traveling to our office is not possible. We also consult with TBI victims and family members by phone and by using online video platforms.

We’re here to answer all your questions and prepare you for each stage of the claims process.

Speak with our accomplished Chattanooga TBI lawyers now

We want you to focus on your healing. Let us focus on your claim. If you or a loved one was impacted by a severe TBI, contact our hometown lawyers with a proven track record of aggressive legal advocacy.

Call the experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers at Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers today or complete our contact form to schedule your free and confidential consultation. We handle traumatic brain injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means our success depends on your success.