One of the most significant types of personal injuries that a victim may sustain in an accident is a traumatic brain injury. Also known as a TBI, accidents causing traumatic brain injuries account for approximately 2.8 million emergency department visits every year in the United States. These accidents also result in over 214,000 hospitalizations and almost 70,000 deaths. As a result, approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with TBIs caused by accidents. Sadly, many of these accidents are completely avoidable but were caused by the reckless, careless, or outright negligent conduct of a defendant. With the help of an experienced Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer, victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for these injuries caused by a preventable accident.
Here at the Patrick Yancey Law Firm, our compassionate and dedicated legal team knows how devastating it can be for victims and their families to have a TBI from a personal injury accident. That’s why we offer free consultations and free case evaluations where we can answer your questions and provide you legal advice on your next steps to recover compensation. Schedule your free appointment with our Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer to learn what compensation you may be entitled to under Louisiana law.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, refers to damage to brain tissue that is caused by a sudden and external force such as an impact or violent shake. A TBI could be caused by a direct impact to the head or when external forces shake the body or head, and therefore result in the brain shaking inside of the skull. TBIs are characterized from mild concussions to severe, disabling injuries that result in permanent and long-term disability or wrongful death. The severity depends on multiple factors including the force of impact, duration of unconsciousness, and extent of brain damage.
The most important points about TBI that victims and their families of a personal injury accident in Houma, Terrebonne Parish, or anywhere else in Louisiana need to know are the following:
- A TBI can be caused even if the head does not hit any object, floor or any other surface
- Although a TBI could be medically classified as “mild,” there is no such thing in law as a mild brain injury
- Some brain injuries can take weeks, months, or even years to fully develop, and therefore can make it more difficult to recover damages without an experienced Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer
- Brain injuries do not always show up on imaging studies, and therefore require both subjective and objective proof of an impairment
- “Day in a Life” videos are often used to help prove the effects of a TBI to a judge or jury
- Falls and motor vehicle accidents are the top two most common causes of TBIs
Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries from Accidents in Houma, LA
There are many different types of TBIs that could be caused by an accident in Louisiana. The extent of the severity of each TBI depends on many factors, most notably being the force of the impact and injury to the client. Some of the most common types of catastrophic TBIs that our Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer can handle for you and your family include the following:
- Concussion – sometimes referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI, this injury is caused by a blow or jolt to the head and is usually the most common type of TBI
- Contusion – bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct impact
- Diffuse axonal injury – also known as a DAI, this is widespread damage to brain cells from rotation or shaking which results in tearing of tissue or neural connections that are often unrepairable and lead to catastrophic disability or impairment
- Penetrating injury – objects piercing the skull and entering brain tissue, such as during motor vehicle accidents (debris from the accident) or in falls (impalement injuries, especially near construction sites)
- Coup-contrecoup injuries – this injury occurs when there is a violent whiplash-like motion to the victim, and the victim’s brain slides back-and-forth inside of the skull and sustains an injury after each side is hit
- Subdural hematoma – blood collection between brain and dura mater which can place extreme pressure on brain matter, and result in injuries near the base of the skull (foramen magnum) or sides
- Epidural hematoma – also known as an EDH, it is blood accumulation between skull and dura mater, which can similarly result in extreme pressure on brain matter
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage – bleeding in space surrounding the brain, which can result in chemical changes and damage to brain tissue as well as an unsafe buildup of pressure
- Other types of serious head, brain and other TBIs that our Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer could handle for you and your family.
Common Causes of TBIs in Louisiana
There are many different possible causes of TBIs that a victim could sustain in Houma, Terrebonne Parish or elsewhere in Louisiana. These common causes could occur on personal time, at work, while on vacation, a trip for business, or during other types of outings or events. There can also be multiple causes of an accident which causes a TBI, and therefore there could also be multiple possible defendants who may be liable to a victim and his or her family.
Some of the most common causes of TBIs in Louisiana that our Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer could handle for you and your family include the following:
- Car accidents
- Trucking wrecks with 18-wheelers, tankers, semi-tractor trailers, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles
- Slip and falls
- Ridesharing accidents or taxi accidents
- Pedestrian knockdowns or pedestrian hit by a car
- Motorcycle collisions
- Trip and falls
- Bicycle accidents
- Nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect
- Intentional acts such as assault or battery
- Maritime accidents
- Medical malpractice, including birth injuries
- Boating accidents
- Amusement parks or trampoline parks
- Dog bites or animal attacks, and
- Many other different types of serious and life-changing accidents in Louisiana that could result in catastrophic head injuries, brain injuries, or TBIs.
Common Symptoms of Brain Injury
Brain injuries can manifest through various symptoms that affect physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. Any type of accident could cause one or more of these types of impairments to a victim, which can vary based on the severity of the accident and injury to the brain. Since TBIs and other types of brain injuries may not always be detectible on an imaging study, victims and their families need to be aware of the most common symptoms so that they can advise both their treating physicians and their Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer.
Some of the most common symptoms of a TBI or another type of brain injury that may appear following an accident include the following:
- Headaches – persistent or recurring headaches are among the most common symptoms after brain injury. These may range from mild discomfort to severe pain and often worsen with physical or mental exertion.
- Dizziness and balance problems – many victims experience vertigo, lightheadedness, or difficulty maintaining balance. This may cause unsteadiness when walking or standing and increase the risk of falls.
- Fatigue – extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest is frequently reported. This neurological fatigue differs from normal tiredness and can significantly impact daily functioning and recovery.
- Memory issues – problems with short-term memory are particularly common. Victims may struggle to recall recent events or conversations while older memories remain intact.
- Concentration difficulties – many people find it challenging to focus on tasks, especially in environments with multiple stimuli. Simple activities that previously required little mental effort may become exhausting.
- Sleep disturbances – changes in sleep patterns often occur, including insomnia, excessive sleeping, or difficulty maintaining normal sleep cycles. Poor sleep quality can exacerbate other symptoms.
- Sensitivity to light and sound – ordinary environmental stimuli may become overwhelming. Bright lights or normal conversation volume might trigger discomfort or worsen other symptoms.
- Mood changes – emotional responses may become unpredictable or intensified. This includes irritability, anxiety, depression, or emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation.
- Executive function problems – difficulties with planning, organizing, problem-solving, and multitasking are common. These higher-level cognitive functions are frequently impacted even in mild brain injuries.
- Communication challenges – language processing may be affected, resulting in trouble finding words, following conversations, or expressing thoughts clearly and coherently.
- Other symptoms that are new and are abnormal for a patient before the accident.
Did You or a Loved One Sustain a TBI in Louisiana or Terrebonne Parish? Call Our Houma Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer for Help
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one were diagnosed with any type of head injury, brain injury, or a TBI after an accident in Louisiana. Damages from TBIs can be significant, including medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering. Victims and their families may also experience increases expenses for nursing care, home or vehicle modifications, continued treatment or therapies, and many other unexpected expenses – all while having a loss of income due to the TBI.
Despite this, many insurance adjusters and defense lawyers will do everything in their power to undermine, undervalue, and outright deny you valid claims for compensation.
Do not let that happen to you. Schedule your free consultation with our experienced Houma traumatic brain injury lawyer by calling the Patrick Yancey Law Firm by dialing (985) 313-9791 or by sending us a message through our “contact us” box available here. We are happy to speak with you at our office, your home, the hospital, virtually, over the telephone, or anywhere else were we can privately discuss your rights and options under Louisiana law.
(985) 313-9791
