Knoxville Injury Attorneys Fighting on Behalf of Traumatic Brain Injury Victims
Compassionate personal injury attorneys protecting the rights of the injured throughout Tennessee
Traumatic brain injury is one of the major causes of permanent disability. Because the brain is such a complex organ that is responsible for every function in the body, when the brain is severely injured, the impact of that injury can affect multiple systems in the body. According to the CDC, about 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, about 52,000 people die as the result of a TBI, and about 125,000 are permanently disabled because of a head injury every year in the United States.
At the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we have helped countless clients before you handle the challenges of a traumatic brain injury. Our resourceful Knoxville TBI attorneys work with medical experts and accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of the accident, and who should be held liable for your injuries. We negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies or we prepare for litigation, and we stop at nothing to make sure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve after you have been injured due to the negligence of another.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic brain injury is a sudden injury that the brain suffers after a severe blow to the head from a blunt force, it can occur at the moment of impact in a car crash when the g-forces cause the brain to crash up against the inside of the front of the skull and then in the next second smashes against the back of the skull. This severe trauma can cause bruising of the brain, internal bleeding, and a rupturing of the delicate network of nerve fibers throughout the brain.
Common causes of TBI
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the five leading causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Falls: 28 percent
- Motor vehicle accidents: 20 percent
- Struck by/against events: 19 percent
- Violent assaults: 11 percent
- Non-motorized pedal cycles: 3 percent
Additional causes of TBI include child abuse, domestic violence and workplace accidents.
Frequently asked questions about traumatic brain injury:
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we have answered a lot of questions for our Knoxville brain injury clients over the years, and some tend to pop up more than others. The ones we hear most frequently are:
Q: What are some of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury?
A: Some of the symptoms of a TBI include:
- Persistent, severe headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Fatigue and lethargy
Q: What are the consequences of a severe brain injury?
A: Every brain injury is different and it will affect each person differently. After suffering a brain injury, an individual may have difficulty concentrating, they can become confused easily, they may have trouble speaking, and they may have mood swings between depression and rage. TBI can affect a person's senses; they may have trouble maintaining balance and control of their muscles.
Q: What treatment options are available?
A: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) recommends that anyone who has suffered severe head trauma should always be examined by a doctor immediately even if they think they feel fine. It can take a while before the symptoms of traumatic brain injury appear.
Immediate treatment allows a medical professional to stabilize the injured person and prevent further injury. They might conduct imaging tests to diagnose the level of injury and determine what course of treatment would be appropriate. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery might be required. Some patients who have suffered a brain injury might recover with residual symptoms remaining while others might never fully recover and require long-term care.
How can a personal injury attorney help after a serious head injury?
When you or someone you care about has suffered a traumatic brain injury after an accident, you may wonder if it is worth filing a lawsuit. If your injuries are expected to be permanent and you do not expect to be able to return to work, you will still have medical bills and living expenses that need to be covered. By filing a lawsuit, our Knoxville personal injury attorneys will hold the responsible parties accountable for the pain you have suffered and the losses you will continue to suffer because of your injuries. The Knoxville legal team at the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm will represent your interests by negotiating a settlement or presenting a strong case in court.
You may receive financial compensation that will take care of your current and future medical bills related to the accident. It might also contain compensation for lost wages now and into the future, and it might also include compensation for non-economic losses such as the pain and suffering you have endured and will endure given the permanent nature of your injuries, loss of enjoyment of life and severe emotional distress. While the financial settlement will not take away the pain or restore your lost capacity to work and participate in life, it can help to make sure that your financial needs are met for the rest of your life.
Let Rocky's team get results for you
When you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may have many concerns about your life now and in the future. You are welcome to call Rocky at 615-425-2500 or use our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Knoxville TBI lawyer. The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is proud to represent clients throughout the state of Tennessee.