A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can devastate every aspect of a person’s life. They may be left with ongoing pain, limitations on mobility and cognition, and difficulty finding gainful employment. Sadly, TBIs are shockingly common, resulting in nearly a quarter-million hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI and someone else is to blame, you should not be left to pay for the consequences yourself. You deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, and Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you demand it. Our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million for injured Kentuckians to date.
Put our experience and track record of success to work for you. Contact us online or by calling (606) 598-2122 or a free consultation with a Paducah brain injury lawyer. We’re available 24/7 and look forward to hearing from you.
Paducah, Kentucky Brain Injury Statistics
Traumatic brain injuries affect people of all ages and result from a wide variety of incidents. Data from the University of Kentucky shows that:
- More than 36,000 Kentuckians visited the emergency department (ED) for symptoms of TBI in a single year alone. Of those, 3,710 required hospitalization, and roughly 1,000 people died from their injuries.
- Falls were the reason for 47 percent of TBI-related ED visits. This percentage increased to 56 percent among children ages 0-14 and 79 percent for adults ages 65 or older.
- Motor vehicle accidents caused 17 percent of TBI-related ED visits.
- Another 17 percent of ED visits for TBI were from collisions with an object or other people.
- Adults ages 65 or older had a higher rate of TBI-related hospitalizations than all other age groups combined.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury vary from person to person. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may take weeks to develop.
Potential signs of a TBI include:
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Balance problems
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in vision
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling groggy
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Short or long-term memory problems
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Stronger emotions
- Sadness
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
Persistent and worsening headaches, seizures, weakness, decreased coordination, slurred speech, repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness, confusion, or one pupil being larger than the other are additional symptoms of a potential brain injury. Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you begin experiencing any of these symptoms.
Diagnosing a Brain Injury
Doctors use a variety of factors to diagnose a traumatic brain injury, including:
- Clinical observation – Doctors typically evaluate a patient on the Glasgow Coma Scale as soon as they arrive at the hospital. This test assesses eye and limb movement and the patient’s ability to follow directions and speak coherently.
- Patient or witness reports – A victim or witness’s description of the circumstances leading up to the injury can provide valuable insight into its source and severity. Some important factors include whether the patient lost consciousness and for how long, the force of the injury, where on the head they were struck, and a description of immediate changes in alertness, speaking, or coordination.
- Imaging – Physicians commonly use computed tomography (CT) to diagnose brain injuries. CT imaging can detect bleeding in the brain, skull fractures, blood clots, bruised brain tissue, swelling, and other trauma. Doctors may also order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) once the patient’s condition stabilizes or if it does not improve right away. MRIs use radio waves to create a detailed view of the brain.
- Monitoring intracranial pressure – Injuries cause the brain to swell, which doctors can measure by inserting a probe into the skull. Too much swelling can push the brain against the skull, causing additional brain damage.
A patient’s medical record will contain the results from all tests and clinical observations, which will serve as valuable evidence in any personal injury claim you wish to file.
Proving Your Claims in a TBI Lawsuit in Paducah, Kentucky
To receive compensation through a brain injury lawsuit or settlement, you must prove how the TBI affects your day-to-day life and the anticipated long-term impact of your injury. You must also show that someone else caused your injury and is liable for the harm it caused.
An experienced brain injury lawyer attorney can gather evidence to establish a causal link between the at-fault party’s actions and your injuries, place an appropriate value on your case, and demand maximum compensation for your losses through a lawsuit or insurance settlement.
Compensation for Brain Injury
A successful traumatic brain injury claim could provide compensation for losses like:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Cost for home health care, nursing services, and assistive medical equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lower quality of life
Kentucky residents of any age may also be eligible for assistance from the TBI Trust Fund. This fund provides individuals who have suffered a TBI with up to $15,000 per year and a lifetime maximum of $60,000 in financial assistance for speech therapy, respite services, structured day programs, psychological services, employment services, and other programs that can help improve quality of life.
However, the TBI Trust Fund does not cover hospital expenses, medications, or certain other costs. And because the lifetime cost of living with a brain injury can reach into the millions of dollars, most TBI victims will need far more money than the state can provide. That’s where a lawyer can help. A knowledgeable Kentucky brain injury attorney will identify all potential sources of compensation for you.
Contact Our Brain Injury Lawyers Today for Legal Assistance on Your Case
Nothing can prepare you for the stress and uncertainty of life after a brain injury. But if someone else is to blame for your TBI, you can and should seek compensation from them.
The legal team at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer is here to help.
When you hire us, you’ll work directly with a brain injury attorney handling your case, not a paralegal or junior staffer. And you’ll work with a law firm that understands that many TBI cases also involve workers’ compensation or Social Security Disability (SSD) claims. We’re ready to approach your case from multiple angles to pursue the best possible outcome for you.
Don’t wait another moment to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Paducah. Contact us online or call 606) 598-2122 for a free consultation now.
