FAQ’s – Brain Injury Lawsuits

Why are Traumatic Brain Injuries Called the “Silent Epidemic”?

Traumatic brain injuries are often called the “silent epidemic” because so many people have suffered brain injuries and because so many of the victims look perfectly normal even though their lives have been changed forever by their injury.

Brain injury is suffered by someone in America every 15 seconds;
Approximately 100,000 people die every year from TBI and an additional 500,000 are permanently disabled;
80,000 people experience the onset of long-term disability every year following a severe brain injury;
Approximately 5.3 million Americans – more than 2% of the US population – are living with a disability that results from TBI; and,
It costs the United States approximately $30 billion each year to treat, rehabilitate and care for the victims of traumatic brain injury.

Why Should I Hire a Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney for My Brain Injury Case?

How do I know if I have a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

The first step is to recognize that you have actually suffered a brain injury caused by head trauma. After more than thirty years of representing head injured clients, we have noticed that a person’s spouse or friends are the first to notice a brain injury. If you have experienced a blow to or a serious jolt of your head and you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you should ask your doctor if you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What Changes In My Thinking May Indicate a Brain Injury?

Do you more often forget names, numbers, appointments, or things you said you
would do?
Is it harder to follow a conversation among several people?
Is it harder to follow the plot of a movie, or remember what a speaker said?
Do you often re-read something you just read because you can not remember?
Do you get lost more easily?
Do people tell you they didn’t know what you meant by something? Or that you used
a different word than you think you used?
Is it more difficult to remember what you should be doing next?
Is it harder to learn a new procedure or task?
Is it harder to write notes while a speaker goes on to a new topic?
Do you sometimes forget to plan for something important?

What Changes In My Emotions May Indicate a Brain Injury?

Do you laugh or cry more often, or at times that are not appropriate?
Do you lose your temper or get impatient more easily?
Have you recently had problems on a job, or serious arguments with others?
Does your spouse, close friend, or child get angry at you more often, or seem
afraid of you?
Are you more sad or depressed than before?
Do you get restless, irritated, or agitated more often?
Do you have more trouble sleeping?

What Physical Changes May Indicate a Brain Injury?

Does noise bother you more than before?
Do you lose your balance more often?
Do you have blurred or double vision?
Do you have headaches more often?
Do you find that you can’t smell or taste things as well as before?
Is speech more difficult, or do people find it difficult to understand your words?
Have you had seizures?

If you have suffered a blow or a serious jolt to the head and have symptoms like these, we urge you to ask your doctor to test you for a traumatic brain injury. Your doctor will likely refer you to a neuropsychologist to test you for a TBI and to grade the seriousness of your TBI.

What Sort of Accidents Result in a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

Our firm has represented clients who suffered head injuries in car wrecks, truck and 18-wheeler accidents, helicopter crashes, oil rig incidents, offshore accidents, falls, on-the-job accidents, and assaults. Any head injury caused by the carelessness of someone else, by a defective product, or by an intentional act can be the subject of a brain injury lawsuit.

How Do I Find The Right Lawyer to Handle My Brain Injury Lawsuit?

Start by finding a lawyer who has had experience in handling many brain injury lawsuits. Because a person with a brain injury often looks perfectly healthy, it is difficult to prove the injury to a jury or a judge. A lawyer who understands the symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the details of neuropsychological testing can make all the difference in convincing the jury or judge that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). For example, Houston attorney Richard LaGarde has over 30 years of experience in representing clients who have suffered brain injuries in both Texas and Louisiana. He has presented testimony from numerous neuropsychologists and neurologists in both Texas and Louisiana to prove that his clients suffered brain injuries even in cases where there were no physical signs of injury.

Next, find a lawyer who is an expert in trial work and is respected by his fellow lawyers and by judges. One of the best indicators of that experience and respect is board certification. For example, attorney Richard LaGarde is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Personal Injury Trial Law and in Civil Trial Law, a distinction achieved by less than one-half of one percent of Texas attorneys. For more tips on finding the right lawyer for your case, click on the video below:

How do I Pay for a Brain Injury Lawyer?

Most personal injury lawyers, including the lawyers in our firm, offer their services on a “no win, no fee” basis also known as a “contingent fee” or “contingency fee” arrangement. For information on how a contingent fee works, watch this video:

Does It Cost Me Anything To Talk to One of Your Brain Injury Lawyers?

No. We offer free consultations. If you have a question about your personal injury case, call one of our Houston personal injury lawyers today for a free no-obligation consultation. Call us today at (713) 993-0660 or toll free at 1 (866) 524-2733 FREE. If you prefer, fill out the Contact Us Form at the top of this page and we will send you a quick answer to your question.