Brain Injury Lawyers in Columbia

Handling the trauma and aftermath of a serious accident can feel incredibly overwhelming. Even if the other party seems clearly at fault, your injuries might be significant enough to affect your regular functions and ability to act on your claim against that party.

Unfortunately, head trauma can be especially serious, affecting your cognitive abilities and other vital functions. That can make it difficult or impossible to recover from your injuries without aid. Fortunately, a Columbia brain injury lawyer from HawkLaw, P.A. can help you take action beginning with a free case evaluation*.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries are a difficult personal injury to manage. There are two primary types of brain injuries you should be aware of, legally speaking.

Closed Brain Injury

A closed brain injury is one in which the skull is still intact. One of the most common types of closed brain injury is concussion, which is when the brain is shaken in the skull, causing bruising and tearing of brain tissue.

Penetrating Brain Injury

Brain injury cases in which the skull is broken are known as penetrating brain injuries. More severe car crashes can lead to this kind of injury, which may occur if a piece of metal or glass is pushed through the skull, for example.

What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury expresses itself through a variety of different symptoms, but they largely revolve around alterations in one’s motor functions or emotional regulation. Note that TBIs present differently for different people. Some of the most common symptoms in Columbia brain injury victims include:

• Agitation
• Problems with coordination and balance
• Confusion
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression and anxiety
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light and/or sound
• Cognitive problems

Who Is Most At-Risk For a TBI in Columbia, SC?

Anyone in South Carolina is at risk for a traumatic brain injury, but people who are 75 and older tend to be the most vulnerable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, men are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die from a TBI than women. Older people generally tend to be more fragile, and TBIs can occur due to falls or car accidents.

Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A brain injury is unique from other types of injuries, and it may be more difficult to recover. For example, a broken bone may take time and possibly surgery to heal, but you’ll typically be able to fully recover within a set timeframe. A brain injury, however, is often a long-term injury because the brain is so complex.

Because the brain is the control center of the body, a traumatic injury to it can affect all your cognitive functions. For example, some people find themselves unable to remember words or communicate clearly with the people around them. Others may suffer from severe memory loss, which makes preparing a claim and getting your compensation far more difficult.

These long-term effects can hurt your quality of life, so make sure you have a Columbia attorney on your side. When you’ve suffered brain trauma, you may need help to get the full compensation you deserve, and it starts with a free consultation* from the HawkLaw team.

Can the Brain Fully Recover From a Traumatic Head Injury?

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, so it can be difficult to say whether it will ever fully recover from a traumatic head injury. In some cases, recovery is relatively quick, while other TBIs may take weeks or even years to heal. In particularly unfortunate cases, one may never fully recover from a traumatic brain injury.

Even mild injuries can lead to trouble down the line. If a doctor says you will likely be fine with some over-the-counter medicine and rest, that does not mean you should not keep an eye on your injury. If the symptoms are not getting better, it is time to go back to the doctor.

Rehabilitation is a common part of severe brain injuries in South Carolina. Even if complete healing is not possible, plenty of treatments exist that could help you at least get better at managing the symptoms and lessening their severity.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Columbia

The causes of traumatic brain injuries can vary a great deal, but the following are the most common in Columbia, South Carolina.

Falling

Most traumatic brain injuries are from falls. In fact, nearly half of all brain injuries that occur in the country result from falling. Young children and older adults tend to be the most vulnerable, as they either have not mastered balance or have lost the physical ability to move properly. This has been seen repeatedly in South Carolina personal injury cases.

Blunt Trauma

Blunt force trauma can cause serious brain injury, and it can occur in children and adults alike. Children may suffer an accident, while blunt trauma can also happen in the workplace due to machinery or falling objects, as is seen in many workers’ compensation and personal injury claims in South Carolina.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents can be particularly tough on the brain. A victim’s head can be hit directly in a car accident, but that is not all. Whiplash is a kind of brain injury that results from motor vehicle collisions in which the brain is rattled around inside the skull and potentially gets bruised. Motorcycle accidents and truck accidents can be particularly destructive in personal injury cases, and vehicles sold as defective products can be dangerous, too.

How Do You Prove a TBI Case in Columbia, South Carolina?

The key to proving a TBI legal case in Columbia is demonstrating that the injury was caused by negligence on the part of someone else. This will allow the injured person to hold the negligent party liable for damages to the brain injury victim. Specifically, the legal definition of negligence in South Carolina involves someone who has a duty of care to the victim violating that duty, which led to the injury. To violate that duty, one must act in such a way that is reckless and would be unexpected of a reasonable person.

To prove a TBI case in South Carolina, you must first demonstrate that a TBI has actually occurred. This is done through medical evidence showcasing a variety of symptoms. Testimony and records from a medical professional are essential in arguing that a TBI occurred, which is necessary before you even begin to think about the negligence involved in the incident. A Columbia brain injury attorney can help you through the evidence-gathering process, and it begins with a free consultation*.

Compensation for Your Head Trauma in Columbia, SC

One of the biggest challenges for your claim in South Carolina may be getting the fair compensation you’re owed. Your recovery may depend on getting both your economic and non-economic damages, which will be used to cover the losses you’ve suffered after your accident.

Unfortunately, these damages can be difficult to calculate. The financial losses you’ve suffered may already be overwhelming, for example. Worse, the non-economic damages, otherwise thought of as the intangible losses you’ve suffered, can be difficult to calculate without a lawyer’s tools. For example, it can be hard to tell what your pain and suffering is worth financially.

Fortunately, an injury lawyer in Columbia can help you seek out the compensation you deserve. For example, you may be eligible for some of the following damages because of your brain injury.

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage

Is TBI a Permanent Disability in South Carolina?

TBIs are commonly permanent in the sense that you may be able to receive long-term disability benefits for having one. The case is different for every individual, however, so a TBI does not necessarily guarantee long-term disability. This is particularly true for brain injuries that actually do heal, which is a possibility in some cases. Keep in mind that long-term disability will likely legally require you to submit ongoing proof of impairment to the insurance company.

If you have further questions on how your TBI affects your employment, schedule a free consultation* with the Columbia brain injury lawyers at HawkLaw.

How Are TBI Settlements Evaluated in Columbia, South Carolina?

Every TBI legal case in South Carolina is different, but they are typically evaluated based on several factors working together. The severity of your injury plays a major role, of course, but you also have to consider insurance limits. The legally defined negligence that led to your injury is also essential for the overall evaluation. Plus, you will be evaluated based on the medical care you were given. Specifically, you should seek medical attention and follow medical advice to have the strongest possible case. If you do not, the legal opposition may use your lack of medical treatment to argue that your injury is not serious.

What to Look for When Hiring a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Columbia, SC

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury is tough enough on its own, so you need an experienced South Carolina brain injury attorney to take care of the legal process for you. You need to find an attorney who actually has your best interests in mind and has experience with injury cases similar to yours. After all, the legal advice you get from a reliable injury lawyer in Columbia can greatly affect the aftermath of your accident. Of course, it is also helpful to get an attorney who offers a free case evaluation* so you can ask your initial questions at no cost.

Ready to Contact a Columbia Brain Trauma Attorney?

After a severe brain injury, you might be struggling to keep up with basic daily tasks. Things that you do daily may now be especially difficult, so preparing a lawsuit might feel nearly impossible.

Fortunately, you still have a chance to recover from your injuries. With the help of a lawyer from HawkLaw, you can work to get the aid you need while you recover from your head trauma. We understand how difficult your recovery may be, so we’ll help you fight back, starting with your free consultation*.

Getting the answers you need from a Columbia brain injury lawyer is just a call or click away. Reach out for your free consult* by calling 1-888-HAWK-LAW (429-5529) or by completing the online form below.

A Traumatic Brain Injury Can Impact You for the Rest of Your Life

We know that a traumatic brain injury can be difficult. Putting your life back together in the wake of such an incident is an enormous challenge, especially considering the medical bills. Seeing it happen to a loved one in a wrongful death case can be even more emotionally taxing. That’s why our law firm is happy to take care of the legal issues for you. Get in touch with our team of experienced Columbia personal injury lawyers in South Carolina today for a free case evaluation.*