Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN

Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury as a result of another person’s negligent, careless, or intentional actions? Are you struggling with medical bills and loss of income as a result of your injury? A traumatic brain injury can have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones.

It’s important to understand that you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for the losses and expenses you’ve had to face as a result of someone else’s negligence. Get help from an Indianapolis brain injury lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.

Unfortunately, brain injuries are not uncommon in the state of Indiana. Any hard blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, 33,000 people sustained a TBI injury in a recent year, with the leading causes including motor vehicle accidents, unintentional falls, and assault.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, our highly regarded brain injury attorneys have been representing accident victims and their families in Indiana since 1999. We will advocate for your rights and fight by your side until the end of your case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer and learn more about your legal options following an accident.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury usually results from a sudden jolt or blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can be deadly without prompt treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61,000 people died from traumatic brain injury in 2019.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are several different types of traumatic brain injuries that a victim could suffer. The specific types of brain injuries are generally classified as primary injury or secondary injury. It’s not uncommon for a TBI victim to suffer different types of brain injuries.

Primary Brain Injuries

Primary injuries are sudden injuries to the brain that are sustained at the time of the accident. These include:

• Skull fractures – Severe TBIs can result from a broken, crushed, or cracked skull. Without medical intervention, this type of injury can lead to infection, pressure on the brain, or leaking cerebral spinal fluid.
• Intracranial hematomas – A ruptured blood vessel can cause blood to collect in brain tissue and the formation of blood clots.
• Contusion – A contusion is the bruising of the brain tissue.
• Coup-contrecoup — This type of injury occurs when the brain is injured on two sides as a result of the brain moving back and forth within the skull.
• Diffuse axonal injury – This type of injury is usually caused by an abrupt stopping or rotating force that causes the nerve fibers that transmit signals within the brain to tear or twist.

Secondary Brain Injuries

Secondary injuries refer to the changes that occur within the brain in the hours and days after the initial injury, which can cause further damage to the brain. These may include:

• Hydrocephalus – Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid that creates pressure that can do further damage to brain tissue.
• Hypoxia – A lack of oxygen to the brain can damage the brain and other organs.
• Hypotension – When blood pressure drops below a certain level, oxygen and other nutrients may not be effectively delivered to the brain.
• Cerebral edema – This buildup of excess fluid around the brain can result in increased pressure within the skull.
• Ischemia – This occurs when the brain receives an inadequate blood supply and may lead to an ischemic stroke.

What Are the Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

There are numerous symptoms of brain injury. The Mayo Clinic lists 17 signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury and 13 additional symptoms that may appear within the first hours or days after a head injury and that indicate a moderate to severe TBI.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIA) lists 23 “common symptoms of a brain injury.”

“In cases where the injury is more severe, it is usually clear from the individual’s symptoms that some type of brain injury has occurred,” the BIA says. “In situations where the brain injury is mild or moderate, further assessment is often needed to diagnose the brain injury.”

Traumatic brain injury symptoms range in severity and frequency. The most common symptoms include:

Symptoms someone might experience with moderate or severe TBI include:

If you were in an accident and notice any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care. A doctor can evaluate your condition and determine the right treatment plan for your injury.

If you are dealing with an adult or child who has any of the brain injury symptoms above, phone 911 for emergency assistance, and as you wait:

• Keep the individual lying down and still with his or her head and shoulders propped up slightly. Avoid moving them, especially their neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don’t remove it.
• Apply firm pressure to a bleeding wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Don’t apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.
• If the person is not breathing or coughing and does not move, these are signs of no circulation. Begin CPR.

When emergency responders arrive, be prepared to tell them how the person was injured and when and what symptoms you have observed. You may also be asked their age and any other medical conditions they have, any medications they take and whether they drink alcohol or take illicit drugs. If you know they take blood thinners, such as Coumadin, Xarelto or aspirin, it is important to inform medical providers because they can increase the chance of complications.

When a head injury victim is released from the hospital or other medical care, be sure to follow all of the health care professional’s instructions carefully.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

An injury to the brain can happen to anyone at any time. Motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, and falls commonly lead to TBIs, but those aren’t the only causes of brain injury.

Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Sports-related accidents
• Falls
• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Assault
• Penetrating injury from shrapnel or bullet
• An object striking the head
• An explosion
• Child abuse
• Occupational hazards
• Defective products or medical devices

A traumatic brain injury lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can investigate your case to determine the cause of your injury and whether another party was at fault. Our head injury lawyers have the resources and experience needed to investigate these complicated cases and seek full and fair compensation for the losses you suffered.

Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Oftentimes, signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury appear at the time of the accident. But symptoms may not appear until several hours or days after the initial injury. It’s important to seek medical attention if you receive any blow to the head or fall and hit your head.

The traumatic brain injury treatment your doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of the injury. The doctor will need to perform a series of tests to evaluate your condition and determine the extent of the damage. For example, the presence of a brain contusion or brain bleed may not be apparent in a physical exam. Imaging tests, such as CT scans, can uncover these problems.

Fortunately, a mild TBI will typically resolve on its own. However, new or worsening symptoms could indicate an underlying condition or more serious damage than the physician initially thought.

For a severe TBI, emergency surgery might be necessary to stop a brain bleed, repair a fractured skull, or prevent further damage to structures, such as tissue or cells.

The most common forms of treatment for TBI are:

• Self-care at home
• Surgery
• Medication
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Rehabilitation

Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury

A patient’s traumatic brain injury recovery period will depend on the type and severity of the injury and the duration of treatment needed. Many people experience symptoms for weeks following an accident, while others may face lifelong challenges as a result of a brain injury.

A mild TBI typically doesn’t lead to permanent damage or ongoing physical or mental symptoms. However, moderate to severe brain injuries may prevent someone from returning to their job. Some accident victims can’t take care of their families. Others require daily assistance performing routine tasks, such as showering or driving.

You must follow your physician’s recommended traumatic brain injury treatment until you recover.

Insurance companies often look at medical records to determine the settlement amount a claimant should receive. If they see delayed treatment or gaps in treatment, they might deny your claim or decide that your injury is not as serious as you claim.

Attorney David Craig recently interviewed Dawne McKay, author, and a crash Survivor. David and Dawne talked about the survivor’s perspective on a crash. View the full interview here.

Compensation You Might Be Entitled to in a Claim

The compensation you may receive in your TBI case will depend on multiple factors. Your traumatic brain injury lawyer will explore every avenue of compensation for you, and they’ll determine a legal strategy to achieve your desired outcome.

The compensation that you may seek in a brain injury lawsuit or claim may cover:

• Medical bills
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Property damage such as damage to your car in an accident

You shouldn’t bear the financial burden of an injury when someone else is responsible. When we are calculating the extent of your losses, we take into account all the factors that affect the value of your case such as:

• The type and severity of the brain injury
• Length of the recovery period
• Effect of the accident on everyday life
• Emotional or psychological trauma
• The estimated cost of future medical care and assistance
• Amount of coverage available on the at-fault party’s insurance policy
• Relevant evidence proving someone else caused the accident
• Permanent impairment or disability
• Amount of time missed from work

Contact Our Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

The traumatic brain injury attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can guide you through the legal process following a traumatic brain injury. When another person’s error or misconduct leads to an injury, you should not bear the financial burden of the injury.

The at-fault individual or business should be accountable for the harm you have suffered. When you hire our brain injury law firm, you will receive personalized services and one-on-one attention from the start to the finish of your case.

We’re proud of the excellent reputation we’ve been able to build over the decades through our legal success on behalf of clients. Testimonials from past clients show the personal attention we give to every person who walks through our office doors.

We’ve also been recognized by multiple legal organizations, including the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC was named in the 2021 U.S. News—Best Lawyers® listing of “Best Law Firms.”

Recognition in Best Lawyers in America® is considered one of the most respected honors bestowed on lawyers. We hold an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a 10.0 Super rating from Avvo.

If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury in Indiana and you want to understand your legal options and whether a lawsuit is in order, contact an Indianapolis traumatic brain injury lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, today.

The consultation is free and carries no obligation. We have offices and meeting locations throughout Indiana, or you can call us at (800) 746-0226 now for your free consultation.