Washington Brain Injury Lawyer

Brain injuries are some of the most traumatic injuries a person could ever get in an accident, because a traumatic brain injury (TBI) directly affects the way a person thinks, acts, and feels. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries on a yearly basis. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take a significant amount of time and money to recover from a traumatic brain injury and in some instances, you may not be able to completely recover from it.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent report from the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF), brain injuries are currently the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults ages 1 to 44. While the severity of brain damage is dependent on the intensity of the blow and nature of the accident, people who suffer from head trauma may have symptoms develop after the accident. If you or a loved one have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence then you may be eligible to file for a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of brain injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and serve as your personal legal representative. We are a law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and dedicated team of attorneys who are well versed in personal injury law and have handled a variety of traumatic brain injury cases from the mild to the severe. As a result of their hard work and dedication to their clients, they are confident that they can get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to represent them and make sure that the responsible party accountable is brought to justice for their actions. Whether you have suffered persistent headaches from a car accident or a series of diffuse axonal injuries due to a person’s ill intent, our compassionate team of brain injury attorneys have seen them all and they are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at 206-222-8860 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Common Causes of Head Injuries

There are multiple sources where a person can sustain serious head injuries, but the most common sources that are found are typically from car accidents, pedestrian accidents, violent assaults’, and falls. While each cause can result in a variety of injuries, it is important to understand some of the key differences between each of them, in order to serve as a point of reference when you file a claim with an attorney.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries due to the impact force that occurs in a car crash. The National Institute of Health has reported in a brain injury study that around 37% of all car accident victims have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Due to the increased risk of sustaining a brain injury in a car crash, it is highly recommended to seek a medical professional to ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment you need.

Pedestrian Accidents

Unlike motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents are when a person gets struck by a motor vehicle. Due to the nature of pedestrian accidents, victims have a higher likelihood of sustaining traumatic brain injuries due the impact of getting hit by a car. With that in mind, if victims do not receive immediate medical attention then they have a serious risk of suffering from either long-term health complications or suffering from fatal injuries. Should they survive the accident, it is highly recommended for the victims to pursue legal representation in order to have the proper funding to recover from the accident.

Violent Assaults

Violent assaults are referred to as physical altercations with another individual or party with reckless or ill intent. Depending on the nature of the altercation, weapons such as firearms or blunt objects may be involved, and they can cause a variety of head injuries from penetrating wounds to non-penetrating skull fractures. According to the National Library of Medicine, traumatic brain injuries derived from assaults can leave long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional conditions on the victim and may require rehabilitative services such as physical and behavioral therapy. As such, it is vital for the victim and the proper attorney to represent them and their interests as these kinds of cases tend to become complex as time goes on.

Falls

To most people’s surprise, fall accidents are one of the leading causes of head and brain injuries and the CDC has determined in a fall fact sheet that about three million people have suffered from a head injury every year because of it. Due to the fact that trips and falls can happen anywhere and to anybody, the severity of the head injury will vary widely and one’s ability to file a claim will be dependent on whether or not a duty of care has been established. With that in mind, it is important that fall victims have proof of a duty of care if they wish to file a claim for a fall accident.

Types of Injuries

To some people’s surprise, there are several different types of brain injuries that a person can sustain in an accident. Depending on the severity of the head injury, they are typically categorized either as mild, moderate, and severe. While there is no sure way to predict how it will affect a person without a medical professional doing tests, it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you have sustained any kind of head injury in an accident. With that in mind, it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of brain injuries so you have a better grasp of your situation.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

A mild traumatic brain injury is considered to be one of the least severe types of head injuries a person could sustain. For a head injury to be considered mild, any side effects or conditions such as confusion, delirium, and feeling light headed last no longer than 30 minutes. These types of injuries are typically found in motor vehicle crashes and any accidents that involve a significant blow to the head, and while a mild tbi can be cured with bedrest, it is still recommended to seek immediate medical attention to ensure that there aren’t any other injuries.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries

A moderate TBI is much more intense injury compared to a mild brain injury because these injuries are often caused by a non-penetrating blunt force trauma. Unfortunately, those who suffer from a moderate TBI will deal with lifelong impairments depending on the specific kind of injury, but victims can still recover from it as long as they receive proper care and attention from medical professionals. It is also recommended to file a brain injury lawsuit, because it is at this level of severity where victims may face some physical or cognitive impairments depending on their condition.

Severe Brain Injuries

Considered to be the worst type of brain injury, severe brain injuries can cause lifelong health complications that can leave a person in a coma for months or sometimes years. In some cases, severe tbi cases can also lead to the victim to experience a significant decline to their physical and cognitive abilities. It is highly urged for those affected to seek medical attention immediately because depending on the nature of the injury, it can also be potentially fatal if it is not treated correctly. In these types of cases, it is recommended to seek a traumatic brain injury lawyer, because the associated medical costs for this type of injury alone can become very exorbitant.

What Kind of Damages Are Available in a Brain Injury Claim?

For all personal injury claims and lawsuits, victims can file to recover either economic, non-economic, or punitive damages. However, the type and total amount of recoverable damages will depend on the nature, severity, and scale of the sustained injuries. Generally speaking, brain injury lawyers will be able to recover a mix of damages for their clients. Should you choose to file a personal injury claim for a traumatic brain injury, it is important to understand the different types of recoverable damages to serve as a point of reference when you discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.

Economic

Economic damages are calculable expenses that have accumulated as a result of the accident. As such, recovering economic damages would mean that the victim would be able to recover any and all upfront/out-of-pocket costs they had to make. For example, medical bills, property damage, lost wages, physical therapy, future medical costs, and quality of life adjustments are all applicable things that can be recovered in the event of an accident.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages are subjective losses that are difficult to place an objective monetary value on and as a result of this, the total value will vary on a case-by-case basis. For example, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress are subjective emotional injuries that can widely range from person to person especially in a severe brain injury accident. In cases such as this, it is vital for a brain injury lawyer to provide proof that the injury has had a profound impact on the accident victim.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a form of damages that is specifically designed to punish negligent parties for any excessively reckless or ill intent behavior. While punitive damages do not award any compensation to the victim and their family, they do offer a form of closure and justice to the victim. However, this type of damages is rarely served and are only reserved for severe or unique cases where the court believes that they either need to set a legal precedent or to deter any similar crimes from occurring in the near future.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here To Help

If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may sue to recover compensation for your damages. As brain injuries tend to accumulate high medical expenses, it is important to hire an experienced brain injury attorney to represent you and your case so you can be on the proper path of recovery.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of traumatic brain injury attorneys are ready to take on your case and fight for you. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience, and our team of brain injury attorneys handle every case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves and they are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your damages.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty to fight for them and watch out for their best interests. Whether you have sustained a cerebral contusion or an anoxic brain injury, our brain injury lawyers have seen them all and will be there every step of the way to address any questions or concerns that may arise in your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation for your case, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at 206-222-8860 or completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Brain Injury Claims

Is My Claim Worthless If My Injury Was Caused by an Accident That Was Partly My Fault?

If you were partially responsible for causing the accident that has resulted in your brain injury, your claim is not automatically worthless. Depending on the nature of the accident and how liable you were in causing the accident in question, your total awarded sum may be subtracted to hold you accountable for your actions as per California Civil Code 1431.2.

How Much Money Can You Get From a Brain Injury?

The amount of money you can get awarded for a traumatic brain injury will be entirely dependent on the severity of the injury. For example, should a victim sustain a traumatic brain injury that has left them with significant cognitive and physical impairment then they can be compensated anywhere within the six to seven figure range. This range is to accommodate any medical procedures, physical therapy, and quality of life adjustments that the victims need.

What Are the Risks of Not Hiring an Attorney for a Brain Injury Accident?

If you do not hire an attorney for your brain injury case, you increase the chances of paying all of your medical bills and any other sudden or lifelong costs out of pocket. Considering how these costs can dramatically affect a person’s finances, it can drastically affect what kind of care the injured party receives and can potentially affect their recovery rate. With that in mind, it is important to hire an attorney to help you recover compensation and be on the road to recovery.