NORTH LOUISIANA TBI LAWYER
PRACTICE AREAS
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer for Brain Injury Victims in Bossier City-Shreveport, LA
Traumatic brain injuries can have devastating effects on both victims and their families, often leading to long-term medical care and significant life changes. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to the careless actions of another, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible individual, and the experienced Northwest Louisiana TBI lawyer at The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis is here to help you do that.
Michael Vergis is an experienced Bossier City/Shreveport personal injury lawyer with over 25 years of experience handling traumatic brain injury lawsuits to help victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, call (318) 698-3724 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Louisiana brain injury attorneys today.
What is a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when sudden head trauma causes damage to the brain, potentially affecting the victim’s physical and cognitive abilities depending on the force of the impact and the area of the brain affected.
TBIs can range from a mild concussion to a more severe brain injury like a skull fracture and may lead to long-term issues with memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function. In severe cases, a traumatic brain injury can cause permanent disability, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
It’s important to understand that not all brain injuries are considered traumatic, and therefore may not warrant a personal injury claim. While TBIs are caused by an external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head, acquired brain injuries occur due to non-traumatic causes like strokes, infections, or oxygen deprivation, rather than an external physical impact.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can vary greatly in severity, from minor bumps to life-altering trauma. Below, our Louisiana brain injury lawyers list some of the many types of traumatic brain injuries that individuals may experience.
Concussion
Concussions are one of the most common types of head injuries but are typically considered mild. However, even mild concussions can have serious effects on the brain, especially if left untreated or if multiple concussions occur over time. A concussion happens when a blow or jolt to the head causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to temporary disruption in brain function.
Contusions
Contusions are a type of head injury that involve bruising or bleeding on the brain. Unlike concussions, which involve more widespread trauma, contusions are localized injuries where blood vessels have been damaged in a specific area of the brain. However, severe contusions may require surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
Second Impact Syndrome
Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) occurs when a person suffers a second head injury before fully recovering from an initial concussion or other head injury. This second impact, even if it seems mild, can cause rapid and severe brain swelling, leading to potentially fatal consequences.
Second Impact Syndrome is most commonly seen in athletes who return to play too soon after a concussion. The condition can result in permanent brain damage or even death, making it crucial to allow the brain adequate time to heal before engaging in activities that risk further head injuries.
MTBI
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBIs) are a milder form of TBIs, such as concussions. While they are considered less severe than other types of traumatic brain injuries, mild brain injuries can still have significant effects on a person’s health. Although symptoms may resolve quickly, repeated or untreated MTBIs can result in more serious long-term issues, so it’s important to seek medical attention after any head injury – even one that appears mild.
Coup-Contrecoup Injury
A coup-contrecoup injury is a type of serious brain injury that involves damage to both the site of impact (coup) and the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup). This occurs when a strong blow or sudden force causes the brain to collide with the inside of the skull at the point of impact, and then rebound to hit the opposite side. This dual impact can lead to extensive brain damage, often resulting in long-term cognitive or physical impairments.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is yet another serious type of brain injury that occurs when the brain experiences strong rotational or shaking forces, causing the nerve fibers to stretch or tear. This injury is often the result of high-impact incidents, such as traffic accidents, where the brain rapidly moves inside the skull.
The damage to the nerve fibers disrupts the brain’s ability to communicate between different regions, leading to widespread dysfunction and severe impairments, including coma or permanent brain damage.
Hematoma (Epidural, Subdural, & Intracerebral)
Hematomas are a collection of blood that forms after serious head trauma, and they can lead to dangerous pressure on the brain. There are different types of hematomas based on where the bleeding occurs. For example, an epidural hematoma happens when blood collects between the skull and the outer covering of the brain, often caused by a skull fracture.
Meanwhile, a subdural hematoma occurs when blood gathers between the brain’s surface and its outer covering, usually due to veins tearing after a head injury. Finally, an intracerebral hematoma involves bleeding within the brain tissue itself, which can result from direct brain trauma.
Skull Fracture
A skull fracture occurs when a forceful blow or impact causes the bones in the skull to break. Skull fractures can vary in severity, from minor cracks to serious injuries that permanently damage the brain and surrounding tissues. Depending on the type of fracture, such as linear fractures (a single crack) or depressed fractures (where a piece of the skull is pushed inward), the risks can include bleeding, infection, swelling, and/or extensive brain damage.
Closed Head Injury
Closed head injuries occur when there is a blow or jolt to the head without any break in the skull. Even though the skull remains intact, a closed head injury can cause serious damage to the brain, such as bruising, bleeding, or swelling. Common examples of closed head injuries include concussions and contusions, which can lead to cognitive issues, memory loss, and physical symptoms.
Open Head Injury
An open head injury, also known as a penetrating head injury, is a type of severe TBI that occurs when an object pierces the skull and directly damages the brain tissue. These types of penetrating injuries are often caused by incidents such as gunshot wounds or a severe car accident where an object penetrates the head. Because the brain is exposed, a penetrating injury increases the risk of infection, hemorrhaging, and permanent brain damage.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Now that you have a better grasp of the many different types of TBIs, it’s important to be aware of the common causes of brain injuries. Below, our Louisiana traumatic brain injury lawyers highlight some of the most frequent ways brain injuries occur.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries, as the force of impact in a collision can lead to severe head trauma. Whether from sudden stops, broadside collisions, or rollover accidents, serious car accidents that lead to TBIs can have long-term effects on a person’s cognitive and physical abilities as well as their life as a whole.
If you’ve suffered a TBI from an auto accident, Shreveport car accident lawyer Michael J. Vergis can help guide you through the legal process to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents
Given the lack of protection riders have compared to those in enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents are a frequent cause of traumatic brain injuries. Even with helmets, the force of impact during a crash can result in significant injuries to both the body and brain.
If this is the case for you or a loved one, the experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis can assist you in seeking compensation for the resulting medical expenses and long-term care.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are another leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, particularly when the head hits a hard surface during the fall. These accidents can occur in various settings, such as stores, sidewalks, or workplaces, and may result in severe, long-lasting brain trauma.
If you’ve suffered a TBI from a slip and fall accident, a Louisiana premises liability lawyer can help hold the property owner accountable for the unsafe conditions that led to your injuries.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace accidents, such as falling objects, falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, and work-related auto accidents, are also among the most common causes of TBIs. These hazards are common in construction, oil-field work, manufacturing, and various industrial settings, where employees face greater risks of head trauma.
Sports Injuries
Activities like football, hockey, boxing, and other contact sports often involve direct physical impact, which can lead to head trauma and serious brain injuries. Even with protective gear, repeated blows to the head can result in concussions or more severe head injuries (as we’ve seen time after time with CTE in football players), affecting an athlete’s cognitive and physical abilities over time.
Assault and Violent Crimes
Not all brain injury cases are a result of accidents. Intentional acts, such as assault and battery and other violent crimes are also common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), often resulting from blunt force trauma to the head.
In addition to facing criminal charges, the victim may also be able to pursue financial compensation against the responsible individual through a brain injury lawsuit, holding them financially accountable for the harm they caused. Call a Louisiana brain injury attorney on our team today to see how we can help you do just that.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is another unfortunately common cause of traumatic brain injuries. If medical professionals fail to provide appropriate care for their patients, such as during procedures like surgery or childbirth, it can result in significant brain damage. These types of TBIs caused by medical negligence can have life-altering consequences, leaving victims with long-term disabilities and a need for legal recourse.
Signs and Symptoms of TBI
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) include:
- Headache
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings or changes in behavior
- Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury and may appear immediately or develop over time.
Brain Injury Patients May Require a Wide Range of Treatment and Care
Frequently, methods used to treat a TBI include surgery and intensive care in the hospital, as well as a long period of rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility or as an outpatient at a clinic or at home. Those with a TBI can potentially be helped with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and vocational rehabilitation, as well as psychiatric counseling and emotional support.
With the correct treatment, people who have suffered severe brain injuries can regain lost abilities and function, although they are not always guaranteed to make a full recovery. That’s why a traumatic brain injury lawyer like Michael J. Vergis seeks to help victims obtain the money they need to pay for the best possible care and to deal with the changes and hardships that a lasting brain injury can bring.
What Damages Can You Recover For a Brain Injury?
Due to the far-reaching and long-lasting repercussions of a traumatic brain injury, victims are often entitled to a vast range of damages to account for the magnitude of their losses. Some of the many damages our Shreveport traumatic brain injury lawyers fight for include:- Current and Future Medical Expenses: Any medical treatment you received as a result of the injury, including emergency services, ER fees, surgery and procedure costs, medical equipment, and more will be calculated and included in your settlement amount.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: In a brain injury claim, loss of earning capacity is another very important consideration. A severe brain injury typically causes difficulty focusing, regulating anger, memory issues, exhaustion, and physical disabilities, all of which severely affect one’s capacity to work.
- Life Care Costs: Physical therapy, drugs, and assistance with everyday activities, if required, will also need to be calculated. An assessment is conducted to determine how much this lifetime care would cost the patient.
- Pain and Suffering/Loss of Enjoyment of Life: In addition to economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages, victims are also entitled to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
How Much is a Brain Injury Settlement Worth?
The value of a traumatic brain injury case is determined by several factors, including the severity of the injury, the long-term effects on the victim’s life, and the financial costs associated with medical treatment and rehabilitation. In personal injury cases involving severe brain injuries, damages often exceed $100,000, even potentially reaching millions of dollars, particularly when the injury has lasting impacts on the victim’s ability to work or enjoy daily life.
As an experienced Shreveport catastrophic injury attorney, Michael J. Vergis handles traumatic brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients are not charged any fees until financial compensation is successfully obtained. In seeking compensation, the traumatic brain injury lawyers at our law firm will cover the upfront costs of medical experts, investigative resources, and other expenses necessary to build a strong case.
How Long Do I Have to File a TBI Claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s statute of limitations for filing a traumatic brain injury claim is generally one year from the date of the injury. This means you have a limited time to pursue legal action, and if you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
Our traumatic brain injury attorneys recommend filing as soon as possible to ensure your case is properly prepared and to preserve crucial evidence that can support your claim.
Contact the Shreveport Brain Injury Lawyers at The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s crucial to seek legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis is here to help brain injury victims in the Shreveport-Bossier City area navigate the legal process and recover from these serious injuries.
Our North Louisiana brain injury lawyers can assist by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and fighting for your rights in court and throughout the entire recovery process. If you believe you have a brain injury claim, we encourage you to reach out to our law firm to speak with a dedicated traumatic brain injury lawyer regarding your next steps.
Simply give us a call at (318) 698-3724 or complete our online contact form to set up your free consultation today.
Spanish