A traumatic brain injury changes everything in an instant. Your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy life transforms completely. At Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys, we’ve spent nearly five decades helping Oklahoma City families navigate the devastating aftermath of brain injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Our eleven experienced attorneys understand the complex medical and legal challenges TBI victims face, from securing proper diagnosis and treatment to addressing insurance companies that minimize invisible injuries.
According to the CDC, approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations occurred in 2020. When these life-altering injuries happen because of another party’s carelessness, whether a distracted driver on I-35, an unsafe property condition, or defective product, victims deserve comprehensive compensation for their profound losses. Call (405) 691-1600 for a free consultation with an Oklahoma City traumatic brain injury lawyer for help with pursuing full and fair compensation while you focus on recovery.
Key Takeaways for Oklahoma City Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
- Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe injuries requiring lifetime care. Each demands thorough medical documentation and experienced legal representation.
- Oklahoma’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims makes prompt legal consultation essential to preserve evidence and protect rights.
- Brain injury cases often require multiple medical experts, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life care planners, to establish current and future damages.
- Insurance companies may dispute TBI claims by arguing pre-existing conditions or downplaying cognitive symptoms. Experienced attorneys counter these tactics with comprehensive medical evidence.
- Compensation in brain injury cases addresses immediate medical costs, future care needs, lost earning capacity, and profound quality of life changes.
Why Choose Carr & Carr for Your Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Choosing the right attorney after a traumatic brain injury may affect how well your compensation accounts for your long-term needs. Our firm combines extensive resources with genuine compassion for families facing the overwhelming challenges of brain injury recovery.
Decades of Experience With Complex Brain Injury Cases
Since 1973, our family-run firm has championed the rights of injury victims against powerful defendants throughout Oklahoma. We believe protecting individual rights preserves the freedoms we all enjoy. This philosophy drives our advocacy for brain injury victims who often struggle to advocate for themselves.
Our attorneys have handled brain injury cases arising from motor vehicle crashes, falls, workplace accidents, and defective products. With eleven attorneys and thirty support staff members, we dedicate substantial resources to building comprehensive cases. Brain injury litigation requires significant investment in medical experts and advanced imaging. Our firm advances all case costs, and we collect repayment only from any settlement or verdict obtained. If we don’t win your case, you owe nothing for case expenses.
Comprehensive Case Management
Brain injuries present distinct legal challenges that demand specialized knowledge and experience. Unlike visible injuries, TBIs often involve subtle cognitive deficits that profoundly impact daily life yet prove difficult to document. Our attorneys work closely with neurological specialists who can identify and explain these hidden damages.
We handle all aspects of your case in-house, maintaining consistent communication throughout the legal process. Our attorneys hold admissions to Oklahoma and Arkansas state courts, plus the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma. When cases extend beyond our admitted jurisdictions, we collaborate with qualified local counsel. Call (405) 691-1600 for a free consultation today.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries occur when sudden trauma disrupts normal brain function, creating physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. We work with medical specialists to help families recognize red flags and get evaluated.
Types and Severity of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries fall along a spectrum from mild to severe, though even “mild” TBIs can cause lasting problems. Medical professionals classify brain injuries based on loss of consciousness duration, post-traumatic amnesia, and Glasgow Coma Scale scores.
Common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions that may cause headaches, confusion, memory problems, and mood changes lasting weeks or months
- Contusions involving bruising of brain tissue that can require surgical intervention if swelling threatens vital functions
- Diffuse axonal injuries from violent shaking or rotation that damages nerve fibers throughout the brain
- Penetrating injuries when objects pierce the skull, often causing focal damage plus increased infection risk
- Anoxic brain injuries from oxygen deprivation during near-drowning, choking, or medical emergencies
The complexity of brain injuries means symptoms may not appear immediately. Some victims seem fine at accident scenes only to develop serious complications days later. This delayed onset makes immediate medical evaluation crucial after any head trauma.
Long-Term Impact of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries create effects touching every aspect of life. Cognitive symptoms like memory loss and impaired judgment affect work performance. Physical symptoms including chronic headaches and fatigue limit daily activities. Emotional changes strain family relationships.
The Brain Injury Association of America reports that more than 5 million Americans live with TBI-related disabilities. These statistics underscore why comprehensive legal representation matters—brain injury effects often last a lifetime, requiring compensation that addresses decades of care and diminished quality of life.
Oklahoma City Brain Injury Compensation
Brain injury victims face extraordinary financial burdens while often losing their ability to work. Our attorneys pursue comprehensive compensation addressing both immediate needs and lifetime consequences.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Needs
Brain injury treatment involves multiple medical specialties and continues for years. Initial emergency care can require extensive surgeries and ICU stays. Ongoing treatment includes neurology consultations, cognitive rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and medication management. Many victims require assistive devices, home modifications, and personal care assistance.
Life care planners can project future medical needs based on current conditions. These detailed plans account for inflation and advancing medical costs. Without experienced representation, insurance settlements often fall short of covering actual long-term needs.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
Brain injuries frequently prevent individuals from returning to previous employment or force career changes. Our attorneys work with vocational experts to assess how cognitive deficits limit work options. Economic experts calculate lifetime earning losses, including wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.
The following damages apply in Oklahoma traumatic brain injury cases:
- Past and future medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care
- Lost income from missed work, plus reduced earning capacity when injuries prevent returning to previous careers
- Pain and suffering compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of consortium damages for spouses whose relationships suffer due to personality changes
- Punitive damages when conduct meets statutory thresholds under Oklahoma law
Insurance companies work to minimize these damages. Our attorneys compel fair compensation through detailed evidence and skilled negotiation, proceeding to trial when necessary.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Oklahoma City
Our attorneys apply knowledge of injury mechanics to establish liability and pursue appropriate compensation sources for Oklahoma City brain injury victims.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Traffic crashes remain a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries requiring hospitalization. Oklahoma City’s interstate intersections see serious crashes that subject occupants to violent forces. Even with safety equipment, rapid deceleration can cause the brain to impact the skull’s interior.
Motorcycle accidents pose particular risks despite Oklahoma’s helmet law requiring riders under 18 to wear helmets. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by vehicles often suffer severe head trauma. Commercial truck crashes multiply risks due to force disparities. Our attorneys investigate all contributing factors, including texting while driving, running red lights, and speeding through construction zones.
Falls and Premises Liability
Slips and falls represent another major cause of traumatic brain injuries, particularly among older adults and children. Under Oklahoma premises liability law, property owners owe different duties depending on visitor status. Business invitees receive the highest protection, requiring owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions and warn of hidden dangers.
Workplace falls from heights often cause severe brain injuries. Nursing home falls may result from inadequate supervision or unsafe walking surfaces. Retail stores and restaurants face liability when wet floors or cluttered aisles cause customer injuries. Our attorneys investigate specific conditions and prior incidents to establish negligence patterns.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Youth sports participation carries brain injury risks, particularly in contact sports. While participants assume inherent risks, coaches and organizations must follow safety protocols, including proper equipment and concussion guidelines. Schools may face liability for inadequate response to symptoms.
Recreational facilities must maintain equipment and supervise activities appropriately. Defective helmets that fail safety standards may create product liability claims. Our attorneys examine whether proper safety measures could have prevented injuries while respecting athletic participation.
The Legal Process for Brain Injury Claims
Pursuing compensation for traumatic brain injuries requires navigating complex medical and legal landscapes. We guide families through each step while they focus on recovery.
Building Your Brain Injury Case
Strong cases begin with comprehensive medical documentation. Our attorneys coordinate with physicians and independent experts to create clear narratives linking negligent acts to brain damage. This involves reviewing emergency records, imaging studies, and neuropsychological testing.
Evidence gathering extends beyond medical records. In vehicle crashes, we obtain electronic data and phone records. For premises cases, we document conditions and maintenance failures. Product claims require engineering analysis. Each case type demands specific investigation approaches.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may argue that symptoms stem from pre-existing conditions or psychological factors. They may rush settlements before cognitive deficits become apparent. Some insurers conduct surveillance hoping to capture moments that seem to contradict claims.
Our attorneys protect clients by controlling insurance communications and presenting compelling evidence. We coordinate examinations with respected specialists who document injuries objectively. When insurers refuse fair settlements, we proceed to trial, where juries can award appropriate compensation.
What to Do After a Brain Injury in Oklahoma City
Taking proper steps following head trauma helps protect your health and legal rights while strengthening potential claims.
Immediate Medical Care and Documentation
Seek emergency attention after any head impact, even without immediate symptoms. Brain injury symptoms often develop gradually. Emergency departments conduct imaging to identify issues requiring intervention.
Follow all medical recommendations, including specialist referrals. Brain injuries heal slowly, and premature activity risks permanent damage. Keep detailed journals documenting symptoms and daily impacts. These journals can provide powerful evidence.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
Report accidents to the appropriate authorities. Obtain copies of reports and document conditions through photographs. Preserve physical evidence like damaged helmets.
Important protective steps include:
- Avoiding recorded statements to insurance adjusters who may mischaracterize symptoms
- Declining quick settlements made before understanding injury extent
- Maintaining social media silence about injuries and legal claims
- Gathering witness information from anyone who observed accidents or functioning changes
- Consulting experienced attorneys before making compensation decisions
Brain injury effects make handling legal matters challenging. Having attorneys manage complexities allows focus on recovery.
Brain Injury Resources in Oklahoma City
Local resources provide crucial support, supplementing legal representation with practical assistance.
Medical Facilities and Specialists
Oklahoma City offers facilities specializing in brain injury treatment. OU Medical Center provides acute care and ongoing treatment. INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation offers comprehensive therapy services. The Dean McGee Eye Institute addresses vision problems, which are common after TBIs.
Specialized providers include neurologists, neuropsychologists, and therapists experienced with recovery. The Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma connects families facing similar challenges. These resources complement legal advocacy by addressing immediate needs.
FAQ for Oklahoma City Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
How long do I have to file a brain injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations generally provides two years from the injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. However, brain injury symptoms sometimes emerge gradually. Minors have extended timeframes. Claims against governmental entities require written notice within one year. Prompt consultation helps navigate timing rules.
What if my brain injury symptoms appeared weeks after the accident?
Delayed onset commonly occurs with brain injuries. Document when symptoms began and seek immediate evaluation. Connect new symptoms to original trauma through medical providers familiar with TBI progression.
Can I recover compensation if I had a pre-existing brain injury?
Previous injuries don’t prevent recovery for new trauma that worsens your condition. Oklahoma law allows compensation when negligence aggravates pre-existing conditions. Our attorneys work with specialists to differentiate new damage through comparative testing.
How are invisible brain injury symptoms proven in court?
Cognitive effects require sophisticated documentation. Neuropsychological testing provides objective measurements. Day-in-the-life videos demonstrate daily struggles. Family and coworker testimony establishes changes. Our attorneys present multi-faceted evidence to create compelling narratives.
What compensation is available if my loved one died from a brain injury?
Oklahoma’s wrongful death statute allows family members to recover funeral expenses, lost support, and loss of companionship. Brain injury cases may involve survival actions for suffering before death. Punitive damages apply when defendants acted with reckless disregard or malice.
Getting Help From an Oklahoma City Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Brain injuries demand experienced legal representation to address complex medical evidence and long-term consequences. Since 1973, Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys has fought for catastrophically injured individuals throughout Oklahoma. Our eleven attorneys understand the devastating impact brain injuries have on families.
We handle cases on contingency fees. You pay attorney fees only upon successful recovery. Our personal injury attorneys advances case expenses, including expert fees, and we collect repayment from any settlement or verdict obtained. If we don’t win your case, you owe nothing for case expenses.
From our Oklahoma City office, we serve injury victims throughout central Oklahoma, with additional offices in Tulsa and Springdale. Call (405) 691-1600 today for a free consultation. We’ll come to your home or hospital to begin protecting your rights and pursuing the comprehensive compensation your brain injury demands.