A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a sudden jolt or penetrating blow to the head that impacts the brain and disrupts brain function.
Traumatic brain injuries can have life-changing effects on victims and their families alike. TBIs often require extensive emergency medical treatment and long-term care. In some cases, TBIs can lead to permanent disability or death.
The Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr Attorneys at Law understand the physical challenges and financial hardships that accompany brain injuries, and we work hard to recover the financial security TBI victims and their families need. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury caused by another’s negligence, please call us at (405) 691-1000 to arrange your free consultation or contact us online to tell us your story now.
Get A Free Consultation NowTraumatic Brain Injuries in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Department of Health considers TBIs a “serious public health problem.” On average, more than 3,000 Oklahomans suffer traumatic brain injuries each year.
Any force strong enough to jar the brain within the skull can cause a TBI. The most common causes of TBIs include:
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Sports-related head injuries
Children and senior citizens are especially vulnerable to complications from brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury Complications
Concussions and other relatively “mild” forms of brain injuries may allow a full recovery with few lingering side-effects. TBIs, however, often cause longstanding or permanent complications that include but are not limited to:
- Behavioral or emotional changes
- Blood clots or stroke due to blood vessel damage
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Coma
- Infections
- Loss of sight, smell or taste
- Memory loss
- Recurring headaches
- Seizures
- Swelling caused by fluid in the brain
Severe TBIs may lead to a vegetative state or be fatal.
TBI Signs and Symptoms
TBI symptoms vary greatly, and some may appear immediately following the trauma while others may take days or weeks to become evident.
Physical signs of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue or weakness
- Headaches
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of physical sensations
- Nausea or vomiting
Cognitive symptoms of TBIs include:
- Confusion about otherwise familiar people, places and things
- Diminished attention span
- Impaired decision-making abilities
- Sudden memory loss
Behavioral indicators of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Personality changes
- Sexual inhibition or dysfunction
- Social withdrawal
If you or a family member sustained head trauma, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if no obvious signs of brain injuries are instantly noticeable.
Youth Sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries
In recent years, many parents have become familiar with TBIs through youth sports, particularly football.
In 2016, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a law standardizing return-to-play protocols for youth-sports players. Schools, coaches, trainers and game officials must follow the new protocols to ensure head injuries are assessed and monitored carefully.
Among other things, Oklahoma’s law demands professional medical clearance for any player suspected of having a concussion or head injury. If a child suffers a brain injury and the proper protocols were not followed, the negligent parties may be held liable for resulting medical expenses and other damages.
Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries
The long-term costs of a TBI often exceed $1 million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If another’s negligence led to a brain injury, the victim and his or her family members may be entitled to compensation.
The Oklahoma brain injury attorneys at Carr & Carr have an extensive record of success in severe injury cases, and we understand the overwhelming costs associated with TBIs and their treatment. Compensation in TBI cases may include money for damages that include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost wages or loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Lifestyle modifications
If the brain injury resulted in death, our lawyers may be able to help surviving family members pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Experienced Legal Help for TBI Victims
Financial compensation obviously can’t cure a brain injury or replace a loved one, but it can help victims and their families cope with the recovery process and move forward with their lives.
The Oklahoma personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr offer free consultations to answer your questions and help you understand your legal rights. Our attorneys also work on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay for our services unless we recover on your behalf.
Please call us at (405) 691-1600 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients from across Oklahoma via offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
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