Nashville Brain Injury Attorneys
A brain injury is arguably the most challenging type of injury a person can face. In the aftermath of a brain injury accident, the victim must contend with numerous doctor appointments, medical expenses, and questions about the path that lies ahead.
If another person caused your brain injury, you might be entitled to substantial financial compensation. Bill Easterly & Associates can help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit that gets you the money you need to pay for your treatment and recovery. We’ll help you pursue justice and hold the other individual liable for their careless actions.
Brain injuries can cause lifelong medical issues and result in a permanent disability. If you don’t make a full recovery, you could end up requiring ongoing treatment and assistance with daily tasks. Medical bills are expensive and can lead to financial strain. We want to ensure you don’t have to suffer the financial consequences of someone else’s actions.
The Nashville personal injury attorneys at Bill Easterly & Associates have the skillset and resources to secure maximum compensation for you. To find out more about how we can help, call Bill Easterly & Associates at (615) 244-2222 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Nashville brain injury attorneys.
Different Types of Brain Injuries
A brain injury is an injury that happens to the brain after birth and isn’t hereditary, degenerative, or congenital. Various types can result depending on the type and amount of force the head suffers. Sometimes, there’s a minor concussion that heals completely, while other times, severe complications can cause permanent damage.
Following are some of the most common types of brain injuries:
A traumatic brain injury disrupts the brain’s normal functioning and typically results from a jolt, bump, or blow to the head or a penetrating injury.
A concussion is a type of brain injury that’s caused by head trauma. Many times it can heal on its own without the use of treatment or other medical interventions. However, someone who suffers repeated concussions could end up with a permanent medical condition.
A hemorrhage is when the brain tissue or area around the brain bleeds uncontrollably. A build-up of pressure could occur that kills brain cells and reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. Common symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Without immediate medical intervention, the victim could die.
A diffuse axonal injury damages brain cells but doesn’t cause bleeding. Damaged brain cells are unable to function properly. When that happens, temporary or permanent brain damage could occur, as well as coma or death.
A penetrating injury is the result of a knife, bullet, or sharp object penetrating the skull and entering the brain. Certain objects can ricochet throughout the brain and lead to widespread damage to different areas. For example, a bullet can injure the brain, tissue, and other areas, especially if there’s an exit wound.
Edema involves the swelling of the brain. Since the skull can’t handle a larger brain, it creates pressure that damages brain cells and restricts blood supply. It can be a fatal form of brain injury if appropriate treatment isn’t sought.
A hematoma occurs when blood collects or clots outside the blood vessels. Permanent brain damage can result from a build-up of pressure inside of the skull.
Common symptoms people experience when they sustain a brain injury include:
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with coordination or balance
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Lightheaded
- Cognitive, physical, or behavioral impairments
- Trouble speaking
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Most people think brain injuries only happen during devastating accidents when the head is severely impacted, such as in a car crash. However, it’s possible to suffer a severe brain injury even if there’s no external damage to the head. The brain can move around inside the skull if there’s enough external force that causes a sudden jolt to the body, such as in whiplash.
The most common causes of brain injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Occupational accidents
- Assault
- Struck against or by an object
- Product defect
- Sports and recreational activities
- Medical malpractice
Brain trauma doesn’t only occur at the time of the accident. It can also develop over time as a result of bleeding or the swelling of the brain. If a doctor doesn’t intervene promptly, the victim could suffer permanent damage and never regain normal functioning. A debilitating injury can impact every area of a person’s life. You might not be able to return to your job or perform routine tasks on your own, such as getting dressed.
Hire a Nashville Brain Injury Lawyer to Assist You With Your Case
Bill Easterly & Associates knows the steps we need to take to help our clients win the monetary award they need to heal and move forward with their lives. If someone else caused your brain injury, we’ll make sure they’re held accountable for their actions.
Unfortunately, most people who don’t seek legal representation end up with much lower compensation than those who do. Without an experienced attorney by your side, you could get taken advantage of by the insurance company or at-fault party. If you don’t know your rights or you’re unfamiliar with the legal process, you won’t know your legal options or what kind of compensation you’re entitled to receive.
Your Nashville brain injury attorney will take care of each step of your case on your behalf. You’re probably already feeling overwhelmed with your expenses and the doctor’s appointments you must attend. Additional responsibilities would just increase the level of stress you’re experiencing.
When you hire us, we’ll launch a complete investigation into the accident and determine who was at fault for your brain injury. We will also collect sufficient evidence to prove someone else was liable for your injuries, and that you deserve full compensation. The evidence we will obtain may include:
- Video security footage
- Your medical records, billing statements, and other documents associated with the case
- Incident/police reports
- Accident scene photos
- Lost wage reports indicating the income you were unable to earn due to the injury
- Coverage listed on all available insurance policies
- Eyewitness statements
We can also file an insurance claim for you and communicate with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. If we’re unsuccessful in our negotiation tactics, we have the experience and resources to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and fight for justice in court.
Damages Often Incurred After a Brain Injury
When you get hurt, there are various damages you’ll likely suffer as a result. While you’re attempting to heal, taking time off work, and dealing with emotional trauma, those damages deserve financial compensation. Damages are the total losses associated with an accident. They include economic damages, which are actual expenses, and non-economic damages, which are intangible losses.
The damages you could seek in an insurance claim or lawsuit include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Out of pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Non-economic damages aren’t easy to calculate due to the subjective nature of things like mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. We’ll make a compelling argument to the insurance adjuster or jury members that you deserve fair and full compensation. Some contributing factors to the final number might include the following:
- Type of injury and its severity
- The extent of physical or emotional suffering endured
- Availability of relevant evidence proving fault
- Total medical expenses
- Duration of necessary treatment
- Whether full recovery was made or the injury resulted in disfigurement, impairment, or disability
- Impact of the incident on daily routine and life
- Inability to earn a living, care for children, or support a spouse
- If the victim’s actions partially contributed to the injury
- Statements from witnesses who saw what happened
How Modified Comparative Negligence Affects Brain Injury Cases
In Tennessee, something called the modified comparative negligence rule could impact the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive from the at-fault party. A victim’s total damages will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault they share in an accident. If they’re 50% or more to blame, they will be barred from pursuing any damages at all.
To clarify, let’s say you were in a car accident and incurred $100,000 in damages. You would be entitled to $100,000 in compensation if the other driver was 100% responsible for the accident. However, if it’s discovered that you’re 20% at-fault for the crash, you could only seek up to $80,000.
Let Our Nashville Brain Injury Attorneys Help You in the Fight for Justice
At Bill Easterly & Associates, we care about the clients that hire us. We dedicate our time and attention to each case we take so we’re able to reach a favorable outcome. We will take the time to get to know you, so we understand the details of your case and the best way to reach your goals. Our team always provides one-on-one attention, personalized legal strategies, and guidance. We know you’re struggling to move forward with your life, and we want to ensure you have the opportunity to do so.
We’ve been successfully handling cases like yours since 1992. Although nothing is guaranteed, we have the knowledge, resources, and experience to build a strong case and effectively represent accident victims. Our Nashville brain injury lawyers never back down from a fight and are fully prepared to go to battle for you.
If you sustained a brain injury due to another person’s reckless actions and want to know how to pursue financial compensation, call Bill Easterly & Associates at (615) 244-2222 today. We’ll schedule your free consultation and determine your available legal options.
