Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Fort Collins
Did you or a loved one sustain a brain injury in an accident in Fort Collins? This kind of head injury often leads to long-lasting consequences, such as extensive medical care, health complications, lost income, and even permanent disabilities. Recovering from brain damage is often a daunting process. Turn to The Wilhite Law Firm for the legal help you need to hold those at fault for your injuries accountable.
Since 1977, our firm has become one of Colorado’s leading injury firms. Our Fort Collins traumatic brain injury lawyers have a reputation for providing top-notch legal representation and caring client service for accident victims. Our lawyers understand the stress you may experience while recovering from a debilitating brain injury, and we’re here to help you move forward after a catastrophic accident.
Contact The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let a Fort Collins traumatic brain injury attorney discuss your legal options.
Are There Different Types of Brain Injuries?
An accident can cause various kinds of traumatic brain injuries. Depending on the type of force or blow that a person’s body or head sustains, an accident victim may suffer brain injuries such as:
- Concussions – A concussion, also called a mild brain injury, occurs when a person suffers a blow to the head or body. Concussions cause temporary changes to brain functions that may last several days or weeks.
- Hemorrhage – A brain hemorrhage involves uncontrolled bleeding inside or on the brain’s surface, which can place pressure on brain tissues or cause a loss of oxygen flow.
- Contusion – A contusion, or brain bruise, occurs when the brain impacts the inside of the skull. With enough force, the brain can hit the inside of the skull and rebound to impact the opposing side, causing a specific type of contusion called a coup-contrecoup.
- Hematoma – A hematoma occurs when blood pools inside or on the brain’s surface.
- Penetrating Brain Injuries – Brain damage can occur when an object, such as a bullet or piece of shrapnel, breaks through the skull and enters the brain.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries – A diffuse axonal injury occurs when twisting forces on the brain cause axons – the connections between nerve cells – to stretch and shear, potentially permanently severing those connections and causing severe or fatal complications.
What Are the Main Causes of Brain Injuries?
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our Fort Collins brain injury lawyers assist clients who have suffered injuries due to:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dangerous or defective product accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability accidents
What Are Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can cause various symptoms, with the type and severity dependent on the severity of the injury. A mild traumatic brain injury can cause symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Speech issues
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Disorientation or confusion
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than normal
Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries can also cause more serious symptoms that can begin hours or days after sustaining the injury, such as:
- Loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
- Agitation or combativeness
- Slurred speech
- Inability to awaken from sleep
How Are Brain Injuries Treated?
Treatment for brain injuries will depend on the severity of the injury. Mild traumatic brain injuries typically require just rest, avoiding strenuous physical and mental activity, and over-the-counter pain relievers to treat headaches. However, people diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injuries should watch for persistent or worsening symptoms, which may indicate a more severe injury.
Moderate and severe brain injuries will require more intensive treatment, beginning with prompt emergency care to ensure the brain has an adequate supply of oxygen and prevent worsening or further injury to the head and neck. Severe brain injury victims may receive anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs, or diuretics to reduce brain swelling. Doctors may also perform surgeries to remove blood clots, stop excessive bleeding, repair damage, or open a window in the skull to relieve pressure from swelling.
Once a moderate or severe brain injury has stabilized, a person may receive extended rehabilitation care. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, vocational rehabilitation or counseling, and recreational therapy. Contact our Fort Collins traumatic brain injury lawyer today.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Brain Injury?
Depending on the type of accident that caused your brain injury, you may have a legal claim against parties who bear liability for your injuries, such as:
- A motorist who hit you or your vehicle
- The owner of a property or business where you got hurt due to a dangerous condition on the premises
- A manufacturer of a defective or unreasonably dangerous product
- The employer of the negligent party who injured you in the course of that party’s employment
When you meet with The Wilhite Law Firm, we can review your brain injury case to narrow down who could be responsible for your accident.
What Compensation Is Available in a Brain Injury Claim?
In a brain injury claim, you may recover compensation for expenses you incur during your recovery, as well as for emotional or personal losses you experience due to your injuries. These include:
- Medical expenses related to treatment and rehabilitation
- Costs of long-term disability care
- Ongoing and future losses of income or job benefits
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Reduced quality of life from disabilities interfering with daily tasks or preventing you from participating in activities you enjoy
An attorney from The Wilhite Law Firm who handles personal injury cases can assess your situation to determine the compensation you could pursue.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Fort Collins Brain Injury Lawsuit?
Under Colorado’s statute of limitations, you typically have two years after sustaining a TBI injury or other serious injury in an accident to file a lawsuit against those parties responsible for your injury or who may have liability for your losses.
However, different limitation periods may apply depending on the cause of your brain injury. For example, if you suffer a brain injury in a motor vehicle-related accident, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. You may have longer to file a lawsuit if physical or mental impairments legally disable you from pursuing your claims.
Get in touch with a Fort Collins brain injury attorney from The Wilhite Law Firm as soon as possible, so that your lawsuit can be filed within the time limit.
Contact a Fort Collins Brain Injury Lawyer
After suffering a traumatic brain injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness, you have the right to seek financial recovery for your ongoing and future losses. Contact The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll meet with a Fort Collins brain injury lawyer and learn how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
