A traumatic brain injury can affect every part of a person’s life. Even a “mild” concussion may lead to lasting symptoms involving memory, concentration, mood, speech, sleep, and physical functioning. More severe brain injuries can result in permanent disabilities, long-term medical care, and major financial strain for both victims and their families.
At Beem & Isley, P.C., our Denver brain injury attorneys help people throughout Colorado who suffered traumatic brain injuries because of someone else’s negligence. Whether the injury happened in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle crash, bicycle accident, slip-and-fall accident, workplace injury, or pedestrian accident, we work to help victims pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, rehabilitation, and long-term support.
Brain injury cases are often medically and legally complex. Insurance companies may try to downplay symptoms, argue that injuries are unrelated, or dispute the long-term effects of the trauma. Our legal team understands the seriousness of these injuries and works closely with medical professionals and experts to build strong cases for injured clients.
Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries vary widely in severity and long-term impact. Some people recover fully within weeks, while others require lifelong medical treatment and assistance. Some of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions: This is the most frequently occurring type of TBI. It is caused by a sudden blow, jolt or impact to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Concussions are often considered mild, but symptoms can be serious, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory loss and sensitivity to light or noise. While many concussions heal with rest, repeated concussions can lead to long-term cognitive issues, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- Contusions: This is a bruise on the brain resulting from direct impact to the head. It causes localized bleeding and swelling, which can put pressure on surrounding brain tissue. Small contusions may heal on their own, but severe contusions can require surgical removal to relieve pressure and prevent further damage. Symptoms depend on the affected area but can include coordination problems, difficulty speaking or loss of consciousness.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): This is one of the most severe types of TBIs, often occurring in high-speed car accidents or severe whiplash incidents. It happens when the brain shifts inside the skull, stretching and tearing nerve fibers (axons) that transmit signals between brain cells. DAIs can cause immediate unconsciousness, coma, or long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
- Penetrating brain injuries: This occurs when an object, such as a bullet, knife or shrapnel, pierces the skull and damages brain tissue. It is often life-threatening due to the risk of severe bleeding, infection and brain swelling. Depending on the area of injury, individuals may experience paralysis, cognitive impairments or loss of sensory functions.
Recognizing the type of TBI is essential for determining the appropriate treatment and predicting potential long-term effects. Some injuries require rest and observation, while others demand surgery, rehabilitation and costly ongoing medical care.
When a TBI is caused by negligence, such as car crashes, workplace accidents or falls, a brain injury lawyer can help victims seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income and long-term care. Legal assistance helps victims receive the financial support needed to manage their recovery and future well-being.
Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The effects of a traumatic brain injury can extend far beyond the initial accident.
Some TBI victims experience:
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Memory impairment
- Cognitive decline
- Speech difficulties
- Reduced mobility
- Behavioral changes
- Inability to work
- Loss of independence
Families are often affected as well. Spouses, parents, and children may suddenly become caregivers while facing major emotional and financial stress. Severe brain injuries may require long-term rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, home modifications, and ongoing medical care for years after the accident.
What Side Effects Should Be Monitored If You Suspect A TBI?
The brain is one of the most mysterious areas of the body, even after all the exhaustive research we’ve done. There are some brains that can withstand significant damage without an apparent impact on cognition, and other brains can suffer what seems like superficial damage with major cognitive impacts.
No two people are alike. No two accidents are alike. The symptoms you experience yourself or witness in someone you love after a trauma to the head are what set things apart. You must watch closely for:
- Dizziness
- Change in cognition
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Uneven, nonreactive pupils
Brain injuries can be hard to detect; even serious ones may take some time to become apparent.
What Steps Must Be Taken After Sustaining A Brain Injury?
Post-accident monitoring and early treatment are proven effective methods to save the life of someone suffering from a major traumatic brain injury. This means watching for the signs and symptoms listed above. It may also mean getting to a hospital as soon as possible for an assessment.
Even if you feel like there is nothing wrong with yourself, you cannot be the judge of that. Only a trained medical professional can diagnose a brain injury. It may take testing and considerable time.
What Are The Possible Damages That Someone Can Sue For?
If a traumatic brain injury is the result of negligence on someone else’s part, you can sue for damages. Those damages will be related to the economic damages, which are:
- Initial treatment: Hospital care, stabilization, ambulance rides.
- Ongoing long-term care: Monitoring equipment for at-home treatment and hospice care for long-term in-patient treatment.
- Transportation to and from appointments: Ambulance or wheelchair van rides for individuals who can no longer transport themselves.
- Rehabilitation: Occupational therapy and physical therapy are often key aspects of recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
- Complications from treatment: Bed sores, medication difficulties and infections are part of long-term care for incapacitated people.
You may also pursue compensation for the pain, suffering and emotional difficulty you’ve had during this time.
How Does An Attorney Go About Proving Liability?
Brain injury claims often require extensive medical evidence and expert analysis. Insurance companies frequently challenge these claims because many symptoms are invisible and difficult to measure objectively. At Beem & Isley, P.C., we work with medical experts, neurologists, life-care planners, and accident reconstruction specialists to build strong claims for injured clients. Evidence in a traumatic brain injury case may include:
- Medical records
- MRI and CT scans
- Neurological evaluations
- Witness testimony
- Accident reports
- Expert opinions
- Employment records
- Rehabilitation documentation
Strong evidence can help demonstrate both the severity of the injury and the long-term impact on the victim’s life.
Speak With a Denver Brain Injury Lawyer Today
We work to get you the results you need so you can have the care you deserve. We care about our clients and work as hard for them as we would for family. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, Beem & Isley, P.C. is ready to help. Our Denver injury attorneys offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call us today at (303) 894-8100 or send an email to learn more and get a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Injury Claims
Can you have a brain injury without losing consciousness?
Yes. Many concussions and traumatic brain injuries occur without a person losing consciousness.
How long do brain injury symptoms last?
Some symptoms resolve within weeks, while others may continue for months or become permanent.
What is the average settlement for a traumatic brain injury?
Every case is different. Compensation depends on the severity of the injury, long-term medical needs, lost income, and overall impact on daily life.
What should I do after hitting my head in an accident?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem minor at first. Early diagnosis is critical both medically and legally.
Can I sue for a concussion after a car accident?
Possibly. If another party’s negligence caused the accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
