Brain Injury Attorney - FAQ

in Houston, Texas

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is when the brain suffers trauma or is depleted of oxygen for a period of time. It can be one of the most catastrophic injuries an individual can suffer and may instantly change your quality of life and family's future.

What are the most common causes of Brain Injuries?

Falls are the most common cause of a traumatic brain injury, accounting for 28% of all TBIs. The second leading cause is automobile accidents, which account for 20%. Other common causes include:

• Head trauma
• Oxygen deprivation, which may occur due to an anesthesiologist's negligence
• Violence

Are there different types of Brain Injuries?

Yes. There are three types of traumatic brain injuries:

• Oxygen deprivation - If oxygen is completely cut off to the brain (anoxia) or if the amount of oxygen is reduced (hypoxia), brain cells die and a brain injury may occur
• Open brain injury - When the skull is pierced and brain punctured an open brain injury occurs. Traumatic brain injuries of this nature are particularly dangerous due to potential intrusion by foreign objects that may cause infection
• Closed brain injury - When a blunt object strikes the head and causes the brain to smack the skull

What financial compensation is my family entitled to?

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, then you may be entitled to financial compensation for:

• Mental and physical suffering
• Medical bills
• Loss of companionship
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Economic loss
• Punitive damages

Do symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries become apparent immediately?

Every brain injury is different, so signs that a traumatic brain injury has occurred may not become evident until days or even weeks later.

What are symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Unfortunately the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury vary case-by-case and are dependent on the precise location and severity of the injury. Common symptoms and warning signs that a traumatic brain injury has occurred include:

• Epilepsy - Over half of all brain injuries result in the victim suffering from epilepsy
• Memory loss and blackouts
• Common post concussion syndromes, such as nausea, insomnia, confusion, irritability, fatigue, increased sensitivity to noise or light and neck pain
• Personality changes, such as unprovoked anger, frequent crying and/or lack of inhibitions

Coping with a traumatic brain injury is a trying time for the victim and their loved ones. If another party's negligence has resulted in a brain injury, you need the assistance of a brain injury attorney in order to secure your family's future. If you live in the Houston, Texas area, please contact our traumatic brain injury attorneys to schedule your free consultation. Remember, at Kennedy Hodges, L.L.P., we only get paid if you do.