Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

People who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) face an uncertain future. Treatment for a TBI can last for years, possibly even the rest of the victim’s life, and the medical bills for such treatment can be very expensive. If you or a loved one sustained a TBI from an accident caused by another’s negligence or lack of care in Columbus, Ohio, you could seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses suffered due to your condition. For more than three decades, the Columbus personal injury lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm LLC have been representing the rights of Ohio TBI victims.

We understand the challenges people with TBIs face and want to help them get the compensation they need to restore their lives. If you or a loved one has a TBI, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. A Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer can help. Call us today and discuss your case during a free consultation. Our legal team can explain your legal options and next steps.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) explains that a traumatic brain injury occurs when sudden impact harms the brain. It also explains that it can result when the head either hits an object suddenly and violently or after an object strikes the head.

Not all TBIs are apparent. Some can be hidden, particularly if the head is struck in some way, but there is no bleeding. A TBI’s severity may range from mild (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).

A person can suffer a TBI in Columbus from any of the following types of accidents:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Birth injuries
• Medical malpractice
• Anesthesia during surgery
• Workplace accidents
• Sports injuries
• Concussions

If you have suffered a TBI in an accident other than one of the ways listed above, we would still like to hear from you. Our law firm may be able to help. 

More Than 150 People in the U.S. Die From a TBI Every Day

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an estimated 5 million Americans are living today with devastating disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injuries (TBI)—a blow to the head that can disrupt normal brain functions.

As of 2021, roughly 190 people in the United States die daily from injuries related to their TBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also says TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. for people aged 75 and older, contributing to about 28% of all injury deaths for that age group.

You Could Recover These Awards for Your Columbus TBI Injury

You can trust that a Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer will seek the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim so that you can see the best medical professionals possible. That includes compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage.

You could also recover compensation for any long-term medical treatment you will need, as well as any assistive devices and equipment you may need, such as a wheelchair or cane. You also may be able to cover rehabilitation, physical therapy, and counseling to help you physically, mentally, and emotionally cope with your condition.

Wrongful Death Damages Are Also Possible in a Columbus Brain Injury Case

If you lost a loved one due to a brain injury, you could bring forth a wrongful death action that would allow you to collect awards for expenses of the decedent, such as final medical bills. You also could ask for compensation to cover their funeral, cremation, or burial services, loss of household income, and loss of companionship.

With the help of a legal representative in Columbus, Ohio, they could identify additional damages your family may be eligible to receive in a wrongful death legal action. We will look at the details of your loved one’s accident and your family’s situation and determine the damages you incurred to determine the fair compensation you could seek.

How a Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers Can Help You Win Your Case

The legal professionals of The Fitch Law Firm LLC have extensive experience representing traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury cases. We understand how TBI often results in victims suffering from severe injuries and life-altering complications. The Fitch Law Firm LLC knows that the costs associated with caring for the victim of a TBI or spinal cord injury can be very expensive.

In addition to seeking compensation for your brain injury, our lawyer serving Columbus can also manage your entire traumatic brain injury case from start to finish, giving you the time you need to concentrate on improving your health and well-being.

From the minute you become our client, we will:

• Investigate your accident and collect evidence to support your case
• Examine your evidence, such as photos, videos, and witness testimony, to back up your account of events
• Represent you in all meetings and legal proceedings
• Handle all communications with insurance companies and attorneys involved
• Negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf
• Take your case to court if a settlement does not occur
• Manage daily case communications, including phone calls, emails, and text messages
• Meet all important legal deadlines, including filing your case with the civil court before the statute of limitations expires

We Will Handle the Insurance Company for You in Your Columbus TBI Case

We can represent you during settlement negotiations with the insurance companies, which are known to stall for as long as possible by refusing to pay clients the fair value of their claims. We know how to manage these situations and can take care of them. If a settlement agreement is unreachable, we will take your case to court and let a judge and/or jury decide.

Our Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Will Handle Proving Negligence in Your Claim

Our personal injury attorneys will also help you establish negligence in your case if there is evidence to prove the accident that caused your TBI happened due to someone’s carelessness. We must be able to prove:

• The liable party owed you a duty of care to keep you safe from harm.
• They breached or broke that duty of care.
• You suffered severe injuries due to that breach.
• You sustained damages from your injuries.

If your case meets all these elements, we can likely move forward with legal action.

Ohio’s Statutes of Limitations Govern Your Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Case’s Timeline

We encourage you or your loved one to reach out to us as soon as you can after your accident so that we can learn more about your case and how we can help. Injury victims who wish to bring forth a personal injury lawsuit generally have two years to file with the Franklin County courthouse, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10. 

A wrongful death action must be brought within a two-year window from the decedent’s death, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02. This is the general rule, though there are exceptions.

If you wish to pursue a medical malpractice case, we can discuss the statutes of limitations that shape the timelines in that kind of case during your free consultation.

Missing a Deadline Can Have Consequences for Your Case

It’s so important to contact a Columbus traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident or after you discover you or your loved one has suffered a TBI. That’s because missing your deadline to file a traumatic brain injury lawsuit to recover compensation can result in:

• Losing your legal right to hold the at-fault party accountable for the negligence that caused the injury
• Getting your case dismissed
• Losing out on your chance to recover much-needed compensation from the liable party

The sooner you can start working with a Columbus traumatic brain injury lawyer, the more time we have to build your case and take all the legal actions we need to get you and your family the compensation you deserve.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are three major types of TBIs:

Mild TBI

A mild TBI and a concussion are often categorized together because the causes and outcomes of these injuries tend to be similar. These injuries typically occur due to a hard bump to the head or when the head and neck jolt quickly back and forth, such as during a car accident. Mild TBIs are not typically life-threatening as is, but without diagnosis and treatment, the effects of a mild TBI or concussion can affect a victim for life.

Moderate and Severe TBIs

Moderate and severe TBIs are often categorized together since the causes, recovery outlook, and impacts on victims’ lives are similar. However, your doctor will likely distinguish your injury as either a moderate TBI or a severe TBI, depending on your symptoms and prognosis for recovery. For example, a penetrative injury may be considered severe.

In Facts About TBI, the CDC states that some of the most common causes of moderate and severe TBIs include:

• Firearm-related suicide attempts
• Vehicle accidents
• Assaults

Those with a moderate or severe TBI are more likely to be hospitalized, at risk of permanent brain damage, and need long-term or lifelong medical care. These treatments may be to sustain or improve the condition and its symptoms.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

The types and severity of symptoms can vary, depending on the type of brain injury a victim sustains. Here are the symptoms of different brain injuries:

Physical Symptoms Experienced

Some of the most common physical symptoms you may experience if you have a TBI include:

• Headaches or migraines, especially if they last for longer periods, happen more frequently than usual or occur suddenly after an accident
• Dizziness and balance issues
• Blurred vision or hearing loss
• Seizures
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Insomnia or struggle to wake from sleep

Cognitive Symptoms Experienced

Some cognitive symptoms to look out for include:

• Struggles with concentration or memory
• Challenges in processing information
• Personality changes or mood swings
• Impulse control issues
• Depression or anxiety, especially if you don’t typically experience these feelings
• Issues with holding a conversation

Other Symptoms Related to TBI

Other symptoms of TBIs include:

• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Slurred speech
• Ringing in the ears
• Temporary loss of consciousness after the incident
• Coma

If you’ve been in an accident, you might want to consider whether you’ve experienced any of these symptoms. You could ask a friend or family member if they’ve noticed these symptoms in you. Doing so can help you determine if you should consult a doctor. 

If you suspect you have suffered a TBI in an accident and have not seen a doctor yet, they can run imaging and diagnostic tests to identify whether you have and begin a treatment plan to address it. 

What to Do if You Suspect You Have a Brain Injury

If you believe you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury, you should:

• Go to a local emergency room to be evaluated.
• Document the symptoms. If you are caring for a loved one who you believe may have suffered a head injury, watch for the symptoms listed above.
• Be sure to have all the necessary tests done. Specifically, ask about MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

Following the initial testing, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions completely. The longer you wait to see a doctor, and any deviation you make from their treatment program, can be used against you when seeking compensation. 

Let the Columbus Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys at The Fitch Law Firm LLC Represent You

Your initial consultation about a traumatic brain injury with us is free. We will discuss your brain injury situation with you and evaluate the options available. Plus, we work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.

If you would like help from a Columbus, Ohio, traumatic brain injury attorney, call us or fill out our free online personal injury case consultation form.