Life and Legal Options After a Traumatic Brain Injury in Ohio

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can have long-lasting consequences that affect you for the rest of your life. You may require extensive medical treatment and ongoing therapy, and you could face long-term disability. Proving the cause and extent of your injuries is critical to protecting your future.

If you or a loved one suffered a TBI, the brain injury lawyers at Robenalt Law can help. We have decades of experience handling some of the most complex brain injury claims and we know what it takes to win. Contact our law office today to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged by a violent jolt or a blow to the head. TBI can range from a mild concussion to severe, permanent, and debilitating brain damage. The signs and symptoms may be immediate, or they might develop gradually over time.

The initial injury, called the “primary impact,” occurs when the brain moves violently back and forth inside the skull. This impact can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain and result in tearing of the nerve fibers.

After the initial event, the brain may suffer a secondary, delayed trauma that occurs when the brain swells and pushes against the inside of the skull, which reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain. The “secondary injury” refers to the chemical, cellular, and vascular changes to the brain after the initial trauma that can evolve over the hours, days, and weeks after the initial injury.

What Are Common Causes of TBI?

Traumatic brain injury can be caused by various events, including:

• Falls
• Vehicle accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents
• Sports injuries

These events happen more than many people realize, sometimes with disastrous and life-changing effects.

How Do I Know If I Suffered a TBI?

A TBI can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the symptoms and the extent to which brain function is disrupted. Common symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Difficulty remembering things
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Irritability
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Sudden mood changes
• Depression
• Nausea
• Getting lost or confused
• Slowness in thinking

If you were involved in an accident and suspect a TBI, you should seek medical attention immediately. Call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency room as soon as possible. Diagnostic testing is the only definitive way to diagnose a TBI. Medical professionals may order CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and neurological exams.

You may need to follow up with a neurologist or rehabilitation specialist to help manage post-injury symptoms and other long-term effects of a TBI. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychological treatment, rehabilitation, and more. Some prescription medications can help treat the symptoms of TBI.

Moving Forward After a TBI

A traumatic brain injury can change your life forever. You may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that will require time and effort to overcome.

Returning home after a TBI is a significant step forward. Nonetheless, it is normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or depressed during this time. Pace yourself and get plenty of rest to avoid overexertion. You may need to update your home with grab bars, railings, or other modifications to improve safety and accessibility.

You may have taken time off of work during your recovery. When the time is right, and depending on the nature and severity of your injuries and the duration of your treatment, you may be able to return to work. Before returning to work, discuss your limitations and potential accommodations with your employer. A vocational or occupational therapist can help you develop long-term strategies to help you manage workplace challenges. If you cannot return to work, you may be eligible for Social Security and long-term disability benefits.

Seeking Compensation in Your Brain Injury Claim

A TBI can cause permanent brain damage that can change your life forever. You may incur substantial expenses for medical care and treatment, therapy, and modifications to your home and vehicle. In some cases, you may be permanently disabled and unable to return to work.

Obtaining the compensation you deserve after an accident that results in TBI can be a complicated and challenging undertaking. But you are not alone. The attorneys at Robenalt Law can file a traumatic brain injury lawsuit and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our brain injury lawyers can gather evidence to show the nature and extent of your injuries and prove who was at fault. We frequently work with medical and accident reconstruction experts and will fight to prove the cause and extent of your injuries and other losses.

Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer at Robenalt Law Today

Proving a TBI was caused by an accident can be challenging, and working with an experienced brain injury attorney is critically important.

Robenalt Law can gather the necessary evidence and work with the right experts to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus and handles traumatic brain injury claims throughout Ohio and nationwide. Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614) 695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your traumatic brain injury lawsuit and how we can help.