Nashville Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a heartbreaking experience for the individual, family and friends. This type of serious injury can sometimes be permanent, and a lifetime of care for a patient with severe TBI typically costs millions of dollars. When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your loved one’s injury, get legal help as soon as possible. Our Nashville injury lawyers at the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have successfully dealt with brain injury cases for many years.
What is a traumatic brain injury or head injury?
A head injury refers to any injury to the head ― the scalp, skull or brain. A broken skull is a head injury, but not necessarily a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury is brain damage caused by a blow that penetrates the skull. A TBI can also be an impact containing enough force that, even though the skull is not penetrated, brain tissue tears, bruises or suffers other injury. Internal bleeding can build up pressure and result in brain cell death.
According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the number one cause of traumatic brain injury is falls. The number two cause is motor vehicle accidents, followed by impact events (colliding with moving or stationary objects) and, lastly, assaults.
People’s irresponsible or negligent actions can cause accidents that result in brain injury. For example, a store that allows floor spills to go unattended for long periods can cause someone to slip and fall. A drunk driver can crash into your car. Or an apartment building that lacks security measures may be held liable for its negligence of failing to protect against criminal assaults.
Likely sources for brain injuries
Brain damage can be caused by outside forces, like a blow to the head, or by illnesses or infection. In some cases the injury develops for no clear reason at all, like it does in dementia or Parkinson’s patients. Certain events are more likely than others to increase your risk of a brain injury, such as:
- Motor vehicle wrecks. Bus, truck, motorcycle and car crashes can cause long-term brain injuries. A drivers or passenger who is not properly restrained may go through a window or smash into the dashboard or door frame. Airbags can also cause an injury by literally rattling your brain inside your skull.
- Falls from heights. A slip off of the ladder while painting the trim, or a fall from a train platform – the height doesn’t need to be extreme to cause damage. In fact, OSHA requires that anyone working more than 6 feet off the ground must wear a safety harness. Imagine how severe the damage could be if you fall off of a roof, which is much higher than 6 feet.
- Work-related accidents. Construction and utility workers face serious injuries every day. A fall from a scaffold, an electrical shock or a falling object can all cause serious brain injuries.
- Sports-related injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are not just a cause for worry for the NFL anymore. Middle and high school age children who play sports are at an increased risk of brain injury, even with extra safety precautions in play. Football, soccer, rugby, baseball, softball – all of these sports pose a serious risk of brain damage, as do competitive events involving mixed martial arts or wrestling.
- Negligent security. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. A poorly lit alley or entryway, broken locks or high-rise windows without child safety bars can lead to falls or increase the chance of a violent encounter.
- Spinal trauma. The spine and the brain are inextricably linked, and damage to one often results in damage to the other. Physical trauma to the spine, whether caused by a car crash or an act of medical negligence involving cortisone shots (or any of the million ways we sustain an injury) can lead to swelling, hemorrhaging or infections.
When you sustain a traumatic brain injury, RML is there for you. We have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients throughout Tennessee because we are unafraid to take your case to trial to get you the compensation you deserve – all the while keeping your best interests in mind. We help you look after yourself and your family into the future, so that you can focus on your recovery and not on your injury.
Standing up to insurance companies
When someone else is at fault for a serious head injury, you have legal recourse. An experienced Nashville catastrophic injury attorney can gather evidence and hold responsible parties accountable. Recovering compensation in catastrophic injury cases generally requires standing up to insurance companies. However, most insurance companies employ strategies to negotiate settlements that pay as little as possible, delay claims or deny them altogether. That is why you need an experienced, knowledgeable and skilled Tennessee injury lawyer to fight for you.
Rocky gets results
Call Rocky at 615-246-5549 or contact the firm online to schedule a free initial consultation. From our offices on world famous Music Row in Nashville, the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm represents clients throughout the state of Tennessee, including Knoxville, Memphis, Hendersonville, Columbia, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and Kingsport.
