Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in Portland and throughout Oregon. As the Oregon Health Authority reports, the number of fatal TBI cases surpassed 1,200 during one recent year, marking a 44 percent increase over the past decade.
Even when a traumatic brain injury is not deadly, it can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families. A TBI can have a long-term effect on the way a person thinks, moves, and interacts with others. In catastrophic cases, a brain injury can lead to expensive medical treatment, hinder a person from being able to work and earn a living, and diminish their overall quality of life.
In Oregon, people who suffer TBIs due to the wrongdoing of another may be eligible to seek compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional harm they endured. If you or a loved one has been hurt, consult an experienced Portland brain injury lawyer who will know how to fight for the compensation you are due and help you and your family to move forward with your lives.
Recognizing TBI: Symptoms to Watch For
A traumatic brain injury is often called an “invisible injury.” You cannot see a TBI like you can a burn or broken bone. However. the effect of a brain injury on a person’s life can be just as scarring and debilitating as any other severe injury.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines TBI as an injury that disrupts how a person’s brain functions. It is most often caused by blunt force trauma to the brain due to a sudden jolt, blow to the head, or penetration of the cranial cavity, which is the space in a person’s skull that contains the brain.
Anyone can sustain a TBI. Typically, it occurs when a person strikes their head against something or when something collides with the person’s head. In all too many cases in Portland, the injury is preventable. It results from the wrongful conduct of another person, company, or government agency.
If you were involved in an accident of any kind, you should seek immediate medical attention. This is especially important if you lost consciousness or experienced seizures after the accident.
Other common physical and mental symptoms of a TBI include:
- Severe headaches
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Weakness or numbness in your limbs
- Fluids draining from your nose or ears
- Disorientation or confusion
- Slurred speech
- Loss of memory
- Irritability and agitation
- Anxiety and depression
A doctor presented with a brain injury patient may order them to undergo an MRI, CT scan, or full neurological assessment. Using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the doctor could classify the TBI as:
- Mild (13-15 GCS score) – Typically marked by a brief loss of consciousness, slight memory loss, and minimal physical changes to the brain (e.g., a concussion)
- Moderate (9-12 GCS score) – Usually diagnosed in this range when a person suffers loss of consciousness or amnesia for 24 hours or longer, and when an MRI shows damage to the brain
- Severe (3-8 GCS score) – When loss of consciousness and memory lasts for a significant period, brain damage is visible on imaging tests, and the victim has slipped into a coma or vegetative state
Keep in mind that symptoms of even the most severe brain injuries may not appear right away. But if you go without diagnosis or treatment of a TBI, it can lead to chronic health problems or even death. Delayed treatment can also expose one to a greater risk of a repeat TBI that may carry harsher consequences.
Compensation for Your TBI in Portland, Oregon
A TBI can have a life-changing impact on victims and their families. If you or a loved one suffered a serious brain injury in Portland or elsewhere in Oregon due to the careless, reckless, or intentional misconduct of another, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation.
Potential compensation for a traumatic brain injury can include money for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of income and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (or damage to the family relationship)
Additionally, a TBI may result from a person’s egregious misconduct, such as causing a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or other dangerous drugs. In those cases, brain injury victims may seek punitive damages. This form of compensation is meant to punish and deter such dangerous conduct in the future.
Finding the Right Brain Injury Attorney in Portland
If someone else caused you or a loved one to suffer a TBI, it will be crucial for you to work with an attorney who has a keen understanding of not only Oregon personal injury law, but also the nuances of seeking compensation for such a complex injury. Look for a lawyer who has:
- Experience – An attorney who has represented clients with TBIs will understand how the injury affects a person’s life and know how to gather crucial evidence and convey the impact of the injury to the insurance company and, if a case goes to trial, to the judge or jury who will decide the case.
- Resources – The attorney you choose for your traumatic brain injury claim in Portland should also have the resources to thoroughly investigate, research, and litigate your case, as well as carefully calculate the damages you are due. Placing an appropriate value on your case may involve consulting experts in fields such as accident reconstruction and vocational rehabilitation.
- Dedication – Above all, you want to ensure that your traumatic brain injury attorney will be fully committed to serving your best interests. The attorney should consult with you at every stage in your case, keep you updated, and always respond to your questions.
Get Help from an Experienced Portland Brain Injury Attorney Today
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury? Don’t lose hope. Contact us today at Rizk Law. Our founder, Richard Rizk, is a former insurance company insider who knows how to motivate insurers to pay full and fair compensation for TBI victims and their families.
Our law firm has a track record of recovering multi-million-dollar results for our clients, including $695,000 for an airport shuttle worker who suffered a head injury after being struck by an SUV at Portland International Airport.
We can help you to get on the right track. Call or reach us online today and receive a free consultation with one of our traumatic brain injury attorneys.
