For nearly 35 years, the personal injury lawyers at Brett & Coats have protected the rights of the wrongfully injured in the state of Washington. Our defense of the victims of brain injuries who seek prompt, fair and just compensation has made us one of the top law firms in the region.

A head injury, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), is any type of trauma to the head that results in an injury to the skull, brain or scalp .Those who sustain concussion, hemorrhage, significant loss of consciousness, coma, and/or skull fractures are typically diagnosed as having sustained a "moderate" to "severe" TBI. Injuries of this nature are generally detectable on CAT scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and other imaging devices.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.5 million U.S. citizens experience a brain injury each year. Of those, 80,000 suffer from long-term disability. More than 50,000 Americans die each year from TBIs. The most common types of brain injuries are:

• Concussion: an alteration of consciousness, transient or prolonged, due to a blow to the head that may be followed by transient amnesia, vertigo, nausea, and weak pulse.
• Anoxic brain injury: caused when the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off.
• Traumatic brain injury: results from rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain, including shearing (tearing) of nerve fibers, contusion (bruising) of the brain tissue against the skull, brain stem injuries, and edema (swelling).

Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury, and the rates are highest for children ages 0 to 4 years, and adults who are 75 years and older. Motor vehicle and bicycle accidents result in the greatest number of TBI-related hospitalizations, and the rate is highest among teens ages 15 to 19 years. According to the CDC, struck by/against events – which include colliding with a moving or stationary object – are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injury, followed by firearm-related assaults. Traumatic brain injury also is the leading cause of death or disability of more people ages 1 to 44 than any other cause. TBI cannot be cured.

Most TBI accidents are due to negligence. If negligence is the cause, the victim may be entitled to recover damages, including all current and future medical costs, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of current and future earnings, loss of enjoyment and in some case, and punitive damages. The victim’s family may also be entitled to be compensated for damages if members are forced to change their lifestyle in order to care for the loved one.

At Brett & Coats, we are sensitive to the needs of TBI clients, and will work to ensure access to the best possible care, support and future. The long-term effects of TBI can include cognitive deficits, reduction in motor skills and physical deficits, which can include walking, balance and coordination, fine motor skills and strength. Victims in comas represent the “severe” end of traumatic brain injury. Family members of comatose patients are often left with nothing but hope during the recovery process.

Cognitive deficits include difficulty in language and communication, information processing, memory and perceptual skills. Many victims exhibit changes in their personality (such as mood swings) and major lifestyle changes. Loss of short- and long-term memory can often result from head injuries. Other symptoms that affect a brain injury victim might include emotional problems, speech complications, loss of sensations, seizures, paralysis, coma or even death.

Victims of TBI caused by negligence should have access to the insurance purchased by those who harmed them to cover time off work, lost wages and benefits, hospital and doctor bills, drug costs and therapy costs. Insurance can also pay for your pain and suffering including activity restrictions, diminution of quality of life and lost enjoyment of life.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Brett & Coats. Our attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each client. We help by coordinating medical payments, organizing documentation and supporting each client through the sometimes difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm's determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve personal injury claims through negotiation. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats PLLC today at 1-800-925-1875 or contact us via our online form.

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