Even after hundreds of years in advancements in medical science and our understanding of how the human body works, there is still a lot that leading scientific minds have yet to fully understand about the architecture and functionality of the brain. Unfortunately, these gaps in humanity’s collective knowledge mean that serious physical injuries to the brain often have permanent effects, since our brains cannot always heal from external trauma the way other body parts usually can.
If you suffered brain damage of any kind in an accident caused by another person’s reckless or careless conduct, enforcing your right to pursue civil recovery could be crucial to preserving your future prospects. From beginning to end of your unique case, a seasoned Bartlett traumatic brain injury lawyer could provide guidance and support custom-tailored to getting you the comprehensive compensation you deserve. Reach out to a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney at the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC today to get started.
While automobile accidents are a particularly common source of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in Tennessee and throughout the United States, this type of damage can also occur through:
Regardless of exactly how a TBI happens, the basic building blocks of an ensuing civil case will be the same—if the injury only occurred because someone else acted contrary to a duty that required them to be reasonable and safe, that irresponsible person may be financially liable.
Compensable losses in this regard can be economic or non-economic in nature, and they can be losses that have already happened by the time a lawsuit is filed or losses that will not fully manifest for many months, years, or decades. That said, not every TBI claim is worth the same amount of money, since claim value can fluctuate significantly based on the severity of damage done.
For example, a person who sustains a mild TBI in an accident may have short-term medical bills, a few weeks of missed work income, and physical pain and suffering to contend with, all of which a skilled Bartlett traumatic brain injury attorney could help pursue fair restitution for. On the other hand, moderate to severe TBIs may cause permanent losses of cognitive function resulting in likewise lifelong losses of earning capacity, additional medical bills, and a substantial decrease in quality of life, all of which would make for a much more financially valuable—and therefore much more complicated—case.
Tennessee Code §29-39-102 caps recovery for non-economic harm caused by most TBIs at $750,000 total per individual plaintiff. Notably, while traumatic brain damage is generally considered a “catastrophic injury” in colloquial terms, it is not categorized as such in this section of state law, meaning the higher cap of $1,000,000 for such injuries does not apply to TBI claims.
Additionally, TN Code §28-3-104 sets an uncommonly strict filing deadline for most personal injury claims of just one year after an injury first occurs. Regardless of how long a plaintiff’s injuries will last, failing to start the litigation process for a TBI in Bartlett—or have an experienced lawyer do so for them—will almost always lead to them losing their right to seek monetary damages.
There is rarely an easy route forward after a traumatic brain injury, in personal or legal terms. That said, guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be invaluable when it comes to demanding compensation for the effects of your accident and maximizing your long-term quality of life.
Retaining a Bartlett traumatic brain injury lawyer could be a crucial decision to make after sustaining harm as uniquely severe as this. Call the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC today to set up a meeting.
