If you or someone you love sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Decatur, Alabama, you could be left with debilitating pain, long-term disability, and serious financial strain. However, if someone else was at fault for the injury, the Decatur personal injury lawyers of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., can help you seek fair compensation for these and other losses.

Since 1966, our firm has been helping injured people in Morgan County and throughout Alabama pursue the money and accountability they deserve from the people who hurt them. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation on our clients’ behalf, have been listed in the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers, and are rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell – their highest possible rating.

Let a Decatur traumatic brain injury lawyer from our firm fight to get you the money you need and the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a violent blow, jolt, or penetrating injury harms the brain’s soft tissue. A TBI can result from closed-head injuries, in which the skull remains unbroken, or open-head injuries, in which the skull is shattered, punctured, or penetrated.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1.5 million Americans suffer TBIs each year. These injuries result in roughly 230,000 hospitalizations, the onset of 80,000 to 90,000 long-term disabilities, and 50,000 fatalities yearly. More than 64,000 deaths related to TBIs occurred in a recent year in the United States – or roughly 76 per day.

The consequences of a TBI can vary significantly depending on the severity and location of the injury. In relatively mild cases, brain cells are affected for only a short time, and patients may experience brief or no loss of consciousness. In moderate to severe TBI cases, patients may suffer bruising, lacerations, and other physical damage to the brain, resulting in long-term and potentially fatal health complications.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are many different types of TBIs, which may affect part or all of the brain. Some of the most common include:

Concussions – Concussions are the most common type of brain injury, accounting for roughly three-quarters of all TBIs annually. A concussion occurs when a sudden blow or jolt affects the head and brain, causing the brain to bounce or twist within the skull. This type of sharp, forceful motion can damage brain cells or even trigger chemical changes in the brain.
Contusions – “Contusion” is the medical term for a bruise. When people suffer hard blows to or violently shaking of the head, the brain’s soft tissue may collide with the inside of the skull and develop contusions. A contusion to the brain can cause intracranial bleeding, which may result in enough pressure to impact cognitive function.
Diffuse axonal injuries – Axons are special nerve fibers that transmit signals between neurons. A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is caused by rapid changes in velocity that damage or tear the axons connecting the brain’s two hemispheres. DAIs can result in loss of consciousness that may last for several hours and, in severe cases, permanent brain damage.
Coup-contrecoup injuries – The French term “coup-contrecoup” means “strike-counterstrike,” and describes an injury caused by the skull striking a broad object and damaging the brain. The force of the initial collision, in turn, causes the brain to strike the other side of the skull, resulting in matching injuries on either side of the brain.
Penetrating head injuries – A penetrating head injury occurs when a foreign object or bone fragment penetrates the skull, with or without piercing the brain. In the United States, roughly 20,000 penetrating TBIs occur each year due to gunshot wounds to the head, and car accidents are another common source of these potentially fatal injuries.

Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of a TBI

Common symptoms of relatively mild TBIs include:

Loss of consciousness lasting a few seconds or minutes
A dazed or disoriented state with no loss of consciousness
Problems with memory or concentration
Unusual mood swings, depression, or anxiety
Headaches, dizziness, or loss of balance

Nausea, vomiting, or unpleasant taste in the mouth
Fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
Changes or problems with speech
Sensory issues, such as ringing in the ears
Unusual sensitivity to lights or sounds

Common symptoms and long-term effects of moderate to severe TBIs include:

Loss of consciousness lasting several minutes to several hours
Coma, disordered consciousness, or inability to awaken from sleep
Persistent headaches or headaches that worsen with time
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Convulsions or seizures

Dilation of one or both pupils
Drainage of clear fluids from the nose or eyes
Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
Unusual lack of coordination or slurred speech
Profound confusion, agitation, or other unusual behavior

Common Causes of TBIs in Decatur

Traumatic brain injuries typically occur as the result of sharp blows or other forces to the head, which may result from:

Sports injuries
Recreational injuries
Slip and falls
Trip and falls
Acts of violence

How Our Attorneys Help People with Brain Injuries in Decatur, Alabama

At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our TBI attorneys are committed to pursuing the best outcomes possible for our clients. When you retain our services, you can rest easy knowing that our team of legal professionals can:

Answer your questions and evaluate your case during a free initial consultation.
Begin work on your case promptly, with no upfront or out-of-pocket cost to you.
Conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the TBI.
Obtain medical records, accident reports, and other valuable supporting evidence.
Interview eyewitnesses and expert witnesses for testimony to support your case.
Manage important documents and deadlines on your behalf.
File claims paperwork and demand letters to pursue the compensation you need.
Negotiate aggressively on your behalf and take your case to court, if necessary.

How Much Is My Traumatic Brain Injury Case Worth?

Depending on what happened, you could be entitled to compensation for the following types of injury-related losses:

Medical expenses related to the treatment of your injuries
Lost wages from any time you missed at work due to the TBI
Projected losses in your future earning capacity, if the TBI resulted in a permanent physical or cognitive disability
Pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
Incidental costs, such as mileage costs for medical appointments

Contact Our Skilled TBI Lawyers in Decatur Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury for which someone else is at fault, our skilled TBI lawyers in Decatur are ready to help you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve.

Brain Injury Lawyer in Decatur