A sudden accident that causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be one of the most horrible occurrences in your life. This kind of trauma could affect your cognitive functioning, memory, speech, and balance. Your life might never be the same.
Fortunately, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the careless person or company responsible for the accident. A seasoned Lancaster traumatic brain injury lawyer could advance a strong claim for fair compensation on your behalf. With help from a catastrophic injury attorney, you could hold the at-fault parties accountable for their careless or reckless actions.
Common Causes of Severe Head Trauma
According to data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2 million people seek emergency care for head trauma each year. Common causes of TBIs include car crashes, falls, and sometimes even gunshot wounds.
If a Lancaster resident suffers a TBI because of the carelessness of other people, they may have grounds to sue. However, victims might not be successful if they bear more than 50 percent of the responsibility for the accident. A skilled Lancaster lawyer could help establish the defendant’s negligence and shield victims from allegations that they shared some of the blame for their traumatic brain injury.
Recoverable Damages in a TBI Lawsuit
Per §15-3-530 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, TBI victims in Lancaster must bring a lawsuit within three years of the day of the accident. In a personal injury lawsuit, a plaintiff may recover both economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the monetary costs of the injury. For example, victims may incur high medical bills and require long-term therapy. Because of the possible loss of cognitive functioning after a TBI, a victim may also have difficulty returning to work. The inability to maintain balance or speak properly may necessitate long-term help with basic life tasks. A traumatic brain injury attorney in Lancaster could help victims itemize all of these economic losses.
Noneconomic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate victims for less tangible harms, such as physical pain, emotional trauma, and inability to enjoy activities. Although these losses are more difficult to quantify, they are compensable in a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact a Lancaster Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
If you have questions or concerns about your rights after a traumatic brain injury, you should consider speaking with an experienced attorney. A seasoned Lancaster traumatic brain injury lawyer could help you determine if your claim has merit and advocate on your behalf at every step. Make an appointment with Schiller & Hamilton to discuss your situation.