English
Español
Brain injuries can alter the course of your life. While there are countless types of injuries, brain trauma can have unique and difficult-to-understand consequences. A person dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury could experience delayed symptoms that are not noticeable for years after the accident.
If you suffered traumatic brain damage due to another person’s negligence, a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney could help you hold them accountable. Filing a civil lawsuit could provide you with compensation that helps you deal with your injuries. Let a Tacoma traumatic brain injury lawyer help you seek justice.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all traumatic brain injuries are exactly the same. Brain injuries can have different causes, which could also result in a variety of different consequences. A well-practiced Tacoma attorney could help an injured individual pursue monetary damages following any type of traumatic brain injury.
Concussions
By far, concussions are the most common traumatic brain injury. While they are often less severe than other brain injuries, the trauma that results from concussions can be significant. These injuries occur when a jolt to the brain is hard enough to damage it.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
A diffuse axonal injury—or DAI—is similar to a concussion. Like a concussion, it occurs when an impact on the head causes the brain to shake violently. The injury is different because it results in damage to the tissue that connects the brain to the spine.
Penetrating Brain Injury
Most but not all brain injuries stem from blunt force trauma. However, there are some injuries that involve an object directly penetrating the brain. The most common penetrating brain injury is caused by a gunshot wound.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
A coup-contrecoup injury is effectively two traumatic brain injuries in one. They occur when an impact strikes the head, damaging the brain at the point of impact. The brain then accelerates and strikes the far side of the skull. This leads to a second injury.
Contusions
Brain contusions are more commonly referred to as a brain bruise. These injuries can heal without medical intervention in some cases. However, the failure to address these bruises can be fatal for some people.
What Happens When Fault Is Shared?
What happens when a brain injury victim is partially to blame for the accident that caused their damages? The answer depends on comparative fault laws. In Washington, a standard known as comparative fault applies in these situations.
Under this standard, a plaintiff that is partially at fault for their own injuries is not barred from seeking a monetary award. However, their degree of fault could have an impact on what their case is worth. This is because the courts will award damages based on the percentage of fault each party shares. If the defendant is 80 percent at fault for a traumatic brain injury, they will be liable for 80 percent of the plaintiff’s damages. A knowledgeable traumatic brain injury lawyer in Tacoma could advise how this standard might impact a specific case.
Talk to a Tacoma Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
A traumatic brain injury can be a life-altering moment, but it does not have to prevent you from improving your quality of life and making the most of things to come. With a monetary award from a civil claim, it could be possible to address the hardships common with brain damage.
Do not pursue your case alone. Contact a Tacoma traumatic brain injury lawyer as soon as possible to get started.
