How to Handle Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in Houston, Texas

Traumatic brain injury is one of the most serious injuries a person can ever have as it can have long-term or even irreversible effects.

When an accident happens, be it a car crash or a slip and fall, one of the worst things that can happen to those involved is traumatic brain injury (TBI). Depending on the severity of the injury, there may be some patients whose quality of life may be impaired in retrospect. The effects of the condition can be lifelong, and medical solutions may not always produce good results.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you act immediately. This could mean taking the case to court for adequate compensation while seeking appropriate medical treatment.

Read on for some insight on how to deal with traumatic brain injury cases in Houston, Texas.

1. Have the patient perform imaging tests

Before a personal injury claim can be made, medical tests are required to document the severity of the brain injury. If a patient suffered the condition as a result of an accident, the only way to assess the damage in the body is to make sure it gets imaging tests.

An FMRI brain scan. Image via Wikimedia Commons / user: DrOONeil. (CCA-BY-3.0).

The two most basic and common imaging or scanning tests are as follows:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan – This is usually one of the very first tests done on a patient after they are taken to the emergency room. Various x-rays are used to get a detailed view of the inside of the brain.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – This test uses strong magnets and radio waves to provide three-dimensional images of the brain.

2. Understand the current medical research

Because of the inherently difficult nature of an TBI case, the first time you contact Ben Dominguez to handle your brain injury case or another lawyer in your area, you must be working with the patient’s doctors for the latest medical research to understand SHT. In this way, the lawyer can fight for your case point by point and ensure the best outcome for you.

Remember, claims for TBI are not based solely on current circumstances. They also have to do with the future, as the disease can lead to permanent effects which, in the worst case scenario, are permanent damage. Therefore, doctors and lawyers would have to pool their expertise in such cases so that the victim receives the compensation to which he is entitled.

3. Review the treatment options available

Your doctor will prescribe a form of treatment that is appropriate for your particular condition. As soon as the treatment options are determined, your medical record will be handed over to your lawyer. That way, they have a solid foundation for claiming, especially when it comes to the compensation you are seeking.

In mild cases, only rest and over-the-counter pain relievers are required. However, the patient must be closely monitored at home if their symptoms worsen. Follow-up appointments can also be taken.

Meanwhile, treatment options for traumatic brain injuries in general and more severe cases include:

• Immediate Emergency Care – Regardless of the type of brain injury a patient is suffering from, immediate emergency care is always required. This is to ensure that a thorough examination is carried out and that early treatment and intervention can occur.
• Medication – Some of the most commonly prescribed medications are:
  • Diuretics
  • Seizure medication
  • Coma-inducing drugs for severe cases
• Surgery – In severe cases, emergency surgery may also be needed to minimize the possible effects of the condition and damage to the brain. Surgery is needed to treat problems such as fractures and blood clots.

4. Take note of the factors lawyers consider before taking a case

Not all TBIs require a lawsuit or full-blown process. In fact, attorneys who specialize in claims for this condition usually consider several factors when deciding whether to take on a TBI case. These include the following:

• There is strong evidence that there was no pre-existing injury when the accident occurred.
• There are strong points to refute liability, which means that the patient was not at fault or contributed to the injury or accident.
• There is a marked change in the patient’s behavior and mannerism before and after the accident, which is a symptom of TBI.
• The patient is currently lying unconscious, in a coma or fighting for his life as a direct result of the accident in the intensive care unit.
• The patient can no longer work temporarily or permanently due to his injuries.

graduation

Traumatic brain injury is one of the most serious injuries a person can ever have as it can have long-term or even irreversible effects. In order for you or your loved one to embark on the journey to recovery, you must take the necessary steps. The tips above can give you a head start from both a legal and a medical perspective. These must go hand in hand in order to achieve the best result for the person suffering from TBI.