A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in normal brain function caused by an external force, often resulting from a blow, jolt, or lack of oxygen to the head. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering impairments that impact cognition, behavior, physical function, and emotional regulation.
While some TBIs resolve with rest and care, others require long-term treatment and legal action to recover the costs of care and lost income.
In these cases, a Washington, DC, traumatic brain injury lawyer can help assess your rights and guide you toward the next steps for both medical and legal recovery.
Understanding How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen
At Kitchel Injury Law, we work with individuals and families who are grappling with the aftermath of traumatic brain injuries, often in the most uncertain times of their lives.
These injuries can result from many types of incidents, but some of the most common causes include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle collisions
- Falls from stairs, scaffolding, or slippery surfaces
- Workplace accidents involving falling objects or unsafe conditions
- Sports-related impacts or collisions
In many of these cases, the person responsible for the injury may not even realize the damage they have caused. That is why early documentation and medical evaluation are so important.
As a Washington, DC, personal injury lawyer, we help our clients uncover the full story behind how the injury occurred, because getting accountability often starts with getting the facts right.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all TBIs look the same, and not every injury will show up on a scan. Most do not. That does not mean it is not serious. In our practice, we have seen a wide range of traumatic brain injuries, from subtle changes in memory to profound, permanent disability.
Here are some of the common types:
- Concussions: Often considered mild TBIs, concussions can still have lasting effects on memory, concentration, and mood. They can cause permanent injury.
- Contusions: Bruising on the brain caused by direct impact, often requiring hospitalization or even surgical intervention.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Caused by rapid shaking or rotational forces that tear brain structures. These injuries are often severe and may lead to coma or death.
- Penetrating Brain Injuries: Involving foreign objects entering the skull, typically requiring emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: Damage occurs at both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain due to forceful movement inside the skull. Such injuries are common for car accident victims.
These injuries may not always be immediately visible, which is why we encourage clients to take symptoms seriously, even if medical professionals initially minimize them.
We commonly talk to car accident victims who broke bones – the pain of such injuries sometimes overshadows concussion symptoms on the day of a wreck.
Symptoms and Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Traumatic brain injuries affect every person differently, but certain warning signs should prompt immediate evaluation. These include:
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Confusion, memory lapses, or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in mood, sleep, or personality
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Seizures
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that if they did not lose consciousness, they are fine. That is simply not true. Some of the most damaging TBIs we have handled involved clients who felt off for days or weeks before seeking help. That delay can not only affect recovery, but it can also impact the strength of a legal claim.
TBIs can also result in what is called post-concussion syndrome, when symptoms last for more than 4-6 weeks. PCS can be debilitating and can result from seemingly minor concussions.
Legal Rights After a TBI in Washington, DC
If someone else’s negligence caused your brain injury, you may have the right to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term care or assistive devices
- Emotional distress
- In cases of wrongful death, funeral expenses and family damages
Under D.C. Code § 16–2701, families who lose a loved one due to a fatal brain injury may file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. The law is complex, but the principle is simple: those who suffer life-changing harm because of someone else’s carelessness deserve justice.
How Brain Injuries Impact Long-Term Recovery
Brain injuries do not just affect the person hurt; they affect entire families. We have worked with clients who had to leave their jobs, adjust their parenting roles, or manage cognitive therapy for years.
Others have experienced emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to the trauma itself.
What many people do not realize is that even mild brain injuries can lead to:
- Difficulty returning to work
- Relationship struggles
- Financial instability due to unpaid leave or job loss
- Ongoing therapy and medication needs
As attorneys, we do not just calculate medical bills. We consider the full scope of what you are going through and what it will take to truly rebuild. That includes future costs, quality of life, and the emotional toll a traumatic brain injury takes on everyone involved.
When to Seek Legal Guidance
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury and suspects someone else may be legally responsible, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The earlier we are involved, the better we can explain what to expect when you hire a lawyer, preserve evidence, build a case, and connect you with trusted medical providers.
We are not doctors, but we take care of people being treated by doctors every day, so we are skilled at issue spotting and helping our clients ask the right questions.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, we are here to talk it through. Traumatic brain injuries do not always announce themselves clearly, but if you feel like something is not right, that is reason enough to reach out.
Call our team today for a free case evaluation.
