What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain damage arises from impaired brain functioning. Not all head damage causes a TBI, and your experience will depend on the type of brain damage you sustained and the type of accident that occurred. For example, a closed head injury yields different symptoms than a penetrating TBI.

There is a wide range of potential side effects that can manifest due to different kinds of brain damage. Here are some examples of TBI-related symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Mood swings
  • Tachycardia or increased heart rate
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Changes in mental health
  • Slurred speech
  • Memory loss or difficulty recalling
  • Loss of companionship
  • Limited range of mobility
  • Emotional hardship
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Cognitive damage is stressful for the average person, but a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer can help build a TBI case for you. With years of legal experience, our personal injury lawyers can take on the responsibility of pursuing fair compensation. In contrast, you and your loved ones focus on returning to your daily lives.

Causes of TBIs

A blow to the head—no matter how severe—can cause a TBI. Other common types of injuries that may lead to TBIs include oxygen deprivation caused by drowning, choking, or suffocating, as well as the following:

  • Workplace accidents
  • A skull fracture
  • Gunshot wounds
  • Traffic accidents
  • A birth injury
  • Explosive blasts
  • Faulty equipment
  • An axonal brain injury
  • Truck accidents
  • Defective products
  • Medical malpractice
  • Accidental falls
  • Blood clots
  • Boating accidents

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What Type of Damages Can You Expect After a TBI in Lake Charles?

While the brain is elastic and often adapts well to damage, there is no guarantee that an accident victim who sustains a TBI will return to the same quality of life that they once had. Not only can medical bills be expensive, but the emotional distress and physical pain are hard, too.

Additional damages may include the following:

  • Permanent disability
  • Medical attention
  • Financial burden
  • Emotional pain
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Hospital stays
  • Lifelong disability
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Long-term care
  • Non-economic losses

When you retain legal counsel, your legal team can seek various kinds of compensation based on the outcome of your types of accidents. However, before filing any traumatic brain injury claims, an experienced attorney will focus on determining the at-fault party of the incident.

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I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to det...

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of reliability. Jillie consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everything is handled efficiently and with care. Her knowledge and work ethic make her an outstanding professional, and I would highly recommend her!

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jazlynn meece

Baton Rouge

Working with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was an incredible experience from beginning to end. Jeanne and Kaitlyn were absolutely amazing - profession...

Working with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was an incredible experience from beginning to end. Jeanne and Kaitlyn were absolutely amazing - professional and always on top of everything. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and made sure I understood every step along the way. My case was resolved better than expected. I can’t thank them enough.

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Melody Johnson

New Orleans

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking...

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Marsh today. She was extremely knowledgeable in addition to being patient and empathetic. She was able to provide me with the necessary resources and provided me with encouragement throughout the process. I definitely recommend Laborde Earls! Ask for Courtney!

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Megan C.

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working ...

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Her attention to detail is unmatched.
She catches things most people would overlook, and she always makes sure every document is perfect before it leaves her hands.
Beyond her incredible skill set, Bridgette is also kind, reliable, and a true team player. She communicates clearly, stays organized under pressure, and goes above and beyond to make sure clients and attorneys alike feel supported.
You can tell she genuinely cares about her work and the people she helps.
If you're lucky enough to have Bridgette as your paralegal, you're in the best possible hands. Five stars isn't enough for someone this exceptional!

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Brittany Johnson

Alexandria

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I thi...

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of people who call in are stressed and to have someone who is calm and kind taking the call is a great representation of the company.

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Marksville

Michelle Brouillette is always so pleasant whenever I call or stop by the office. She always has a smile on her face.

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I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other thing...

I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other things. Her detailed skills are very delightful. She goes out of her way to check on us, make sure we don't have any questions, and she is always on point. She moves very quick and always goes above and beyond for us to make sure we understand the process. I am so glad I ran into Laborde Earles and Alexis. Everyone will know about this company for sure and Alexis

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Lafayette

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. He...

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. Her communication is clear, and she truly cares about delivering results. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

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Lake Charles

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Establishing Liability in a Severe Brain Damage Case

No matter if the head damage you sustained was caused intentionally or accidentally, it is still important for lawyers to determine who should be held liable. An experienced brain injury lawyer can look at the details of your situation and pinpoint the responsible parties.

In general, people are responsible for upholding a duty of care, which is a legal obligation to prevent one’s actions from harming others. When someone fails to uphold their duty of care, they could end up causing situations that hurt other people, making them the at-fault party.

As the person who sustained the TBI, your head injury lawyer might look into the potential of comparative fault before determining who is responsible. The at-fault party may not only be held liable for compensating you as a direct result of their actions, but they might be held accountable for additional damages, including punitive damage.

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How We Build a Case For Clients with TBIs

The personal injury lawyers at our law firm strive to help TBI clients resolve cases as quickly as possible. We do everything we can to explain the legal process and assist brain injury victims who want to file a personal injury claim. Here’s what you can anticipate from an experienced lawyer.

1

Update You on Legal Proceedings

During your initial consultation, we will review the details of your case and clarify any legal terms that might sound confusing. We can also respond to any questions you may have.

We want to ensure that you understand each step of the legal process, but we also strive to take some weight off your shoulders. That way, you can direct your attention to recovering from the accident, receiving necessary medical attention, and healing from the traumatic event.

2

Collect and Manage Paperwork

Lawsuits can be overwhelming, especially because they often involve multiple different types of documentation. However, you won’t have to worry about any of that information. We have the means to gather all necessary documents and hold them for safekeeping.

For example, let’s say you sustained head damage following a motor vehicle accident. As your legal representation, we can ask for access to local camera footage, collect testimonies from witnesses at the scene, request proof of medical care from hospitals, and gather police reports.

3

Handle All Forms of Communication

With us on your side, you will not need to have a direct line of communication with the at-fault party. Instead of speaking to or meeting the liable party and their representatives, we can be their point of contact on your behalf. If they wish to communicate with you, they can talk to us first, and we can relay messages to you.

4

Fight For a Fair Settlement

Our team can carefully review your situation, determine how much compensation you should request, and negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company. We can help you understand how to determine a reasonable compensation amount by considering various details—like your medical costs or long-term care expenses.

As we seek to settle with insurance providers, we ensure that the proposed settlement is fair. We can also inform you of your legal options along the way.

5

Advocate For You in Court

It is not common for TBI cases to go to trial before a judge or a jury, but it is possible. In the rare instance when we cannot reach a satisfactory settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance company, we have the means to take your case to trial and represent you in court.

Over the years, we have helped brain damage victims recover over $1 billion via both verdicts and settlements. We would be happy to help you calculate an appropriate settlement and strive to obtain that amount for you, no matter how long it takes.

Statute of Limitations Regarding Representation For TBI Claims

It is wise to start the process of seeking compensation as soon as possible. That way, you can take measures to protect your rights and ensure that you file any traumatic brain injury claims before the statute of limitations expires.

The statute of limitations for TBI cases in Lake Charles depends on when the accident occurred. If you sustained a TBI on or after July 1, 2024, then the statute of limitations is two years. Any TBIs that occurred prior to this date are subject to a two-year statute of limitations instead. It’s important to check with your attorney to understand the time period that applies to your case.

If your loved one sustained fatal brain injuries that resulted in their death, you can hire a traumatic brain injury attorney serving Lake Charles, LA. Your attorney can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your deceased family member (CC Art. 2315.2 ).

It might sound like you have a long time to file a claim, but the deadline may come faster than you realize, so it’s wise to act immediately. The sooner you contact a head injury attorney in your area, the more time your TBI lawyer will have to build your case and negotiate with insurance companies.

Schedule a Consultation With a Lake Charles Traumatic Brain Injury Law Firm Today

If you have endured brain damage or a loved one has sustained a brain injury caused by someone else’s behavior, it’s important to speak with a traumatic brain injury attorney in Lake Charles, LA, at your earliest convenience. You have rights, and your legal team can help you explore them.

At Laborde Earles, we have years of experience building a personal injury accident claim and filing a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of countless clients. We know how devastating a traumatic brain injury can be, and our lawyers want to help you.

Your initial legal consultation is free, and it places you under no obligation. Plus, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay us until we win. Contact the law office of Laborde Earles today, and please note that we can take your call 24 hours per day.

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