A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can lead to disability or death. If you suffer a TBI due to another party’s negligent actions, you should explore your legal options and know how to protect your rights. A New Hampshire injury lawyer can walk you through these options and ensure you get the maximum compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company.
Some of those who suffer from a TBI may recover from the injury, but others have to deal with it forever. A TBI impacts your vision, hearing, memory, balance, emotions, and attitudes. The specific effects of this injury on patients tend to differ. However, a lot of patients have problems focusing and controlling their emotions. Depending on how serious your TBI is, you may not be able to work temporarily or permanently.
Understanding Your Rights
TBIs usually result from slip-and-fall accidents. But it can also develop due to a car accident, a swimming pool accident, team sports, assault, a falling object, an explosion, or a medical error. If somebody else is to blame for causing the accident in which you sustained an injury, you may be eligible for compensation from them. This compensation can cover your current and future medical expenses, lost income, and lost future earnings. Your injury attorney can determine other losses or damages you may be able to recover. As the claimant, you have the burden to prove the existence of your injury and its impact on your life.
Importance of Documentation
Having the right documentation is essential to the success of your personal injury claim. Also, having the related documents and records can help your doctors, especially as they provide you with ongoing or future treatment and care.
After an accident, you must report it to a person with authority to prove that the accident happened, what the resulting damages were, who witnessed the accident, and other details. So, if it was a car accident, the police must be called to the scene to make a police report. If the TBI resulted from an accident that occurred in your workplace or a public or commercial facility, an accident report must be written.
While you are still at the accident scene, try to take photos of your obvious injuries and the scene itself. If somebody witnessed the accident, get their name and contact number.
Why a Medical Examination is Important
After a jolt or blow to the head, you need to get a medical examination immediately or within the first 24 hours, whether you feel injured or not. You must have medical records you can use as evidence if you take legal action. Also, an undiagnosed TBI can become a severe medical condition when not treated promptly.