One of the most serious injuries a victim can sustain in an accident is a brain injury. Unfortunately, this happens far more than you may think. According to national statistics, almost three million people suffer brain injuries each year. Approximately 250,000 of those victims end up in the hospital. About 60,000 brain injury victims die from their injuries because they are so severe. More than 80,000 victims are left permanently disabled. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should speak to a brain injury lawyer Iowa trusts to find out what legal recourse you may have.
How Do Brain Injuries Occur?
Brain injuries can happen in any type of accident. Some of the most common are car, work, and premises liability accidents. Although the majority of brain injuries are mild to moderate, victims can still struggle with debilitating symptoms that can have a significant impact on their day-to-day life.
An Iowa brain injury lawyer knows that one of the most dangerous factors in a brain injury is that the victim often does not realize they have suffered an injury to their brain because it can take hours or even days for symptoms to appear. This delay in diagnosis and treatment can greatly affect how quickly the victim heals from the injury. In some cases, the delay in getting medical help can be fatal.
Signs that a victim who has been in any kind of accident may have a brain injury include the following:
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Ringing in their ears
- Vertigo
The Cost of Brain Injuries
Treatment for brain injuries can be expensive. In fact, it is estimated that brain injuries expenses run over $60 billion each year. Some of these costs include emergency medical care, hospitalization, rehabilitation services, and after- and in-home care.
Even the cost of treating a minor brain injury is high, with estimates up to $35,000. A victim who suffers a moderate brain injury will likely require lengthy hospital stays and medical expenses usually reach about $70,000. These amounts don’t include the loss of income the victim will have from being unable to work while they recover.
There are also the physical and emotional damages a brain injury victim often struggles with. Many are left dealing with long-term bouts of anxiety and depression. Brain injury victims also often complain of chronic headaches, migraines, and issues with vision. Some even are left dealing with seizures.
3 Reasons to Get a Lawyer After Suffering a Brain Injury
1. Determining Your Financial Compensation
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s actions, such as negligence or police brutality, it is important to contact a brain injury lawyer in Iowa as soon as possible. There are many expenses associated with a brain injury, and a lawyer can help you get financial compensation from the party responsible for your injury.
Medical Expenses
Your lawyer may be able to help you receive compensation for your medical bills, including future expenses related to any long-term complications of your brain injury. When you contact Des Moines Injury Law, LLP, a lawyer can review the evidence and calculate your past and future medical expenses to determine how much money you are entitled to.
Rehabilitation
Recovering from a brain injury often requires extensive physical therapy and occupational therapy to help you get back to your daily activities. These services are an important part of your recovery, but they can be very expensive. A brain injury lawyer can help you get compensation to cover these therapies so that you can get the rehabilitation services you need without worrying about finances.
Lost Wages and Earning Potential
A traumatic brain injury may affect your ability to work. If this is the case, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, as well as future earning potential if you will not be able to work again for the foreseeable future. If you have lost income due to your brain injury, reach out to a lawyer at Des Moines Injury Law, LLP, without delay.
2. Proving Fault
For you to receive compensation for your brain injury, it is necessary to prove that the other party is at fault for the injury. This requires the help of a brain injury lawyer in Iowa. A lawyer experienced in brain injury cases can evaluate all of the evidence and facts surrounding your case to demonstrate that your brain injury was the result of another person’s actions or negligence.
3. Representing You in Court
Getting compensation for your brain injury will not be easy. The other party will likely try to avoid taking responsibility and may attempt to intimidate you or offer you an unfair settlement. A brain injury lawyer in Iowa can review the evidence and build a solid case in your brain injury lawsuit. Your lawyer can handle communication with the other party’s legal team while providing you with professional advice and support to help you fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Brain Injury Infographic
Contact Our Office Today
A victim who has suffered a brain injury as a result of another party’s negligence or recklessness is entitled to financial compensation for their losses under state law. An Iowa brain injury lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law can evaluate your case and determine what your best legal options are. Call our office today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
What Is Considered A Brain Injury?
Brain injuries come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common types of brain injuries are:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – These are usually caused by an external force such as a car accident, sports injuries, being hit with an object, or even a fall. The impact can be strong enough to cause the brain to shift inside the skull causing severe damage.
Acquired Brain Injuries (ABIs) – These happen when the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen such as drowning or choking on something. These can also result from tumors, strokes, infections, and nerve damage.
What is a brain injury attorney?
A brain injury lawyer is an attorney who specializes in the area of personal injury law which is the process of filing a lawsuit regarding a personal injury. A brain injury lawyer focuses specifically on personal injuries that involve the brain or head.
What does a brain injury lawyer do?
They handle cases where there has been some kind of damage to the brain, skull, or another part of the head. This can include traumatic brain injuries from car accidents, medical malpractice, construction accidents, and defective products. A brain injury lawyer Iowa from the Law Office of Des Moines Injury Law, LLP will help you file a lawsuit against whoever was responsible for your injury and help get you compensation.
Can I sue for a brain injury?
If someone else caused the accident that resulted in your brain injury, then you can likely sue them for damages. The amount of compensation that you can receive will depend on whether or not the fault is clear-cut. If the other party admits their fault, then you will probably only need to prove the extent of your damages in order to receive compensation. If a fault is disputed, though, you will have to prove that the other party’s negligence caused your injuries.
What kinds of compensation can I get?
You can receive compensation for all types of losses resulting from a brain injury. This includes medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages, property loss, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You might also be entitled to punitive damages if there was some kind of malicious intent on the part of the other party.
How much does it cost to talk to a personal injury lawyer?
You will not be charged for an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. The purpose of this meeting is for the brain injury lawyer in Iowa to determine whether they can help you, and vice versa. If the two of you agree to work together, the lawyer will charge you on a contingency basis. This means that they get paid only if they win compensation for you.
Who hires a brain injury attorney?
Anyone who has been injured in any way that affected their head or brain should consider hiring an attorney. Brain injuries can come in many forms and aren’t always easy to spot right away. Even seemingly minor injuries can cause permanent damage and should be taken seriously. Contact a competent and experienced brain injury lawyer Iowa from the Law Office of Des Moines Injury Law, LLP so they can properly evaluate your case and determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
At Des Moines Injury Law, LLP, a brain injury lawyer in Iowa knows that head injuries are one of the most difficult and life-altering injuries anyone can experience. Oftentimes, this kind of injury causes both short and long-term consequences that may not be entirely recoverable. A victim may find that their life has changed forever, and now they are motivated to seek justice for the situation by filing a lawsuit against the party responsible.
Devastatingly, head injuries can lead to severe mental and physical disorders that require time to present themselves and overcome. For some, these injuries are permanent. Your lawyer can see to it that the offender is held responsible and that your compensation amount accounts for both current and future expenses.
What problems can a brain injury cause?
There are many issues that can develop because of a brain injury, such as cognitive disorder, neurological problems, motor skills difficulties, emotional stress, impairment to senses, poor concentration, inability to have normal sleeping habits, and more. Additionally, a brain injury can cause numbness, tingling, and pain of extremities.
There may also be problems with balance or partial/total paralysis as a result of damage to the central nervous system. Victims may not be able to work, walk, run, or engage in other physical activities they used to enjoy as part of daily living. It isn’t uncommon to see that brain injury victims have incontinence of their bladder or bowels. These are conditions that require medical care and accommodations for life.
Structural changes to the brain may have a secondary impact of changing someone’s emotional health. So it is important for victims to remember that their mental health may be affected too. Having difficult feelings after such a terrible accident is more than normal, and asking for help from a therapist or other support system is crucial to recovery or adjusting to a new way of life.
What damages may I be eligible to receive?
After a consultation with a reputable brain injury lawyer in IA, you can be guided through the steps towards pursuing compensation. If you are eligible, you may be awarded economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Wage loss
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Lost benefits
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Equipment
- Medication
Iowa Brain Injury Lawyer
An Iowa brain injury lawyer is a type of attorney who specializes in representing individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to accidents or negligence. These attorneys from Des Moines Injury Law play a crucial role in helping victims and their families seek compensation and justice for the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that often accompany such injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries can result from a wide range of accidents, including car crashes, workplace accidents, slip and falls, sports-related incidents, and medical malpractice. These injuries can have devastating consequences, leading to long-term disability, cognitive impairments, and emotional trauma. Brain injury lawyers are dedicated to advocating for the rights of TBI victims, ensuring they receive the necessary medical care and financial support to cope with the aftermath of such injuries.
One of the main responsibilities of a brain injury lawyer is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury. This involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with medical experts to establish the cause and severity of the TBI. They work diligently to determine liability, whether it’s a negligent driver, a careless employer, a product manufacturer, or a healthcare provider who failed to deliver appropriate care.
Once liability is established, an Iowa brain injury lawyer assists the victim in pursuing compensation through negotiations or, if necessary, litigation. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other damages that resulted from the brain injury. These lawyers are skilled negotiators who aim to secure a fair settlement that adequately addresses the victim’s current and future needs.
In cases where a fair settlement cannot be reached, the brain injury lawyer is prepared to take the matter to court. They will prepare a compelling case, present evidence, and argue on behalf of their client to seek justice through a trial. This legal expertise is essential in ensuring that the victim’s rights are protected, and they have the best chance of receiving the compensation they deserve.
Brain injury lawyers also provide crucial support to their clients and their families beyond the legal process. They understand the physical and emotional toll that TBIs can have on individuals and their loved ones. These attorneys often connect their clients with medical specialists, rehabilitation services, and support groups to help them cope with the challenges of recovery.
Additionally, brain injury lawyers are well-versed in dealing with insurance companies, which often try to minimize payouts to protect their bottom line. Having an experienced attorney by their side ensures that TBI victims are not taken advantage of by insurance companies seeking to settle for less than what is fair.
An Iowa brain injury lawyer is a dedicated legal professional who specializes in representing individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries due to accidents or negligence. They play a critical role in advocating for the rights of TBI victims, investigating the circumstances of the injury, establishing liability, and pursuing compensation through negotiations or litigation. These attorneys provide essential support to their clients and their families, helping them navigate the complex legal and medical aspects of brain injury cases.
Iowa Brain Injury Laws
If you have sustained a brain injury, you may want to contact an Iowa brain injury lawyer. Brain injuries can have profound and lasting impacts on individuals and their families. Laws governing brain injuries in Iowa are designed to provide support and protection to those affected by such injuries.
- Brain Injury Definition
In Iowa, a brain injury is defined as any injury to the brain that results in a diminished or altered state of consciousness. These injuries can be caused by various factors, including accidents, medical malpractice, or assaults. Understanding the definition is crucial in determining eligibility for legal remedies and support.
- Personal Injury Laws
When brain injuries result from accidents or negligence, personal injury laws come into play. Victims can file a lawsuit against the responsible party to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s essential to note that Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system, which means that if the injured party is found to be partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced.
- Statute of Limitations
In Iowa, individuals have a limited time to file a personal injury claim, including brain injury cases. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of the injury. Failing to file within this timeframe may result in the loss of the right to pursue a claim.
- Medical Malpractice
When brain injuries are the result of medical negligence, victims can file medical malpractice claims. These claims can be complex, and it’s essential to consult with an Iowa brain injury lawyer well-versed in medical malpractice law to ensure proper representation.
- Workers’ Compensation
If a brain injury occurs in the workplace, Iowa’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. This system is a no-fault system, meaning that injured employees can generally receive benefits without having to prove the employer’s negligence.
- Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program
Iowa’s Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program is a specialized Medicaid program designed to provide support and services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries. It offers services such as case management, residential care, and rehabilitation. To be eligible for this program, individuals must meet specific criteria and go through an assessment process.
- Helmets and Bicycle Safety Laws
Iowa has laws related to helmet usage for individuals under 18 years of age while riding a bicycle. These laws aim to reduce the risk of head injuries for young riders. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines.
- Support and Advocacy Organizations
Various organizations in Iowa offer support and resources for individuals and families affected by brain injuries. These organizations can help navigate the legal landscape, connect with medical professionals, and provide emotional support.
If you have suffered a brain injury, you may want to schedule a consultation with an Iowa brain injury lawyer. At Des Moines Injury Lawyer, we want to help you get the justice you deserve.
Contact Des Moines Injury Law Today
Our team is seasoned in handling some of the most complex and delicate cases. We are honored to answer any questions or concerns you have, and hope that you reach out right away to get the support you need. An Iowa brain injury lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law, LLP is available to take your call.