If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Birmingham, AL, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. A brain injury can have life-altering consequences, and recovery can be long and difficult. If your injury was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to money to cover your costs and get the care you need.
At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, our Birmingham brain injury attorneys understand the challenges you are facing. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve in Birmingham, Alabama. Schedule your free consultation today with a Birmingham brain injury lawyer at (205) 206-5088 to discuss your case and legal options.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Brain Injury In Birmingham
Established 23 years ago, Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers brings over 93 years of combined legal experience to the table. Our team has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, and we are prepared to give you the same tireless representation.
When you choose our Birmingham personal injury lawyers, we will:
- Investigate the circumstances of your accident to identify parties who may be liable
- Gather and assess essential evidence and work closely with experts to strengthen your case
- Handle communications with all parties and negotiate a settlement that reflects the true extent of your damages
- Advocate for you and protect you from attempts to undervalue your claim or shift the blame
- Represent you in court if negotiations are unsuccessful and present your case to a jury
- Provide compassionate legal guidance and support
While you focus on your recovery, family, and health, we will tirelessly pursue the best possible outcome and the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a Birmingham brain injury attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees for the representation you deserve.
Traumatic Brain Injury Overview
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an outside force, like a foreign object penetrating the brain or a blow to the head, causes brain damage. A TBI impairs brain function by damaging nerve cells responsible for sending and receiving messages. This causes a cascade of changes to brain chemistry. The injury can also result in swelling, inflammation, and reduced blood flow to the brain.
There are at least 1.7 million TBIs in the United States every year. Most of these injuries are mild, but 50,000 are fatal, and 85,000 are disabling.
What Are the Most Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Understanding the various types of TBIs is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Common types include:
- Concussion. Also known as mild TBI, a concussion is usually caused by forceful back-and-forth movement, violent shaking, or a blow to the head. Most symptoms resolve within a few weeks.
- Contusion. This is bruising of the brain and a type of focal or localized injury. It’s usually caused by a direct blow to the head.
- Hematoma. This is a clotted and localized collection of blood within the brain tissue, between the skull and dura mater, or between the dura mater and skull.
- Traumatic cerebral vascular injury (TCVI) or stroke. This type of secondary brain injury is also known as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA. It refers to blood vessel damage in the brain, and it’s likely a major contributing factor in long-term disability after a TBI.
- Hemorrhage. A brain hemorrhage is active bleeding that reduces oxygen delivery to the brain. It’s a type of cerebrovascular accident or stroke.
- Hypoxic brain injury. This is secondary damage due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.
- Ischemic brain injury. This is secondary damage due to inadequate blood supply, which impairs oxygen delivery and waste removal.
- Diffuse axonal injury. One of the most severe forms of TBI, it results from rotational forces leading to widespread damage to nerve fibers.
About three-quarters of traumatic brain injuries are mild. However, tens of thousands of brain injuries every year are catastrophic injuries with severe, long-term effects.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The long-term effects of a TBI can vary widely, depending on the injury’s severity and location.
Potential complications include:
- Cognitive impairments such as impaired problem-solving, attention, and impulse control
- Physical challenges like motor function deficits
- Relationship challenges
- Emotional and behavioral changes
- Difficulty performing activities of daily living
- Sensory problems
These consequences can significantly impact quality of life, independence, and ability to work. It’s estimated that up to 5.3 million Americans are currently living with long-term disability caused by a brain injury.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries In Birmingham, AL?
Most traumatic brain injuries happen in accidents, often the result of someone’s negligence or carelessness.
The leading causes of TBI in Birmingham include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents, especially in construction, manufacturing, food production, and logistics
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and truck accidents
- Sports and recreation
According to the Alabama Head and Spinal Cord Injury Report, 5% of all brain injuries in the state in 2023 were due to shootings.
What Is My Birmingham Brain Injury Case Worth?
Determining the value of your case involves careful assessment of the factors unique to your situation.
Key considerations include:
- The severity of your brain injury, the medical care you have received, and the likely lasting effects of the injury
- Circumstances of your accident
- Whether you are able to return to work or perform any type of job, with or without training
- Insurance coverage available
- Your age, health, and lifestyle before your injury
At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, we will diligently document the losses you have suffered and demonstrate the life-changing effects of your injury. We are committed to pursuing maximum compensation to help you move forward with your life.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Traumatic Brain Injury In Birmingham, Alabama?
A traumatic brain injury can have a significant financial toll in addition to the emotional and physical burdens you may face. If your injury was caused by someone else’s wrongdoing or reckless behavior, you may seek compensatory damages in Alabama.
When someone is found liable for another’s injuries, they are responsible for the victim’s financial losses or economic damages.
You may pursue damages for economic losses like:
- Current and future medical costs
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and counseling
- Loss of earnings during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity, or the loss of future income, if you are disabled
- Out-of-pocket costs like assistive devices, housekeeping, and home health aides
- Property damages
The at-fault party is also responsible for compensating the victim for non-economic damages. This includes physical pain, emotional and psychological suffering, disfigurement, and reduced quality of life.
If your case goes to court, a jury may award punitive damages to deter similar behavior and punish the defendant. These damages can be awarded if the at-fault party acted with intentional malice, fraud, oppression, or wanton disregard for the lives of others.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Fault for My Accident In Birmingham, Alabama?
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Under Alabama Code § 11-93-1, if you are even 1% at fault for your accident, you cannot recover any compensation.
Contributory negligence is a harsh rule that only a few states still use. Because any mistake on your part that contributed to your injury may bar you from financial recovery, legal representation is crucial. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured party to avoid paying claims. Schedule a free consultation with a Birmingham brain injury lawyer to protect your rights.
How Long Do I Have To File a Brain Injury Lawsuit In Alabama?
You have a limited amount of time to pursue an injury claim. For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the injury. The statute of limitations sets a deadline for how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Alabama. If you fail to file within the required time, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation.
Medical malpractice cases generally have a two-year deadline. If the injury was not immediately discovered, you may have six months from the date of discovery to file. Medical malpractice claims cannot be brought more than four years from the date of the injury, however.
Intentional torts, such as assault, have a six-year statute of limitations.
If the brain injury victim is a minor or mentally incapacitated, exceptions may apply. However, waiting too long to take legal action can jeopardize your case. It’s best to consult with a Birmingham personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your claim.
Contact Our Birmingham Brain Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a serious brain injury in Birmingham, Alabama, Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers is prepared to fight for your rights and the compensation you are counting on. With over 93 years of combined experience, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and securing justice for brain injury victims.
Schedule your free case evaluation with a Birmingham brain injury lawyer today. We will help you understand your options and take the next steps toward recovery.