FAQ’s – Brain Injury Lawsuits

Brain Injury

Do I Have a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

Brain injuries are often called the “silent injury” because a person might look perfectly normal but their lives have been changed forever by their injury. The first step is to recognize that you have actually suffered a brain injury.  After more than thirty years of representing head injured clients, we have noticed that a person’s spouse or friends are the first to notice a brain injury.  If you experienced a blow to or a serious jolt of your head and you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you should ask your doctor if you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What Changes In My Thinking Indicate a Brain Injury?

  • Do you more often forget names, numbers, appointments, or things you said you
    would do?
  • Is it harder to follow a conversation among several people?
  • Is it harder to follow the plot of a movie, or remember what a speaker said?
  • Do you often re-read something you just read because you can not remember?
  • Do you get lost more easily?
  • Do people tell you they didn’t know what you meant by something? Or that you used
    a different word than you think you used?
  • Is it more difficult to remember what you should be doing next?
  • Is it harder to learn a new procedure or task?
  • Is it harder to write notes while a speaker goes on to a new topic?
  • Do you sometimes forget to plan for something important?

What Changes In My Emotions Indicate a Brain Injury?

  • Do you laugh or cry more often, or at times that are not appropriate?
  • Do you lose your temper or get impatient more easily?
  • Have you recently had problems on a job, or serious arguments with others?
  • Does your spouse, close friend, or child get angry at you more often, or seem
    afraid of you?
  • Are you more sad or depressed than before?
  • Do you get restless, irritated, or agitated more often?
  • Do you have more trouble sleeping?

What Physical Changes Indicate a Brain Injury?

  • Does noise bother you more than before?
  • Do you lose your balance more often?
  • Do you have blurred or double vision?
  • Do you have headaches more often?
  • Do you find that you can’t smell or taste things as well as before?
  • Is speech more difficult, or do people find it difficult to understand your words?
  • Have you had seizures?

These and symptoms like them are often signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  If you have suffered a blow or a serious jolt to the head and have symptoms like these, we urge you to ask your doctor if these symptoms indicate you have a traumatic brain injury.  Your doctor will likely refer you to a neuropsychologist for testing to see if you have a TBI and to grade the seriousness of the TBI.

How Do I Find The Right Lawyer to Handle My Brain Injury Lawsuit?

Start by finding a lawyer who has had experience in handling many brain injury lawsuits in the past.  Because a person with a brain injury often looks perfectly healthy, it is difficult to prove the injury to a jury or a judge.  A lawyer who understands the symptoms of TBI and the details of neuropsychological testing can make all the difference in convincing the jury or judge that you have suffered a TBI.  For example, Houston attorney Richard LaGarde has over 30 years of experience in representing clients who have suffered brain injuries in both Texas and Louisiana.  He has presented testimony from numerous neuropsychologists and neurologists in both Texas and Louisiana to prove that his clients suffered brain injuries even in cases where there were no physical signs of injury.

Next, find a lawyer who is an expert in trial work and is respected by his fellow lawyers and by judges.  One of the best indicators of that experience and respect is board certification.  For example, attorney Richard LaGarde is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Personal Injury Trial Law and in Civil Trial Law, a distinction achieved by less than one-half of one percent of Texas attorneys.

If we can help you learn whether you have a brain injury lawsuit, call us, toll free, at 1 (866) 524-2733 for a free consultation or fill out the contact form on our Contact Us page.

By Mary Ellis LaGarde

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