A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen in an instant — a car crash, a fall, a blow to the head — and change a person's life forever. TBIs range from mild concussions to severe injuries that result in permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, loss of motor function, and the inability to live independently.
In Oklahoma, TBIs are among the most common catastrophic injuries resulting from car accidents, truck accidents, workplace accidents, and falls. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else's negligence, understanding your legal rights is critical.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs exist on a spectrum of severity:
- Mild TBI (concussion) — temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, headache, memory problems. Symptoms typically resolve within weeks, but some people experience prolonged post-concussion syndrome.
- Moderate TBI — loss of consciousness lasting minutes to hours, significant cognitive and physical impairment that may be permanent.
- Severe TBI — extended unconsciousness or coma, permanent cognitive and physical disability, or death.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) — widespread damage to the brain's white matter, often caused by violent shaking or rotation of the head, as in high-speed crashes.
Why TBI Cases Are Particularly Challenging
TBI cases present unique legal and medical challenges. First, mild to moderate TBIs are often "invisible" injuries — they may not show up on standard CT scans or MRIs, making it easy for insurance companies to argue that the injury is not serious or was not caused by the accident. Second, the full extent of a TBI may not be apparent for months or years after the injury, as the brain continues to heal (or fail to heal) over time.
Insurance companies routinely attempt to minimize TBI claims by arguing that symptoms are exaggerated, pre-existing, or unrelated to the accident. Having an attorney who understands the medical science of TBIs — and who works with the right experts — is essential.
Compensation for TBI Victims in Oklahoma
The lifetime costs of a severe TBI can be staggering. A comprehensive TBI claim should account for:
- Emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Neurosurgery and specialist care
- Rehabilitation — physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapy
- Long-term care and assisted living costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Home modifications and adaptive equipment
- Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for the victim's spouse and family
In severe cases, the lifetime economic damages alone can exceed several million dollars. This is why it is critical to work with an attorney who will fight for the full value of your claim — not just the immediate medical bills.
Acting Quickly Is Critical
In TBI cases, preserving evidence is especially important. Accident reconstruction, medical expert testimony, and neuropsychological evaluation all take time to arrange. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better positioned you will be to build a comprehensive case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Oklahoma, call me at (918) 640-7383 for a free consultation. I handle TBI cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.