Why Choose Kapuza Lighty Accident Injury Lawyers?
You have thousands of law firms to choose from in Washington. Understandably, you may be wondering what sets Kapuza Lighty apart from other firms. For one, we offer personalized service that you won’t find with many other TBI attorneys. Second, you won’t ever be just another case file on our desk. We genuinely care about all our clients, and our top priority is protecting your rights.
We empathize with what you are going through and understand the tremendous pressure and stress you and your family are under during this time. The last thing you need is to deal with insurance companies and attorneys that don’t care about your injuries or prognosis.
We will put our years of experience to work for you and handle all the arduous legal tasks while you concentrate on your recovery. We have a proven record of success with personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury cases. Whether your brain injury is severe or relatively mild, we will provide the best representation possible.
Examples of prior brain injury case results include:
- $2,000,000 settlement for a forklift accident resulting in a severe brain injury;
- $1,955,000 settlement for a Yakima Valley woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident; and
- $1,500,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident resulting in a brain injury; and
- $100,000 for a trip and fall claim resulting in a concussion and dental injuries.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Schedule a meeting with us to learn more about how we can assist you with your traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
With a traumatic brain injury, there are three main categories of symptoms to watch for—physical, emotional, and cognitive.
Physical symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can include blurred vision, dizziness, loss of vision, and repeated headaches.
Emotional symptoms include changes in mood, such as agitation, depression, or irritability. In addition, you may have a change in appetite and notice some overall personality changes. Cognitive symptoms of a TBI can include problems concentrating, short-term memory loss, amnesia, and disorientation.
Some brain injuries are initially undiagnosed because there was no impact on the head. Some victims do not realize they have a brain injury as there was no loss of consciousness either. However, unseen brain injuries can occur, such as whiplash in an auto accident.
Types of a Traumatic Brain Injury
There are multiple types of traumatic brain injuries. Here’s a summary of some that commonly occur.
Concussion
Concussions are probably one of the most common types of brain trauma. They can result from a direct impact to the head. But they can also happen through indirect impact, like a violent shaking that occurs with whiplash in a car accident.
While many people assume concussions are mild, they can present long-lasting problems, including post-concussion syndrome that can last months or even a year. While most people with a concussion fully recover, you should always seek medical treatment right away.
Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries
A coup-contrecoup brain injury occurs when there are contusions on both sides of the brain. The first occurs when there is an impact to the head, while the second one results when the brain rebounds and hits the other side of the head.
Brain Contusions and Hematomas
Contusions involve severe bruising of brain tissue. If there is swelling (edema), you may need surgery to reduce your intracranial pressure; otherwise, you could have permanent damage.
Hematomas involve heavy bleeding around or into the brain. They are different from contusions. Contusions involve veins and capillaries that burst, while hematomas involve pooling blood outside of a blood vessel. Hematomas are typically more extensive and often more severe than contusions.
Penetrating Brain Injury
A brain injury that is penetrating means something pushed into the brain through the skull. These are common with stab wounds or gunshot injuries. Unfortunately, many penetrating brain injuries are fatal.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A diffuse axonal injury is when the brain tears because it doesn’t move at the same rate as the skull. This occurs from intense twisting or shaking of the head, which can occur in car accidents too.
Potential Damages in a TBI Case
Damages in a traumatic brain injury claim will vary based on the circumstances of your case. However, many brain injuries involve permanent damage, even if the trauma is relatively minor.
When pursuing a claim for compensation, your TBI lawyer may ask for some or all of the following damages:
- Medical expenses to date;
- Future expected medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning capacity;
- Disability;
- Property damage;
- Physical pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of consortium.
Unfortunately, Washington is one of the only states that does not allow punitive damages in most lawsuits. Unlike other states, you cannot ask for extra damages in cases where the defendant’s behavior was intentional, reckless, or outrageous. Instead, your compensation is limited to compensatory damages such as those listed above.
Contact Our Brain Injury Law Firm Today
If you are suffering from a brain injury and need assistance pursuing a claim, let the skilled team of TBI attorneys at Kapuza & Lighty Accident Injury Lawyers help. We have decades of experience handling personal injury matters, including traumatic brain injuries.
Let us put our knowledge and expertise to work for you and fight for the compensation you are owed.
Contact our office online today or call (509) 866-4166 to schedule an initial consultation. Let us review your case and advise you on the best course of legal action.
