The Centers for Disease Control reports that in the United States, traumatic brain injuries account for 2.8 million emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths annually. In fact, nearly two percent of all hospital visits are related to a traumatic brain injury. The severity of this type of injury can vary widely. However, many patients who have a traumatic brain injury will need medical help, living assistance, and therapies for the rest of their lives.
If you are hurt in this way by someone else’s negligent actions, help is available in the form of a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney. A Bolingbrook traumatic brain injury lawyer may be able to help you or your family member legally recover for damages related to a traumatic brain injury if it was caused directly by another party’s carelessness or intentional act.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Any damage to the brain from a bump, jolt, blow or another type of impact and sheer force to the brain can be classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to information provided by the National Institutes of Health, over half of all TBIs are so severe that they result in hospitalizations. Particularly severe brain injuries can cause permanent brain damage and may even be fatal.
A traumatic brain injury can be caused by many different accidents and situations such as falls or recreational/sporting activities. However, approximately half of all TBIs can be attributed to motor vehicle accidents. Symptoms of a brain injury may include:
- A lingering or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Difficulty or inability to awaken from sleep
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
- Dilated eye pupils
Time Limits on Legal Action
Anyone who is considering filing a lawsuit for a traumatic brain injury should be aware that Illinois has a statute of limitations—or more simply, a deadline—for filing these types of claims. As per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, plaintiffs have only two years from the date of their injury to file a claim for civil relief. In some cases, a discovery date may apply, which means the deadline established by the statute of limitations is two years from the date that the injury was discovered rather than when it occurred.
While a plaintiff can still file a case if the deadline has passed, it would usually be thrown out by the courts at the request of the defendant and their attorney. Plaintiffs have a much higher chance of successfully navigating a lawsuit when their claim is filed on time. A Bolingbrook traumatic brain injury lawyer could help plaintiffs determine when their statute of limitations will expire and ensure their case is filed prior to that date.
What a Bolingbrook Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Could Do to Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may be facing extremely high medical bills both now and in the future. This can cause a lot of stress on an already worried family. If the traumatic brain injury occurred due to the actions of another party, you have legal options that might help.
A seasoned Bolingbrook traumatic brain injury lawyer may be able to help you receive compensation to pay these bills and help allay your physical and emotional pain. Call today to learn more about how representation from a skilled attorney may benefit you.