A Traumatic Brain Injury Can Be Diagnosed Years Later
Yes, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be diagnosed years later, depending on the condition’s cause and severity. A moderate or severe TBI can be diagnosed a few hours or days after an injury and may easily affect a victim’s physical, emotional, and cognitive functions for years.
Some TBIs, however, can stay hidden for weeks, months, or years, and when they’re diagnosed, the damage inflicted on the brain is often irreversible.
Can Traumatic Brain Injury Be Diagnosed Years Later?
For some patients, the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may appear immediately after the accident, while for others, they may appear years later. Some patients report TBI symptoms 20 years after a traumatic event. Many of these cases involve athletes in sports like hockey, football, and baseball, who may suffer multiple head injuries while playing.
However, many other accidents and traumatic events may cause a TBI victim to experience symptoms several years later. These symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, light sensitivity, hearing loss, anxiety, and depression. Even though delayed symptoms are mainly associated with severe TBI cases, medical experts have also raised concerns about the long-term consequences of concussions.
Many people don’t take concussions seriously since they frequently occur in sports, where athletes sustain a head injury and play in the next game. However, a recent report from the American Academy of Neurology indicates that even symptoms of mild concussions may take months or even years to appear.
What Are the Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that more than 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury yearly, with older adults and children being the most at risk.
Various reasons cause these TBI cases, including:
- Sports-related injuries
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Assaults and violent crimes
- Domestic violence
- Bicycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
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How Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Help Your Case?
Long-term medical treatment for a traumatic brain injury is costly. In your recovery journey, you’ll likely accumulate substantial medical bills that could bring about bankruptcy, especially if you don’t have multiple income streams. Fortunately, we can help you can pursue a compensation claim.
Our traumatic brain injury attorney can do the following to help your case:
- Investigate the events surrounding the accident that caused your traumatic brain injury
- Enlist accident reconstruction experts to recreate the accident, determine causation and identify all liable parties
- Gather and preserve evidence needed to bolster your case
- Interview witnesses present at the accident scene and record their statements
- Access your medical records and the doctor’s notes and use them to prove the extent of your injury
- Answer all your questions regarding the legal process
What Damages Can You Recover in a TBI Lawsuit?
Darryl “The Hammer” Isaacs can review the details of your case and help you pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Past, ongoing, and future medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Reduced quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Punitive damages, if applicable
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When Should You File a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit?
Different states set strict deadlines on when victims of traumatic brain injuries may pursue legal action. These are the time limits for filing a traumatic brain injury in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky:
Ohio
According to Ohio Revised Code §2305.10, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury. On the other hand, Ohio Revised Code §2125.02 dictates that you also have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you’ve lost a loved one to a traumatic brain injury.
Indiana
According to IC §34-11-2-4, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you’ve suffered a TBI. In addition, IC §34-20-3-1 affirms that you also have two years to file a product liability lawsuit if you’ve suffered a TBI due to a defective product.
Kentucky
According to Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §304.39-230, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you’ve suffered a TBI in a vehicle accident. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §413.140(1) states that you have only one year to file a personal injury lawsuit if you’ve suffered a TBI in any other accident.
On the other hand, Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §413.180 affirms that you have one year to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you’ve lost a loved one to a TBI. In all cases, the statute of limitations clock for personal injury starts running after the accident’s date or when the victim discovers the injury. For wrongful death, the clock starts ticking after the victim’s demise.
