Brain Injury Attorney in Sevierville, TN

CT scan image of brain with front left of brain highlighted red indicating injury

There is simply no such thing as a “minor” brain injury. Concussions, skull fractures, and other such injuries frequently leave patients with long-term side effects that prevent them from working or enjoying their favorite activities. Moreover, the long-term medical care they necessitate can be very costly and last a lifetime.

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault, The Terry Law Firm is ready to help you pursue compensation from the liable party. We have over 60 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients to date. We know what it takes to win these cases, and we’re ready to put our knowledge to work for you.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a brain injury attorney in Sevierville, Tennessee.

What Is a Brain Injury?

According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are typically caused by a sharp blow or penetrating wound to the head. Doctors refer to brain injuries caused by penetrating objects as open brain injuries because the interior of the cranium has been exposed. A closed brain injury is one in which there is little or no external damage.

Blunt-force trauma to the head can cause the brain to slam against the skull, damaging brain cells and potentially leading to bleeding in the brain. An object penetrating the skull can damage brain tissues and blood vessels, causing catastrophic effects. A penetration injury can cause additional harm if skull fragments damage brain tissue or blood vessels.

What Are the Signs of a Brain Injury After an Accident?

Different brain injuries often have different symptoms, which depend in part on the severity of the damage.

Signs and symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Headaches
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Blurry vision
  • Vertigo and dizziness
  • Heightened sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
  • Changes in the sense of smell and taste
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks
  • Memory problems
  • Changes in sleep habits
  • Feeling confused, disoriented, or dazed
  • Heightened anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Losing consciousness for a few seconds

Symptoms of a severe traumatic brain injury may include:

  • Losing consciousness for several minutes or longer
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Dilated pupils in one or both eyes
  • Intense, persistent headaches
  • Clear fluid draining from the ears or nose
  • Feeling uncoordinated when moving
  • Numbness or weakness in the fingers or toes
  • Slurred speech
  • Strong feelings of confusion and disorientation
  • Feeling unusually or easily irritated
  • Coma

It can be challenging to diagnose traumatic brain injuries in young children or infants because they cannot communicate like older children or adults. Some brain injury symptoms to watch for in babies or young children include:

  • Persistent crying and an inability to be consoled
  • The child is quickly or unusually irritated
  • Seizures
  • Changes in the child’s sleep habits
  • Depressed mood or appetite
  • Drowsiness or difficulty focusing
  • The child no longer wants to do their favorite activities

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Some of the most common causes of brain injuries in Sevierville include:

Types of Brain Injuries

Some common types of brain injuries include:

  • Concussions – A concussion is a bruise that forms on the brain after it hits the skull’s interior. This can happen if someone experiences a sudden, intense change in momentum, such as a car accident or a fall.
  • Hemorrhages and hematomas – Both hemorrhages and hematomas are brain injuries related to internal bleeding. A traumatic brain hemorrhage is usually the result of an external blow to the head, causing blood to seep into the brain. By contrast, hematomas are usually the result of blood clots. A clot can cause blood vessels in the brain to burst and blood to pool within the brain.
  • Shear injuries – A shear injury occurs when something shakes the brain or when it experiences sharp and severe rotation. When this happens, the external stress on the brain can cause nerve fibers to stretch and tear. Doctors also refer to these injuries as diffuse-axonal injuries.
  • Coup-contrecoup injuries – A coup-contrecoup injury occurs when something causes the brain to shake back and forth within the skull. As the brain slams back and forth, it sustains more damage each time it hits the skull. You can think of coup-contrecoup injuries as someone getting multiple concussions in rapid succession.
  • Skull fractures – A hard blow to or penetration of the head can cause the skull to fracture. Fragments from a skull fracture can damage blood vessels and brain tissue, which can be fatal.
  • Edemas – When the skull fractures, it can put unsafe pressure on the brain. This pressure can cause severe harm or death if a patient does not receive rapid medical treatment.

What Kind of Compensation Could I Get After a TBI?

You could potentially recover compensation for a range of losses, including the following:

  • Past and future medical bills related to your injury
  • Expenses for in-home assistance
  • Lost wages and reduced future earnings
  • Physical pain and emotional distress
  • Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability

How Our Lawyers Help Brain Injury Victims in Sevierville

You have enough to worry about after suffering a brain injury. We want to make the legal process as easy for you as possible. Our Sevierville brain injury attorneys can help with your case by:

  • Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
  • Identifying who is liable for your brain injury
  • Filing an insurance claim on your behalf
  • Reviewing any documents before submitting them
  • Handling communications with the insurance companies
  • Negotiating for a fair insurance settlement
  • Taking your case to court, if it becomes necessary

Contact Our Sevierville Brain Injury Lawyers Now

At The Terry Law Firm, our Sevierville brain injury lawyers want to help if you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault. Contact us today for a free consultation and advice about your best legal options for securing maximum compensation.