Omaha Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
A traumatic brain injury can completely alter the course of a person’s life in an instant. These injuries often result from sudden, violent impacts to the head, and their effects can range from temporary cognitive difficulties to permanent disabilities requiring lifelong care. Whether caused by a vehicle accident, workplace incident, or fall, victims face medical expenses, lost income, and profound changes to their daily lives.
The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm understand the severe challenges traumatic brain injury victims and their families confront. For more than 55 years, we have represented injured Nebraskans against insurance companies and negligent parties throughout Omaha and the surrounding communities. Our family-owned practice has secured multi-million dollar settlements for clients with brain injuries, including $3.1 million for a pedestrian brain injury case and $2.5 million for a traumatic brain injury case.
What Causes Traumatic Brain Injuries in Omaha?
Traumatic brain injuries occur when external force damages the brain, disrupting normal brain function. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that over 69,000 TBI-related deaths occurred in the United States in 2021, representing approximately 190 deaths every day. Understanding the common causes helps identify when someone else’s negligence led to your injury.
Vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries among adults in Nebraska. High-speed collisions, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents can all result in severe head trauma. Falls represent another major cause, particularly in construction site accidents and premises liability situations where property owners fail to maintain safe conditions.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Recognizing traumatic brain injury symptoms can be challenging because they may not appear immediately. Some symptoms develop within hours or days of the accident, while others emerge weeks later. Physical symptoms commonly include persistent headaches, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and balance problems that interfere with daily activities.
Cognitive symptoms affect mental functioning and can significantly impact work performance and personal relationships. Victims may experience memory problems, difficulty concentrating, confusion, slowed thinking, and challenges with problem-solving or decision-making. Communication difficulties, including trouble finding the right words or following conversations, are also common indicators that require medical evaluation.
Emotional and behavioral changes often accompany traumatic brain injuries. Many victims experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, or personality changes that their family members notice. Sleep disturbances, including sleeping more or less than usual or difficulty falling asleep, frequently compound other symptoms and slow the recovery process.
How Do Brain Injuries Affect Daily Life?
The consequences of traumatic brain injuries extend far beyond initial medical treatment. Victims may experience cognitive impairments affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. Physical symptoms often include persistent headaches, dizziness, vision problems, and difficulty with coordination.
Many survivors also struggle with emotional changes, experiencing depression, anxiety, mood swings, and personality shifts that strain relationships and affect employment. These psychological effects can be just as debilitating as physical symptoms, requiring ongoing mental health support and therapy to manage effectively.
What Is the Financial Impact of Brain Injuries?
Medical expenses for traumatic brain injury treatment can quickly become overwhelming. Emergency care, neurological assessments, imaging studies, and hospitalization costs mount rapidly in the immediate aftermath. Many patients require ongoing rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.
Some victims need specialized equipment, home modifications, and long-term care assistance. Lost wages compound the financial burden, as brain injury victims often cannot return to their previous employment either temporarily or permanently. Reduced earning capacity affects not only current income but future financial security.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Nebraska law allows traumatic brain injury victims to pursue compensation for multiple categories of damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses, including all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and costs for necessary accommodations or assistance. We work with medical experts and economists to accurately project lifetime care needs and financial impact.
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses without precise dollar values. These include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and diminished quality of life.
How Can Knowles Law Firm Help With Your Brain Injury Case?
Building a successful traumatic brain injury case requires extensive investigation and documentation. We gather medical records, consult with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists, and work with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. Our team examines every aspect of your accident to identify all liable parties and available insurance coverage.
This thorough approach has enabled us to recover maximum compensation for clients, including a $2.25 million settlement for a motor vehicle accident with traumatic brain injury and $1.84 million for a trucking accident involving brain trauma. Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize brain injury claims, arguing symptoms are exaggerated or pre-existing. We counter these tactics by presenting compelling medical evidence and expert testimony demonstrating the full extent of your injuries and their lasting impact.
Work With an Experienced Omaha Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney at Knowles Law Firm
If you or a family member suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need skilled legal representation to protect your rights and secure fair compensation. The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm have dedicated decades to helping injured Nebraskans navigate the legal process and hold responsible parties accountable. We are a family-owned practice that provides personalized service, and we have built our reputation on securing multi-million dollar settlements for clients with serious injuries.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward after a traumatic brain injury.
Frequently Asked Questions About TBI Claims in Nebraska
What is a traumatic brain injury, and how does it affect brain function?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden force or blow to the head disrupts normal brain function. It can range from a mild traumatic brain injury (like a concussion) to a severe traumatic brain injury, which may cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Damage can affect different parts of the brain tissue, depending on the location and severity of the injury, leading to issues like memory loss, speech problems, mood swings, or loss of consciousness.
What are the common causes of moderate to severe TBIs?
Moderate to severe TBIs often result from high-impact incidents such as motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, acts of violence, or being struck by an object. These events can cause the brain to move inside the skull or even suffer penetrating injuries, damaging sensitive brain tissue. If a head injury occurs in any of these situations, it’s essential to seek immediate medical care and legal consultation to evaluate the full extent of the trauma.
Why is it important to consult a lawyer after a traumatic brain injury?
Cases involving traumatic brain injuries are legally complex and require expert handling. Whether the injury is mild, moderate, or severe, an attorney can help you calculate future medical costs, hire expert witnesses, and prove the long-term impact on brain function. Insurance companies often offer low settlements, especially when the long-term effects of the injury aren’t immediately visible. A qualified lawyer ensures that the compensation reflects the full extent of the traumatic brain damage and its implications.
What are the long-term effects of a moderate to severe TBI?
A moderate to severe TBI can result in lasting impairments, including reduced cognitive abilities, difficulty concentrating, speech problems, and emotional instability. In some cases, brain tissue damage may worsen over time, leading to declining brain function. Recovery may require years of therapy or even lifelong support. Because symptoms may not appear immediately, long-term medical evaluations are crucial after any serious head injury.
How is a mild traumatic brain injury different from a severe one?
A mild traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, might involve short-term symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or headaches, with most people recovering fully. In contrast, a severe traumatic brain injury can lead to permanent damage to brain tissue, impairing physical abilities, memory, and brain function. Even moderate TBIs can have serious effects, especially if left untreated. That’s why every traumatic brain case should be evaluated by medical professionals, regardless of initial symptom severity.
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.
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