Traumatic Brain Injury Law Firm in Western Washington

A traumatic brain injury accident can have a lifelong impact on an individual’s ability to work and participate in everyday activities. When a victim is involved in a traumatic brain injury accident, they may be entitled to compensation to help them overcome the challenges associated with their new reality. At Kode Law Firm, PLLC, our team of knowledgeable personal injury attorneys has the skills and experience necessary to act as your advocate to earn you the damages you’re owed following a traumatic brain injury.

Our team of knowledgeable attorneys aren’t merely skilled at litigating TBI cases; they’re also bilingual, offering comprehensive services to clients speaking English, Spanish, Hindi, and Punjabi. Find the help you need to litigate your traumatic brain injury case by contacting Kode Law today.

Understanding Western Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Law

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a number of different incidents, ranging from innocent to criminal in nature. The following outline just some of the reasons victims can suffer a TBI:

• Unintentional falls
• Sports injuries
• Gunshot wounds
• Physical aggression
• Vehicular accidents
• Being struck by an object

TBIs can cause many different problems; some of them may be short-term, while others can last a lifetime. Changes to thinking, bodily sensation, emotions, and language are all common side effects for those who have incurred a brain injury. If you experience any of the following, you may have a traumatic brain injury that could entitle you to compensation, depending on how the injury was sustained:

• Lost consciousness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light/sound sensitivity
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Sleep pattern changes
• Lost balance

Types of TBI Legal Cases

In general, traumatic brain injuries are difficult to prove, since a TBI victim can often look completely normal. For this reason, it’s critically important for victims to collect evidence to prove that their case was either the result of a preventable personal injury (negligence) or medical malpractice. To achieve this, victims will need the following to strengthen their case:

• Demonstrative Evidence: Things like CT scans, medical records, X-rays, diagrams, and computer simulations are all helpful in establishing the basis for your case. With these materials, a skilled attorney can illustrate the extent of the injury, prove that the victim sustained significant cognitive, physical, or emotional damage, and connect the TBI to a specific incident.
• Expert Witnesses: The key to winning a TBI case is having an expert witness available, such as a neuropsychologist or neurologist. These experts can be used to educate the jury about the injury’s severity and how it will impact the victim’s life moving forward. Additional witnesses — such as individuals close to the victim — may also be used to speak to the changes they’ve personally seen in the victim’s behavior or abilities since the brain injury occurred.

A skilled attorney will be able to help collect the evidence necessary for successfully litigating your case.

Traumatic Brain Injury & Washington State Laws

Washington state currently has three statutes in place to help protect victims of TBI accidents. The following outlines what these statutes are, and how they help bolster protections for traumatic brain injury victims:

• Wash. Rev. Code §74.31.020: Establishes the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council, requiring partners to provide an annual report making strategic recommendations and revisions to the statewide plan for TBI prevention.
• Wash. Rev. Code §28A.600.190: Requires each Washington school district’s board of directors to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to educate coaches, athletes, parents, and students about head injury, including the dangers associated with continuing athletics despite sustaining such an injury. It also requires athletes suspected of sustaining a TBI to be removed from play until they are cleared by a licensed health care provider.
• 2009 Wash. Laws, Chap. 447: Creates a special workgroup between the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs to ensure persons with developmental disabilities in correctional facilities are appropriately screened and provided the proper accommodations during confinement.

Violation of these statutes may result in legal action, which may be applicable to your case. If you feel your TBI was caused in part by a violation of these statutes, consult with your Kode Law attorney to better understand what legal options may be available.

FAQs for Western Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits

What is the statute of limitations on traumatic brain injury cases?

Traumatic brain injuries are considered personal injury cases in Washington state, and therefore have a statute of limitation of three years.

What damages can I claim after a TBI?

Victims of TBI accidents can claim the following damages:

• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Damaged property

What should I do after sustaining a TBI?

If you suspect you’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury, you should seek immediate medical attention. If the injury was caused by an accident, rely on the person with you to record all the details from the scene of the accident. If you are alone, contact someone you trust to come to the scene and act as your ally to record all the details related to the incident. Should the accident be caused by medical malpractice, you should immediately establish care with another doctor and request all medical records from the previous medical professional. After you’ve received appropriate care, contact an attorney to discuss the details of your case and establish whether or not legal action should be your next step. Be sure to carefully document all medical expenses, lost wages, and any other expenses related to your injury, as these will help when it comes time to recover damages.

Kode Law for Western Washington’s Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI, the knowledgeable attorneys at Kode Law can provide the assistance you need to get the compensation you’re owed. We’ve helped countless victims collect damages following their traumatic brain injury, providing them the assistance they need to acclimate to their new reality. Contact our team to schedule your initial consultation today.