Charleston Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident caused by someone else’s bad behavior, you need legal counsel from an advocate who puts people above profits. You need Joe Cunningham Law.

A former U.S. Congressman, Joe Cunningham founded his law practice to provide personalized, compassionate representation to injury victims in Charleston and across South Carolina. If you have a TBI case in South Carolina, Joe will be your ally every step of the way as he works diligently to secure the compensation you are owed. With Joe as your advocate, you can have peace of mind knowing your case is in experienced, trustworthy hands.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation case review with a Charleston brain injury lawyer.

What Are the Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

The term “traumatic brain injury” refers to damage to the brain resulting from external mechanical forces, like violent blows or jolts to the head. These types of head trauma and brain injuries could give rise to a personal injury claim:

Concussions – A concussion is the most common type of TBI. It happens when a force or blow to the head or body causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth within the skull, damaging brain cells and sometimes resulting in loss of consciousness.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries – A diffuse axonal injury is a severe TBI that happens when the head is strongly shaken or twisted, causing the brain to rotate within the skull. This can damage nerve fibers (axons) that connect the brain’s hemispheres, possibly causing permanent brain damage.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries – This type of head injury occurs when the force of impact is so great that it causes injuries on both sides of the brain. First, there’s one at the point of impact (coup injury), then another on the opposite side of the brain where it strikes the skull wall (contrecoup injury).
Penetrating Injuries – This type of TBI occurs when an object penetrates the skull and exposes or damages the brain’s soft tissue. The resulting injury is often severe and life-threatening.
Anoxic Brain Injuries – This injury isn’t caused by a blow to the head but by a total lack of oxygen to the brain. It can occur due to medical malpractice, near-drowning incidents, or exposure to hazardous chemicals, often leading to severe cognitive impairments.
Hypoxic Brain Injuries – A hypoxic brain injury occurs when the brain receives some, but not enough, oxygen. While this situation is less immediately severe than an anoxic brain injury, the reduced oxygen supply can still cause significant damage to brain cells over time.

What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries in South Carolina?

Traumatic brain injuries can occur under various circumstances, often due to preventable accidents or events stemming from carelessness, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing.

Common causes of brain injuries in South Carolina include the following:

Vehicle Accidents – Car, truck, motorcycle, and other types of vehicle accidents are a leading cause of TBIs. The impact of a collision can cause a person’s head to strike hard surfaces or result in violent jolts that injure the brain.
Falls – Falls from heights, slip-and-fall accidents, and tripping incidents can all lead to TBIs. Such falls can occur at home, at work, in public spaces, or in nursing homes, especially when unsafe conditions are present.
Sports Injuries – Contact or high-impact sports such as football, boxing, hockey, and cheerleading can result in TBIs due to falls or sharp blows to the head or body.
Violence – Acts of violence, including assault, domestic violence, and gunshot wounds, contribute to many TBIs. Some children suffer TBIs due to child abuse at home or school.
Work-Related Injuries – Certain occupations, particularly those in construction, manufacturing, and jobs involving heights or heavy machinery, pose a higher risk of work-related TBIs.
Medical Malpractice – Surgical errors, improper medication administration, failure to diagnose, or any other type of negligence on the part of healthcare providers can lead to TBIs.

What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries can result in a wide array of symptoms ranging from subtle to debilitating, depending on the location and extent of the brain damage.

Mild traumatic brain injuries often have less obvious symptoms, such as:

Brief loss of consciousness
Confusion or disorientation
Headaches
Dizziness or nausea
Blurred vision or tired eyes
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Mood changes or mood swings
Memory or concentration difficulties
Trouble with attention or thinking
Fatigue or lethargy
Changes in sleep patterns

Even a mild TBI can disrupt your life significantly. While these symptoms might not appear serious at first, they should never be dismissed as they could indicate underlying brain damage.

Moderate to severe TBIs result in more intense symptoms than mild TBIs. They may appear immediately after the traumatic event or develop over a few hours or days.

Common symptoms of moderate to severe TBIs include the following:

Extended periods of unconsciousness or amnesia
Persistent or worsening headaches
Repeated vomiting or nausea
Convulsions or seizures
Dilated pupils
Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears

Weakness or numbness in fingers or toes
Losses of coordination
Profound confusion
Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behaviors
Slurred speech

What Are the Long-Term Impacts of a Brain Injury?

From a health standpoint, moderate to severe TBIs increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life. These include dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Ongoing physical issues can include seizures, blurred vision, paralysis, and loss of coordination. Victims also frequently suffer cognitive deficits like memory and concentration problems that do not go away over time. Many TBI victims also experience mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or even personality changes.

The financial consequences of a TBI can be substantial, too. These can include the immediate costs of emergency medical care and hospital stays, as well as ongoing expenses for rehabilitation, medications, home care, and specialist appointments. Moreover, a TBI can affect a person’s ability to work, either temporarily or permanently, sometimes leading to lost wages and lost future earning capacity.

Finally, the personal toll of a TBI can be just as severe as the physical and financial consequences. Personal relationships can become strained as family dynamics shift to accommodate caregiving responsibilities. If a patient is unable to participate in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed, they could experience a decrease in quality of life. The psychological impact of living with a TBI-related disability can be immense, leading to feelings of isolation, frustration, and even loss of identity.

What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

With the help of a knowledgeable brain injury law firm, you can file a TBI insurance claim or lawsuit to demand monetary compensation. If successful, you could receive money for the following TBI-related losses:

Past and future healthcare expenses
Incidental out-of-pocket expenses
Lost income from missed work

Lost lifetime earning capacity
Subjective losses like pain and suffering
Diminished quality or enjoyment of life

How Long Do I Have to File a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of injury to file most personal injury lawsuits, including TBI lawsuits. However, some exceptions exist, and a skilled personal injury attorney can determine whether and how they apply to your situation. Your lawyer can evaluate your specific circumstances, gather useful evidence, and file case paperwork on time to preserve your right to sue for compensation.

What Treatment Is There for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The specifics of a TBI treatment plan can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury as well as the individual patient’s needs. Doctors commonly prescribe the following types of treatments for TBIs:

Medications

Physicians might use diuretics, anti-seizure medications, or coma-inducing sedatives to manage swelling, seizures, pain, and other issues.

Surgeries

Some patients require surgeries to repair skull fractures, stop bleeding, or relieve pressure on the brain, particularly in severe TBI cases.

Rehabilitation

Physical, occupational, speech, and other rehab services help many TBI victims relearn skills and cope with new mobility, cognition, and communication limitations.

Assistive Technologies

Devices like wheelchairs, braces, communication boards, and memory aids provide greater independence to many patients post-injury.

Psychotherapy

Professional counseling can address the emotional consequences of TBI and help patients build coping strategies for cognitive dysfunction.

Get Started on Your Claim Today

843-633-3360 Schedule a Free Consultation

What a Charleston, SC, Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Can Do

A TBI can completely upend your life physically, emotionally, and financially. An experienced brain injury lawyer in Charleston, SC, can take the pressure off you in the aftermath by:

Providing an initial consultation to evaluate your case and explain your options
Calculating a fair value for your claim, including the value of projected future losses
Conducting a thorough investigation into the cause or causes of the TBI
Gathering medical records, bills, employment documentation, and other evidence
Consulting with medical experts to review your injuries and prognosis

Consulting financial experts to assess the long-term economic impact of the TBI
Identifying all potentially responsible parties and gathering evidence of liability
Negotiating with insurance companies to get full and fair compensation
Filing a lawsuit if the other side will not agree to a reasonable settlement
Handling all aspects of litigation and representing you in court if your case goes to trial

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Charleston, SC, Today

If a traumatic brain injury has upended your life, turn to someone who will always have your best interests in mind. Joe will stay in frequent contact about your case, level with you about your legal options, and stand up for your right to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Contact Joe Cunningham Law today for a free TBI case review with a Charleston brain injury attorney.

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