Baton Rouge Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Baton Rouge, LA

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic head injury, having a trusted legal advocate is crucial. At Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege, our Baton Rouge brain injury lawyer team has decades of experience representing clients across Louisiana who have faced life-altering brain injuries. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that these injuries can take, and we are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the legal process while maximizing your compensation under the law.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana brain injury lawyers at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege have extensive experience representing brain-damaged clients who sustained injuries for a variety of causes, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, defective highways, defective ICC under-ride guards or bumpers on 18-wheelers, drug interactions, near drowning, falls, falling objects, sports and athletic accidents, and medical malpractice.

Knowledge and Experience You Can Trust

At Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege, we pride ourselves on delivering top-tier legal representation for injury victims throughout Louisiana. Our partner, Scott Andrews, serves as President of the Louisiana Association for Justice, highlighting our commitment to advancing personal injury law in the state.

With a track record of securing hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, our team blends rigorous legal knowledge with strategic, determined advocacy to achieve the optimal results for every client.

Understanding Brain Injuries

With 586 traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related hospitalizations per day, over 24 million head injuries reported in 2022, and falls leading to 50% of all TBI-related hospitalizations, it’s important to note that brain injuries are caused by a variety of sources, including illness, infection, trauma (traumatic brain injury) and loss of oxygen (anoxic brain injury).

Common causes of traumatic brain injuries are automobile accidents, sports injuries, and falls, and usually involve either a penetrating injury to the brain, or a closed head injury caused by a sudden, violent motion causing the brain to hit against the skull, or by a blow to the head.

Loss of consciousness and memory loss are often associated with severe brain injury. Other signs and symptoms of brain damage include dilated pupils, respiratory issues, convulsions, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the nose or ears, speech and language problems, vision issues, and emotional and behavioral changes.

Knowing what the different types of brain injuries are can help you understand their potential effects and why strong legal representation is so important. They include:

• Concussions are often called mild traumatic brain injuries, but even a single concussion can have lasting consequences.
• Contusions are bruising of the brain tissue that could require surgery in severe cases.
• Diffuse axonal injuries are caused by strong rotational forces, leading to widespread brain damage.
• Penetrating injuries occur when an object pierces the skull and damages brain tissue directly.
• Anoxic or hypoxic injuries are the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause extensive, irreversible harm.

Even a seemingly minor head injury should never be ignored. The Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege have the knowledge and resources needed to evaluate these injuries, explain their legal implications, and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Typical Symptoms of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can affect each person differently, and the symptoms of one could either appear immediately or develop over time. Recognizing the typical symptoms early on is crucial, both for seeking proper medical care and for understanding the full impact of the injury. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Cognitive changes. These include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, confusion, or trouble making decisions.
• Physical symptoms. These include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, or loss of coordination.
• Sensory issues. These include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light or sound, or changes in taste and smell.
• Emotional and behavioral changes. These include irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, or sudden personality shifts.
• Sleep disturbances. These include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing excessive sleepiness.

In addition, brain injury can result in a long-term comatose or vegetative state, loss of use of the arms or legs, difficulty talking or communicating, and the inability to comprehend and understand. Most severe brain injuries are easily diagnosed and recognized due to the obvious nature of the injury and its consequences.

Other times, the damages are more subtle. Emotional and behavioral changes following an accident can indicate a brain injury. Symptoms such as inappropriate mood swings or anger, decreased ability to tell right from wrong, or having to leave notes around the house to remember simple and basic everyday tasks.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after an accident, the Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege can help evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can happen in a wide range of everyday situations, often when least expected, and they can have a devastating effect on your life. Understanding the common causes can help you recognize when legal action might be necessary and why having experienced representation matters. Some common causes of brain injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Sports injuries
• Medical errors

No matter the cause, recovering from a brain injury can be overwhelming. That’s why the experienced Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege are here to help guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Evidence and Expert Testimony

Building a strong brain injury case requires thorough evidence and credible expert testimony. The right documentation and professional insights can make a significant difference in proving the severity of the injury and the impact it had on your life. Some of the key elements include:

• Medical records. Including detailed reports, imaging scans, and treatment histories that establish the extent of the injury.
• Accident documentation. Including police reports, witness statements, and photos or videos from the scene.
• Expert testimony. Including specialists like neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation professionals can explain the injury’s long-term effects.
• Functional assessments. Like evaluations showing how the injury affects daily activities, work, and your overall quality of life.

Collecting and presenting this evidence effectively requires experience and precision. The Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege coordinate these resources to build compelling cases that give clients the most favorable chance at fair compensation.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Recovering from a brain injury often involves far more than just medical treatment. These injuries can affect every part of life, and a successful legal claim should account for both your current needs and the challenges you might face in the future. Potential areas of compensation include:

• Medical expenses. Including hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up care, and ongoing therapy.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity. Including income, you’ve already missed, and the long-term impact on your career.
• Rehabilitation and assistive devices. Including the cost of physical therapy, occupational therapy, or specialized equipment.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Compensation for the personal toll the brain injuries had on your life and relationships.
• Long-term care needs. Like support services or in-home assistance for severe injuries.

Determining the full value of your case requires careful documentation and experienced legal advocacy. The Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege work to ensure every loss is identified and pursued so you receive the compensation you truly deserve.

What to Do After a Suspected Brain Injury?

A brain injury isn’t always obvious right away. Symptoms can appear hours or even days after an accident, which is why it’s important to act quickly if you suspect one. Taking the right steps early protects both your health and your legal rights, and those steps include:

• Seek immediate medical care.
• Document all medical visits, test results, and any changes in your condition.
• Avoid giving statements to insurers without seeking legal advice.
• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter.
• Contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Prompt action ensures that injuries are diagnosed and treated properly, and it gives your legal team the strongest opportunity to gather evidence before it disappears. The attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege can guide you through these critical early steps.

Challenges in Proving Brain Injury Cases

Brain injury cases are often complex because the effects aren’t always visible, and symptoms can vary widely from one person to another. Proving the full extent of the injury requires detailed medical evidence and careful legal strategy. Common hurdles include:

• Delayed or subtle symptoms. Injuries may not show up on initial scans, but still have life-changing effects.
• Disputes over cause. Insurance companies may claim the injury existed before the accident or wasn’t severe.
• High standard of proof. Demonstrating how the injury affects work, relationships, and daily life requires expert testimony.
• Bias against invisible injuries. Juries and adjusters sometimes underestimate brain injuries because they can’t see them like a broken bone.

Overcoming these challenges takes experience and resources. The Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other specialists to clearly explain how your injury occurred and how it impacts your future.

Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer

When you’re facing the aftermath of a serious brain injury, choosing the right attorney isn’t just about legal experience; it’s about having someone on your side who knows your community and understands the courts where your case is heard. A Baton Rouge-based legal team can anticipate how local juries and insurers handle brain injury cases, which helps build strategies tailored to your specific circumstances.

The attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege are deeply familiar with Baton Rouge’s legal landscape, including the 19th Judicial District Court and the Louisiana Middle District Court, among others. This local knowledge means your case is prepared and presented with insight into how things work right here at home.

With decades of experience representing Louisiana injury victims and a proven track record of success, Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege combines aggressive advocacy with personal attention.

FAQs

Q: Can Brain Injuries from Repetitive Minor Trauma Be Legally Compensated?

A: Brain injuries from repetitive minor trauma, often referred to as cumulative or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), can sometimes form the basis of a legal claim in some contexts. While challenging, our Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys can gather medical records, expert testimony, and employment or sports history to establish causation and liability. Success depends on proving a link between repeated minor incidents and long-term neurological damage.

Q: How Do Insurance Companies Evaluate Brain Injury Claims Differently from Other Injuries?

A: Insurance companies often view brain injury claims as high-risk due to potential long-term costs and unpredictable outcomes. Unlike visible injuries, brain injuries might not be immediately apparent, and symptoms can develop over time. Our Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys make sure all evidence is thoroughly presented, as it helps insurers understand the true impact of the injury while preventing lowball settlement offers.

Q: Are Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods Effective for Brain Injury Cases?

A: Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, can be highly effective for brain injury cases, especially when all parties wish to avoid lengthy litigation. Our experienced Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys can negotiate settlements that account for future medical expenses, rehabilitation, and long-term care needs. ADR provides confidentiality, faster resolution, and reduced costs compared to a trial.

Q: Can Brain Injury Claims Be Affected by Pre-Existing Conditions?

A: Brain injury claims can be affected by pre-existing conditions. Defendants could argue that the injury was partly due to a prior condition, which can reduce compensation under Louisiana’s comparative fault principles. Our Baton Rouge brain injury attorneys can address this by documenting baseline health and demonstrating how the incident directly caused new or worsened brain damage.

Committed to Our Clients

Our experienced Louisiana brain injury attorneys and staff understand that even the slightest change in brain function can have a catastrophic impact on a brain injury victim’s job, friends, and, more importantly, family.

If you or a loved one suffered brain damage following an accident, contact the experienced Baton Rouge, Louisiana, traumatic brain injury attorneys at Dué Guidry Andrews Courrege to schedule a consultation.