After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the most important steps you can take are to seek immediate medical attention, document everything, and protect your legal rights.
Even a mild TBI can be a life-altering event, and the decisions you make in the days and weeks that follow can have a lasting impact on your health, your recovery, and your ability to pursue compensation.
Our West Palm Beach traumatic brain injury lawyers know that taking the right steps early can make all the difference. Call our team today to learn more about these 7 things to do after a traumatic brain injury.
1. Seek Emergency Medical Care Immediately
Even if your symptoms seem mild at first, a head injury must be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away. TBI symptoms, including headaches, confusion, memory loss, and mood changes, can worsen rapidly or be delayed in their onset.
An emergency room visit allows your health care provider to order a CT scan or other brain imaging to assess the extent of any brain damage. This creates a critical medical record that documents the injury and its timeline (something that is essential for both your health and any future legal claim).
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2. Follow Medical Advice and Attend Every Appointment
Once you’ve received an initial brain injury diagnosis, it’s vital to follow your health care provider’s treatment plan. This includes follow-up appointments, specialist referrals, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any recommended imaging tests.
Unfortunately, any gaps in treatment can be used as ammo by insurance companies. They will try to argue that your head injury was not serious or that you failed to mitigate your damages. This is why consistent medical care protects both your recovery and your case.
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3. Document Your Symptoms
If you’re able to, keep a journal and write down your symptoms. Be sure to log how your TBI symptoms change over time, and how the traumatic brain injury is affecting your ability to work, sleep, care for yourself, and maintain relationships.
This personal record can serve as powerful evidence of the full impact of your head injury, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These non-economic damages may not be fully captured in medical records alone. For those diagnosed with a mild TBI, symptoms can be easy to dismiss early on, but their long-term effects can be significant.
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4. Preserve All Evidence Related to the Incident
If your traumatic brain injury was caused by an accident such as a motor vehicle crash, slip and fall, or workplace incident, preserve as much evidence as possible.
Evidence plays a huge role in the claims process. Collect pictures of the scene, damage to vehicles or property, witness contact information, surveillance footage, police reports, and any communications with the at-fault party or their insurance company.
It’s important to be aware of the fact that evidence can disappear quickly, so acting fast is essential.
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5. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Without Legal Counsel
Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after your head injury and ask for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement. Do not accept any offer or provide any statement before speaking with an attorney.
Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts and not on ensuring you receive fair compensation for a life-changing injury. Whether you suffered a mild TBI or a severe brain injury, anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
6. Track Financial Losses and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Brain injuries can take a huge financial toll on victims and their families. It’s a good idea to keep detailed records of every expense related to your traumatic brain injury, including:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Home care or assistance
- Lost wages from missed work
These economic damages form the foundation of your traumatic brain injury compensation claim. The more thorough your documentation, the stronger your case will be.
7. Contact an Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
One of the most important steps you can take after a traumatic brain injury is to consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling traumatic brain injury cases.
At GOLDLAW, we can investigate your traumatic brain injury accident, identify all liable parties, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to recover the full compensation you deserve, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs.
Whether your head injury resulted from a motor vehicle crash, a fall, or another incident, we are here to help.
Choose GOLDLAW for Your Head and Brain Injury Law Team
Whether you suffered a mild brain injury from sports injuries or blunt trauma, a moderate brain injury from a workplace accident, or a severe TBI from motor vehicle crashes, GOLDLAW has the knowledge and resources to fight for you.
Our team understands the medical side of these cases, including the difference between primary TBI and secondary TBI, how brain tissue is affected over time, and how movement disorders and other complications can develop long after the initial impact. We can also work with medical experts who perform neurological exams.
We also know that recovery takes time. Rest and sleep are critical components of healing, and we factor the full burden of your recovery into every case we build. From your first neurological exam to your final treatment, GOLDLAW is with you every step of the way.
Get Legal Guidance After a Traumatic Brain Injury
Now you know about these 7 things to do after a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can change every aspect of your life, but you don’t have to face the legal process alone.
The mild and moderate brain injury attorneys at GOLDLAW bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience helping injured victims recover the compensation they need to move forward.
If you have more legal questions about mild TBI, severe brain injury, skull fractures, brain damage, or your rights after an accident, visit our FAQ page to learn more. When you’re ready to speak with a health care provider or a member of our legal team, we’re here for you 24/7.
Get GOLDLAW and get the help you need and compensation you deserve.
