Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious health issue in Colorado. The state has the 9th highest rate of TBI deaths and the 13th highest rate of TBI hospitalizations in the country. According to Brain Injury Alliance Colorado, around 5,000 people in Colorado are hospitalized each year due to TBI, nearly 1,000 die from it, and there are 23,500 visits to emergency rooms for brain injuries.
A traumatic brain injury happens when there is a sudden impact or injury that disrupts normal brain function. These injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, affecting 1.5 million Americans every year. The effects go beyond the initial injury; victims may experience long-term issues such as chronic headaches, memory problems, mood changes, and difficulties with concentration.
Aurora traumatic brain injury attorneys specialize in helping victims who have suffered these life-changing injuries due to accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. You have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the significant ways TBI has impacted your life.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are categorized into three severity levels: mild, moderate, and severe. Each level presents its own challenges for victims and their families.
Mild TBI and Concussion
Mild TBI and concussion are the most common types of TBIs, making up the majority of cases you’ll come across. While these injuries may appear less severe, they can still greatly disrupt your daily life and require extensive medical care.
Moderate and Severe TBIs
Moderate and severe TBIs pose life-threatening risks and often lead to permanent disabilities. In severe cases, you may become dependent on long-term care, which can drastically change your ability to work, maintain relationships, and carry out basic daily activities.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The symptoms of TBIs vary widely depending on their severity:
- Chronic headaches that persist for weeks or months
- Memory issues affecting your ability to recall recent events or retain new information
- Mood changes including sudden irritability, depression, or emotional outbursts
- Vision changes that make reading or driving difficult
- Anxiety that interferes with your normal routines
- Concentration difficulties preventing you from completing work tasks
- Sexual changes affecting intimate relationships
Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury
Diagnosing a TBI can be challenging because standard medical imaging may not show any visible signs of injury. You might appear perfectly fine on the outside while experiencing debilitating cognitive and emotional difficulties.
In such cases, neuropsychological testing becomes crucial. This type of assessment provides objective measurements of brain function that can reveal the true extent of your injury. These specialized tests evaluate memory, attention, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation, important evidence for your legal case.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Aurora, Colorado
Understanding the causes of traumatic brain injuries in Aurora helps you recognize potential risks and identify liable parties when accidents occur. According to the Brain Injury Alliance Colorado, specific incident types dominate TBI statistics in the area.
1. Falls
Falls account for 47% of all traumatic brain injuries in Aurora, making them the leading cause. Construction sites present particularly high-risk environments where workers face dangers from elevated surfaces, ladders, scaffolding, and unstable structures. You’ll find that slip-and-fall accidents on poorly maintained properties also contribute significantly to these statistics.
2. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents and TBI represent 14% of cases in Aurora. High-speed collisions on major roadways create severe impact forces that cause brain injuries even when victims wear seatbelts. Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, and rollover accidents frequently result in heads striking windows, dashboards, or other surfaces.
3. Struck By or Against Objects
Struck by or against objects causes 15% of traumatic brain injuries, with one in five child TBI-related injuries and deaths falling into this category. These incidents include falling objects at work sites, sports equipment impacts, and playground accidents.
4. Assault-Related Brain Injuries
Assault-related brain injuries comprise 11% of Aurora TBI cases. When someone intentionally harms you through physical violence, you may pursue not only compensatory damages but also punitive damages designed to punish the perpetrator’s egregious conduct. These cases carry distinct legal implications that strengthen your claim for maximum compensation.
Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Legal Aspects for TBI Victims in Aurora
Medical care for TBI victims begins the moment an injury occurs. You need immediate evaluation by healthcare professionals who can assess the severity of your brain injury and initiate appropriate treatment protocols. Timely medical intervention can mean the difference between a full recovery and permanent disability. Diagnostic imaging, neurological assessments, and continuous monitoring form the foundation of effective TBI treatment.
The importance of rehabilitative care cannot be overstated when you’re recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation help you regain lost functions and adapt to new limitations. You may require months or even years of specialized treatment to maximize your recovery potential. The CDC estimates that approximately 6 million people across the United States currently need long-term assistance after TBI, highlighting the chronic nature of these injuries.
When you work with Aurora Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys, they help you understand the full scope of damages you can pursue. Economic damages in TBI claims cover tangible financial losses:
- Medical bills from emergency care, hospitalization, and surgery
- Rehabilitation and ongoing treatment costs
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Home modifications for accessibility
Non-economic damages in TBI claims address the intangible ways your injury affects your life. You deserve compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. These damages also account for permanent scarring, disfigurement, and long-term disability that fundamentally alter your daily existence.
Your attorney documents every aspect of your injury’s impact, working with medical experts to establish the connection between your accident and your need for extensive care.
Proving Negligence and Common Negligent Parties in Aurora Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Proving negligence in TBI claims requires a thorough investigation that establishes a clear connection between another party’s actions and your brain injury. Your attorney will work to demonstrate four essential elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- Their breach directly caused your TBI
- You suffered measurable damages as a result
This process involves gathering evidence such as accident reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert testimony from medical professionals who can validate the link between the incident and your traumatic brain injury.
Colorado comparative fault laws play a significant role in determining your final compensation. Under these laws, you can still recover damages even if you share partial responsibility for the accident. The court assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you’re found 30% at fault for a slip and fall that caused your TBI, you’ll receive 70% of the total damages awarded. You can pursue compensation as long as you’re less than 50% responsible for the incident.
Multiple parties can be held liable in Aurora TBI cases, including:
- Motorists who cause vehicle collisions through distracted or impaired driving
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises
- Employers who neglect workplace safety protocols
- Product manufacturers whose defective items cause head injuries
- Medical professionals guilty of treatment errors
- Business owners responsible for hazardous conditions
- City or state entities that maintain dangerous public spaces
How Aurora Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Can Help You Win Your Case
When you seek free legal consultation for a traumatic brain injury case, specialized attorneys begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your situation. This initial assessment helps determine the strength of your claim and potential compensation value. You can find experienced Aurora traumatic brain injury attorneys for legal representation who understand the complexities of these cases and know exactly what evidence you need to build a winning claim.
Your attorney takes strategic steps to strengthen your case from day one:
Evidence Collection: Gathering police reports, accident scene photographs, witness statements, and surveillance footage that documents the incident
Medical Documentation: Obtaining complete medical records, treatment plans, and prognosis reports from your healthcare providers
Expert Collaboration: Working with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists who can validate your diagnosis and testify about your injuries
Economic Analysis: Calculating current and future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and ongoing care needs
Your attorney becomes your advocate in negotiations with insurance companies. These insurers often attempt to minimize payouts or deny legitimate claims. Your legal team handles all communications, counters lowball settlement offers, and presents compelling evidence that demonstrates the full extent of your damages. They understand insurance tactics and know how to push back against unfair practices.
A free consultation with a brain injury attorney gives you the opportunity to understand your rights without financial risk.
Contact an Aurora Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Aurora, CO
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, contact our Aurora traumatic brain injury attorneys as soon as possible. Even if you were partly responsible for your accident, you might still be able to receive financial compensation.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better team than Denver Personal Injury Lawyers®.
