Columbia brain injury attorney Bert Louthian of The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers represents people who suffered a blow to the head. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, call 803-592-6231 to talk about your situation and how our law firm can assist you.
Brain Injury Lawyer in Columbia, SC
A brain injury victim may qualify to receive monetary compensation. Attorney Bert Louthian understands how important your case is. He works to build your claim and pursue your legal interests while you focus on recovery and your family.
Since 1985, Bert Louthian has been advocating for families in the Columbia, SC area. The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers is a family-owned law firm that focuses on serving the legal needs of families.
Consultations with attorney Bert Louthian are free, and there is no obligation. We invite you to contact us to talk about your brain injury case.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury is trauma that affects the function of the brain. It is an acquired injury to the brain other than a congenital or degenerative disorder. A traumatic brain injury may be mild, moderate or severe.
Types of Brain Injury Cases We Handle
Car accidents
A motor vehicle accident may result in a brain injury. The victim may be struck by a component of a vehicle, a fixed structure or they may strike the ground. They may suffer a brain injury because of jolting and jostling in the accident. A compensation claim should include all injuries resulting from a car accident including brain injury.
Slip and falls, other premises liability
A slip and fall, falling object, collapsing structure or other kind of premises liability accident may result in a brain injury. An object may penetrate the brain, the person may hit their head or they may suffer injury because the head and brain are jolted suddenly. As your attorney, we determine the cause of the accident and who may have legal liability.
Assault and battery
When assault and battery causes brain trauma, the victim should be compensated and the offender should be held accountable. A civil brain injury claim focuses on the losses of the victim and the appropriate compensation. The victim may initiate a claim regardless of whether there are criminal charges and the outcome of those charges.
Recreation activities
Boating, amusement parks, pools, other water activities and other recreation may result in brain injury. We can investigate all possibilities for a victim to receive financial compensation.
Legal Issues in Brain Injury Cases
Thorough case building is especially important when a claim involves a brain injury.
A settlement or trial judgment is final. Even if you realize later that your injuries are more devastating than you first realized, it is unlikely that you can go back and relitigate your case. That means your claim – and your settlement or judgment – must be complete.
Your claim should address:
Medical bills
You may seek compensation for both current and future medical bills. To receive appropriate compensation, you must fully identify your injuries and long-term medical care needs. Evidence may include medical records, expert testimony and lay testimony.
Personal care
Brain injury victims often need assistance with personal care and tasks of daily living. Levels of independence may vary. The cost of care for a brain injury victim may be a part of compensation. The amount must be supported with evidence.
Disfigurement and loss of lifestyle
When a person has a brain injury, their life may not be the same. Disfigurement and loss of lifestyle can be a part of a brain injury claim. Even though a person with brain injury may not have visible signs of trauma, the way their injuries impact their functioning can be a part of compensation.
Pain and suffering
A brain injury victim may have significant pain and suffering. The suffering of the victim should be acknowledged and represented in their claim. Evidence must be carefully prepared to explain the pain and suffering associated with the injury and the appropriate compensation due to the victim.
The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers understands how serious a traumatic brain injury is. We take care of building your case so that it reflects your current and future losses. We fully identify your damages and work towards compensation that reflects what you are due under the law.
Leading Causes of TBI
According to the CDC, the leading causes of brain injury in the United States are:
- Slip and falls
- Firearms
- Car accidents, motor vehicle crashes
- Assault and battery
Brain injury can also result from sports and recreation accidents, explosions and being struck by an object.
Brain Injury Law
The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 is a federal law. Its purpose is to reduce the occurrence of brain trauma in the United States and improve services for those affected by brain trauma. The law authorizes grants for TBI prevention, research and services.
The TBI Act requires states to establish advisory boards to make recommendations regarding service coordination. States must provide matching grant funding. The TBI Act was reauthorized in 2018 to provide funding through 2024.
TBI Statistics
- 69,000 deaths occur each year in the United States from traumatic brain injury.
- Half of hospitalizations relating to traumatic brain injury are because of a fall.
- 1.5 million Americans suffer a TBI each year in the United States.
- More than 5 million people in the United States live with long-term disability because of traumatic brain injury.
- Traumatic brain injuries happen among all age groups, but the age groups at the most risk are children, young adults and the elderly.
- The economic impact of brain injury in the United States is measured in billions of dollars.
(Sources: CDC, Get the Facts About TBI, TBI in the US)
Brain Injury Resources
Brain Injury Association of South Carolina
BIASC educates the community including medical professionals, parents, coaches and law enforcement about brain injuries. They run a free helpline to help victims and families connect with information and resources.
Encompass Health – Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia
2935 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
Encompass Health is a Columbia hospital focusing on neurological rehabilitation. It offers physical and cognitive rehabilitation efforts to help TBI patients regain function.
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department
The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department offers assessment, training, disability management and job search assistance to help eligible disabled individuals find appropriate employment.
South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council
The South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council provides leadership in communication among interested parties, identification of service gaps, recommendations for priorities and service enhancements and seeks to influence policy makers and advocates to help those affected by brain injury.
Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by brain injury through research, public awareness, treatment and other efforts.
Talk to an Attorney – Free Consultations
Begin today with a free consultation with Columbia brain injury attorney Bert Louthian. Learn about your case and how our law firm can assist you. See how The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers can develop a legal strategy and represent you to receive the compensation that you are due under the law.
We want to alleviate the stress and get you the compensation that you deserve. When you are facing the uncertainty of the future with a brain injury, you can work with a Columbia brain injury attorney who holds the Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent rating for the highest in professional and ethical excellence. He is your attorney when you need legal representation for injury compensation.
Call 803-592-6231 or message us now to begin.
