A brain injury can be the most devastating consequence of an accident, drastically altering a
person’s life and the lives of their loved ones. If you or a family member has suffered a
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to someone else’s negligence in Lake Charles, Louisiana,
or Calcasieu Parish, the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges can feel insurmountable.
At The Colonna Law Firm, LLC, our compassionate and dedicated Lake Charles Brain Injury
Attorney, Jacob Colonna, understands the profound and often lifelong impact of TBIs. We are
committed to providing aggressive legal representation, meticulously investigating your case,
and fighting to secure the maximum compensation needed for your extensive medical care, lost
income, and long-term support. Your recovery and future are our priority.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force,
such as a violent blow or jolt to the head, or an object penetrating the skull (like a bullet or
shattered bone). TBIs can range in severity from a mild concussion to a severe injury causing
permanent brain damage, a vegetative state, or even death.
Even “mild” TBIs (concussions) are serious and can have lasting effects, especially if repeated or
left untreated. The brain injury may not always be immediately apparent, with symptoms
developing hours, days, or even weeks after the initial trauma.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Lake Charles:
Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian
accidents, and bicycle accidents are leading causes of TBI due to violent impacts and
whiplash.
Falls: Falls from ladders, scaffolding, stairs, or slip-and-fall accidents, particularly
common in older adults and young children.
Assaults & Violence: Acts of violence, including physical altercations, gunshot wounds,
and domestic abuse.
Sports Injuries: High-impact or contact sports (football, soccer, boxing, etc.) can cause
concussions and more severe TBIs, especially in youth.
Workplace Accidents: Injuries sustained on job sites, particularly in industrial settings,
construction, or due to falling objects.
Explosive Blasts: Common in military personnel, but can occur in industrial accidents.
Types and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs are classified by their severity and type of injury. Understanding the symptoms is crucial
for early diagnosis and treatment.
Mild TBI (Concussion)
Even a concussion is a serious brain injury. While symptoms may resolve, repeated concussions
can lead to long-term issues.
Symptoms:
o Brief loss of consciousness (seconds to minutes) or feeling dazed/confused.
o Headache, nausea, vomiting.
o Dizziness, lightheadedness, balance problems.
o Blurred vision, tired eyes, ringing in ears.
o Fatigue, lethargy, changes in sleep patterns.
o Memory or concentration problems.
o Mood changes, irritability.
o Sensitivity to light or sound.
Moderate to Severe TBI
These injuries often involve prolonged loss of consciousness, significant physical damage to the
brain, and can lead to permanent disabilities.
Symptoms:
o Persistent headache that worsens or doesn’t go away.
o Repeated vomiting or nausea.
o Convulsions or seizures.
o Inability to awaken from sleep, profound confusion, or coma.
o Dilation of one or both pupils.
o Slurred speech.
o Weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination in limbs.
o Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
o Clear fluid draining from nose or ears.
Specific Types of Brain Injuries:
Concussion: A mild TBI from a blow or violent shaking, causing brain chemicals to
change.
Contusion: A bruise on the brain tissue, often visible on imaging.
Hematoma: Blood clots that form outside of blood vessels (e.g., epidural, subdural,
intracerebral hematomas), which can put pressure on the brain.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Widespread damage to the brain’s nerve fibers (axons)
caused by the brain rapidly shifting and twisting inside the skull. DAIs are particularly
serious and often do not show up on standard imaging like CT scans, making diagnosis
challenging but necessitating expert medical and legal insight.
Penetrating Brain Injury: When an object pierces the skull and enters the brain (e.g.,
bullet, shattered bone).
Anoxic/Hypoxic Brain Injury: Resulting from a lack of oxygen to the brain (e.g., near-
drowning, strangulation, cardiac arrest).
The Long-Term Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The effects of a TBI can be profound and life-altering, impacting every aspect of a victim’s life.
These long-term consequences underscore the need for comprehensive legal representation to
secure appropriate compensation. Potential long-term impacts include:
Cognitive Impairments: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment,
problems with problem-solving, reduced attention span, difficulty processing
information, executive function deficits.
Physical Limitations: Chronic headaches, dizziness, balance issues, muscle weakness,
loss of coordination, vision problems (blurred vision, double vision), hearing impairment,
seizures, paralysis, speech difficulties.
Emotional & Behavioral Changes: Depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings,
aggression, impulsivity, personality changes, social difficulties, lack of awareness of
abilities.
Vocational Challenges: Inability to return to work (either former job or any
employment), reduced earning capacity, early retirement.
Increased Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases: TBIs can increase the risk of
developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
(CTE) later in life.
Need for Lifelong Care: Severe TBIs can necessitate extensive rehabilitation, ongoing
medical treatment, in-home care, or assisted living.
Proving Negligence in a Lake Charles Brain Injury Claim
To secure compensation for a TBI in Louisiana, your attorney must prove that another party’s
negligence caused your injury. This involves establishing four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault party owed you a legal duty to act reasonably (e.g., drivers
owe other road users a duty to drive safely; property owners owe a duty to maintain safe
premises). - Breach of Duty: The at-fault party violated that duty by acting carelessly or recklessly.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your brain injury. This can be complex
with TBIs that aren’t immediately obvious and often requires expert medical testimony. - Damages: You suffered actual losses (economic and non-economic) as a result of the
brain injury.
Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning even if you are found partially at
fault, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault.
Recoverable Damages in a Lake Charles Brain Injury Lawsuit
The financial compensation in a TBI case aims to cover all your past, present, and future losses.
Our Lake Charles brain injury attorneys will meticulously calculate the full extent of your
damages, which may include:
Economic Damages (Tangible Financial Losses):
Medical Expenses: All costs related to your brain injury, including emergency care,
hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostic tests (CT, MRI, fMRI), rehabilitation (physical,
occupational, speech therapy), cognitive therapy, specialized equipment, medications,
and long-term nursing or assistive care.
Lost Wages: Income you’ve lost due to your inability to work after the injury.
Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation for the future income you will lose due to
permanent disabilities or reduced ability to work. This is a critical component of TBI
claims.
Home Modifications: Costs for adapting your home to accommodate new physical
limitations.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Expenses for retraining if you can no longer perform your
previous job.
Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses):
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional
distress caused by the TBI.
Mental Anguish: Psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, personality
changes, and cognitive impairments.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the diminished ability to participate in
hobbies, activities, and daily life.
Disfigurement or Scarring: For any permanent visible alterations.
Loss of Consortium: For spouses, loss of companionship, affection, and intimate
relations due to the injured person’s changes.
Punitive Damages (Rare Cases)
In rare instances where the at-fault party’s conduct was exceptionally reckless or intentional (e.g.,
a drunk driver causing a TBI), punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and
deter similar future conduct.
Why Choose Colonna Law Firm, LLC for Your Brain Injury Claim in Lake Charles?
Brain injury cases are among the most complex and challenging personal injury claims. They
require a deep understanding of neuroscience, medical prognoses, life-care planning, and
sophisticated legal strategies. At The Colonna Law Firm, LLC, our Lake Charles Brain Injury
Lawyer, Jacob Colonna, provides:
Specialized Expertise: We possess a comprehensive understanding of medical evidence,
neuropsychological evaluations, and expert testimony crucial for proving the full impact
of a TBI.
Thorough Investigation: We leave no stone unturned in gathering all necessary
evidence, including detailed medical records, expert witness opinions (neurologists,
neuropsychologists, life care planners), and “before and after” testimony from family and
colleagues.
Aggressive Advocacy: We are formidable negotiators with insurance companies who
often try to minimize TBI symptoms or attribute them to pre-existing conditions. If a just
settlement is not reached, we are fully prepared to litigate fiercely on your behalf in
court to secure the maximum compensation.
Client-Centered Care: We understand the overwhelming nature of a TBI. We handle all
legal complexities, allowing you and your family to focus on recovery and adaptation.
No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney
fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Lake Charles, LA, or Calcasieu Parish,
due to another’s negligence, you need immediate legal protection. The statute of limitations for
personal injury claims in Louisiana is generally one year from the date of the injury.
Contact The Colonna Law Firm, LLC today for a free and confidential case evaluation. Let
us fight for the justice, resources, and peace of mind you deserve to rebuild your life.