I recently represented the driver of a vehicle who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury when he was rear ended by an intoxicated driver. He experienced no loss of consciousness and was taken by ambulance from the accident scene to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion and released within a few hours. He was subsequently diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and underwent a conservative regimen of concussion therapy.

Upon my initial interview with the client, he did not appear to have a severe injury or loss of function and was generally complaining about stiffness, soreness, and persistent mild headaches following the accident. The client did not admit to any change in the way he thinks, acts, and/or feels nor did he acknowledge any change in his personality or behavior. Initially, I was reluctant to accept the case because it did not appear that such a mild traumatic brain injury warranted litigation.

However, upon speaking with the client’s wife and co-workers I gained an understanding of the significant impact this accident had on the client’s life and his family’s life. In particular, the client’s wife informed me that prior to the accident the client was calm mannered, easygoing, respectful, and relaxed. However, in the months following the accident he had become tempered, irritable, sarcastic, and restless. Additionally, she noted that he was no longer able to communicate with her on a deeper more interpersonal level. The client’s co-workers noted that prior to the accident he was a focused, attentive, and excellent problem solver. However, since the accident he had exhibited a lack of concentration, inattentiveness, and a lack of understanding of issues on a deeper level. Upon discovery of the client’s significant symptoms, it became apparent that the consequences of the client’s mild traumatic brain injury were anything but “mild.”

Additional neuropsychological testing and psychiatric evaluation confirmed the client’s significant deficits and injuries. The client’s symptoms directly correlated with a rear end collision wherein the frontal lobe of the brain responsible for concentration, personality, and emotion impacts the interior wall of the skull as a result of the violent backward movement of the head at the time of the collision. In conjunction with the testimony of his wife and co-workers, I was able to demonstrate the serious impact of the mild traumatic brain injury on the client’s life and obtained a very favorable result for the client and his family.

It is important to note that in the case of mild traumatic brain injury and/or concussions, the injured party themselves are often not the best source of information respecting their symptoms and the impact the injury has had on their life. The victim often lacks the ability to understand how the injury has changed them and/or is embarrassed to discuss the difficulties they are experiencing. A thorough investigation requires speaking with the victim’s family members, co-workers, friends, doctors, and physicians.

Goebert Law LLC has the experience, persistence, and determination to pursue a thorough investigation and ultimate recovery for those suffering from mild traumatic brain injuries. Goebert Law LLC maintains relationships with neuropsychological experts, psychiatric experts, and biomechanical experts required to establish the severity of the injuries and their correlation to the type of accident that occurred. If you or a loved one has suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, it is important that you have your case evaluated by an experienced attorney. The amount of time you have to pursue a claim is limited by law, and, it is therefore important that you act expeditiously. Please contact Goebert Law LLC for a free consultation and evaluation of any claim you may wish to pursue for a mild traumatic brain injury.