Even relatively mild traumatic brain injuries can have chronic complications that can affect your quality of life and ability to work. You want to recover damages for the injuries you have suffered and hold those responsible to account. Depending on the cause of your injury, there are a number of legal resources to help you.
State Government
All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have enacted legislation to provide support and resources for victims of traumatic brain injury. Many of the services and benefits available pertain to providing health care. However, there may also be help available with legal issues arising from a TBI.
Workers’ Compensation
If your injury was the result of a work-related accident, it may not be necessary to file a lawsuit. Workers’ Compensation may be available to cover medical expenses and lost wages. However, collecting workers’ compensation involves following the rules with regard to reporting and filing deadlines. It also requires that your injury be the result of a job-related activity, though it need not necessarily happen at work. Workers’ compensation may cover much more than you realize. For example, even the worsening of an existing injury is covered to the extent that the job caused the exacerbation.
Military Resources
If you are a current member of the military, you and your family can receive help with legal matters from the legal assistance office. These attorneys will not represent you in court, but they can provide advice on legal matters. If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers free clinics that provide legal services at no cost to you. Another legal resource available to veterans is the VA Medical Centers’ Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist. The VA does not provide legal services, but it can help you get in touch with organizations that provide resources in your community.
Advocacy Organizations
There are a number of organizations available to provide support to brain injury victims and their families. This may involve access to legal assistance. The Brain Injury Association of America has hundreds of local chapters and over 40 state affiliates. The National Disability Rights Network has a Protection and Advocacy System in place to help people with a number of disabling conditions, including traumatic brain injury.
We hope that you and your family will also consider our law firm as a valuable legal resource. Contact a lawyer today.