What Is CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease. CTE impacts how the brain works. Research shows that repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, can cause CTE.
Concussions occur when the head receives blunt force trauma. Causes can include automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, and many other personal injury scenarios. A strong jolt can also cause a concussion, including rear-end accidents and sports injuries.
Unfortunately, CTE can only be diagnosed after someone’s death. The physician looks at the brain to determine if repetitive concussions caused brain damage. However, CTE can cause numerous symptoms during the person’s lifetime, including debilitating and life-altering symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of CTE?
The types and severity of symptoms from CTE depend on several factors. The brain can be injured in one or more places. Additionally, the severity of the injury can impact the symptoms.
Symptoms of CTE can include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive impairments, including memory loss, difficulty thinking, and problems with executive function
- Behavioral changes, including aggression and impulsive behavior
- Mood disorders, including emotional instability, suicidal thoughts, depression, substance abuse, and apathy
- Motor symptoms, including motor neuron disease and Parkinsonism
Researchers are working on ways to diagnose CTE while patients are alive. However, doctors can determine the risk for CTE by examining a patient’s history of head trauma and their existing symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for CTE. Doctors can only try to remediate some of the CTE symptoms. However, even with treatment to slow symptoms, a patient can experience a decline in function and quality of life.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit for CTE in Texas
If you sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you could develop Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The financial impact of CTE on you and your family could be significant. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might not be able to return to work, or you could experience diminished earning capacity.
In addition to lost wages, there is ongoing medical treatment and care. Once the symptoms begin, they can become worse. You might need ongoing physical, speech, and occupational therapy for the symptoms.
In addition to the financial damages, a person with CTE can experience severe emotional and mental trauma. They may also experience other physical and cognitive symptoms because of CTE. Eventually, the person may require long-term nursing care because of CTE.
If another party caused your brain injury, you can sue that party for damages under Texas personal injury laws. However, you must prove the elements of a negligence claim to win the case. Those elements include:
- The party who caused the brain injury owed you a duty of care
- The party breached the duty of care by something they did or did not do
- The breach of duty was the proximate and direct cause of your brain injury
- You sustained damages because of the person’s actions
The evidence must prove each of the above elements by a preponderance of the evidence. That means there is a greater than 50% chance the person is responsible for causing your Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
A Bedford brain injury lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case. An attorney can hire medical specialists and other expert witnesses to provide opinions that support your allegations of fault.
What Damages Can I Receive for a CTE Injury Claim?
The damages you could receive for a CTE injury claim depend on the facts of your case. The severity of your symptoms and other factors determine how much your case is worth.
Injured victims can usually receive compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. Damages could include:
- Medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of income and earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Personal and/or nursing care
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It is important to work with an experienced Bedford brain injury attorney. A substantial portion of the damages for a CTE injury could be future damages.
As the disease persists, your medical and personal care expenses can increase. Working with experts who can correctly estimate how much your future damages will cost is crucial. Those damages need to be included in a settlement amount to ensure you have sufficient funds to pay for future care.
Reach Out To An Experienced Brain Injury Attorney for Legal Help
If an insurance company pressures you to accept a settlement amount after a brain injury, it is wise to consult a lawyer before signing any documents or accepting money. If you accept a settlement offer, you release all claims for your injury and damages. Therefore, even if you realize your injuries are more severe, you cannot pursue a legal claim.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a severe brain injury that insurance companies often downplay. Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. Get legal advice if you sustained a brain injury caused by another party.
Contact the Brain Injury Law Firm of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers in Bedford for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
