Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Posted Saturday, June 9, 2018 by Chris Thayer

Seventeen years ago, Ray Holman was driving his motorcycle on Interstate 82 between Yakima and Ellensberg when he suddenly crashed. He broke dozens of bones, lost his left eye, and suffered traumatic brain injury. Holman has lived with the aftermath of that brain injury ever since, including difficulty concentrating and keeping up with conversations and severe depression.

In March 2018, 62-year-old John Baretta was hit by a car while crossing the street in Tacoma. Baretta crossed the intersection legally, with a walk sign. But the car that hit him also had a green light. Neither saw the other. Baretta suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident.

In August 2017, a Washington State University freshman suffered brain and spinal cord injuries after falling out of his second-story dorm room window. The accident forced WSU to reconsider its safety policies. Earlier this year the school announced changes that will hopefully prevent other students from experiencing similar accidents.

*What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?*Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a serious problem in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, almost one-third of injury deaths are at least partly attributed to TBIs. Falls and car accidents – often the reason for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits – are two of the leading causes of TBIs.

A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. Symptoms vary based on the severity of the injury but can include:

TBIs often lead to long-term health problems. For example, a recent study found that a severe brain injury increases the risk of developing dementia by 35%, while a mild brain injury increases the risk by 17%. Such long-term consequences are one factor to keep in mind when seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.

*Filing a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a TBI*The deadline for filing a personal or injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Washington is three years from the date of the injury or death.

Washington is a comparative fault state, which means that any damages awarded to you will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Note that Washington does not place a cap on the amount of damages that you can receive. This includes compensation for economic damages and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are easily quantifiable, like medical expenses, while noneconomic damages are more subjective, like pain and suffering.

*Contact Us Today*Contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you or a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury because of a negligent act. Our experienced attorneys will examine the facts of your case and help recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.