Brain Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas
Dealing with the Aftermath of Catastrophic Brain Injuries in Las Vegas, NV
When an accident causes a traumatic brain injury or other brain trauma, emergency treatment may be necessary to stabilize the individual and assess the damage. In the weeks, months, and years that follow, the person may need ongoing medical care, rehabilitative therapy, and daily assistance. These long-term needs can cost far more than the initial treatment.
An initial settlement offer from an insurance company or another responsible party will rarely account for all past, current, and future needs. An experienced personal injury trial lawyer can document those losses, challenge disputed evidence, and advocate for your interests. When you’re living with a brain injury, you need representation that reflects how much is at stake.
Christiansen Trial Lawyers has served injured clients in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada since 1995 and has recovered millions in damages for brain injury clients. Our brain injury attorneys in Las Vegas can evaluate your losses and pursue the compensation available under Nevada law.
Schedule a free consultation with our Las Vegas brain injury lawyers by calling (702) 357-9977 or contacting our team online. We provide legal services in English and Spanish.
Types of Brain Injuries
Accident-related injuries to the brain are known as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They’re typically classified as open (penetrating) or closed, and both can be serious. A penetrating TBI occurs when the skull is fractured and brain tissue is damaged or penetrated. A closed TBI results from a jolt or blow while the skull remains intact.
The type and location of a TBI can affect treatment and long-term prognosis. Rehabilitation strategies and specialized medical equipment may differ depending on whether the injury is open or closed.
We represent clients with brain damage caused by:
A closed TBI, concussion, or other brain trauma can cause symptoms immediately or weeks later. The effects vary according to the extent and location of the damage, so seek medical treatment after an accident even if you don’t feel immediate pain.
Common Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Symptoms can range from minor cognitive impairment to severe physical disability, depending on the affected area of the brain. They can disrupt work, relationships, and everyday tasks.
People with brain injuries may experience:
- Extreme mood or personality changes
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impaired judgment
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Profound confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Convulsions or seizures
A TBI can also cause complications that lead to permanent disability or death. One of the most severe is altered consciousness. Some people lose consciousness and enter a coma or vegetative state. Others develop intellectual impairments that affect communication, memory, or the ability to read social cues.
What to Do After a Head Injury
Seek emergency care for danger signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, convulsions or seizures, increasing confusion, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking. Other symptoms can appear hours or days after a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, so prompt medical evaluation remains important even when the injured person initially feels well.
After addressing immediate medical needs, preserve information about the injury and accident:
- Follow medical instructions: Attend recommended evaluations and keep records of reported symptoms, clinical findings, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Track symptoms: Record changes in headaches, cognition, mood, sleep, balance, and the ability to perform daily activities.
- Preserve accident evidence: Keep photographs, crash reports, witness information, and other records showing how the injury occurred.
Concussions Can Occur with Normal Brain Imaging
A normal CT or MRI result doesn’t rule out a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. A concussion is a clinical diagnosis based on how the trauma occurred, reported symptoms, and a clinical examination rather than brain imaging alone.
Clinicians primarily use CT and MRI scans when they’re concerned about bleeding or another acute injury inside the skull. The appropriate evaluation depends on the person’s symptoms and clinical findings.
Why You Need a Brain Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas
Ongoing medical care and lost household income can quickly strain a family’s finances. Beyond emergency costs such as surgery, hospitalization, and medication, a brain injury may require at-home nursing, medical equipment, and other future care. Someone in a coma or vegetative state may need life support for the foreseeable future.
Our Las Vegas brain injury attorneys can provide:
- Legal guidance: We guide you through the insurance and legal processes involved in a complex case.
- Compensation analysis: We identify medical costs, income losses, future care needs, and the emotional effects of the injury.
- A coordinated team: Our attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and staff work together to prepare the evidence.
- Preparation for what comes next: We document how the injury has changed your life and prepare the case for negotiation or trial.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a truck accident, slip and fall, or another accident in Las Vegas, the attorneys at Christiansen Trial Lawyers can guide and advocate for you. We commit extensive resources to gathering evidence and are prepared to take a case to trial. Our trial lawyers have participated in hundreds of trials in state and federal court, and we prepare personal injury cases for litigation rather than rushing to settle.
The Brain Injury Claim Process
We begin by evaluating how the injury occurred, the harm it caused, and the issues likely to be disputed. The necessary evidence varies by case, but our investigation can include medical records, police reports, photographs, and witness statements.
After the investigation, we pursue applicable insurance claims and negotiate with the responsible parties. If a fair resolution can’t be reached, we can file a lawsuit and conduct discovery, the formal exchange of information and evidence, in the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County. The case may ultimately resolve through a settlement or trial.
Understanding Nevada’s Legal Landscape for Brain Injuries
Several Nevada rules can affect the right to recover compensation, the filing deadline, and the amount available.
Critical factors in Nevada brain injury cases include:
- Comparative negligence: If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you may not be eligible to recover damages under Nevada law. If you are 50% or less at fault, any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Statute of limitations: The deadline is generally two years in Nevada, but you should confirm the exact timeframe for your case with legal counsel.
- Liability: A case may involve multiple responsible parties, such as employers, drivers, or product manufacturers.
- Types of damages: Economic damages may include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and future loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages may include pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Claims involving a Nevada government entity generally require a formal notice of claim within two years. This notice requirement is separate from the general filing deadline, and the requirements that apply depend on the facts and parties involved.
Our brain injury lawyers in Las Vegas understand local courts and the nuances of Nevada injury law, which can be crucial when presenting evidence and addressing procedural issues.
Punitive Damages in Nevada Brain Injury Cases
Punitive damages aren’t compensation for medical bills or other losses. Under NRS 42.005, they require clear and convincing evidence of oppression, fraud, or malice in a non-contract action. Whether punitive damages are available depends on the conduct and evidence in the individual case.
Nevada generally caps these awards at three times compensatory damages when compensatory damages are $100,000 or more, or $300,000 when compensatory damages are less than $100,000. Under NRS 42.010, the NRS 42.005 cap doesn’t apply to injuries caused by driving after willfully consuming alcohol or another substance.
Local Resources & Support Systems for Brain Injuries in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has medical and rehabilitation resources for people affected by brain injuries. The University Medical Center of Southern Nevada provides trauma care for severe brain injuries. Rehabilitation centers such as Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital offer programs designed to help people regain independence and function.
The Nevada Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation also provides services to assist people with disabilities in finding meaningful employment. Together, medical, rehabilitation, and vocational resources can provide practical support throughout recovery.
Schedule a free initial consultation with our brain injury attorneys by calling (702) 357-9977 or using our contact form. There’s no fee on these cases unless we recover compensation for you.
FAQs About Brain Injuries in Las Vegas
These answers address common medical and legal questions after a brain injury in Nevada.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. Warning signs include persistent headaches, confusion, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, memory problems, and unusual fatigue. Seizures or loss of consciousness require immediate medical attention. If you suspect a TBI, seek a professional medical evaluation without delay.
What Legal Options Are Available for Brain Injury Victims in Nevada?
Depending on the facts, an injured person may pursue a civil claim for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. If the injuries were fatal, eligible family members may have grounds for a wrongful death case. An attorney can identify potentially liable parties and the deadlines that apply.
Why Hire a Local Las Vegas Brain Injury Lawyer?
A Las Vegas brain injury lawyer who understands Nevada law, local courts, and court procedures can anticipate procedural issues and present evidence effectively. Our familiarity with local medical experts and investigators can also assist in documenting the injury and its effects.
Discuss Your Brain Injury Claim with Our Trial Lawyers
A free consultation with Christiansen Trial Lawyers covers your injury, the available evidence, and your legal options. We’re available 24/7 to answer questions, and you won’t pay a fee on a personal injury case unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (702) 357-9977 or submit our contact form to speak with our team.
