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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 223,000 people were hospitalized and 64,362 killed due to TBIs nationwide in 2019. These numbers translate to 611 hospitalizations and 176 deaths every day.
Depending on their severity, brain injuries can seriously impact your ability to engage in even your most basic day-to-day activities. Therefore, if you suffered a TBI in an accident you did not cause, do not hesitate to have your case evaluated by an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer. You are likely entitled to significant compensation from the at-fault party.
At Marks & Harrison, we have been fighting for the rights of injury victims for over 100 years. Over the decades, we have built a reputation for excellence by ensuring that each and every one of our clients receive the compassionate, personalized attention they deserve. We are ready to provide the same to you. Contact our brain injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
How Are Brain Injuries Classified?
Not all TBIs are the same. They range widely from minor, temporary concussions to catastrophic injuries that can lead to lifelong impairment or death. Doctors use various methods to diagnose, classify, and treat brain injuries. Two of the most popular diagnostic methods are the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Rancho Los Alamos Scale (RLAS). This section explores each in turn.
1. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
This scale evaluates the severity of a TBI by measuring the patient’s eye-opening, motor, and verbal responses. Each measurement is assigned a separate value. These are then aggregated to produce an overall description of the patient’s condition.
| Eye-Opening Response | Verbal Response | Motor Response |
| · Do not open at all · Open in response to pain · Open in response to sound · Patient opens eyes spontaneously
| · Does not respond verbally at all · Makes incomprehensible verbal responses · Responds with understandable but inappropriate words · Makes confused verbal responses · Makes orientated verbal responses | · Exhibits no motor responses · Exhibits abnormal muscle extension in response to pain · Exhibits abnormal muscle flexion in response to pain · Exhibits a withdrawal response to pain · Has a localized response to pain · Can move on command |
2. Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS)
This is another frequently used scale to measure TBI severity. Unlike the Glasgow Coma Scale, the RLAS is used throughout a patient’s recovery, not just during their initial assessment. The scale categorizes patients’ conditions into one of ten levels, each of which describes their responsiveness to stimuli and ability to operate without assistance.
The brain injury levels break down as follows:
- No Response – Total Assistance
- Generalized Response – Total Assistance
- Localized Response – Total Assistance
- Confused/Agitated – Maximal Assistance
- Confused, Inappropriate Non-Agitated – Maximal Assistance
- Confused, Appropriate – Moderate Assistance
- Automatic, Appropriate – Minimal Assistance for Daily Living Skills
- Purposeful, Appropriate – Stand by Assistance
- Purposeful, Appropriate – Stand by Assistance on Request
- Purposeful, Appropriate – Modified Independent
What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Brain Injuries?
The brain is the neurological command center of your body. It is responsible for generating thoughts, collecting memories, processing emotions, controlling your breathing, regulating body temperature, responding to outside stimuli, and much, much more.
In many cases, TBIs can impact the brain’s ability to carry out even its most basic functions. Tragically, the damage can even be permanent.
Long-term side effects of brain injuries can include things like:
- Shortened attention span
- Challenges with problem-solving
- Memory loss
- Impaired judgment
- Decreased self-awareness
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Difficulty following complex commands
- Poor balance and coordination
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Impaired language skills
- Anxiety and depression
- Full or partial paralysis
- Seizures and comas
- Headaches and migraines
- Mood swings
- Social isolation
What Compensation Is Available Through a Brain Injury Lawsuit?
If you suffered a brain injury at little to no fault of your own, you are likely entitled to a wide range of compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. The amount you receive will depend on the severity of your injury.
The traumatic brain injury attorneys at Marks & Harrison can help you pursue compensation for things like:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages for the time you miss at work
- Lowered earning capacity due to disability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lowered quality of life
- Emotional distress
It is important to recognize that the impact a brain injury may have on your life can be very subjective and non-economic. For example, unlike medical bills and lost wages, lowered quality of life caused by things like memory loss or paralysis will not easily reduce to an objective monetary value. Even so, their value should not be underestimated.
To make sure your non-economic losses are properly accounted for, it is important to have a traumatic brain injury attorney who can communicate them fully and empathetically to a jury. Notably, unlike many states, Washington places no caps on the amount of non-economic damages a jury may award.
To explore the results we have secured on behalf of our clients, follow this link.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Washington, D.C.?
In Washington, brain-injury victims normally have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the at-fault party. In nearly all cases, failure to file before the deadline passes results in your case being dismissed in court. This will have the collateral effect of destroying your leverage when negotiating an out-of-court settlement.
To avoid these consequences, it is best to speak to a TBI attorney as soon as possible after your injury. The brain injury legal team at Marks & Harrison is ready to evaluate your case and make sure the all-important filing deadline is not missed.
Contact a Washington, D.C., Brain Injury Lawyer
At Marks & Harrison, we understand how devastating brain injuries can be for patients and their families. With over 100 years of experience defending the right of injury victims to full and fair compensation, we are ready to help you too. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Washington, D.C.
