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    brain injury

    In South Carolina, traumatic brain injuries strike hard. Every year, 12,000 people end up in the ER, 3,000 are hospitalized, and 1,300 are left with lifelong disabilities. Most tragically, nearly 1,000 lives are cut short, making brain injuries the top killer of residents ages 1 to 44. Today, 61,000 South Carolinians are living with permanent disabilities caused by brain injury. These aren’t just numbers. They’re families, futures, and lives forever changed.

    Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has stood up for injured people in South Carolina since 1968. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers work to hold negligent parties accountable and secure maximum compensation for brain injury victims. We understand that no two brain injury cases are the same, and each requires careful attention to both medical and legal interventions. Our goal is to help clients secure the resources they need for the personal injury claims process to move forward with dignity and stability.

    How a South Carolina Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help

    Having a skilled South Carolina brain injury lawyer on your side can make a difference in the outcome of your case. Our clients are backed by a team of award-winning attorneys who are recognized as leaders in the field. For example, Attorney Melissa Mosier is a member of the National Traumatic Brain Injury Association. These accomplishments reflect our dedication to bringing both knowledge and leadership to every case we handle. We’ll guide you through each step, from investigating the accident to securing maximum compensation, with a focus on thorough preparation and caring client support.How a South Carolina Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help

    • Investigating the Accident: Gather facts, witness statements, and official reports to show how negligent parties caused the injury.
    • Identifying Compensation Sources: Review all possible insurance coverage and liable parties to maximize available recovery.
    • Documenting the Injury’s Impact: Work with medical professionals to show how the injury affects brain function, daily life, and the victim’s future needs.
    • Preserving and Presenting Evidence: Collect medical records, photographs, and accident-related documents to support your brain injury case.
    • Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Manage communications and counter tactics aimed at reducing payouts.
    • Preparing for Trial if Needed: Build a case for court when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
    • Drawing on Proven Legal Experience: Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has successfully provided legal services to injured people across South Carolina, working to seek maximum compensation for brain injury victims.

    Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers Brain Injury Case Study: $1.35 Million Settlement for Motorcyclist After Lancaster County CollisionBrain Injury Association of America Preferred attorneys badge

    On a Tuesday evening in October, a 35-year-old Edgemoor resident’s ride home turned into a nightmare when an SUV pulled into his path, causing a violent collision with his motorcycle at approximately 45 mph. Despite wearing full protective gear, the impact shattered the SUV’s windshield and passenger window, ejecting the rider nearly 20 yards from the crash site.

    Emergency responders found him in severe pain and shock, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9, indicating a moderate traumatic brain injury. At Atrium Health in Charlotte, doctors discovered a subdural hematoma, a fractured wrist requiring surgical repair, rib and thoracic spine fractures, and spinal stenosis. Occupational therapy assessments revealed serious cognitive impairments in memory, sequencing, and problem-solving, and he required assistance with even basic personal care.

    Following his hospital stay, he entered intensive rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation, needing round-the-clock care to support nutrition, skin integrity, and mobility. Through determined advocacy by Attorney Sydney Lynn and Case Manager Jamie Ross of Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, the client received a $1.35 million settlement, providing critical financial resources for his ongoing treatment, recovery, and quality of life.

    More details on the case result

    What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

    The brain is made of neural networks that send messages throughout the body to control functions such as thinking, seeing, hearing, and muscle movement. The soft tissue of the brain is protected by the skull. When the head receives a violent jolt, such as in a car wreck, the brain may slam against the hard interior of the skull. This can damage the neurons and impair brain function, resulting in a TBI.

    No two TBI cases are the same. There are many different types of brain injuries, and the effects can be mild to severe. Symptoms vary depending on the cause, location, and severity of the initial trauma.

    Often, TBIs go undiagnosed and untreated. A patient can be sent home from the emergency room after a car accident without anyone, including the treating physician, being aware that a severe internal brain injury has occurred. Not until days or weeks later do signs of a serious problem begin to surface.

    Between 3.2 million and 5.3 million adults and children nationwide are living with permanent disabilities caused by TBI, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

    Long-term symptoms of head injuries can include:

    • Headaches, including sharp pain in the temples or forehead
    • Memory loss
    • Difficulty concentrating and maintaining mental focus
    • Fatigue, dizziness, and vertigo
    • Struggling to find the right words for familiar objects
    • Feeling overwhelmed by noise or crowds
    • Loss of balance and motor skills
    • Blurred vision or clouded eyesight
    • Difficulty hearing
    • Loss of self-esteem
    • Depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts
    • Death

    In severe cases, TBI may lead to heart attacks, loss of bladder control, seizures, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.

    Types of Head Injuries

    Traumatic brain injuries are described in a variety of ways, depending upon the type of initial injury that led to the brain damage.

    Your doctor may describe the TBI you are dealing with as:

    • Open-head injury. This is a TBI caused by trauma to the head in which the skull is punctured. If the object that penetrates the skull exits in a different location from where it entered, as in a gunshot wound, it is known as a “perforating open head injury.” Bone fragments from the broken skull can pierce brain tissue and cause further damage. Victims of open-head injuries are prone to infection and bleeding in the brain, which is known as “intracranial hematoma.”
    • Closed-head injury. In a closed-head injury, there is trauma to the brain, but the skull is not broken. Typically, it results from a sudden impact that causes the brain to be pushed against the skull, which damages brain tissue. The brain often swells. Since it is encased in the skull, this creates pressure that can damage more brain cells if the pressure is not relieved. Closed-head injuries include concussion, a mild form of TBI. Most people fully recover from concussions. But some patients develop post-concussion syndrome, which can persist for a few months or years and lead to anxiety and depression.
    • Diffuse axonal injury and focal brain injury. When a closed-head injury causes damage to widespread areas of the brain, it may be referred to as a “diffuse axonal injury,” or DAI. Conversely, a brain injury that occurs in one generalized area (including an open-head wound) is called a “focal brain injury.” DAI is marked by long-term loss of consciousness, such as a coma.
    • Anoxic/hypoxic brain injury. If the oxygen supply to the brain is insufficient for five minutes or longer, brain cells will die and permanent anoxic brain injury results. Partial lack of oxygen causes hypoxic brain injury, which has less serious effects. Oxygen loss can result in physical disabilities, cognitive problems, and psychological disorders.

    Suffering a moderate to severe TBI is expensive, as well as painful and potentially life-changing. A single day in a hospital in South Carolina may cost anywhere from more than $1,500 to more than $2,300. Costs grow exponentially if the TBI victim is disabled.

    Common Causes of Brain Injuries in South Carolina

    Brain injuries can result from many different incidents. Understanding these causes can help victims and their families recognize when negligence may be involved and what legal options may be available.

    Motor Vehicle Accidents

    Car accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle wrecks are leading causes of brain injuries in South Carolina. The force of impact can cause the head to hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, resulting in head trauma, concussions, or more severe open and closed head injuries. Even without visible wounds, blunt trauma can harm brain tissue and blood vessels.

    Fall Accidents

    Falls often occur in public places, workplaces, or private homes. Older adults face a higher risk, but anyone can be injured by slipping on wet floors, tripping on uneven ground, or falling from heights. These accidents can cause life-altering injury, including traumatic brain injury.

    Sports Injuries

    Contact sports such as football, hockey, and soccer can lead to concussions or more serious TBIs. Without proper safety measures and immediate medical attention, repeated head injuries may cause lasting damage to the brain’s normal function.

    Workplace Incidents

    Jobs in construction, manufacturing, and industrial settings present risks for falls, being struck by objects, or machinery accidents. When safety protocols are ignored, workers can suffer catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries.

    Medical Malpractice

    Mistakes during surgery, anesthesia errors, or birth injuries can result in brain damage. These cases may involve long-term effects, ongoing treatment, and significant changes to a victim’s life.

    Acts of Violence

    Assaults and other violent acts can cause both blunt force trauma and penetrating head injuries. These injuries often require extensive medical care and can have lasting emotional and physical consequences.

    After a brain injury, knowing the legal paths available can make a major difference in protecting your rights and securing the support you need. In South Carolina, these options may include the following steps:

    • File a Personal Injury Claim: Seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages related to the injury.
    • Pursue a Personal Injury Trial: Take the case to court if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement.
    • Seek Workers’ Compensation Benefits: Apply for benefits if the brain injury happened on the job, covering medical treatment and partial wage replacement.
    • File a Medical Malpractice Claim: Hold healthcare providers or facilities accountable when surgical errors, birth injuries, or other negligent medical care cause a brain injury.
    • Meet Legal Deadlines: Act quickly to file claims within South Carolina’s statute of limitations and preserve evidence before it is lost.
    • Work With an Experienced Injury Attorney: Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has provided legal services to protect injured people’s rights and help them pursue compensation for both current and future needs.

    FAQs About Brain Injury in South Carolina

    Brain Injury Lawyers

    How soon should I contact a brain injury lawyer after an accident in South Carolina?

    It’s important to contact a brain injury lawyer as soon as possible after the injury. Quick legal action helps preserve important evidence, ensures you meet South Carolina’s statute of limitations, and allows your attorney to begin gathering medical documentation and witness statements while memories are fresh.

    Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my brain injury?

    Yes, South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault for the accident, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation.

    What types of specialists are typically involved in a brain injury lawsuit?

    Brain injury cases often require testimony from medical professionals such as neurologists, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation therapists, and vocational specialists. These professionals help explain the extent of the injury, long-term prognosis, and its impact on the victim’s ability to work and live independently.

    Are non-economic damages available in South Carolina brain injury cases?

    Yes, in addition to medical expenses and lost wages, victims can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages in a personal injury claim. These damages are important in brain injury cases where quality of life is often severely affected.

    How long does it usually take to resolve a brain injury claim in South Carolina?

    The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injury, and whether it settles out of court or goes to trial. Some claims resolve in a few months, while serious brain injury cases involving disputed liability or long-term medical evaluations can take a year or more to conclude.

    Call our Brain Injury Attorneys in South Carolina for a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

    If you or a loved one is a person suffering from a brain injury in South Carolina, you do not have to handle the legal process alone. Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation to review your situation.

    During the initial consultation, we can discuss what happened, evaluate potential claims, and explain the steps involved in pursuing compensation. We take the time to answer questions and help you understand your legal options. Our injury lawyers handle communication with the insurance company, investigate the accident, and build a strong case for compensation. This allows you to focus on recovery while we fight for your rights.

    Call us at (888) 324-3100 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.

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