North Carolina Coma Lawyer

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A coma is a medical condition in which a person becomes unconscious and unresponsive to stimuli. This condition occurs primarily due to a severe brain injury or stroke. However, a coma may also be medically induced. While most comas only last a few weeks, others may last for years. In many situations, comas lead to fatalities if the body is unable to recover successfully. Comas are frequently the result of accidents or violent attacks. However, they may also occur due to certain medical conditions. In cases where another party’s wrongdoing or negligence led to the coma, an experienced brain injury attorney can assist in providing justice.

Here at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ our brain injury attorneys are adept in investigating brain injury accidents and assisting clients and their loved ones find the best possible solutions. We understand the often devastating harm that families undergo due to these severe medical conditions following an accident. We are here to represent and assist brain injury accident injury victims every step of the way. With the assistance of our professional brain injury attorneys, we have helped catastrophic injury victims recover millions of dollars in compensation for their damages.

Our firm strives to provide expert legal advice, guidance, and assistance during these difficult times. Over the years we have built a strong network of medical and financial experts, accident reconstructionists, and a strong reputation to ensure that you receive the most robust financial compensation possible for your claim. When you call Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ you will get direct access to one of the partners of the firms to discuss your claim and receive expert advice, not a receptionist or other third-party. Consultations are always no-obligation and free of cost.

What Are the Main Causes of Coma?

There are many causes of coma. Few of them are highlighted below:

  • Traumatic brain injury: There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries, otherwise known as TBIs. Common causes include car accidents, falls, and acts of violence.
  • Brain infections: Certain infections may lead to coma.
  • Lack of oxygen: When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, a patient may fall into a coma.
  • Stroke: Strokes are often caused by high blood pressure which can cause blood vessels to burst, leading to conditions such as a coma.
  • Brain tumors: Brain tumors may lead a patient to fall into a coma.
  • Drug intoxication: Drug intoxication that was either self-induced or due to exposure from another party can lead to coma.
  • Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels can lead to individuals falling into a common. Luckily, in many cases this type of coma can be reversed.
  • Cardiac arrest: Cardiac arrest can be caused by drugs, hypertension, and other medical reasons, which may lead a patient to fall into a coma.
  • Organ failure: Kidney or liver failure can cause a patient to fall into a coma.
  • Medical negligence: In certain situations, a patient may fall into a coma due to medical negligence. Medical negligence is a serious situation in which hospital faculty or caretakers can be involved and may be held liable.

What Happens During Coma?

When an individual falls into a coma, the injured party becomes unconscious, as the working capacity of the brain is diminished. They will be unable to speak or be cognizant of the activities occurring around them. Comas are sometimes described as similar to deep sleep, in which a person cannot be awakened, even with vigorous or painful stimulation.

Why Contact a Law Firm If Your Loved One Falls into a Coma?

If your loved one has fallen into a coma, they will be unable to defend themselves, complete daily activities, or hold employment. Medical costs associated with long-term care and rehabilitation are extensive and often necessary. If your loved one has been injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, then seeking legal assistance is of the utmost importance. In these stressful situations, it is necessary to have a professional fight for your loved one to ensure that their rights are being protected and that you or your loved one will be compensated for their injury-related damages, including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, lost wages, and more.

A Coma Lawyer Will Protect Your Legal Rights

Comas are serious conditions that require immediate medical aid and proper treatment. These conditions often occur due to severe brain injuries. Brain injury treatment is quite costly, and the ability to pay for treatment is mandatory for recovery. When you retain an experienced brain injury attorney from Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ you can rest assured that we will seek the most robust financial compensation possible for your loved one to ensure that all injury-related healthcare costs are covered, including future anticipated costs.

What to Do Following a Coma?

A coma typically comes about suddenly and without warning following an accident. As the injured party will be incapacitated and unable to provide testimony regarding the events leading up to the accident, it is essential to gather the necessary evidence to strengthen their claim.  These are a few necessary steps that one should take in these situations:

Collect Evidence

Photos and/or videos of the scene of the accident should be taken, whenever possible. If there were witnesses at the scene of the accident, attempt to gather their contact information, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Depending on where the accident occurred, there may be video footage available from a nearby residence, business, or traffic camera. The collection of evidence assists the attorney in building the most robust claim possible.

Medical Treatment

When your loved one has fallen into a coma, they will need to be transported to the hospital immediately. All documentation from the hospital, including medical bills, care summaries, reports, and other information given, should be collected and preserved.

Retain an Experienced Coma Attorney

After all these preliminary steps, the most important remaining step is to contact a coma attorney as soon as possible following the accident. Brain injury cases are often very complex, and an attorney can assist you every step of the way to ensure that your loved ones’ rights are protected and that just compensation is received. Do not delay in speaking with an attorney. Claims are subject to being filed by a deadline known as the statute of limitations, and the preservation of evidence is paramount to a successful claim.

File a Claim for Damages

As the medical costs associated with comas are quite costly, it is important that these damages be compensated for in the event that your loved one’s injury was the result of another party’s negligence. Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding the accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the following damages:

  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Medical costs
  • Long-term care facility costs
  • Disability needs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium
  • Funeral/burial costs
  • Wrongful death

When Should We File a Lawsuit?

Here at Tatum & Atkinson, we understand that the circumstances surrounding a coma are often tragic, unexpected, and overwhelming. It can be difficult to know who to turn to or what actions to take next in the midst of these trying times. However, in the state of North Carolina, there is a limited period of time to file a lawsuit following an accident, and it is important to preserve critical evidence following a brain injury accident, so that you can rest assured that your loved ones’ rights are protected and just compensation is received to cover their medical expenses and other losses.

Statute of Limitations

In North Carolina, there is a specific period to file a compensation claim. Usually, a period of three years is given to file a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is not filed within this time period, the claimant will be barred from recovery. Additionally, brain injury lawsuits require time. Evidence needs to be acquired, and discovery (depositions, testimony, and more) requires time to be completed. It is best to start the legal process right away following an accident, so that you may receive compensation as soon as possible.

Who Can File the Claim?

When a loved one has fallen into a coma, they are legally incapacitated and unable to make choices or defend themselves. It is often uncertain if they will survive and how severe any long-term effects may be. For some, an individual may awaken from a coma, but remain impaired for some time. As such, it is highly advisable not to wait for the victim to become conscious before initiating action. However, when it comes to filing a claim, only an individual who holds guardianship or power of attorney over the victim will be eligible. If your loved one has fallen into a coma due to the negligence of another party, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss next steps, considering the unique circumstances of your claim.

Contact an Experienced North Carolina Coma Attorney

Here at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we pledge to provide honest and compassionate legal consultations to accident injury victims and their families without cost. Our experienced brain injury attorneys understand the severity of these conditions and the legal complexities that may arise with them. To receive your free, no-cost, no-obligation consultation, contact us online or give us a call at 1-800-LAW-0804.