Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most devastating and life-altering injuries a person can sustain. Unlike a broken bone that heals on a predictable timeline, TBI can affect every dimension of a person's life — their cognition, memory, personality, emotional regulation, physical coordination, and ability to work and maintain relationships — in ways that may never fully resolve. From mild concussions with lingering post-concussion syndrome to moderate and severe TBI requiring lifelong care, these injuries demand the highest level of legal representation and the most thorough damages analysis.
Car accidents are the leading cause of TBI in Texas, followed by falls, workplace incidents, and assaults. What makes TBI claims particularly challenging is the gap between what imaging shows and what the patient actually experiences. A CT scan may come back normal while the patient is struggling with debilitating headaches, memory loss, irritability, depression, and cognitive changes that make it impossible to return to their previous job or maintain their prior quality of life. Insurance companies exploit this imaging-symptom gap aggressively — and without the right legal team, TBI victims are routinely undercompensated for injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Edward T. Garza and The Garza Law Firm have fought for TBI victims in San Antonio for over 50 years. We understand the medical complexity, the economic projections required, and the human cost of traumatic brain injury — and we build cases that fully reflect all of it.
Key Facts About Traumatic Brain Injury in Texas
The CDC estimates approximately 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Motor vehicle crashes are responsible for roughly 20% of all TBI-related hospitalizations.
According to the CDC, the estimated lifetime economic cost of a single severe TBI — including medical care, lost productivity, and quality of life losses — can exceed $3 million.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) classifies TBI severity at the time of injury, but GCS score alone does not predict long-term outcomes. Many patients with 'mild' TBI (concussion) experience persistent, disabling symptoms for years.
Neuropsychological testing — not standard imaging — is the gold standard for documenting cognitive deficits from TBI. These evaluations measure memory, attention, processing speed, executive function, and emotional regulation.
Texas courts recognize the doctrine of 'eggshell plaintiff' — a defendant must take the victim as they find them, including any pre-existing vulnerability to brain injury. A prior concussion history does not reduce a TBI victim's right to full compensation.
Common Questions About Traumatic Brain Injury
The ER doctor said my CT scan was normal. How can I prove I have a TBI?
CT scans detect structural damage like bleeding and fractures but frequently miss the diffuse axonal injury and microstructural changes associated with concussion and mild TBI. We work with neuropsychologists and neurologists who use specialized testing and, in appropriate cases, advanced imaging like functional MRI or DTI to document your injury.
My personality and mood have changed since the accident. Can I recover for that?
Yes. Post-TBI personality changes, depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation are well-documented sequelae of brain injury and are recoverable as part of your damages. We work with neuropsychiatrists and psychologists to document these changes and tie them causally to your injury.
What is the value of a TBI case?
There is no standard figure — TBI cases range enormously based on injury severity, long-term prognosis, the victim's age and occupation, and future care needs. For moderate to severe TBI, cases involving lifetime care planning, loss of earning capacity, and extensive non-economic damages can be worth millions of dollars. We work with life care planners and economists to project your actual lifetime losses.
My loved one has severe TBI and cannot communicate. Can family members bring a claim?
Yes. A legal guardian or family member may bring a personal injury claim on behalf of an incapacitated TBI victim. If the victim passes away, a wrongful death and survival action may be available to close family members under Texas law.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
When you hire The Garza Law Firm, we guide you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
Comprehensive Case Evaluation
We meet with you and your family to understand the full extent of the injury, the circumstances of the accident, and the impact on your life and your loved ones' lives.
Expert Medical Team Assembly
We connect you with top neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists in San Antonio who can properly document your TBI, its severity, and its long-term implications.
Life Care Planning
For moderate to severe TBI, we engage a certified life care planner to project all future medical, therapeutic, and support needs over the victim's lifetime — creating the financial foundation for your damages claim.
Economic Loss Analysis
We retain a vocational rehabilitation expert and economist to quantify lost earning capacity, including the difference between what you were able to earn before the injury and what your career trajectory looks like now.
Demand & Coverage Investigation
We prepare a thorough damages demand supported by all expert reports and medical records, and investigate all available insurance coverage, including any applicable umbrella or excess policies.
Trial Preparation & Litigation
TBI cases require compelling presentation of complex medical evidence. We have the trial experience and expert witness relationships to bring your case to a jury if that is what it takes to achieve justice.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact The Garza Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
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