What To Do After A Traumatic Brain Injury In Missouri

Sansone & Lauber | | Brain & Spine Injury Articles
brain injury lawyer st louis

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are devastating, life-changing, and often permanent.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Missouri—whether from a car accident, truck crash, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or workplace accident—your life may never be the same.

Medical bills pile up, paychecks stop coming in, and the insurance companies already have their playbook ready: delay, deny, and devalue your claim.

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t let them get away with it. As aggressive Missouri brain injury lawyers, we know the law, we know the medicine, and we know how to win maximum compensation for brain injury victims and their families.

Why Brain Injuries Are So Serious

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not like a broken arm or a sprained ankle. The brain controls every function in your body—thinking, speaking, emotions, movement, memory, and personality.

Damage to brain tissue is often irreversible, and even a so-called “mild” concussion can cause lifelong symptoms such as:

  • Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue

  • Loss of memory and concentration

  • Personality changes, mood swings, and depression

  • Sensitivity to light and sound

  • Impaired speech and vision

  • Seizures or loss of motor function

Severe brain injuries can result in coma, paralysis, or permanent disability. Families often face years of therapy, assisted living, and overwhelming financial stress.

That’s why the law allows brain injury victims to pursue full damages—and why you need an experienced Missouri injury lawyer on your side from the very start.

Step 1: Get Immediate Medical Attention

After a suspected brain injury, every second counts. TBIs are often invisible—you may walk away from a crash or a fall thinking you’re “fine,” only to deteriorate hours later. Always:

  1. Call 911 or go to the ER after any head injury.

  2. Ask for CT scans or MRIs—not just a quick physical exam.

  3. Keep copies of every medical record, bill, and diagnostic test.

  4. Follow all doctor’s orders—even if symptoms seem to improve.

From a legal standpoint, prompt medical documentation is one of the strongest pieces of evidence we can use against the insurance company. If you delay treatment, they will argue your injuries are minor or unrelated to the accident.

Step 2: Report the Accident

The way you report and document your accident depends on how it happened:

  • Car or Truck Crash: Call the police. The crash report will be a critical piece of evidence.

  • Slip and Fall: Report the incident to the property owner/manager and request a copy of the incident report.

  • Workplace Accident: Notify your employer immediately and request a workers’ compensation claim form.

  • Dog Bite Attack: Report to local animal control and follow rabies quarantine procedures.

Every report creates a paper trail. Without it, the insurance company will claim your injury never happened—or happened somewhere else.

Step 3: Preserve Evidence

Brain injury cases are won and lost on evidence. The defendant and their insurance company are already working to cover themselves, so you must act quickly:

  • Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicles, and hazards.

  • Save bloody clothing, helmets, or damaged property.

  • Get names and contact info of all witnesses.

  • Check for surveillance footage (many businesses and intersections record).

  • Keep a daily journal of symptoms, pain levels, and emotional struggles.

At Sansone & Lauber, our legal team moves fast to lock down critical evidence before it disappears. We work with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and life care planners to build a case that the insurance company cannot ignore.

Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Insurance Company Alone

Within days of your accident, an insurance adjuster will call with a fake-friendly tone. They’ll say things like:

  • “We just need your statement for our records.”

  • “We’re concerned about your medical bills, let’s get this settled quickly.”

  • “This offer is the best you’ll get—you don’t need a lawyer.”

Don’t fall for it. These companies are not your friend—their job is to pay you as little as possible. If you sign a release or accept a lowball settlement before the full extent of your brain injury is known, you could lose millions of dollars in lifetime compensation.

At Sansone & Lauber, we handle all communication with insurers and force them to deal with us—not you. That means no harassment, no tricks, and no giving away your rights.

Step 5: Hire an Experienced Missouri Brain Injury Lawyer

Brain injury claims are among the most complex personal injury cases. They require deep knowledge of both law and medicine. At Sansone & Lauber, we:

  • Investigate aggressively from day one.

  • Consult with neurologists, neurosurgeons, and rehab specialists to prove the extent of injury.

  • Calculate lifetime costs, including lost income, therapy, and future care.

  • Fight comparative fault arguments (e.g., “you weren’t wearing a seatbelt,” “you were careless”).

  • Prepare every case for trial—insurance companies pay more when they know we’re ready to take them to court.

Compensation Available for Brain Injury Victims in Missouri

A successful brain injury claim may recover damages for:

  • Medical expenses: ER, hospitalization, surgery, rehab, long-term care.

  • Lost income and earning capacity: If you can’t return to work or your career path is destroyed.

  • Pain and suffering: Physical pain, cognitive difficulties, and reduced quality of life.

  • Loss of consortium: Strain on family relationships and marital loss.

  • Future care costs: Home modifications, wheelchairs, or assisted living.

  • Punitive damages: In cases of reckless or intentional misconduct.

We’ve seen seven and eight figure recoveries in brain injury cases when properly fought. Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you otherwise.

Missouri Laws That Protect Brain Injury Victims

  • Statute of Limitations: You generally have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri. For minors, the clock doesn’t start until age 21—giving them until age 26 in many cases.

  • Comparative Fault Rule: Even if you’re partly at fault, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault.

  • Workers’ Compensation: If your TBI happened at work, you may be entitled to medical care and lost wage benefits under Missouri workers’ comp law.

  • Dog Bite Statute: Missouri has a strict liability dog bite law, which can be key in brain injuries caused by violent dog attacks.

Case Spotlight: $14.2 Million Motorcycle Brain Injury Verdict

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t just talk about results—we deliver them. In one of Missouri’s most significant motorcycle accident brain injury cases, we won a $14.2 million verdict for a client who suffered a catastrophic TBI. The verdict was later affirmed by the Court of Appeals, proving that when we fight, we win big.

This case shows exactly what’s possible when you have aggressive trial lawyers on your side. Insurance companies know our reputation—and they know we don’t settle cheap.

Why You Need a Trial-Ready Brain Injury Lawyer

Many personal injury lawyers will push you to accept a quick settlement. At Sansone & Lauber, we know better. Brain injury cases often take months or years to fully evaluate. Accepting too early means selling your future short.

We build every brain injury case with the assumption it will go to trial. That’s how we maximize settlements—and if the insurance company refuses to be fair, we’re ready to prove your case to a jury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is my Missouri brain injury case worth?
A: Every case is different, but brain injuries often result in six, seven, or eight-figure recoveries depending on severity, medical costs, and lifetime impact.

Q: Can I sue if I wasn’t wearing a helmet or seatbelt?
A: Yes. Missouri’s comparative fault law means you can still recover damages, though your award may be reduced.

Q: What if I can never work again?
A: We pursue full recovery for lost earning capacity and future care costs—often the largest part of a brain injury claim.

Q: How long do I have to file?
A: Generally five years for adults; up to age 26 for minors. Don’t wait—evidence disappears fast.

Call Sansone & Lauber Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Missouri, don’t wait and don’t fight alone. Insurance companies are already working against you. Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 today for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless you win.

At Sansone & Lauber, we believe winning is no accident.