Advocating For Brain Injury Victims In Louisiana
Last updated on August 28, 2026
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, contact the Law Office of Alan Stegall. Since 1999, I have protected the rights of accident victims, and I will work diligently to pursue the maximum compensation available for your losses.
I handle motor vehicle wrecks and other personal injury accidents in Shreveport and surrounding areas of Louisiana and Texas. Contact my office at 318-386-4371 for a free initial consultation.
Understanding Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is harm sustained by the brain that results in internal damage. Brain injuries can be caused by a direct blow to the head, by the “whiplash” effect of a car wreck, by an infection or virus, or by depriving the brain of oxygen, such as near-drowning.
Brain injuries range from mild to severe. The brain may heal completely over time, or the effects can last indefinitely or recur on occasion. Brain injuries can result in the following conditions:
- Loss of motor function
- Impairment in attention, cognition, language or memory
- Difficulty performing physical tasks
- Neurological, psychological or emotional disorders
It is important to seek medical treatment after a head trauma or if any symptoms of concussion or brain injury are experienced (or observed by family members). Some effects of brain injuries may not manifest right away or even until days, weeks or months after the accident. It is also important to document the symptoms and side effects of brain injury. You should make a list of any important dates related to your head injury as well as witnesses and their contact information. As a Shreveport brain injury attorney, I can help you document your experience in order to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
Who Can Be Held Liable In A Brain Injury Claim?
The cause of a brain injury usually determines the type of legal action that can be taken. Some common causes of brain injuries include:
- Automobile accidents: If a negligent driver causes an accident that results in someone’s brain injury, he or she can be held liable.
- Medical malpractice: When medical professionals fail to follow proper medical standards, as during surgery, they can be held liable for resulting brain injury.
- Slip and fall: Property owners can be held liable if dangerous conditions cause a slip and fall that results in head injury.
- Products liability: Defective products can lead to brain injury, such as toxic fumes or exploding parts.
Common Questions About Brain Injury Claims In Louisiana
Brain injury victims and their families often have important questions about their legal rights and options. We answer some of these questions below:
How do you prove a brain injury claim when symptoms are “invisible”?
Many brain injury symptoms do not show up on standard tests or scans, which makes proving your claim more challenging. I work with medical experts who can document cognitive changes, memory problems, personality shifts and other effects through neuropsychological testing and detailed evaluations. I also gather statements from family members, coworkers and friends who have observed changes in your behavior or abilities since the accident. Medical records, treatment history and expert testimony create a comprehensive picture of how the injury has affected your life, even when the damage is not visible to the naked eye.
What is the deadline to file a brain injury lawsuit in Louisiana?
The time you have to file a brain injury lawsuit in Louisiana depends on when your injury occurred. For accidents happening on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years from the accident date to bring your claim under Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1. If your injury happened before that date, the previous one-year time limit still applies. Courts refer to this filing deadline as the prescriptive period. Missing this deadline typically means the court will throw out your case, eliminating your opportunity to recover compensation. Certain circumstances may allow for extensions, such as cases where you did not immediately realize you had suffered an injury. I strongly encourage you to reach out to my office right away after any brain injury so I can safeguard your legal rights and ensure we meet every critical deadline.
What if I can’t return to work? How do lost earning capacity claims work?
If your brain injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or limits your ability to earn income in the future, you can seek compensation for lost earning capacity. This goes beyond simply recovering lost wages from time you have already missed. I work with vocational experts and economists who calculate the full value of your reduced earning potential over your remaining work life. We consider your age, education, work history, skills and the specific limitations your injury has created. This is designed to help you pursue the fair compensation you may be entitled to, not just for past losses, but for the income you will never be able to earn because of someone else’s negligence.
Rely On 20-Plus Years Of Experience
I have handled many brain injury cases over the years. I know how to make the causal connection to the negligence and how to document the impact on life to secure full compensation. Call my Shreveport office at 318-386-4371 or contact me online.