The Role of Neurologists in Nevada Brain Injury Litigation

Brain injuries are among the most challenging cases in Nevada’s personal injury system. Because of the complexity, personal injury cases that involve the brain often rely on expert testimony. In many instances, neurologists are called in to give their expert opinion on the injury and recovery. Understanding how this process works can help victims and their families during an overwhelming time.

Diagnosing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) don’t always show obvious signs right away. Those who experience a blow to the head may feel mostly fine at first, only to notice symptoms later. Understanding how doctors, and specifically neurologists, diagnose and assess these injuries helps victims know what steps to take for treatment and to protect their rights.

How neurologists evaluate head trauma

A neurologist specializes in conditions related to the brain and nervous system. When they suspect a TBI, neurologists start by gathering information about the exact event: Did the head hit something? Was there any period of unconsciousness? They may ask questions about headaches, changes in behavior, sleep patterns, or difficulty focusing.

Neurologists check muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, balance, and simple movements. They may also look for unusual eye movements or test the way you sense touch and temperature. Besides physical tests, they observe general mental awareness and how well someone follows instructions or remembers simple things.

Neurological exams and cognitive assessments

One significant part of diagnosing a TBI is testing how a person thinks and if their memory has been impacted. A neurologist might ask you to repeat phrases, listen to information and explain what it means, draw shapes and numbers, or remember lists of objects. They compare your current cognitive status to how you used to be to get a better understanding of how the TBI is affecting you.

Use of imaging tools like MRI, CT, and DTI (Diffusion tensor imaging)

Exams and interviews provide important information, but doctors usually need pictures of the brain, too. The most common scan after a head injury is a computed tomography (CT) scan, a kind of advanced X-ray.

CT scans are good for spotting problems that need immediate attention, like bleeding or swelling inside the skull. MRI takes a bit longer but gives a clearer view, especially for old injuries or subtle changes.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a newer tool that shows tiny connections in the brain’s white matter and finds damage that regular MRIs can miss.

Early medical care helps document injuries and may strengthen a compensation claim if another party was negligent.

Neurologists’ role in the legal process: How neurologists help Nevada brain injury lawyers build cases

Brain injury lawsuits need careful work to prove their true impact. Neurologists play a central role, translating medicine into facts that people without medical training can understand. Here’s how neurologists work alongside brain injury lawyers to help victims be heard.

Preparing medical reports and testimony on the brain injury

Neurologists will examine the injured person and write up their analysis. This will detail how severe the injury is, what treatment is needed, and how the injury happened. This is essential because the judge or jury can’t see brain injuries. The findings of these expert witnesses, combined with testimony from people who know how the injury has impacted you, build a solid foundation for your case.

Making medical jargon understandable

Medical language can get complicated, and it can be overwhelming for someone who hasn’t studied the subject. Neurologists helping with a personal injury case can take this information and explain it so that insurance companies, judges, and juries can understand it. If the case goes to court, the neurologist can testify to their findings.

Connecting the injury to the accident (causation)

It’s one thing to show that someone suffered a brain injury. The next step is showing what actually caused this injury. A neurologist will do their best to figure out how the injury occurred. Neurologists typically must express medical-causation opinions to a reasonable degree of medical probability in Nevada.

How Nevada courts view evidence from neurologists

Nevada courts take expert witness testimony very seriously, and this is especially true when it’s about something as complicated as brain injuries. Judges and juries can be swayed by an expert witness who explains the injury well and in terms they can understand, as well as what the recovery looks like. In general, Nevada courts admit expert medical testimony if it meets NRS 50.275; once admitted, the jury decides the weight to give it.

Challenges in proving “invisible” brain injuries

Brain injuries don’t always show up on standard tests like X-rays. Sometimes symptoms are hidden at first and only show up later, manifesting as trouble with memory or experiencing significant mood changes.

People tend to want hard evidence of an injury, which can make these invisible injuries a little bit more difficult to get compensated for. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though. A neurologist can explain all your symptoms and go into detail about how the injury occurred and what type of recovery you’re looking at.

The impact of early neurological evaluation

Getting checked by a neurologist soon after an accident leads to better care and a clear record of what’s happening. Early evaluation can spot damage before it worsens, making it easier for your doctors to suggest treatment to help with recovery. When you have strong records from day one, it’s also harder for the other side to claim you weren’t injured or that issues started long after the accident. Getting timely help is good for your health and your legal claim.

If you’ve been in an accident and have experienced a traumatic brain injury because someone else was negligent, you may have a claim for compensation, which can help you pay for medical bills and cover lost wages and other losses.

A lawyer can help evaluate your claim and pursue compensation under Nevada law. Our team has been handling these types of cases for decades, recovering billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’re always here to help you. Contact Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with one of our brain injury lawyers.