Why are neuropsychologist often needed in TBI trials?

When an accident victim hits his head, it is important for him to seek a medical diagnosis so that he can receive a recommendation for proper treatment of any brain injury that they sustained. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from mild to severe can require extensive treatment, which may involve many different types of doctors and other rehabilitative professionals. One such professional that may be required is a neuropsychologist.

A neuropsychologist studies the correlation between the brain and the mind, specifically how the brain functioning affects a patient’s behaviors and abilities. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), these professionals can be quite helpful for TBI patients for many reasons. Some important roles these professionals serve for brain injury patients include the following:

Conducting a full neuropsychological evaluation to assess the cognitive skills, psychological challenges involving mood or personality changes, and to predict any ongoing impairments with cognitive or emotional functioning.
Providing education to patients regarding their symptoms and the relation of their psychological thinking to their brain injury, as well as normal patterns of recovery.
Helping a patient to identify when it is safe to return to work, school, sports, or other regular activities.
Overseeing rehabilitative therapy for a TBI patient to practice reasoning, memory, and other cognitive functions.
Identifying when a TBI patient may need to be referred for medication due to lasting mood or emotional symptoms.

Testimony at Trial

If a TBI patient brings a legal claim against a negligent party to recover for their brain injury-related losses, he must prove the nature and extent of his injury and the treatment they required. Commonly, a neuropsychologist may be called in to testify and support the injury claims. Specifically, a neuropsychologist can testify that any cognitive symptoms are indeed the result of a TBI and not another issue such as depression, sleep disorders, or anxiety. This can work to refute doubts cast by a defendant regarding the severity and effects of the TBI.

In order to assist at trial, a neuropsychologist will have to demonstrate that he has specialized training and knowledge in the field. He will have to conduct a thorough evaluation of the TBI patient in order to testify to their specific condition. Testimony can be regarding the specific cognitive effects of the brain injury, the limitations on the TBI patient, the recommended time away from work or school for the patient, the need for rehabilitative treatment, and more. Such testimony from a neuropsychologist can support the claimed value of the damages sought by the TBI patient.

Contact a Baltimore or Washington D.C. Brain Injury Attorney at The Casper Firm for a Free Consultation

Neuropsychologists and other medical experts can be of valuable assistance in a TBI trials, however, a patient must have the assistance of an experienced brain injury lawyer who understands how to effectively present testimony of neuropsychologists in line with the rules of evidence. A lawyer at Brain Injury Counsel can identify whether such experts will be of assistance in your TBI trial, so please do not hesitate to call The Casper Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case.