Over $25 Billion Won. Trial-Ready Attorneys Fighting for TBI Survivors Nationwide.
A traumatic brain injury can be one of the most life-altering events a person will ever face, disrupting daily life and creating a need for long-term care, rehabilitation, and support. At Arnold & Itkin, our Houston brain injury lawyers understand the profound impact these injuries have on individuals and families. We have the resources and trial experience to take on even the largest corporations and insurance companies, and our record speaks for itself: more than $25 billion won for people across the country. If you or a loved one has suffered a severe head injury due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to fight for the recovery you deserve.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Call our Houston brain injury attorneys now at (888) 493-1629. Serving clients nationwide, from Dallas to Baton Rouge.
Named Verdicts & Settlements for Brain Injury Survivors
Brain injuries arising from industrial accidents, oilfield incidents, and high-speed collisions produce some of the most complex and high-value cases in personal injury law. The severity of a traumatic brain injury depends on the type and force of the impact and whether secondary effects such as swelling or restricted blood flow compound the initial damage. In Houston and throughout Texas, we’ve handled cases stemming from falls from heights, oilfield equipment strikes, scaffolding collapses, motorcycle accidents, truck collisions, and debris entrapment common in Houston’s industrial sectors.
We have secured significant results for brain injury survivors nationwide:
$557 million for a young woman who suffered severe brain injuries when she was struck by a train.
$9.4 million for an oilfield worker struck in the head by a pipe that flew off a compressor unit.
One of our notable Harris County cases involved a worker struck by a UPS truck delivering packages to his worksite. Our client was knocked unconscious and suffered a traumatic brain injury. UPS’s legal team argued he was to blame for standing in the truck’s path and claimed he had made significant progress recovering from his injuries.
We took the case to a jury and secured a $12.4 million verdict on our client’s behalf. The jury rejected both of UPS’s defenses.
These results reflect our trial-first approach. Every brain injury case we take is prepared as if it will go before a jury, because that preparation is what works to force corporations to take responsibility rather than low-ball survivors. We’ve defeated Johnson & Johnson, Union Pacific, Bayer/Monsanto, and other major corporate defendants, and we bring that same tenacity to every TBI case we handle.
Why Choose a Local Houston Brain Injury Attorney?
Choosing a brain injury attorney in Houston means choosing someone who understands this city’s industries, its courts, and its community. Houston sits at the intersection of one of the country’s largest petrochemical sectors, active shipyards along the Houston Ship Channel, and some of the nation’s most congested roadways. Each of those environments produces distinct TBI causes and distinct liability frameworks. A firm that doesn’t understand the difference between an oilfield struck-by claim and a maritime Jones Act case can’t serve a Houston TBI survivor effectively.
We’ve been headquartered in Houston since 2004. Our attorneys have tried brain injury cases in the Harris County Courthouse and before federal magistrates in the Southern District of Texas. We’ve built long-standing relationships with local neurologists, life-care planners, vocational experts, and investigators who help us build cases that hold up at trial.
For our clients, that means:
Industry-specific knowledge. We understand the liability standards governing oilfield, construction, and maritime TBI claims, including the accident patterns on I-45 and I-10 that produce serious head injuries every year.
A trusted professional network. Our relationships with Houston-area medical and vocational professionals help us move cases forward efficiently and present them convincingly to juries.
Proven courtroom performance. Whether in Harris County or federal court, we know the judges, the procedural norms, and the timing details that shape case strategy.
We’re not just Houston-based attorneys, we live here. We fight for your recovery as neighbors and fellow Texans, not just as clients.
The Houston Brain Injury Claims Process: Step by Step
A brain injury lawsuit is more than paperwork. It’s a fight for a better future. We’ve guided clients across Texas through this process, from Houston to the Panhandle, making sure no step is overlooked and no right is forfeited. Texas law gives TBI survivors two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, making early action critical to preserving evidence and protecting your right to recover.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention Your health is the priority. Even if symptoms seem minor, traumatic brain injuries can worsen rapidly. An early evaluation can improve treatment outcomes and creates a critical paper trail for your case.
2. Report the Incident Whether the injury occurred at a job site in the oilfields, on I-45 (the nation’s deadliest highway), or during an offshore operation in the Gulf, report it to the proper authority, including your employer, insurance provider, and law enforcement.
3. Preserve Evidence We work to secure photos, accident reports, witness statements, and medical records before they can be lost or altered. In Texas brain injury claims, critical evidence can vanish quickly, especially in industrial and maritime settings.
4. Hire an Experienced Texas Brain Injury Attorney The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case can become. We immediately investigate liability, consult with neurologists and life-care planners, and begin building your case as if it’s going to trial. That’s how we build the strongest case possible.
5. File Your Claim Depending on the case, we may file in Texas state court or federal court. The nature of the defendant, diversity jurisdiction, and whether maritime law applies all shape where and how we file. We know the courts in Harris County, Galveston County, Bexar County, and beyond, and we tailor our approach to each jurisdiction.
6. Negotiate or Litigate If the other side won’t offer fair compensation, we’re ready to present your case to a Texas jury. Going to trial is often one way to pursue a verdict that covers your losses or to force the defendant to make a fair offer.
Medical Care & Documentation After a Brain Injury
With brain injuries, time lost can mean function lost. Delayed treatment can lead to permanent impairments that prompt care might have minimized. Even if you feel “fine” after a fall, collision, or workplace accident, a TBI can be present without obvious symptoms. Swelling, bleeding, or nerve damage inside the skull may not appear until hours or even days later. That’s why medical professionals at Houston’s top trauma centers, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Hospital, urge immediate evaluation after any head injury.
Documentation is just as important as treatment. Every doctor’s note, diagnostic scan, and therapy record becomes part of the evidence that establishes the extent of your injury. In Texas, that documentation can be a deciding factor in whether you recover compensation to cover medical costs.
We advise our clients to:
Keep copies of all medical records, bills, receipts, and prescriptions.
Maintain a daily symptom journal noting issues like headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties.
Save all correspondence with your employer, insurer, or any involved parties.
Swift treatment and thorough documentation protect your health and strengthen your case. When the stakes are this high, you need a brain injury attorney Houston survivors can count on to understand the urgency.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Resources in Houston, TX
After a traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation isn’t optional. Even when initial medical treatment is successful, TBIs can leave lasting effects on movement, speech, memory, and behavior. Rehabilitation helps patients relearn skills, adapt to physical and cognitive changes, and maximize independence. Depending on the severity of the injury, that may mean regaining basic motor functions, rebuilding problem-solving abilities, or learning new strategies for daily life.
A comprehensive rehabilitation plan can include:
Physical therapy to restore mobility, strength, and balance.
Occupational therapy to rebuild everyday living skills.
Speech-language therapy to improve communication and swallowing.
Neuropsychological support to address changes in thinking, mood, or behavior.
Vocational therapy to help patients return to work or transition to a new career.
Houston is home to some of the most advanced brain injury rehabilitation programs in the country. TIRR Memorial Hermann ranks No. 2 nationally and No. 1 in Texas among rehabilitation hospitals per U.S. News & World Report’s Best Rehabilitation Hospitals 2024-2025, a distinction held for 36 consecutive years, and it carries federal designation as a Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Center. Houston Methodist offers a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation using state-of-the-art equipment and proven methods. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston provides brain injury programs tailored to long-term recovery needs.
Securing the financial means to access ongoing care, home modifications, and assistive devices is a central objective of every brain injury case we handle. We fight to recover that level of compensation for our clients.
Closed Head Injury Claims
Closed head injuries are a common form of traumatic brain injury in which the skull and the dura mater (the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord) remain intact. They may result from falls, vehicle accidents, occupational incidents, or explosions, all elevated risks in Houston’s industrial sectors. The severity ranges from mild concussions to debilitating trauma, and in the most serious cases, closed head injuries can lead to lifelong impairment or wrongful death.
Diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms aren’t always immediately apparent. Houston’s leading emergency care centers use advanced imaging, including MRI and CT scans, to detect hidden injuries such as diffuse axonal injury (damage to the nerve fibers connecting different areas of the brain) and cerebral contusions. After any significant impact, immediate medical assessment is critical regardless of whether there are visible wounds.
Common types of closed head injuries include:
Concussions: Temporary disruptions to normal brain function.
Intracranial Hematomas: Ruptured blood vessels that cause a pool of blood to form inside the skull.
Cerebral Contusions: Bruising of brain tissue.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Damage to the axons (nerve fibers) connecting the brain’s nerve cells, often caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration.
Symptoms may appear immediately or not surface until days or weeks after the incident, and they range from mild to life-threatening. Anyone showing signs of a brain injury after an accident should seek emergency medical care and contact a Houston brain injury attorney promptly.
Symptoms of a closed head injury include:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Slurred speech
Vomiting
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Possibly coma
During recovery, many survivors develop secondary symptoms including loss of social skills, changes in mood or personality, cognitive disabilities, anxiety, and impaired perception.
Skull Fractures & Brain Injuries: What Bone Injuries Can Tell Us
Blunt force trauma to the head can fracture the skull, damaging membranes, blood vessels, and the brain itself. In workplace settings, these injuries often occur when a worker falls or is struck by a heavy object. Mine, offshore, and construction workers face a particularly high risk. We handle skull fracture and brain injury claims for workers in oilfield, offshore, construction, and mine environments where falls and struck-by hazards are prevalent.
There are four types of skull fractures:
Linear Fractures: These fractures spread through the entire thickness of the skull, from the outer to inner table. They are usually straight, hence the name. While all skull fractures are serious, linear fractures become especially dangerous when the fracture line runs close to a vascular channel or a suture in the skull, creating risk of complications such as an epidural hematoma, venous sinus thrombosis, or diastasis.
Depressed Fractures: Blunt force displaces bone inward, increasing the risk of pressure on brain tissue and blood vessels. If the displaced bone breaches the skull’s protective barrier, it can expose the brain to infection. These fractures often require surgery.
Diastatic Fractures: These fractures run along or across skull sutures. They are more common in infants, whose sutures aren’t yet fused, but adults can be affected as well.
Basilar Fractures: Occurring at the base of the skull, these fractures may be signaled by fluid leaking from the nose or ears and bruising around the eyes. They carry a risk of damage to the pituitary gland, which can lead to hormonal disorders or sexual dysfunction.
Cognition describes the brain’s ability to think, process information, and solve problems. A cognitive disorder develops when those functions become impaired, whether through disruptions to memory processing, perception, problem-solving, or language. These disorders range from amnesia and dementia to anxiety disorders and certain psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia, all of which affect memory, attention, and related functions.
Common symptoms of a cognitive disorder include:
Sleeplessness
Memory loss
Agitation
Lethargy
Impaired or disorganized speech
Impaired motor skills
The effects extend well beyond the individual. Families and support networks often bear significant strain as well. Structured environments, memory aids, and emerging therapeutic approaches can help manage these conditions and support greater independence over time.
What Causes Neurological Injuries?
Neurological injuries can result from physical trauma, genetic disease, or infection. When negligence or wrongdoing is the cause, victims have the right to pursue justice and compensation. A blow to the head, a near-drowning, a vehicle accident, or a fall can all produce neurological harm that reshapes every aspect of a person’s life. We represent victims of neurological injuries throughout Houston and Texas, and holding the responsible party accountable allows survivors to recover compensation for the ongoing care they need.
What Are the Symptoms of Neurological Injuries?
Neurological injuries affect the brain and spinal cord, which govern thought, movement, and sensation. Symptoms vary in severity and type depending on the cause, but they frequently affect a person’s ability to read, write, speak, move, and remember. Early identification matters: patients who log their symptoms in detail give healthcare professionals a clearer picture for tailoring effective treatment.
How Do Cognitive Disorders Affect Daily Life?
Impaired brain function can cause a person to forget important dates, miss obligations, and develop a reputation for being unreliable. In some work environments, cognitive impairment creates serious safety concerns and threatens employment. On a personal level, survivors often struggle to maintain relationships or stay engaged in conversation, which takes a toll on self-esteem and daily quality of life. A neuropsychological evaluation, a structured assessment of memory, attention, and executive function conducted by a licensed neuropsychologist, can be critical both for identifying the scope of the disorder and for establishing its impact in a legal claim.
How Are Cognitive Disorders Treated?
When a brain injury or sudden trauma produces a cognitive disorder, memory, judgment, and concentration may all be compromised. Depending on the root cause, treatment may include medication, environmental adjustments, or therapies focused on rebuilding cognitive function. Securing the financial recovery needed to pay for ongoing treatment is one of the most important things we do for clients whose injuries were caused by another party’s negligence.
Trauma-Induced Memory Loss & Amnesia
Memory loss from a traumatic brain injury can make it difficult or impossible to recall past events, manage daily responsibilities, or maintain long-term commitments. Amnesia can affect recent weeks or years of memory, develop suddenly or gradually, and may be temporary or permanent. Its effects on quality of life are profound, often complicating a survivor’s return to work, their relationships, and their ability to regain independence.
Survivors who experience memory loss after a brain injury may feel frustration, depression, or anxiety because of the unpredictable nature of their symptoms. Support from neuropsychologists, structured therapy programs, and resources like the Texas branch of the Brain Injury Association of America and the Texas Brain Injury Alliance can help restore a sense of hope and control.
There are three primary types of TBI-induced amnesia:
Transient Global Amnesia: A temporary, total loss of short-term memory without loss of consciousness or other neurological impairment. Victims may lose the ability to form new memories briefly but generally recover without lasting effects. Temporary blockage of blood vessels is believed to be a contributing cause.
Anterograde (or Antegrade) Amnesia: Memory loss that affects new learning after the trauma while pre-injury memories remain intact. Commonly seen after brain injury or toxic exposure, this form often results in gaps in recall following the incident.
Retrograde Amnesia: Inability to recall events that occurred before the trauma. Memory of events after the injury often remains intact, allowing the formation of new memories going forward.
Symptoms of memory loss can include confusion, decreased alertness, getting lost easily, repeating statements, losing track of tasks, forgetting names and dates, and difficulty with familiar activities. We help clients adjust to these challenges by pursuing compensation that covers ongoing neuropsychological care and rehabilitation.
Recovering Full Compensation After a Brain Injury in Texas
More than 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a TBI each year. Often called the “Silent Epidemic,” these injuries can go unnoticed at first, only to produce devastating long-term effects. Living with a traumatic brain injury is expensive, and the costs don’t diminish over time. Survivors may face ongoing rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, assistive technology, 24/7 in-home care, and home or vehicle modifications. For many, a TBI also means a permanent reduction in earning capacity and a lifetime of financial strain.
Brain injuries produce lasting changes including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, loss of motor skills, mood swings, impaired judgment, and personality changes that affect the survivor and their entire family. Life care planning, a structured assessment of every present and future medical, therapeutic, and support cost a survivor will need, is one of the tools we use to make sure nothing goes unaccounted for.
We fight to make sure our clients have the resources to handle every challenge a brain injury brings, including:
Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
Home and vehicle modifications
Lost wages and future earning capacity
24/7 in-home nursing or attendant care
Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
We know how to prove the full value of a brain injury case. Working with medical economists, life-care planners, and rehabilitation experts, we calculate what’s needed based on the facts of the case and prepare every case for trial so that insurance companies and defendants know we’re ready to go the distance.
Talk to a Houston Brain Injury Attorney Today
If another party’s negligence caused your brain injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the costs your injury creates, now and in the future. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can understand your options before making any decision. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing for any services or litigation expenses unless we win a verdict or settlement on your behalf. We carry the financial risk of litigation because we believe in the cases we take and the people we represent.
If you or someone you love has suffered any type of brain injury or head trauma, getting medical help should be your first priority. After that, talk to a Houston personal injury lawyer about your legal options. If you were injured at work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation for your medical care and lost earnings. If someone else was responsible, like a drunk driver, careless property owner, or manufacturer of a defective product, a Houston traumatic brain injury attorney can from Arnold & Itkin can help you pursue fair financial compensation for your losses and injuries. This can help you start to put the pieces back together and build a brighter future.
What Are the Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Depending on severity of the injury, the physical and mental effects can vary. In general, the effects are greatest immediately following the injury. In mild cases, symptoms of traumatic brain injuries range from sensitivity to noise and light, to depression, memory loss, and attention deficit problems. In moderate cases, motor and cognitive impairment that requires extensive therapy and rehabilitation. In severe cases, victim remains in a vegetative state, coma, or a minimally responsive state. Physical effects may include headaches, speech problems, blurred vision, loss of hearing, lack of energy, difficulty with balancing, dizziness, or sleeping problems. Mental effects may include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, lack of focus, impaired decision making, depression, and anxiety.
Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatable?
Beginning treatment as soon as possible gives patients the best chance for a full recovery. Treatment options will vary depending on severity of the injury. The mildest injuries can generally be treated at home with over-the-counter pain medication and rest. However, it is important to keep a close eye out for any symptoms that may worsen as time goes by. If symptoms seem to be worsening, you should visit a doctor. Severe traumatic brain injuries can be treated in a variety of ways. Often, these treatments options are used in conjunction with each other. Common treatment option for severe brain injuries include medications, surgery, and rehabilitation.
What Compensation May Be Available for Brain Injury Survivors?
Victims of brain injuries may be entitled to various forms of compensation. This can include coverage for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and loss of earnings if the injury impedes work capability. Additionally, compensation may also address non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and decreased quality of life. A dedicated brain injury lawyer in Houston can thoroughly explore all avenues for compensation to help ensure victims receive the support they need for recovery.
What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries in the Workplace?
In the workplace, brain injuries often result from falls, especially in industries like construction where employees work at significant heights. Heavy machinery and equipment failures, common in industrial environments, can also lead to severe head injuries. Improper safety practices and lack of protective gear are frequent underlying factors. Employers are required by law to enforce safety protocols to mitigate such risks, yet negligence sometimes leads to tragic outcomes. Brain injury attorneys in Texas can provide guidance on pursuing compensation in such cases.
