After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), speech and language difficulties can profoundly impact a person's ability to communicate, work, and maintain relationships. In Lafayette, Indiana, many brain injury survivors require extensive speech-language pathology (SLP) services to address challenges such as aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive-communication disorders, and swallowing difficulties. These conditions often emerge following car accidents, workplace incidents, slip and falls, or medical malpractice events. When such injuries result from another party's negligence, victims may be entitled to compensation for their speech therapy needs, including both immediate and long-term rehabilitation costs. The journey through speech-language recovery can be extensive, requiring specialized care from certified speech-language pathologists who work in conjunction with neurologists, occupational therapists, and other medical professionals at facilities like IU Health Arnett Hospital and Franciscan Health Lafayette.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Indiana operates under a modified comparative fault system (Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6), where injured parties can recover damages if they are found to be 50% or less at fault for their injury. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is two years from the date of injury (IC § 34-11-2-4). Compensation may cover direct medical expenses, including speech therapy sessions, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic devices, as well as indirect costs such as lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Insurance considerations typically involve health insurance coordination, medical payments coverage, and liability insurance from the at-fault party. Indiana's Department of Insurance regulations may affect coverage limits and claim procedures. Medicare and Medicaid recipients should be aware of potential liens on settlement amounts. An experienced Lafayette brain injury law firm will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Brain injuries can occur in many types of accidents. Click the links below to get information on legal claims from personal injury attorneys who have experience in these different types of accidents and injuries including:

• Lafayette car accident attorney;
• Lafayette pedestrian collision attorney;
• Lafayette motorcycle collision lawyer;
• Lafayette truck crash lawyer;
• Lafayette back injury attorney;

Related Resources: Local Courts:

• Tippecanoe County Superior Court
• Tippecanoe County Circuit Court
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (Lafayette Division)

Support Services:

• Indiana Brain Injury Association
• Lafayette Rehabilitation Hospital
• IU Health Arnett Hospital Speech Therapy Department
• Franciscan Health Lafayette Speech and Language Center
• Purdue University Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences Clinic

Regulatory Resources:

• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (Speech-Language Pathology Licensing)
• Indiana Department of Insurance
• Indiana Medical Malpractice Act Guidelines
• Indiana Rehabilitation Services Commission

Return to the Lafayette Indiana brain injury information page