Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Accidents
Traumatic brain injuries are a consequence of a severe blow to the head or when an outside object penetrates the skull and brain. TBI can range from a mild concussion to severe and permanent brain damage. Symptoms vary from case to case, but common effects are; a concussion, loss of memory, headache, seizures, loss of motor skills, coma, death, etc. Often times those suffering from TBI must undergo some sort of treatment at a trained facility, like CareMeridian.
TBI can be caused by a number of different traumas, yet one of the leading causes of TBI in the United States are motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents actually produce in the highest number of TBI hospitalizations. Motor vehicle TBI is also highest among adolescents from 15 to 19 years old. Each year there are over 6 million automotive accidents and approximately 3 million of the people involved are injured and around 40,000 each year die. Many of the injuries and deaths are related to and caused by TBIs. While there can never be complete protection from auto vehicle TBIs, precautions against them can be taken. Individuals should undertake safe driving practices, which include avoiding drug and alcohol consumption when driving. Also seatbelts, helmets, speeding and child safety seat laws should always be abided by. If individuals take these precautions they can significantly reduce the probability that they will become another TBI statistic.
Acquired Brain Injuries
Acquired brain injuries are very serious and have lasting medical
effects on the person who has this type of brain injury. The brain
controls our entire body and is necessary for speech, movement, and
other functions of the body so this type of injury can affect speech,
motor functions, and even social functions.
What is an acquired brain injury? It is a brain injury that occurs after birth and causes extensive damage to the brain.
How does one get this type of injury? Falls, accidents, car
accidents, and physical abuse can cause a traumatic brain injury. Most
people with traumatic brain injuries have had some type of impact to
the head which resulted in their injury.
How serious are brain injuries? Brain injuries can be very serious
and sometimes people do not even know how serious it is until they
begin to experience the side effects. Some of these side effects
include: headaches, fatigue, epilepsy, incontinence, loss of sensation,
loss of speech, and loss of motor functions.
How is this type of head injury treated? Depending on the severity
of the traumatic head injury, the person will need some sort of medical
care. Usually, the person will need help from nurses, doctors, speech
therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers,
and clinical psychologists.
What are other forms of traumatic brain injury? Other forms include
the following: stroke, tumors, hemorrhages, hematoma, encephalitis, and
hypoxia.
What are the legal implications? If the person was injured by
someone else and that caused their injury then they can sue that
person. People with traumatic brain injuries have to receive a lot of
medical care that can be very expensive. If you are an adult and
suffered this type of injury then you might not be able to work and be
disabled so you would need to be compensated for your loss of wages and
damages.
What necessary documentation will a lawyer need to represent you?
Your lawyer will need to assess your case by reviewing the incidents
that took place before and after the brain injury occurred. The lawyer
will review your medical records; read any necessary police reports,
and see what your prognosis is and assess how much compensation you
will need to sue for. It is important that you choose the right lawyer
because they will represent your interests. The lawyer needs to do the
proper research on head injuries and traumatic brain injuries so that
they can present a well rounded case to the judge.
What is the claims process like? The claims process involves the
following steps: show the cause of your injury and who is to blame,
have a complete medical examination, and assess your prognosis to
determine proper compensation. These steps need to be taken before you
can file your claim and go before a judge in a court of law.
How do traumatic brain injuries affect families? Depending on the
severity of the injury, families can be very affected by their loved
one s brain injury. Some people with traumatic brain injuries become
comatose or cannot even speak or take care of themselves. This leaves
their care to either a long term facility or other family members. This
can be a very difficult situation to deal with especially if the person
has a family and children to take care of. Families grieve in different
ways after their loved one has changed because of a head injury. It can
be over whelming and it does take a while for people to get used to
their new family situation.
What types of support are out there for people and families
affected by traumatic brain injuries? There are web sites for sufferers
such as Aphasia Now, Brain Injury Association of America, and Brain and
Spine Foundation. These resources can be very beneficial to traumatic
brain sufferers and their families. If you or a family member has
suffered a traumatic brain injury then please speak to a lawyer who
specializes in this area of law so that you can get the compensation
that you deserve.