I’ve had several clients that have suffered severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) over the past 25 years in practice. Just as every person is unique, so is every TBI. Severe TBI’s can have a devastating effect on the victim as well as the victim’s family. Some of my client’s have been children who have their entire lives ahead of them and will now struggle with the lifelong effects of having a brain injury. Other clients have been mothers and fathers who are contributing to the household income and will now struggle with employment demands while trying to recover from a life altering injury. Sadly, I have represented clients’ families because their loved one suffered wrongful death as a result of the Traumatic Brain Injury.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Any interruption of normal brain functioning caused by a strike to the head, when the head violently strikes and object, or when a skull is penetrated by a foreign object and injures brain tissue can be classified as a traumatic brain injury. If any of the following symptoms or behaviors are observed after such an event has occurred, the likelihood of a TBI is high and the victim should be transported to a medical facility immediately.
- Vision loss
- Change of speech
- Loss of facial movement
- Amnesia before, during or after injury
- Weakness
- Loss of consciousness
- Feeling of disorientation, dizziness, confusion or “brain fog”
- Word finding difficulty
- Vomiting
- Extreme sleepiness
- Dilated pupils
- Extreme personality changes or mood swings
- Body numbness, tingling or loss of control of bowels
Mild TBI’s occur most often and can cause a brief injury to the brain and that will pass over time. Mild TBI’s can take a few weeks to heal and doctors recommend that patients are not exposed to stimulation from screens (laptops, TV’s mobile phones, tablets, etc.) or exposed to bright light. During waking hours patients should be resting in a dimly lit space. Headaches, sleepiness and any of the symptoms above are common during this healing period.
Severe TBI’s can are much more serious and alter life permanently. Patients with severe and catastrophic traumatic brain injury may endure long periods of time in comas, unconsciousness and loss of mobility. Some victims die.
What Types of Accidents Cause TBI?
Accidents happen. We all know this. A few years ago my niece was playing with her dog and hit her head on the counter, resulting in a mild concussion. Two weeks of rest and a dark room and fortunately she was fine. She was lucky. Others who suffer a head injury aren’t as lucky, so identifying the causes of head injuries can be a crucial step as to how to avoid them in the first place.
According to report released by the CDC in 2014, 2.87 million TBI were recorded that year. Just over 800,000 of those injuries happened to children. The CDC also estimates that nearly 14 million people live with a life-long disability due to a TBI.
The statistics are grim and research shows that three of the leading causes of TBI are car accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
Car Accidents
Victims of TBI that occur in car accidents often hit their head on the windshield or side-window during the course of rear-end collision or a T-Bone collision. While seat belts and airbags have greatly reduced the risk of injuries including TBI, these mechanisms aren’t fail safe and some victims do not use them properly.
Slip and Falls
Falling anywhere can lead to a head injury. Slippery and unsafe conditions inside retail stores and in parking lots are common places where falls occur. Public places are responsible for keeping pathways clear of trip hazards and of warning patrons of fall hazards. Many falls also occur in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and hospitals. Patients that have a condition that can lead to dizziness, disorientation, loss of mobility or weakness or those who are taking medications that cause these conditions should be monitored closely by caretakers and assisted when needed.
Sports Injuries
Many injuries that occur while playing sports are not preventable and are a known hazard of playing the game. But some are not. A few years ago, I represented the family of a child who had sustained a traumatic TBI while playing soccer. He was an active 12 year old boy. In fact he was the goalie. During the course of play, the goal tipped over and crushed the skull of this young, vibrant child. He succumbed to his injuries and died that day. This is an example of a tragic, preventable accident. The goal, which had a design defect and was unsecured by those in charge, should never have been used on a field with players. Read more about this case here.
When to Call a Lawyer
If you are injured in an accident that was not your fault, whether it was due to the negligence of another or because of a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment and future medical costs. The Thomson Law Firm offers FREE case evaluations to potential clients. So the time to call or text a lawyer is NOW (540) 777-4900.
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