Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability for people of all ages in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 155 people nationwide died every day from traumatic brain injuries in 2014.
Victims of such injuries may experience permanent problems with how they:
These side effects cause them to require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
When someone suffers a serious brain injury due to the negligence of another person, they can file a claim against the at-fault party in order to receive compensation that will cover their:
At Legal One Law Group, APC, our team of Glendale traumatic brain injury attorneys have successfully secured the financial help and medical care our past clients required to recover from their injuries to the best of their ability. We can help you do the same.
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is head trauma caused by an outside force—a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, for instance—that leads to mild to severe brain damage. Brain injuries that are caused by internal factors, such as a stroke or aneurysm, are known as acquired brain injuries (ABI).
Common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
TBIs are most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents (whiplash), slip and falls, being struck by or against an object, and violent crimes.
If you have recently been in an accident that involved a blow or jolt to the head, you should seek medical attention right away.
A common thread among brain injury victims is that symptoms take time to manifest, so the effects may not be apparent right away. However, the longer you put off treatment, the worse the injury will likely become.
Physical signs and symptoms to look out for include:
Behavioral changes may also indicate a brain injury, such as:
Typically, the more serious the symptoms, the more serious the injury. Head to the doctor right away if you or a loved one experiences any of the above symptoms after suffering from head trauma.
A traumatic brain injury can have a profound effect on someone’s life, depending on the severity of the damage. A mild brain injury may only take a few days of rest to recover from whereas a severe TBI may require lifelong, 24/7 treatment and care.
The latter type of TBI is classified as a catastrophic injury, meaning the victim can never fully recover. The effects of a brain injury can go beyond the physical.
A TBI may also alter a person’s lifestyle by forcing them to quit their job or preventing them from partaking in hobbies they enjoyed before their accident. A victim may become depressed and require counseling or suffer from other conditions that add to their pain, such as PTSD.
Their entire personality may become warped and their ability to function on their own may have been taken away. The physical and cognitive effects of a TBI are varied and unpredictable, but often devastating.
The financial costs can be substantial as well. Since many TBI victims require long term or permanent care, their medical bills can add up quickly. A one-time lump sum settlement paid by an insurance company will generally not cover the high cost of ongoing care required long after the date of the accident.
The best way to ensure you or your loved one is set for life after a serious brain injury is to file a claim for damages against the person or entity liable for the accident.
When filing a claim for damages, a lawyer will calculate the estimated costs of all your accident-related expenses, now and into the future, and fight to obtain the just compensation you deserve.