Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) Lawsuits, Lawyers and Claims

Even in this age of amazing technology and medical advancements, there is much doctors and scientists do not know about the human brain. One thing is certain, however – a brain injury can devastate the life of the victim as well as his or her family and create repercussions that they must contend with for decades. For this reason, traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) are some of the most serious personal injuries that a person can sustain. When a TBI victim is a young, the direct and indirect costs of his or her traumatic brain injury can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars – or more.

Coping with the effects of a TBI is difficult enough without having to try to meet the financial burden such an injury causes. When another person’s unreasonable or outrageous actions cause you or your loved one to suffer a traumatic brain injury, the judicial system may be the best way for you and your family to secure your financial future.

Describing Traumatic Brain Injuries

Generally speaking, a TBI is a brain injury caused by trauma inflicted on the victim. This distinguishes TBIs from other types of brain injuries or disorders (such as those caused by a bacteria or disease). Traumatic brain injuries are generally caused by one or more of the following types of injuries:

• Blunt Force Injuries: A blunt force injury occurs when a solid object strikes a person’s head (or the head strikes a solid object) but the injury does not pierce the skull. This can occur, for example, in a fall in which the person’s head strikes the ground. A blunt force injury also occurs when a person is struck in the head by a blunt weapon or object (like a baseball bat) or strikes his or her head against the steering wheel during a car accident.
• Piercing Injuries: In a piercing injury, the traumatic brain injury is caused because an object actually pierces the skull and enters the cranial cavity. Gunshots, stab wounds, and/or injuries resulting from sharp tools are commonly associated with this type of injury.
• “Whiplash” or Acceleration/Deceleration Injuries: A “whiplash” injury occurs when a person’s head is violently, repeatedly, and rapidly forced in one direction and then the opposite direction. Car accidents – especially head-on collisions or rear-end collisions – often result in whiplash injuries as the person’s head is thrown in one direction and then the other by the force of the impact.

When a person is determined to have suffered a TBI, medical personnel and others may generally describe that traumatic brain injury according to its severity:

• A mild traumatic brain injury is one in which there is no memory loss and no period of unconsciousness associated with the injury. The effects of the TBI are usually not permanent and any temporary limitations are not significant. A mild traumatic brain injury may not require any specialized medical treatment or procedure in order to properly heal.
• A moderate traumatic brain injury is (obviously) more serious than a mild TBI and is often accompanied by a very brief period of amnesia and/or unconsciousness. Moderate TBIs carry an increased risk of permanent disabilities and/or limitations.
• Severe traumatic brain injuries often leave the victim with permanent limitations or disabilities. The victim may require assistance with activities of daily living and/or in managing his or her affairs for the remainder of his or her life. Severe traumatic brain injuries are often characterized by prolonged periods of memory loss and/or unconsciousness.

Regardless of the type of injury that caused the traumatic brain injury, prompt medical attention can greatly improve the TBI victim’s chance at a full recovery and minimize the chance of permanent disabilities.

Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

It can be difficult to know whether a head injury has caused a TBI and requires medical attention, especially when you are a parent concerned about a head injury suffered by your child. Head injuries accompanied by any one of the following symptoms should be evaluated and treated by a medical professional:

• Unconsciousness or loss of memory;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Change in behavior or mood;

• Irritability;
• Loss of interest in activities;
• Sleepiness or fatigue.

When it comes to head injuries and the potential for traumatic brain injuries, it is better to seek immediate medical attention if you are unsure as to whether you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (or if your child is exhibiting symptoms of TBI).

Otherwise healthy individuals who suffer a TBI may incur thousands (if not millions) of dollars in expenses and losses – a burden which can be impossible to bear if the individual is unable to continue working. Stern Law, PLLC can assist individuals who have suffered a TBI as the result of another person’s carelessness recover financial compensation to assist them in meeting their expenses and needs. Call Stern Law, PLLC today at (800) 462-5772 and discuss your traumatic brain injury with attorney Ken Stern.