A “traumatic brain injury” can occur to a person who is seriously injured in an accident, for example an auto accident or slip and fall. When this type of brain injury occurs, the brain’s normal function is impaired due to a neurological injury. The injury can happen when there is an obvious and visible trauma to a person’s head or no visible injury, but the brain has suffered a “closed head injury.”
The symptoms of a brain injury are extremely varied and can include cognitive problems and a reduction in perceptual skills. An injured person’s behavior, personality, or emotional balance can be affected. A person may have difficulty processing information, communicating, concentrating, and learning and remembering information. Other physical symptoms can include difficulty walking, loss of balance and coordination, and loss of strength and motor skills.
In addition, it is not unusual for a person with a brain injury to suffer from sleep disorders, paralysis, headaches, seizures, tremors and extreme mental or physical fatigue.
Special testing can diagnose the problem and focus on the person’s symptoms. Diagnostic tests such as an MRI can visualize the problem by revealing the structure of the brain. A neuropsychologist can perform testing to determine what areas of the brain have been injured. The proper experts are critical in diagnosing a brain injury and the permanent problems a person may have sustained.
Brain injuries affect a significant number of people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2.5 million people sought treatment for traumatic brain injuries in U.S emergency rooms in 2010.
It is estimated that 5.3 million Americans are living with a traumatic brain injury disability. No one is immune from this type of injury. Due to the fragile nature of the head, an accident does not have to be severe for a brain injury to be sustained.
The CDC lists these events as the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries:
The remaining 19 percent of TBIs are attributed to unknown or “other” causes.
The elderly and children are more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury. For the elderly, there is an increased risk of falling. Children can also fall or sustain a sports injury and sustain a brain injury. Children may have more complications recovering from brain injury.
Adults and children should wear proper protective equipment when participating in contact activities or sports like bicycling, horseback riding, and skiing. Seat belt use and placing children inadequate car seats is also a way to minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury.
When someone sustains a brain injury due to the negligence or carelessness of another they are entitled to recover for their injuries. Like with any injury case, when negligence occurs, the victim of a brain injury, or the victim’s loved one, if the victim is unable, should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
At Asta Law, we can provide a free consultation and evaluate a person’s case. We are experienced in assisting the victims of traumatic brain injury and can help our clients navigate the legal system.
Traumatic brain injuries can cause significant impairment in a person’s life. Bleeding and swelling in the brain can lead to permanent neurological damage, paralysis, and death in the most severe cases. Even lesser brain trauma can seriously impact a person’s quality of life. For example, even a so-called mild TBI such as a concussion can lead to memory loss, headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and nausea.
Other symptoms of mild TBI can be debilitating. They can leave victims frustrated from not recovering and from others not understanding or knowing that they are suffering from a brain injury. Other TBI symptoms are detailed below.
People think of TBIs as purely physical injuries, like a broken bone or a bruise. Because they can affect the brain’s structure, TBIs can cause symptoms that go much further than pain and discomfort. Experts believe that traumatic brain injury can cause depression due to changes in the brain’s structure. In some cases, depression can last for weeks or even months after the initial injury has occurred.
Many trauma victims, particularly those suffering from brain injury, may continue to re-live their accident through flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme anxiety. The trauma from an accident can last for months, if not years, and maybe more challenging to recover from for the victim of a traumatic brain injury.
Most people associate TBIs with sleepiness and drowsiness, mainly due to the perception that people who have sustained head injuries are often confused, sluggish, or disoriented. While it is true that TBIs can cause people to sleep more than usual, sometimes TBIs have the opposite effect, making it difficult for victims to sleep. Not getting quality sleep can significantly impact TBI victims, causing issues like depression, decreased energy, irritability, and fatigue.
People who have suffered a TBI often experience issues with concentration, problem-solving, memory, and processing information. The injury may affect their ability to work or attend school, organize their life and maintain a calendar of appointments. A focusing difficulty may make interpersonal relationships challenging and affect a person’s ability to read, communicate with others, ignore distractions, watch videos, or drive.
Emotional problems and mood swings are a possible result of a TBI that can significantly impact a person’s interpersonal relationships and may add to feelings of isolation and depression. TBI victims may exhibit sudden episodes of crying, laughing, aggression, anger, and disinhibition. These issues can also make it difficult for TBI victims to return to their everyday activities, sometimes for a significant period of time.
At Asta Law, we are experienced in assisting traumatic brain injury victims. Suppose you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident. In that case, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the person, people, business, or whatever party caused your injuries. Traumatic brain injuries may leave a lasting impact on a victim’s physical and cognitive capacities, a result devastating for the individual and their loved ones. In addition to suffering physical injuries, traumatic brain injury victims may also suffer financially.
Fortunately, we can help victims’ recovery compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury and has any of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury, call us immediately. The victim of TBI may quickly experience financial losses, be unable to work, have physical pain and suffering, and be unable to properly care for themselves due to brain injury.
Medical care for victims of brain injury may be costly. At Asta Law, we help our clients navigate the insurance system to help them obtain the medical care they need. A victim of traumatic brain injury may require constant medical care due to their injuries. The extent of some injury, while not requiring regular medical attention, may leave the victim permanently disabled. Our firm will seek recovery for past and future medical expenses as part of a case.
Victims should speak to a lawyer who can help them recover compensation for their injuries. An experienced brain injury lawyer is essential to filing a successful lawsuit to recover damages. At Asta Law, we will analyze the facts of your case and fight hard to obtain compensation for you.
A Traumatic Brain Injury can be emotionally and physically devastating. Michael J. Asta, Esq. is one of New York’s leading injury attorneys with over 500 Million Dollars recovered for clients and over 30 years fighting for New Yorkers like you. You can be confident that the legal team at Asta Law is fully committed to winning the best possible results for our personal injury clients and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI, call Asta Law at (212) 244-6555 or complete the contact form here on our website so we can help you. The consultation is free, and we work on a contingency basis meaning there is no fee until we obtain compensation on your behalf, guaranteeing you’ll never come out of pocket.
Asta Law, Where Quality Representation Doesn’t Cost, It Pays.