What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) describes a traumatic brain injury as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head. The severity of this injury may vary from mild to severe, depending on the manner of the accident.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, there are two types of brain injury:
- Penetrating brain injury – Also known as an open head injury, this may happen when the skull is broken or pierced. An example of this would be when a bullet pierces the brain.
- Closed brain injury – A closed head injury is an injury to the brain that does not involve a break in the skull. These types of injuries are caused by a sudden, violent movement of the head that results in the brain striking the inside of the skull. This can cause bruising, tearing, and bleeding of brain tissue. This type of injury is most common in slip-and-fall accidents, assaults, or motor vehicle accidents.
What are the Symptoms of a TBI?
As previously mentioned, the symptoms of a brain injury may differ depending on the manner and severity of the accident. It is helpful to be informed of the different symptoms of a head injury, as some of them may not be immediately apparent. According to the CDC and the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common mild to severe TBI symptoms may include:
Cognitive Symptoms
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes at a time
- Agitation and unusual behavior
- Being in a state of confusion/disorientation/dazed
- Concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Agitation and unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Coma
Physical Symptoms
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with dizziness or balance
- Fatigue
- Numbness in fingers and toes
- Loss of coordination
- Convulsions or seizures
Sensory Symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Changes in the ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light
Due to their age and level of growth, traumatic brain injuries may affect and present differently in children. Younger children and infants will not know how to properly communicate their symptoms of pain or discomfort. Children may exhibit changes in behavior, such as crying more often, losing interest in favorite activities, or having difficulty eating. These are just some of the potential signs that something is wrong. If you suspect your child has suffered a brain injury or physical injury, it’s important to seek medical care from the appropriate medical professional.
Cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The treatment of a brain injury will depend on several factors such as the severity of the injury, the constitution of the accident victim, and the manner the injury was obtained. Some of the most common causes for TBIs are the following:
Slip and fall accidents are the most common causes of traumatic brain injury. The Shepherd Center shares that about 40% of TBIs are due to falls.
Bicycle riders, especially children, are at risk of head injuries because they often do not have proper protection. In California, all children under the age of 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet while riding. Even though there is no law requiring adults to wear helmets, it is still wise for them to do so.
Victims of motorcycle accidents are also susceptible to severe brain injuries because of their lack of protection. Motorcyclists are also required to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet while riding.
Being Struck by an Object
Brain injuries that occur when someone is hit by an object are common in workplace accidents among construction workers. Athletes in contact sports and soldiers may also fall victim to this injury.
Auto accidents are also a common cause of TBIs. These injuries often occur when passengers strike their heads against objects in the car, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows.
Recoverable Compensation in a Brain Injury Claim
As an injury victim, if you sustained injuries due to the actions of an at-fault party, you may be entitled to fair compensation for your damages and losses. To get the maximum compensation possible, you must hire a Sacramento brain injury lawyer to ensure you file a strong and valid claim.
You may be eligible for the following types of compensation:
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of wages
- Loss of enjoyment
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other economic losses
- And more
If the accident resulted in the wrongful death of your loved one, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Although no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, this compensation is meant to aid the family with financial losses.
How Can Our Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyers Help You?
Sometimes, the injured party might think it is best to handle their personal injury claim on their own. Although this is possible, it might not be the best option in the long term.
At Farahi Law Firm, our knowledgeable attorneys have years of legal experience handling personal injury claims. We know how aggressive insurance companies operate. We are aware of the tricks insurance adjusters may use to lower the value of your claim in order to avoid offering a fair settlement.
Our Sacramento brain injury lawyers will protect your rights and ensure you receive the medical assistance you need and deserve. We will investigate your case and get you the compensation you are entitled to.
During this difficult time, our compassionate team will offer you aggressive representation and handle the complexities of your case so you can focus solely on your recovery process.
Expert Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one sustained a brain injury in an accident due to the negligent actions of a responsible party, you have the right to hold them responsible for your injuries and losses. Our dedicated brain injury attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Do not hesitate to contact us at (916) 471-4797 or fill out our contact form for an initial consultation to discuss your case. We are available 24/7. Your justice is our cause!