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The three most common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are falls, motor vehicle accidents, and violence. If you suffered a head injury, seek medical treatment immediately if you have not already.
Depending on the cause of your injury, you may also want to consult a brain injury lawyer in Rutherfordton with our law firm about seeking compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Read on to learn more.
Leading Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury occurs when someone receives a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 600 hospitalizations and 200 fatalities occurred daily due to TBIs in 2020 and 2021, making brain injuries one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
The CDC also notes that the three most common reasons for TBIs are:
- Falls: They account for about half of all TBI-related emergency department visits.
- Motor vehicle crashes. These include car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, truck crashes, bicycle collisions, and pedestrian accidents.
- Violence. Sadly, assaults and gunshot wounds cause many TBIs.
Who Is Most Likely to Sustain a TBI?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 80 percent of TBI victims are male. Brain injuries are also more common among adults 65 and older.
Others at greater risk for experiencing a TBI due to their profession or activities include:
- Construction workers
- Military service members
- Police and law enforcement officers
- Athletes (due to sports injuries)
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
The Cleveland Clinic classifies the three TBI grades as follows:
- Mild TBI (or concussion): This is the least severe type of brain injury. Victims may lose consciousness for less than 30 minutes, feel “dazed,” and experience short-term confusion.
- Moderate TBI: If you lose consciousness for over 30 minutes, you likely have a moderate TBI. Victims may experience confusion for up to a week.
- Severe TBI: Severe TBI sufferers experience a loss of consciousness for over 24 hours. In addition, severe injuries will usually appear in diagnostic imaging.
Doctors also classify head injuries into three categories:
- Closed: Closed injuries do not penetrate the skull but still injure the brain.
- Open: This type of TBI pierces the skull and may cause direct damage to brain tissue.
- Nontraumatic: This type of brain injury does not result from a blow or force. Instead, they include brain injuries resulting from near-fatal drownings, choking, or a medical issue like a seizure or stroke.
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Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can cause various physical, intellectual, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. More severe injuries generally cause more severe side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms may include:
- Loss of (or altered) sense of hearing, vision, smell, or taste
- Reduced cognitive skills (e.g., problem-solving or decision-making)
- Memory loss
- Loss of concentration
- Problems with conversation and nonverbal signals
- Lack of self-control
- Physical and verbal outbursts
- Anxiety, depression, and mood swings
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Chronic headaches
TBI sufferers may also experience conditions related to their brain injury. Additional physical risks include infection, brain fluid build-up, respiratory and circulatory problems, and bedsores.
TBI Diagnosis and Treatment
If you were in a motor vehicle accident or suffered a brain injury caused by another incident, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Your healthcare provider will conduct a neurological evaluation and—depending on the severity of the injury—may order a CT scan, MRI study, or blood test.
Individuals with mild or moderate TBIs may need limited medical intervention and will likely return to everyday activities. However, severe TBIs may require more intense treatment. Unfortunately, brain damage is irreversible, so medical care generally focuses on preventing further injury, reducing symptoms, and improving the sufferer’s quality of life.
Standard treatment for a severe TBI may include the following:
- Surgery to reduce swelling or address brain bleeds
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Counseling for emotional support
- Treatment of mental and emotional health issues
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Do You Need a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer?
Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury due to another party’s negligence? If so, you can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other personal injury damages. If your loved one died from a brain injury, you could seek economic justice for their wrongful death.
Financial damages can ensure you have the resources to care for yourself or your family members without jeopardizing your financial stability. However, securing compensation can often be complicated and daunting, especially while coping with a severe injury.
Working with a TBI lawyer with our firm can benefit you by providing an advocate who will manage your case and use their legal knowledge and experience to get the compensation you need and deserve. Our team can:
- Investigate the cause of your traumatic brain injury.
- Identify liable parties.
- Collect evidence proving negligence.
- Calculate your damages and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
- Prepare and file liability insurance claims or lawsuits.
- Negotiate on your behalf and aggressively represent your best interests.
Contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, for a Free TBI Case Consultation
A traumatic brain injury attorney with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can tell you more about the most common causes of TBIs and whether the cause of your injury warrants legal action. If so, we will work tirelessly to recover financial compensation for you or your loved one.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our services will cost you nothing upfront or out of pocket. So, connect with a lawyer near you.
