Traumatic Brain Injury
Around the world, traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability, affecting millions of people each year. In 2009, actress Natasha Richardson, wife of actor Liam Neeson, made headlines when she injured her brain in a skiing accident and died. She was just 45 years old. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries occur every day across the United States, causing serious injury or death.
Causes of Brain Injuries
The causes of traumatic brain injuries are varied, and can include a car accident, violence, and even sports injuries. In the United States, the most common causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Falls (accounting for 28% of all traumatic brain injuries)
- Motor vehicle accident (20% of all traumatic brain injuries)
- Being struck by an object (accounting for 19% of cases)
- Violence (involved in 11% of traumatic brain injuries)
- Accidents not involving a motor vehicle, such as bicycle accidents (cause 3% of traumatic brain injuries)
Brain injuries range from a relatively minor concussion to a severe, life-threatening injury. The effects of a traumatic brain injury depend on the severity of the trauma. Victims of a traumatic brain injury may experience memory loss, difficulty with reasoning or judgment, slowed learning, attention problems, and difficulty concentrating, among other effects. A head injury may also have behavioral and emotional affects, resulting in depression, anxiety, aggression, and impulsivity. Severe brain trauma can cause physical effects such as headaches, issues with motor skills and balance, seizures, sensory loss, and fatigue, along with other health complications.
Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit
Treating a brain injury requires emergency medical treatment. The victims of brain injuries frequently find themselves left with mounting medical bills and ongoing therapy costs, not to mention the devastating emotional effects of such a serious injury. They may be unable to work for an extended period of time, or need in-home assistance as they recuperate. In addition to medical specialists, you should contact an attorney specializing in brain injury cases so that you can receive compensation to cover these expenses.
If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury, it is best to consider your legal options as early as possible so that you are able to gather evidence such as medical bills and witness statements. In order to succeed, your brain injury case will need to include proof of negligence and proof of the damages sustained. A skilled brain injury lawyer can help you gather documentation to prove these facts. Because many victims’ conditions deteriorate over time, your brain injury lawsuit will need to take ongoing care into account. An attorney can help you determine the full value of your damages so that you can receive fair compensation to cover your future expenses.
Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer
Because brain injuries are incredibly disruptive to the lives of the victim and their family, and can result in staggering medical costs, contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your interests. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury as the result of negligence, malpractice, or an accident that could have been prevented, a lawsuit may be the right avenue to hold liable parties responsible for the injury and resulting costs. Pursuing a brain injury lawsuit by yourself can be difficult due to the complex legal matters involved, which is why you should talk with a brain injury lawyer to explore your legal options as soon as possible after you or a loved one has been injured.
