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Have you or someone you loved been involved in an accident that resulted in a brain injury? If so, you are not alone; according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.5 million American men, women, and children sustain brain injuries each year. These injuries can be life-changing, as the damage can be severe and often, is long-lasting or even permanent, and can impact every aspect of not only the person who has sustained the injury's life, but of the lives of his or her loved ones, as well. Many brain injury victims are unable to work, cannot attend school, and are even unable to take care of themselves, and as such, they rely on others – their family members and/or professional care givers – to assist them with their daily needs. In some cases, brain injury patients succumb to their injuries, leaving behind dependents that relied on them for survival.
Whether you are the survivor of an accident that resulted in a brain injury or you are the survivor of a loved one who has perished as a result of his or her brain injuries, in addition to coping with physical and mental suffering the injury has caused, chances are that you are also suffering financially. The costs that are associated with medical care, lost wages, making accommodations to your home – and life in general – in the wake of the accident add up. You've suffered enough; you shouldn't suffer financially, too. Rather, the party responsible for the accident that caused the injuries should pay for the related expenses. A lawyer that specializes in brain injuries may be able to help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an acquired brain injury that occurs as a result of a sudden trauma to the head that damages the brain, and affects how the brain works. These injuries can be caused by bumps, blows, or jolts to the head, or from penetrating injuries to the head, such as a gunshot wound.
The CDC states that TBI is a major cause of disability and death among Americans. The following is a brief snapshot of data that illustrates how TBI impacts American citizens:
While anyone can suffer a brain injury, data indicates that certain groups of people are at an increased risk of sustaining TBI, and that their risk of either dying or developing long-term or permanent health complications following the injury. These groups include the following:
Typically, traumatic brain injuries are classified into four main types, and the severity of the injury determines the classification. In order to measure the severity of injuries, health care professionals utilize the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a scoring system that is based on a person's level of consciousness post-TBI.
This scoring system is comprised of 15 points, and each point calculates a various physical functions following an injury to the brain; his or her verbal response and ability to open his or her eyes, for example. The more points a patient scores on the GCS, the higher his or her level of function will be; an indication of a less severe injury. The four possible severity levels on the GCS are as follows:
The lower a person's score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, the more severe his or her brain injury is. Generally speaking, the higher the severity of the injury, the longer it takes to recover; however, in severe cases, the damage that TBI has caused may permanent.
In addition to the four categories outlined above, medical professionals use additional criteria to diagnose traumatic brain injuries; namely, the manner in which the brain has been injured. Usually, TBIs are grouped into one of two primary categories:
There are several different kinds of TBIs that can occur within these two groups, including:
When large hematomas occur within the brain, serious injuries and even death can occur if treatment is not provided. Sometimes, hematomas develop immediately following a head injury, but there are cases when it can take several days or even weeks after a patient experiences a blow, bump, or jolt to the head for a hematoma to develop.
The majority of coup-countrecoup injuries happen when the head is slammed into a stationary object; a steering wheel or windshield, for example. Because of the power behind the impact, the brain rebounds off of the front of the skull and then hits the back of the skull, which causes a secondary impact.
The signs and symptoms of a brain injury vary and depend on the type and severity of the injury. In some cases, there may be no signs or the signs and symptoms may be subtle, but they can appear or gradually worsen over time; in other cases, the signs and symptoms may appear immediately following the injury and can be severe. With that said, the following are some of the common symptoms that may appear suddenly or gradually worsen after a bump, jolt, or blow to the head.
Children and babies can also sustain brain injuries; however, the signs and symptoms may be different among this age group, as they can have a hard time pinpointing what's wrong or expressing what's bothering them. In addition to the signs and symptoms outlined above, children and babies may also exhibit the following:
If you or a love one are experiencing one or more of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of a TBI, seeking immediate medical care is imperative; however, it is a wise idea to seek medical attention following an injury to the head, even if signs and symptoms are not present.
As discussed, brain injuries can be caused by bumps, blows, or jolts to the head. The sudden movement to the head can cause the brain to twist or bounce around within the skull, can stretch and damage brain cells, or can chance chemicals within the brain. These alterations to the brain can result in symptoms that can impact how an individual thinks, learns, acts, feels, and sleeps. TBIs can also occur when there is a penetrating injury to the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur for a number of reasons. The severity of the damage depends on several factors, such as the cause of the injury and the force of the impact to the brain. Some of the most common incidents that can result in TBIs include the following:
When you or a loved one is involved in an accident that results in a TBI, the injuries aren't all that you'll have to contend with; you'll also have to deal with financial issues, as a result of exorbitant medical bills, lost wages, and the need to make changes your home and your life, overall.
If the accident that lead to the TBI was caused by someone else, either as a result of negligence or maleficence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A lawyer that specializes in TBI cases may be able to assist you with seeking compensation. The following is an overview of some of the ways in which an attorney can help you with a TBI case:
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