In Focus: Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Although many people associate brain injuries with professional sports such as football or boxing, head and brain injuries are often caused by accidents. When accidents are caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of others, victims of catastrophic injuries can recover damages by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by an external force, such as a violent blow, a jolt to the head or body, or an object penetrating the skull, that leads to a brain malfunction. Brain injuries can occur in falls from ladders, down stairs, even out of bed — a particular concern for elders, as well as from slips on wet surfaces.
TBIs can also be caused by car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents while individuals who participate in sports activities, such as boxing, football, soccer, hockey, and baseball, are also at risk. Finally, brain injuries are often the result of violent crimes, gunshot wounds or explosions.
How are brain injuries treated?
Many brain injury victims require ongoing medical treatment and some may even require lifelong medical care. The time it takes to recover from a brain injury depends on the severity of the injury. Mild TBIs may lead to temporary brain dysfunction, and physical or psychological effects, while more severe brain injuries can lead to bruising or bleeding in the brain or tissue damage. Severe brain injuries often lead to permanent cognitive or physical impairments, paralysis or even result in death.
While victims of mild TBIs can typically be treated with over-the-counter medications and rest, they must be closely monitored since symptoms and side effects may worsen. Moderate to severe injuries often require immediate care to make sure the brain is supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen. Finally, severe TBIs may require surgical treatment to minimize brain damage, and victims often require extensive rehabilitation.
The Takeaway
If you or a loved one has sustained a head or brain injury in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to significant compensation, including economic and noneconomic damages. If the responsible party’s conduct was unlawful or particularly egregious, you may also be awarded punitive damages. Nonetheless, protecting your rights and obtaining the maximum compensation you deserve requires the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact attorney Phil Baker today to schedule a consultation today.
Posted in: Personal Injury
