What Types of Injury Claims Can a Brain Injury Lawyer Handle?
A brain injury lawyer can handle various types of injury claims, particularly those related to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries encompass a spectrum of conditions, including concussions, subdural hematomas, and diffuse axonal injuries, which can result from direct head trauma or indirect forces like whiplash. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the injury, ranging from mild cognitive changes to severe outcomes such as coma or death. Seeking immediate medical attention after a head injury is crucial to prevent further complications like bone fractures or blood clots.
It’s important to note that brain injuries can also occur during childbirth, though these cases are typically categorized differently. The severity of a brain injury can range from a concussion to complete brain death, where there is no measurable brain activity.
Traumatic incidents can result in hematomas or blood clots within the brain, a condition known as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Hematomas are essentially pools of clotted blood that form due to ruptured blood vessels. Specifically, a subdural hematoma occurs when there is significant blood accumulation or swelling between the skull and the brain. This accumulation exerts pressure on the brain, potentially leading to paralysis or even fatality. Symptoms of this type of TBI include headaches, weakness, changes in vision, and cognitive difficulties. While these symptoms typically subside within a few days, they can exacerbate if not promptly addressed.
Moreover, in some instances, blood clots or swelling may manifest within the brain tissue itself. These blood clots may dissolve naturally, or they may necessitate surgical intervention. If left untreated, such clots can precipitate a stroke, which can have enduring consequences such as impairments in speech, vision, and motor skills.
Concussions are a Common Form of Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussions stand as the most prevalent form of traumatic brain injury, stemming from both closed and open head injuries. Such incidents often arise from impacts, violent head shaking, or whiplash-like movements. Post-concussion syndrome, a lasting disorder that can persist for months or even a year, frequently follows head trauma. Despite being labeled as mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), concussions can induce behavioral changes and memory loss, necessitating immediate medical attention. Our firm offers complimentary consultations to address such concerns confidentially.
Post-concussion syndrome manifests symptoms akin to other TBIs, encompassing mood swings and behavioral alterations. Common indications include dizziness, headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, concentration difficulties, depression, and memory lapses. Prompt medical intervention is imperative upon experiencing a concussion, given its potential to impede daily tasks and work responsibilities. While some professionals may overlook signs of concussion in favor of more visible orthopedic injuries, our personal injury attorneys comprehend the gravity of such issues and their impact on clients’ lives.
While most individuals recuperate from concussions with adequate rest, a subset may experience lingering effects, necessitating specialized attention. Neurologists play a pivotal role in assessing and addressing minor cognitive and mental health concerns associated with post-concussion syndrome. Diagnosis typically hinges on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s medical history, physical and neurological assessments, and relevant diagnostic tests to rule out severe brain injury. Factors such as age and prior instances of concussion heighten the risk of developing post-concussive syndrome.
Serious Brain Contusions May Need Surgery
Severe brain contusions often necessitate surgical intervention due to the significant bruising or bleeding that occurs within the brain following a head injury. When a cerebral contusion develops, particularly if it leads to swelling (known as edema), surgical procedures become necessary to alleviate intracranial pressure. Failure to address this pressure promptly can result in life-threatening complications or permanent brain damage.
The symptoms associated with contusions vary depending on their location within the brain and their severity. Typically, swelling peaks around five to six days after the injury, predominantly affecting the brain tissue surrounding the impact site.
Coup-contrecoup injuries present a unique challenge as they involve damage to both sides of the brain. The initial contusion (coup) arises from the direct impact on the head, while the secondary contusion (contrecoup) occurs when the brain forcefully collides with the opposite side of the skull. Consequently, damage manifests on both sides of the brain, with one contusion forming directly beneath the impact area and the other on the opposite side.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries, with their origins in sudden and forceful head movements like those seen in car accidents, can lead to significant long-term repercussions. These injuries occur when the brain lags behind the movement of the skull, resulting in tearing of brain tissue. The consequences can be grave, ranging from paralysis and speech and memory difficulties to, in extreme cases, fatality.
These injuries are typically triggered by shearing forces, such as the rapid acceleration and deceleration experienced in incidents like whiplash. Victims often lose consciousness during the traumatic event, as the back-and-forth motion disrupts nerve cell function, impairing message transmission.
On the other hand, Penetrating Brain Injuries involve foreign objects or parts of the skull entering the brain, usually due to incidents like gunshot or stabbing wounds. These injuries cause some of the most severe direct physical trauma to the brain, often resulting in fatality. Survivors frequently face profound disabilities as a consequence of the injury’s severity.
What Situations Can Lead to a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the head sustains trauma from an external force, such as being struck by an object or experiencing a car accident. This leads to damage in the brain tissue itself. Even when there are no visible signs of injury, various symptoms can indicate a TBI. Falls are the most common cause of TBI, while other causes include assaults and gunshot wounds.
Recovering damages in a TBI lawsuit hinges on establishing the liability of the party responsible for the accident. Whether it’s a negligent driver, a reckless employer, or someone else, proving that they breached their duty of care to you is crucial. This breach must directly lead to the accident and subsequently result in your injuries and losses.
At Dolman Law Group, our experienced attorneys specialize in traumatic brain injury cases. We understand the intricacies of proving liability and navigating personal injury claims. During a free consultation, we’ll assess your unique situation and explain how these legal elements apply to your case.
What TBI Financial Damages Can Your Brain Injury Attorney Recover For You?
Your brain injury attorney can help you recover various financial damages resulting from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs often lead to significant financial setbacks due to their potential for causing permanent physical harm, even in cases considered mild. The complexity of the brain limits treatment options, exacerbating the situation.
TBIs not only affect physical processes but also result in debilitating cognitive issues, impacting individuals’ lifestyles, careers, and finances. Economic damages, such as medical expenses, are substantial in TBI cases. Treatment costs, including medications, therapy, and follow-up appointments, accumulate quickly. Additionally, victims often experience lost wages due to time off work, sometimes leading to job loss and severe financial strain.
In addition to economic damages, TBIs also incur non-economic damages, which are challenging to quantify. These include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and psychological injuries like depression. Properly valuing and claiming these non-economic damages is crucial in TBI cases and can significantly impact the compensation you receive. Your brain injury attorney can guide you through this process to ensure you receive fair compensation for all your losses.
Why is Dolman Law Group the Best Option to Represent You in a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit?
Dolman Law Group’s brain injury attorneys are here to support you after experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We assist in filing necessary claims or lawsuits and combat insurance company tactics, ensuring TBI survivors receive the compensation they deserve for their extensive damages.
With over 120 years of combined experience, our brain injury lawyers have a proven track record of securing fair settlements, establishing us as one of Florida’s premier personal injury law firms. At Dolman Law Group, our clients benefit from the resources of a large firm while receiving personalized attention characteristic of a smaller practice.
Insurance companies often dispute TBI claims due to the prolonged and costly nature of treatment. They may argue that medical tests fail to conclusively confirm a TBI, despite advancements in diagnostic technology. Our attorneys swiftly counter such arguments, recognizing that clinical symptoms and patient history often provide crucial evidence of brain injury, even when imaging tests appear inconclusive.
Furthermore, insurers may attempt to downplay the severity of TBIs, dismissing them as minor injuries with swift recovery prospects. However, our legal team understands the potential long-term consequences of even seemingly minor TBIs, as symptoms can persist and worsen over time. We advocate tirelessly on behalf of our clients, ensuring their past, present, and future expenses are fully accounted for in any settlement negotiations.