A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain experiences a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. Following this type of impact, a Memphis traumatic brain injury lawyer is important when recovering lost wages and medical benefits. While some TBI victims recover completely, many others will never again enjoy the quality of life they had prior to the accident.
As a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney can explain, medical science has advanced in the ability to treat all levels of brain injuries, but each patient responds differently to treatment, and the final expectation for recovery is often uncertain, making it important to file an accident claim.
Recovery from a serious brain injury frequently requires several surgeries and many months of rehabilitation to overcome the loss of motor skills, speech, and memory. Even the simplest daily tasks may become impossible for the injured person, and in the most serious cases, the person may remain in a vegetative state with little hope of improvement.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Memphis
During a recent 5-year period, slip and falls were the most common cause of brain injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control. About 40% of brain injury cases that require hospitalization or lead to death are the result of some type of fall.
According to a Memphis brain injury lawyer, other falls occurred in the workplace, particularly construction jobs. Those accidents included ladder falls, falls from scaffolding, and falls from an elevated level.
Falls leading to temporary or permanent TBI can also result from slippery or oily floors, items placed in walkways, insufficient lighting in stairwells, or hallways or a wide scope of other hazardous walking conditions.
Unintentional injuries caused by being hit by an object was the second leading cause of TBIs, with 15% of cases attributed to these accidents. The third leading cause of TBIs was vehicle accidents at 14%, the second leading cause of death from a brain injury.
- 5% of victims with severe TBI were hospitalized for more than seven days.
- 6% of victims with moderate TBI were hospitalized for more than seven days.
- Each year about 8,000 people are admitted to the hospital with a brain injury.
- The three leading causes of TBI in Tennessee are falls, motor vehicle accidents, and violent injuries.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Medical professionals rate brain injuries as severe, moderate and mild.
Severe Or Moderate Brain Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 2.5 million people suffer some level of traumatic brain injury in a typical year. A severe brain injury may be caused by a closed head injury or a penetrating injury, in which an object enters the brain. Non-fatal cases of severe TBI have serious potential side effects, including the following:
- Impacts upon Cognitive Function (attention, memory)
- Impacts upon Motor Function (weakness in extremities, impaired coordination, balance)
- Impacts upon Sensation (hearing, vision, perception, touch)
- Impacts upon Emotions (depression, anxiety, aggression, impaired impulse control, changes in personality)
Many victims of TBI never again recover the ability to function in life as they had prior to the injury, and most will never be able to return to work in their profession. The losses, both personal and financial, are devastating. The families of victims suffer as well. In many cases, a family member will stop working in order to care for their loved one once they are released from a hospital or rehabilitation facility to home care.
Severe TBIs often have a negative impact on family relationships, and the injured person may no longer be able to perform any household tasks, operate a vehicle, or participate in the activities of daily living that he or she enjoyed prior to the injury. A Memphis traumatic brain injuries lawyer could help individuals calculate their losses to form a settlement demand that accurately reflects their needs.
Mild Brain Injuries
A mild brain injury often takes the form of a concussion. A mild TBI may be caused by a jolt, bump or blow to the head. It can affect the way the brain normally functions. Concussions commonly occur in auto accidents or other vehicle accidents, as well as in falls. The impact causes the brain to shift back and forth rapidly.
Although a concussion may be listed as a “mild” case of TBI, the long-term consequences of these injuries can be extensive and last for many months or longer. Effects may include:
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Blurred vision
- Nausea, vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty recalling new information
- Headache
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Irritability, depression, nervousness, anxiety
Discuss Your Case with a Memphis Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Working with medical professionals, David E. Gordon will evaluate the level of the injuries and your impairments. That will help him determine the level of compensation that you may be due in an insurance claim or lawsuit filed against the party responsible.
All of your damages will be valued, including the loss of income from work, medical and rehabilitation costs, transportation costs, and non-economic damages such as reduced quality of life, emotional anguish, and pain and suffering.
Mr. Gordon spends time with each client, and the firm takes pride in the compassionate service it provides. Get started today on your road to recovery by contacting a Memphis traumatic brain injury lawyer today.
Sources:
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/basics/definition/con-20029302
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/basics/causes/con-20029302
- http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp
- http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html#risk
- http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp
