Traumatic brain injury (also known as “TBI”) is a complex injury that can result in a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. The impact from a TBI on a person and his or her family can be devastating because oftentimes the injured person is no longer able to do everyday things that once seemed routine. Additionally, significant financial needs often arise as a result of TBI. From not being able to work to paying for the expensive treatments and therapies necessary to help the injured person reach their maximum level of recovery, TBI can be financially overwhelming.
As personal injury lawyers, we’ve represented numerous clients who have suffered a traumatic brain injuries from accidents that were not their fault. In order to better educate the public, we’ve compiled the following information about TBI, including causes, sign & symptoms, recovery, and getting the legal help you need if you’ve been impacted by TBI to get the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the Unites States. Each year, TBIs contribute to a large number of deaths and permanent disabilities. At least 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injury occur each year.
TBI can be caused by a car accident, slip and fall, sports injury, or any other accident where the head is impacted. Though TBI is most often caused by an event similar to those that cause other types of accidental injuries like broken bones and punctured lungs, a brain injury is often more significant. While broken bones and other similar injuries may limit the use of a specific part of your body temporarily, those body parts eventually heal in most cases. TBIs are different because they affect the injured person’s personality and mental abilities.
What are the types of severe Traumatic Brain Injuries?
There are two types of severe TBIs:
Closed TBI
Closed Traumatic Brain Injury is described as an injury to the brain caused by movement of the brain within the skull. Causes may include falls, motor vehicle accident, or being struck by or with an object.
Penetrating TBI
Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury is described as an injury to the brain caused by a foreign object entering the skull. Causes may include firearm injuries or being struck by a foreign object, such as a knife, that enters the skull.
Signs & Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries range from mild concussions to comas, and everything in between. No two brain injuries are alike and the consequence of two similar injuries may be very different. Symptoms may appear right away or may not be present for days or weeks after the injury. A TBI may lead to issues affecting:
- Cognitive Functioning: affecting your attention and memory
- Motor Function: extremity weakness, impaired coordination and balance
- Sensation: hearing, vision, impaired perception and touch
- Emotion: depression, anxiety, aggression, impulse control, personality change
Studies have shown that 43% of individuals hospitalized after a traumatic brain injury have a related disability one year after the injury.
Recovering from a TBI
The range of injuries and degree of recovery is very variable and varies on an individual basis. One of the consequences of brain injury is that the person often does not realize that a brain injury has occurred. This can be a significant challenge because the injured person may not realize or fully appreciate their limitations as a result of their injury. This can make recovery difficult.
Recovery from a TBI is a functional recovery, aimed at restoring the injured person to the greatest level of independence possible. For many people with severe TBI, long-term rehabilitation is often necessary to maximize function and independence. Even with mild TBI, the consequences to a person’s life can be dramatic. Change in brain function can have a dramatic impact on family, job, social and community interaction.
Getting the Help You Need Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
At Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto, our skilled personal injury attorneys have experience helping people with traumatic brain injuries and their families recover money for their injuries. It is important to hire an attorney with knowledge of these types of injuries, who will be able to prove the full extent of the impact of TBI on you and your family.
As personal injury experts throughout the Albany, Johnstown, Saugerties, Amsterdam, Catskill, Gloversville, Hudson and Capital District regions of Upstate NY, we know how to get you the compensation you deserve following a traumatic brain injury. Our team of personal injury attorneys will work with medical experts who will identify the extent of your injury, as well as the amount of future medical treatments and support you will need. This is important to make sure you receive everything you will need for the future.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, please call us at 1-800-721-3553 or request a free consultation online today.
Additional Resources Related to Traumatic Brain Injury:
Brain Trauma and Concussions in Youth Sports Leagues – Understand some of the serious injuries, including concussions, that are prevalent even within youth sports. Learn the common signs of a concussion and what you can do if your child has suffered from a traumatic brain injury during a sporting event.
NY Motorcycle Helmet Laws – Do You have to Wear a Helmet in New York State? – Learn the motorcycle helmet laws for New York State and the effectiveness helmets have against brain injuries.
The Case Against the NFL: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Can Have Devastating Effects – Read how thousands of former football players are suing the NFL over long-lasting damage from traumatic brain injury caused from concussions incurred during league play.
Editor’s note: This content was originally published as two blogs in 2015 but has been combined & updated as of July 2019.
