Understanding Brain Injury Accidents and Legal Implications

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with over 69,000 incidents reported in 2021 alone. This equates to almost 200 cases being recorded daily – a disturbing stat made even more unnerving when you realize this is quite avoidable. Safety gear, precautions, and people being careful should be more than enough to keep TBI cases low. 

These numbers are too high for comfort, but they also mean one thing: no one is safe from a potentially deadly blow to the head. As such, for those who have fallen victim to this, you shouldn't hesitate to see a doctor first and a Seattle brain injury attorney second. The reason is simple: you’ll want to hold the person responsible for your brain injury accountable for their actions, and you’ll want to be compensated correctly. 

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury results from an external physical impact on your brain – aka literally, a strong blow to your head. If strong enough, this force can cause terrible conditions like paralysis or even death if left unattended. 

When people use the term “traumatic brain injury,” they refer to many brain injury conditions. Not all TBI cases are similar since some injuries are located in a specific brain area, while others are spread across different brain areas. The signs that someone has a brain injury depend on the extent of the damage. 

Some common indicators of brain injury include:

• Persistent headaches

• Trouble seeing

• Mood swings 

• Weariness

• Unconsciousness

• Dizziness

• Dilated pupils

What Are the Different Types of TBI?

There are two different types of TBI. The first is a closed injury, wherein the impact only hits the external surface of the head. Such an injury doesn't directly affect the skull, as the skin isn’t broken. Closed injuries come from the violent shaking of the brain inside the skull, which is caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement. But despite that, these activities can still tear tissues and blood vessels in the brain. Closed brain injuries are common after car accidents and high-impact sports.

On the other hand, a penetrating brain injury is often considered more serious than a closed one because it penetrates the skull. A good example is a bullet through a person’s brain or the head being punctured by something else sharp. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Injuries?

People suffer from brain injuries for many reasons, which is why there are various methods of diagnosing brain injury. The following are some methods of assessing the severity of a brain injury.

Glasgow Coma Scale

Doctors use this scale to identify how well patients move their eyes and limbs. The Glasgow Coma scale also gauges the patient’s attention to instructions and coherence of speech. 

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

A CT scan provides a picture of the patient’s brain. This scan helps spot fractures and determine whether there is bleeding in the brain, contusions, swelling, or blood clots.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI, like a CT scan, is focused on the view of the patient’s brain. This test is necessary if the symptoms of a brain injury patient don't subside. Treatment for brain injuries takes into account the severity of the injury.

For minor injuries, the doctor may prescribe different drugs to help keep the patient calm and control their brain oxygen levels. However, the patient may undergo surgery if the injury is severe. Invasive treatment is necessary for addressing blood clots in the brain, repairing fractures, controlling bleeding in the brain, and relieving pressure in the skull.

Arapahoe County residents facing such issues always look for the best neurosurgeon in Littleton, CO to provide the necessary treatment. Their expertise is essential for a patient's recovery and rehabilitation process.

What Are the Legal Implications of TBI?

Lawsuits about brain injury are based on negligence or the intentional actions of the at-fault party. Some legal remedies for brain injuries include:

• Personal Injury Claims: Someone with TBI can file a personal injury claim to get reimbursement for their losses. 

• Product Liability Claims: In some cases, TBI can be caused by defective products. For such cases, one can file a product liability lawsuit against the one who sold the product. Additionally, one can file a class action lawsuit against the product's seller, distributor, and manufacturer.

• Workers’ Compensation Claims: In workplace environments, employees are vulnerable to slip-and-fall accidents and blows to the head. Busy industries are one of the main risk factors for brain injuries. If one sustains a brain injury while working, the legal remedy is to file a workers’ comp claim if their employer has this insurance policy. 

• Long-Term Care and Disability Claims: When a TBI leads to temporary or permanent disability, one can file a claim for disability benefits. 

Contact a Brain Injury Accident Lawyer Today!

Considering the life-threatening consequences of brain injury, you must take legal action against anyone who contributed to the injury. The high cost of addressing brain injuries is among the main reasons you should seek legal counsel to claim damages. Boohoff Law brain injury lawyers understand the burden of suffering from brain injuries. Contact us today to help you get fair reimbursement for your condition.

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An Essential Guide to Traumatic Brain Injuries and Why You Need a TBI Lawyer