Traumatic brain injuries occur in a wide variety of ways in and around Forest Park, and they can lead to significant long-term health issues for victims. When these injuries are caused by the negligence of another person, business, or entity, victims deserve compensation for their financial losses and pain and suffering.
When your traumatic brain injury results from another person’s negligence, speak with a traumatic brain injury attorney in Forest Park.
Defining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury is an injury that happens when a violent force injures the head. The force can include a violent blow to the head, a violent jolt from a car accident, or an explosion at a construction site. When this force causes serious injury to the head, the brain can endure various types of damage.
Brain cells can be temporarily or permanently altered, brain tissues can be torn, and the brain can experience severe swelling and bleeding.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 223,135 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2019. In 2020, 64,362 TBI-related deaths happened. When you break these numbers down, that equals nearly 611 TBI-related hospitalizations and 176 TBI-related deaths daily.
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury depend on the severity of the brain injury. When a brain injury is mild or moderate, the damage done to the brain is temporary. However, when a brain injury is severe, the symptoms of a brain injury are more permanent and affect the brain’s cognitive functions for the rest of the person’s life.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
For mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries, the following symptoms include:
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Speech issues
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
For severe traumatic brain injuries, the following symptoms include:
- A loss of consciousness that lasts several minutes to several hours
- Weakness or numbness in fingers or toes
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
- Persistent headaches that become worse
- Seizures
- Repeated nausea or vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Failing to wake from sleep
Accidents that Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries
While you can obtain a brain injury from multiple accidents, there are some accidents where brain injuries are common. Slip and fall accidents, for example, are accidents where victims can endure brain injuries. People who fall on hard surfaces can suffer from skull fractures or significant damage to the head.
Another common accident that produces brain injuries is motor vehicle accidents because of the impact that two vehicles create when they collide. Drivers and passengers can hit their heads against the steering wheel or dashboard, have glass penetrate their skulls, or hit their heads against the car’s sides.
Seeking Compensation After a Traumatic Brain Injury
When you suffer a traumatic brain injury, your mind will endure a series of changes. People with traumatic brain injuries have difficulties performing cognitive functions that they need to engage with their family members, perform their jobs, and practice independence.
When a preventable injury has substantially affected your life, you deserve to hold the right parties accountable. With car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and premises liability accidents, there is typically someone whose negligence was at the center of the accident. That person is who you should sue for the damages of your accident.
Damages Stemming from Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are considered catastrophic injuries in civil court. With catastrophic injuries, you are entitled to greater compensation because of the slim chance of recovery.
Because you will have to live with a brain injury for the rest of your life, judges and jurors are more sympathetic and open to rewarding you with the maximum compensation. Some of the damages that you can sue for include medical services, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more.
Medical Services
One of the reasons you are entitled to larger amounts of compensation is the large number of medical expenses that your injury requires. You will have to pay for several surgeries, medications, in-home medical attendants, and medical instruments.
Lost Wages
Recovering from your brain injury will require you to take some time off work. The time taken off from work can place a serious financial burden on you and your family. Your financial situation can also be affected if you can no longer perform your job duties because of your injury.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
The major changes that you experience because of your brain injury can cause you to experience depression. You may be depressed about the different aspects of your life that are no longer available to you, like playing your favorite sport.
Pain and Suffering
The additional medical services you need to stay alive with your injury can cause you to experience pain afterward. You could experience additional pain after going forward with the required surgeries. You can also experience mood swings, depression, and other mental disorders due to brain injury.
You Deserve the Representation of a Forest Park Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
When you are the victim of a traumatic brain injury, you will have to prove a connection between your brain injury and the defendant’s actions that led to your accident. A Forest Park traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you draw that connection and prove it to a judge or jurors. A Forest Park traumatic brain injury lawyer can help present the strongest case on your behalf and defend you against any accusations the defendant’s lawyers will make against you.
Call a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Forest Park Today
You do not deserve to pay out of pocket for an injury caused by another person’s actions. Speak with a Forest Park traumatic brain injury attorney at John Foy & Associates to determine how we can help you hold the right parties accountable. Call our office, or fill out our contact form below to schedule your free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form