Brain injuries pose a significant risk in accidents, whether from falls, traffic collisions, dangerous products or others. A traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is jolted or bumped or possibly just shaken hard. In some cases, a penetrating injury causes a serious brain condition due to a falling object or other trauma. When a negligent person or other entity was the cause, the injured person may be able to recover damages with the help of a Byron brain injury lawyer. 

Although minor TBIs such as a concussion can heal with time, more serious injuries may require extensive hospitalization and treatment. In the most serious cases, the injured party can require institutionalization or a battery of home care nurses. Most families can’t afford it, which leaves their loved ones with less opportunity to continue care that can improve their condition.

A Byron brain injury attorney can help the injured person or their family obtain the compensation they need to provide the medical care and services necessary. Our injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have helped many families and those with brain injuries in recovering the compensation they deserve. We offer a free case review, can answer any questions you might have and tell you about ways to recover damages. If we take on your case, we work on a contingency basis as always. You owe us nothing until we’ve won. We always provide free, friendly advice when you call us.

Because brain injuries often result in enormous expenses to care for the injured person and provide treatment to hopefully improve their health, your Byron brain injury lawyer works hard to obtain the maximum damages possible. Recovery of compensation includes:

• All medical expenses associated with the accident that caused the brain injury can be recovered. Ambulance fees, hospitalization, doctors’ bills, tests and medications are just a part of that compensation recovery. It also includes rehabilitation, which can be quite expensive for a patient with a brain injury, and even the out of pocket expenses such as trips to the doctor. If the injured party is expected to remain in their current state without enough improvement to live on their own, those expenses are factored in. A Byron brain injury lawyer can use expert counsel, the long-term prognosis and other factors to arrive at the cost of medical coverage for the injured person’s lifetime.
• Wages that were lost from the injured person’s inability to work are recovered as well as pension/insurance benefits, any regular bonuses and other perks they received at their job. If the injured person cannot return to work or do the job they had previously, the difference can be factored into the settlement until the patient reaches retirement age.
• Compensation for pain and suffering includes more than the physical discomfort. It can also involve emotional distress, which might include loss of memory for someone with a brain injury, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder and others. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 176 people die each day as a result of a TBI. Over 223,000 people were hospitalized due to TBIs in 2019. Estimates do not include those who were treated and released, untreated or who went to urgent care or a personal physician. In addition, older people who have suffered another type of injury such as a broken hip in a car accident may have their symptoms of a TBI missed.

According to an instructor at the Feinberg School of Medicine, back in 2015, the average cost of lifetime treatment for a traumatic brain injury ran between $85,000 and $3 million. Obviously, the costs would be much higher now, so it’s easy to see the importance of obtaining compensation following a TBI caused by a negligent driver or other entity to be able to afford the continual treatment and care. 

Some of the causes of a closed traumatic injury to the brain include:

• Falls are the cause of most TBIs in those who are 65 or over.
• Traffic accidents are the major cause of a TBI involving young adults.
• Brain injuries from playing sports are another common cause of a TBI. Repeated concussions from playing sports such as football can result in serious damage.
• Falling objects that strike someone on the head can occur in everyday life and are common in construction work.
• Explosions often result in a TBI to those who are within the blast range.

Penetrating traumatic brain injuries can include:

• An intentional or accidental act involving a gun can cause a severe penetrating injury.
• Being struck by anything heavy or sharp enough can result in a penetrating TBI. This can include a knife, baseball bat or other materials.
• Traffic collisions commonly cause bone fragment penetration into the brain.

The symptoms of TBI depend on the type of injury, severity of the brain damage and complications that occur such as infection. 

Mild TBIs can cause the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Although it has been reported that some people have briefly lost consciousness, those with mild TBI are generally able to stay awake
• Tired eyes or vision that is blurred
• Ringing in the ears
• Confusion
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Memory, attention and concentration problems
• Undue fatigue
• Changes in the person’s mood or behavior

You might also experience these symptoms if you have suffered a moderate or severe TBI. Symptoms like the following may also accompany a moderate or severe head injury:

• Continuing or worsening headache
• Inability to be awakened
• Nausea or vomiting
• Change in pupil size in one or both eyes
• Seizures or convulsions
• Problems with coordination
• Slurred speech
• Restlessness, agitation or confusion
• Numbness or weakness in the extremities
• Hallucinations

A severe or moderate TBI can cause long-term brain damage and disability. Those who suffer a TBI are also at increased risk for:

• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety
• Epilepsy, which can cause seizures
• Brain bleeds
• Athletes may be at risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by receiving repeated blows to the head. 

Related Articles by Byron brain injury lawyer Ed Smith:

• Symptoms of a Brain Injury After a Traffic Collision
• Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
• Personality Changes Following a TBI
• Brain Injuries and Their Complexity

Following is a video from attorney Ed Smith dedicated to helping you choose the right lawyer following an injury accident:

I am Ed Smith, a Byron brain injury lawyer. If you have been injured by the negligence of a driver or other party, you may wish to file an injury claim for compensation. Call (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 to speak to one of our injury lawyers in Contra Costa County for free and friendly advice. We can also be reached online. Additional information about how we have helped clients in obtaining fair compensation can be found by clicking on Settlements and Verdicts.

Photo attribution: Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

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