A traumatic brain injury is one of the most severe diagnoses that someone can face in the medical field. The brain controls all the body’s essential functions, from breathing to moving, thinking, feeling, and everything in between. A traumatic brain injury could lead to chronic comorbidities or even death. Because of this, every patient and their loved ones should keep some basic information in mind.

If you or a loved one has suffered severe head trauma in an accident in El Dorado Hills caused by someone else’s negligence, call our injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

Many patients wonder how someone suffers a brain injury. The brain is encased in the protection of the skull. While this creates a barrier to the outside world against traumas and infections, it isn’t invincible. Any force that cracks the head causes the brain to impact the skull or penetrates and contacts the brain directly can lead to a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms develop when the brain loses blood oxygen or swells in a closed space. 

Examples of common causes of brain injuries include:

• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Oxygen Deprivation (such as drowning)
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Injuries
• Heavy Equipment Accidents
• Physical Assault

These are only a few of the many causes of neurological damage. Remembering that a brain injury can occur anytime from seemingly innocuous causes is essential. Even slipping on a wet pool deck can lead to a brain injury that requires immediate medical attention.

After a patient has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, they might be overwhelmed by the medical jargon. There are several treatment options that the medical team will consider based on the type of brain injury and its severity. Options include:

• Rest: This is a standard option for patients with a minor concussion. The idea is to give the brain time to rest and relax by minimizing neurological stimuli. This means limiting exposure to lights, screens, and intense thought.
• Medical Therapy: There are several common medications that a patient could be prescribed, including anti-inflammatories and blood pressure medications. Ensuring the brain receives the right amount of oxygen and doesn’t swell in a closed space is essential.
• Surgical Therapy: Sometimes, emergency care is necessary. Neurosurgeons may need to perform a craniotomy. This will temporarily remove a flap of the patient’s skull while the brain swells and reduces in size. Removing the skull will prevent the patient’s brain from herniating. The skull is put back in place once the swelling has gone down.

The following video explains how traumatic brain injuries are treated with new technology and treatments.

When a family faces the prospect of a brain injury, they may not know what to do next. Between medical therapy, fighting with insurance companies, and any legal aspects, they might forget to ask for help. An El Dorado Hills brain injury lawyer can provide valuable assistance, such as:

• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Most patients have no experience dealing with insurance companies. An experienced attorney knows how these companies operate and can help pay claims, including health and disability insurance claims.
• Legal Rights: Patients need to understand their legal rights. A brain injury lawyer can give patients an objective opinion regarding what their case is worth and their options for pursuing damages.
• Stress Relief: The medical recovery process is more than enough for patients with a brain injury to keep them busy. Allow an experienced accident attorney to take all ancillary obligations off the to-do list. This will allow patients to focus all their energy on fully recovering.

Many people suffer a brain injury daily, creating an uncertain future for their loved ones. Any family dealing with a traumatic brain injury from an accident can call our El Dorado Hills brain attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly case advice.

See our past verdicts/settlements and our client reviews on Yelp, Google, and Avvo.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.3.23] dr bw [cs 861] Image: By “sbtlneet” via Pixabay}