In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people suffer traumatic brain injuries each year. A traumatic brain injury is an injury to an individual’s brain caused by an outside force that may cause physical or cognitive disability.
Traumatic brain injuries occur in accidents such as motor vehicle crashes, trip-and-fall accidents, slip-and-falls and other types of accidents, as well as in violent crimes. If a traumatic brain injury was caused by the wrongful or negligent conduct of another, the injured person may be entitled to significant compensation.
Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries fall into two categories. The first is penetrating injuries, which occur when a foreign object enters the brain. The second is closed head injuries, which occur when the brain is injured by force outside of the head.
Injuries that fall into either category can cause primary (immediate) or secondary (evolving) brain damage. Examples of primary brain damage typically caused by traumatic brain injuries include fracture, bruising, blood clots, lacerations and nerve damage. Examples of secondary brain damage typically caused by traumatic brain injuries include brain swelling, infection, brain bleeds and death of brain tissue.
Effects Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Victims of traumatic brain injury can experience many of the effects immediately or over time. Traumatic brain injuries may have physical consequences such as:
- Loss of coordination
- Impaired balance
- Loss of strength
- Loss of function, including smell, taste or swallowing
- Loss of mobility
Traumatic brain injury can have an effect on cognitive functioning such as:
- Understanding
- Concentration
- Memory
An injured party may have trouble with impulse control or suffer emotional problems. They may even lose the ability to communicate altogether. In short, a traumatic brain injury can have a huge impact on the victim’s life and the lives of the victim’s family, friends and caregivers, especially when it comes to the full cost of an injury.
Recoveries For Traumatic Brain Injuries
Individuals who cause a traumatic brain injury as a result of their wrongful or negligent conduct may be subject to criminal prosecution. However, victims and next of kin may obtain financial compensation through a civil proceeding. Victims or next of kin can recover for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and other related expenses. The law also provides for recovery in the event of pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
Get Our Help Today
As these cases are a complex and unique type of personal injury action, it is necessary to hire an attorney with experience and expertise in this area. The attorneys at Ryan, Ryan & Viglione have extensive experience in this area. Our attorneys have negotiated settlements in numerous traumatic brain injury cases and have also litigated and won substantial recoveries for our clients.
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact Ryan, Ryan & Viglione in Waukegan to schedule a free initial consultation. Call 847-244-1436, or contact us online to get started. Remember: We only get paid on a contingency basis, meaning if you don’t win, we don’t get paid.
