TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
The brain is one of the body’s most vital organs, as well as one of the most complex and difficult to understand. It is also one of the most vulnerable organs and when it is impaired, remedying harm is often challenging if not impossible. While the brain is protected by the thick walls of the skull, if the brain is impacted, serious trauma can occur leading to catastrophic injury. At the offices of Schilling & Esposito Personal Injury Attorneys, our attorneys represent victims of serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and have a great deal of experience in recovering large settlements for our clients. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to another’s negligence, please call us today for your free consultation.
Types of TBI’s
No two traumatic brain injuries are alike, and two people who both suffer a similar injury to the brain may have completely different side effects. That being said, traumatic brain injuries are classified in the following ways:
Concussion. A concussion is the most common type of brain injury and the type that the majority of people are most familiar with. In this type of brain injury, the brain is impacted by a direct blow to the head, such as being hit with an object, being shaken violently, or being penetrated.
Contusion. A contusion refers to bleeding on the brain. Typically, contusions are a result of direct impact to the head, such as being hit with a large and heavy object.
Penetration. When the skull and the brain are penetrated, perhaps by a bullet or sharp object, a penetration TBI has occurred. Keep in mind that penetration of the brain may also occur from hair, bones, and object fragments that are forced into the brain tissue.
Diffuse axonal. Diffuse axonal brain injuries occur when the head is shaken violently (i.e. Shaken Baby Syndrome) or subjected to strong rotational force. This can cause the tissues of the brain to tear, resulting in serious injury.
Coup-contrecoup. A coup-contrecoup injury is classified by contusions on two parts of the brain that are directly opposite to one another. The first contusion occurs from the impact of an object hitting the head; the second from the brain slamming into the opposite side of the skull wall.
Acquired brain injury. Finally, an acquired brain injury is one that occurs from forces that are not necessarily caused by an external force, such as a stroke or near-drowning incident. The two types of acquired brain injury types are:
Hypoxic brain injury, which occurs when the brain receives some, but not enough, oxygen; and
Anoxic brain injury, which occurs when the oxygen supply to the brain is completely cut off.
Accidents that Can Lead to Traumatic Brain Injury
There many different ways in which the brain can be harmed and there are many different types of accidents that can lead to traumatic brain injuries. Our Virginia personal injury lawyers have represented clients harmed in a variety of accident types that resulted in a TBI, including:
Motor vehicle accidents;
Slip and fall accidents;
Commercial vehicle crashes;
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents;
Medical malpractice cases;
Pool and water-related accidents;
Sports-related accidents; and
More.
If you have suffered a TBI and you believe that your injury would not have been incurred but for the wrongful actions of another party, please call us for a free consultation today.
The Effects of a TBI
A traumatic brain injury can result in physical, sensory, cognitive/mental, and emotional symptoms. While some of these symptoms may be temporary, others may be long-lasting or even permanent. For example, a TBI could affect an individual’s ability to process or learn new information, think clearly and logically, solve problems, speak and communicate, control their emotions, balance, sleep, and more. This could mean that a person is unable to return to work, care for a child, or even care for themselves. A serious traumatic brain injury may necessitate a live-in nurse or caretaker, changes to one’s home, extensive medical and therapy expenses, and more. These are all not only expensive, but can be challenging to deal with psychologically too. There is no doubt that a TBI can result in a diminished quality of life for both the affected victim and their immediate family members.
Damages Recoverable in a TBI Personal Injury Claim
If your TBI would not have occurred but for the failure of another party to exercise a reasonable duty of care, you maintain the right to file a personal injury claim against the party and seek damages for the full extent of your harm. Our lawyers can help you to understand what your case is worth and prove the value of damages suffered, including:
Medical expenses, both present and future;
Lost wages, both present and future;
Other economic expenses, such as the costs of hiring a caretaker, making physical changes to a home, paying for therapy and rehabilitation, etc.;
Noneconomic losses, such as the value of diminished quality of life and relationships, pain and suffering, loss of happiness, and more.
In order to recover the compensation you deserve, you must bring forth your claim within two years of the cause of action. If you wait longer than two years, you will be barred from recovery.
You Deserve the Best Legal Representation Available
When your brain is severely injured, your life can be significantly impaired. When a TBI does not result in death, it can result in serious complications that forever change the course of an individual’s, and their family member’s lives.
If you have suffered a TBI due to negligence, our lawyers want to help you. You deserve the best legal representation available – our lawyers have a track record of success and a history of recovering large settlements for our clients. We are passionate about what we do and promise to always work hard for you.
To schedule your free consultation with our skilled Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys, please visit one of our Richmond offices in person, send us a confidential message, or call us directly at 804-261-1001.