Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe, and the latter may change your life forever. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, a Franklin County traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. Reach out to a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney today to discuss your options.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically occurs after your head suffers an impact of some kind which damages the brain. After you suffer a TBI, you could suffer intracranial bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Bruising inside the brain is exceptionally dangerous because it can lead to a myriad of other ailments.
Those suffering from serious brain injuries may never heal completely, even after years of treatment and rehabilitation. Improvement is possible, but you may never return to fully functioning in the way you did before the accident. Issues frequently affecting those with severe traumatic brain injuries include:
- Behavioral problems
- Blindness
- Intellectual impairment
- Loss of sensation
- Memory loss
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Speech issues
In a worst-case scenario, a victim could die from the injury or be left in a permanent vegetative state.
Types and Symptoms of TBIs
While a concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, it does carry the potential of becoming a serious injury, especially if someone has experienced multiple concussions over time. While a severe traumatic brain injury is generally obvious, that is not necessarily the case when it comes to concussions. Symptoms of this “milder” brain injury may include:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Mood swings
Despite the severity of the injury, all suspected TBIs require immediate medical attention by trained professionals.
Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery
Traumatic brain injury recovery is based on the Rancho Los Amigos Scale which consists of eight levels. These levels are used as a gradient and to assess the immediate cognitive responsiveness of a TBI victim. After an assessment, a doctor and medical professional may prescribe treatment based on the degree of the injury. A dedicated Franklin County traumatic brain injury attorney can help victims with recovering damages and getting the treatment they need.
Traumatic Brain Injury Causes
Any blow to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury. However, some forms of accidents are more likely to result in a TBI than others. The most common causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls (particularly falls among the elderly)
- Sporting accidents
- Assaults
If you have been involved in an accident and suspect that you have suffered an injury to the head, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Compensation
After sustaining a TBI, bills often pile up with little pause. Fortunately, when you bring a claim to court, you do have options to seek compensation from the parties that caused your TBI. Damages, also known as compensation, for traumatic brain injuries are broken into the same two categories as all personal injury claims: economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses are easily calculated. These are meant to compensate victims for readily identifiable losses, such as lost wages due to missed work, medical bills, and any other form of easily-quantifiable and easily calculated loss. Conversely, non-economic losses are no less real, but they are significantly more difficult to calculate. These losses tend to deal with pain and suffering, loss of happiness, and other intangible losses.
Importantly, under Missouri statute 516.120, you must file a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within five years for you to recover your losses. That may seem like a lot of time, but it is critical you contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Franklin County as soon as possible so the evidence is not lost and witnesses are interviewed. (If your TBI is related to medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is only two years).
Contact a Franklin County Traumatic Injury Attorney Who Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of the negligence or recklessness of another party, you need the services of an experienced Franklin County traumatic brain injury lawyer. You and your family are going through a terrible ordeal, and we can help. Call us today for a free consultation or contact us online.