A traumatic brain injury is any injury to the brain that affects a person mentally, emotionally, and physically. Arguably some of the most devastating and debilitating brain injuries can arise from various circumstances. However, some brain injuries are unrelated to trauma; many results from accidents and intentional acts. Below, we will look at what is considered a brain injury, the symptoms associated with TBIs, and some of the most common causes of brain injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury, you might have the right to seek compensation for your losses. To learn more about your legal options following a brain injury, contact Slater & Zurz. Our Columbus brain injury lawyers can review the facts of your case and determine whether someone else’s negligence caused your injury. If so, we will develop a course of action to seek maximum compensation for your injuries and subsequent losses. To get started, call (888) 534-4850 to set up a FREE, no-obligation case review today.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury or TBI is an acquired injury that causes damage to the brain. They result from a violent blow or back-and-forth motion to the head or body. These injuries can also be caused by a penetrating wound, such as one caused by a bullet or other object entering the skull.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury, one of the most common causes of disability and death, occurs when a sudden, external physical force damages a person’s brain. The term describes various injuries ranging from mild concussions to severe brain trauma.
Traumatic brain injuries include the following types:
- Concussion – Also referred to as an “mTBI,” concussions are the most common form of traumatic brain injury. Three out of every four TBIs are concussions. Symptoms are relatively mild, and most of the associated effects are gone within 7-10 days.
- Closed traumatic brain injury – Most TBIs fall in the closed TBI category. These result from an outside force that causes a forceful blow or jolt to the head, neck, or body. The impact causes the brain to swell, causing varying degrees of damage to the brain.
- Open traumatic brain injury – Commonly referred to as a “penetrating TBI,” these injuries are sustained when a knife, bullet, or other object goes through the skull. If it makes its way into the brain tissue, it can cause severe damage, disability, and death.
Who Is Most at Risk of Sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury?
According to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, anyone can suffer a traumatic brain injury. However, individuals with a high risk of suffering a brain injury include the following:
- Young children
- Adults over 65
- Motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians
- Construction workers
- Nursing home residents
- Athletes
- Law enforcement
- Military personnel
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
TBIs have a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional effects. Some symptoms present themselves immediately, while others may appear days or even weeks later. The symptoms associated with a brain injury depend on the nature and severity of the injury. However, some of the most common symptoms are listed below.
Mild traumatic brain injury symptoms
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Memory problems
Symptoms of Moderate to Severe TBIs
- Confusion
- Unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Persistent or severe headaches
- Persistent vomiting or nausea
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Numbness or weakness in hands or feet
- Coma
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A blow or jolt to the head or body or a penetrating injury typically causes TBIs. The degree of brain damage depends on several factors, including the impact force and the injury’s nature.
Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include the following:
- Falls – According to Brainline.org, more than 1.3 million brain injuries in the United States are caused by falls each year. These include falls from stairs and ladders, slips and falls caused by uneven surfaces, wet or slick walkways, extension cords or debris, and poorly-lit sidewalks. Many falls are linked to workplace accidents and premises liability matters.
- Auto accidents – Motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks are another major contributor to traumatic brain injuries. Many of these injuries are caused by blunt force trauma or a violent back-and-forth motion at the moment of impact.
- Sports injuries – TBIs are often caused by injuries sustained while participating in sports or other extracurricular activities. High-impact sports, such as soccer, football, boxing, lacrosse, hockey, and skateboarding, have led to many traumatic brain injuries.
- Explosions – Explosive blasts can also cause TBIs, although how brain damage occurs is not well understood. Many experts believe the damage to the brain is a result of the disruption of brain function after the wave of pressure caused by the blast passes through the brain. Violence – Domestic violence, gunshot wounds, child abuse, and other forms of assault can cause severe brain injuries. Shaken baby syndrome, caused by a violent shaking of infants, is another common cause of TBIs.
Seeking Compensation Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Sadly, many traumatic brain injuries result from highly preventable acts caused solely by a party’s negligent actions. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by the carelessness or intentional actions of someone else, you have the right to seek financial compensation.
Working with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer can dramatically increase your chances of securing maximum compensation for your losses. Damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, costs for ongoing care, pain and suffering, wrongful damages, and more, are often awarded to victims of brain injuries and their families. In some cases, courts award victims punitive damages. Although uncommon, they are awarded when the defendant’s actions are intentional, especially harmful, or egregious.
To learn more about seeking compensation following a TBI, we encourage you to reach out to our team of leading personal injury lawyers.
Speak to Columbus’s Top Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers for FREE
Our team of skilled and dedicated personal injury lawyers has seen first-hand how especially devastating the short and long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury can be. That is why we relentlessly advocate for our injured clients and their families and fight to secure maximum compensation from the responsible parties.
When experience counts, count on Slater & Zurz. For over 31 years, we have helped injured victims get the justice they deserve. We treat our clients like family and do everything we can to get them the resolution they deserve. Our team will fight for you every step of the way and will be there even after your case is resolved.
Contact our qualified team of traumatic brain injury lawyers in Columbus, Ohio, for qualified legal guidance. You can reach us online or by calling (888) 534-4850 to arrange your free consultation. We are available anytime, day or night, to take your call.
