Even with modern medical knowledge, there are parts of the brain’s functionality that remain a mystery. What is not mysterious is that blows and trauma to the head can significantly and negatively affect the brain and your entire body. Injuries to the brain have the potential to cause temporary or permanent paralysis, seizures, and other effects that can limit your ability to participate in personal, familial, and work activities.
You need immediate medical attention when you suffer a head injury and lose consciousness or are exhibiting specific symptoms. Once that is taken care of, you should also speak with a Dunwoody traumatic brain injury lawyer to discuss and assert your legal rights. If another person acted carelessly and caused you to suffer a catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to receive a financial award of compensation to address your losses.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (sometimes abbreviated as TBIs) is a term that encompasses a wide variety of injuries that can impact the brain and how it works. A diffuse axonal injury, which results from a severe “shaking” or rotational movement of the head is one example. This is what leads to “Shaken Baby Syndrome” and whiplash.
A penetration injury is where a foreign object penetrates the skull, while a contusion involves bleeding in the brain caused by a direct blow to the head. A “coup-contrecoup” is a severe contusion where the strength of the blow slams the brain against the opposite side of the skull.
Concussions
Concussions are a common type of TBI in which a trauma damages the brain’s blood vessels. Concussions can result from either “closed” brain injuries (where there is no laceration or opening of the skull, such as what happens with a blow to the head from a blunt object) and “open” brain injuries (where the injury exposes the skull or brain, as in the case of a gunshot wound).
Mild or Severe
Traumatic brain injuries can also be considered “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe,” depending on how long the injured person lost consciousness and whether they experienced any temporary or permanent disabilities. Any brain injury caused by another person’s negligent behavior deserves to be reviewed by a Dunwoody attorney.
Appropriate Actions When a TBI is Suspected
After an injury involving trauma to the head, a medical professional should evaluate and treat the person as soon as possible. The need for medical attention and evaluation is even more important if the victim lost consciousness as a result of the injury. This is because a mild TBI can progress to a moderate or severe TBI without prompt and appropriate medical treatment.
It is equally important (both for physical health and for legal rights) that the injured person also follow any treatment recommendations from their doctor and to keep all follow-up appointments. This helps a Dunwoody TBI lawyer fight for the maximum financial compensation award. If a patient does not attend all medical visits or follow all instructions, the defendant’s insurance company may argue that they are not as injured as they claimed.
Call a Dunwoody Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney for Help
Injuries to the brain may not be visible, but they can undoubtedly manifest themselves through painful and frustrating limitations. Additionally, people with TBIs routinely incur substantial medical bills and other costs related to their injuries. If a TBI affects your ability to work or your earning potential, these expenses can seem overwhelming.
Even though a TBI may leave you and your family unsure about what limitations you might experience moving forward, a Dunwoody traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you pursue a claim of compensation against those who were responsible. Your time to file a lawsuit is limited, though, so reach out to our team and schedule a free consultation to discuss your story.
