A traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, can cause very serious and lasting problems for the victim, as well as their loved ones.
Nearly 1.7 million people suffer from a traumatic brain injury each year in our country. Many traumatic brain injuries are the result of car accidents or negligence, leaving victims struggling with soaring medical bills and diminished quality of life.
If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury or other symptoms of brain damage, it is crucial that you get in contact with a traumatic brain injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact O’Connor, Acciani & Levy today to schedule a free case evaluation and discuss your case with our experienced catastrophic injury lawyers.
What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
By definition, a traumatic brain injury is an intracranial injury affecting the brain caused by an outside force, which can cause a closed or penetrating wound. TBIs may affect the victim physically as well as mentally, and the effects can be long-lasting or permanent. It affects the victims psyche, personality, and more. Traumatic brain injuries can be mild or very severe, resulting in a range of symptoms of brain damage. A traumatic brain injury could even cause death.
Traumatic brain injuries may occur as a result of various accidents. Auto accidents, falls, penetrating injuries to the head, assault, and other accidents which involve a blow to the head are common causes of traumatic brain injuries. This type of brain injury sometimes occurs in sports accidents, and military personnel may suffer a traumatic brain injury as the result of an explosion.
What is the Anatomy of a Brain Injury?
The brain is several pounds of a jelly-like substance containing millions of microscopic fibers suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. The brain works by sending neuro-chemical signals across axonal-dendric connections known as synapses. When brain tissue is disturbed in an injury, these axonal-dendric connections can be disturbed or broken.
Some important information on the brain includes:
- The brain has three main areas: the cortex (cerebrum), the cerebellum and the brain stem (diencephalon).
- The cortex is the center where most thinking takes place. It has four lobes, and two hemispheres: the right and the left.
- The left hemisphere is often the dominant structure and controls verbal functions such as speaking, writing, reading and calculating. The right controls visual-spatial functions such as visual memory, copying, drawing and rhythm.
- The frontal lobe is sometimes damaged in accidents because of its location near the front of the cranium. The frontal lobe is considered a center for emotional and personality traits.
- The cerebellum controls our coordination and balance.
- The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls survival functions, such as breathing, heart rate, consciousness and alertness.
Fortunately the brain is protected by our skull or cranium. However, the inner surface of the skull contains ribbing and bony structures. If the brain moves forcefully inside the skull, it can be thrust into these bony structures causing injury.
Types Of Head and Brain Injuries
A Cincinnati brain injury lawyer could help someone with any of the following types of brain damage.
Contusion or Concussion
A contusion or concussion occurs when the brain is bruised by striking the cranium. The injury causes headaches, vomiting, dizziness and problems remembering or concentrating. It can have can have long term consequences.
Anoxic Brain Injury
An injury that disrupts blood flow to the brain. An anoxic brain injury is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain usually through bleeding and swelling of brain tissue.
Skull Fracture
A skull fracture is a break in the bone that surrounds the brain. Often a skull fracture will heal on its own but if there is tissue damage below the fracture surgery may be required.
Contrecoup
A contrecoup injury occurs when the brain is propelled against both sides of the skull. In this type of injury the brain will rebound and collides with the opposite side of the skull-when it strikes both sides of the skull, the result is a contrecoup injury.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
A type of brain injury called Diffuse Axonal Injury occurs with the rotation and disruption of the brain inside the skull which severs or shears the brains long connecting nerve fibers or axons. This damage can be microscopic and difficult to measure. In cases involving mild brain injury the effects of this may be not be long term, but following more severe brain injury it can result in permanent disability and unconsciousness and coma. Unfortunately, there is no real treatment for diffuse axonal injury. Recent studies indicate the damage to axons appears to progress over the first 12 to 24 hours after the injury. It is hoped that in the near future it may be possible to prevent the progression with specific treatments.
Epidural hematoma
Epidural hematoma involves the formation of a blood clot between the skull and the top lining of the brain (dura). This clot causes pressure changes in the brain can require emergency surgery.
Subdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma is the formation of a blood clot between the brain tissue and the dura. If it occurs slowly over several weeks it is referred to as a subdural hematoma; if it occurs quickly it is referred to an acute subdural hematoma. Like other clots this may require surgical correction.
If you have relieved a blow to the head and are suffering from a head or brain injury as a result of a truck accident or other incident, you should see a doctor and contact a Cincinnati attorney to help protect your rights.
Symptoms Of Brain Damage
A traumatic brain injury can be diagnosed based on a variety of different symptoms. The symptoms will depend on the severity and type of brain injury. This type of injury is unique to every individual, and one person may display completely different symptoms than the next. Because of this, treatment for a brain injury will vary from patient to patient. Many TBIs cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, as well as changes in mood or behavior.
In cases of mild traumatic brain injuries, symptoms of brain damage may include:
- A short loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Sleeping more than before
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Changes in one’s ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea and vomiting
- Balance problems
- Dizziness
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Mood swings, depression, and anxiety
Mild and severe traumatic brain injuries can produce the same symptoms as above in addition to these symptoms of brain damage:
- Knocked unconscious for minutes or longer
- Constant headaches
- Lasting nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of the pupils
- Fluid draining from ears and nose
- Seizures
- Numbness of extremities
- Weakness of extremities
- Lack of coordination
- Confusion that doesn't subside
- Slurred speech
- Abnormal behaviors such as agitation and anger
A brain injury can affect the victim physically as well as mentally, and the effects can be long-lasting or permanent. Not only can these injuries affect a victim’s ability to speak or think clearly, it can also affect their psyche and personality. Traumatic brain injuries can be mild or very severe, resulting in a range of symptoms; some injuries may result in death.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury and are struggling to obtain the compensation you deserve, contact our knowledgeable Cincinnati TBI lawyers. We can review the details of your claim to determine your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, including rehabilitation costs and caretaker needs, lost wages, loss of quality of life and more.
Common Causes Of Brain Trauma
These types of injuries are caused by an outside force causing damage to the brain and may be a closed or a penetrating wound. Brain injuries may occur as a result of various accidents, such as:
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Assault
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle collisions
- Train accidents
- Aircraft crashes
- Boating accidents
In order to file a brain injury claim, victims must be able to prove that the injury was caused by an individual or entity’s negligence. For example, the victim of a brain injury suffered in a car crash must be able to prove the other driver’s careless actions caused the wreck.
A product liability claim may also be filed if a dangerous or defective product caused the injury.
If you believe you or a loved one’s traumatic brain injury occurred during an accident that could have been prevented, contact a Cincinnati attorney at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy.
Seek the Services of a Cincinnati Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Due to the severity of traumatic brain injuries, many victims are forced to take time off work during traumatic brain injury treatment. As traumatic brain injury recovery progresses, you may find yourself facing rising medical expenses, as well as living expenses. The recovery period can be quite a while, and may result in you not being able to return to work. Our attorneys can assist you in filing a claim to gain compensation for medical expenses, recovery for lost wages, and awards for pain and suffering.
Let our skilled legal team assist you in securing your traumatic brain injury recovery. Our goal is to hold responsible parties accountable for the injuries they have caused you, and help you access the compensation you deserve. We have been serving clients with proven results you can trust.
Call the accomplished Cincinnati traumatic brain injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy today to schedule a free case evaluation, or contact us online.
