Headaches, sleep trouble, mood changes, and trouble with talking, walking, and thinking are symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If you sustained a head injury caused by someone else, they might be held liable for negligence. A personal injury claim could help recover compensation for medical bills, therapy, and rehabilitation. Your TBI does not have to define you.
You can receive help from an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today to receive a free consultation to go over your case with a member of our team at (404) 888-8888.
A Traumatic Brain Injury’s Many Forms
TBI is an umbrella term for a number of brain injuries that occur due to an external incident. In other words, you cannot spontaneously encounter a TBI—it is something that happens to you.
Your traumatic brain injury could be one of the following:
- Closed TBI
- Penetrating TBI
- Skull fractures
- Edema
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Concussion
- Coup-contrecoup lesions
All TBIs are either penetrating or closed, meaning either with or without an open wound. A concussion might be a closed TBI while having a bullet wound would be a penetrating TBI. Skull fractures can fall under either category.
Edema
Edema occurs when there is fluid around the brain causing swelling, and the fluid creates too much pressure on the brain. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that edema can cause brain death in severe TBI cases.
Edema can accompany any TBI, making it a secondary brain injury. For instance, being hit on the head by falling debris is a primary brain injury. Your blood vessels may then leak fluid into the surrounding tissue, putting pressure on the brain and making the edema the secondary injury. Secondary brain injuries are still related to your accident and can be included in your claim.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
You are likely familiar with what whiplash does to the neck—the sudden motion creates small tears in the tissues. The same can happen to your brain. When it is sharply moved inside the skull, the connective nerve fibers, called axons, sustain tears, called shearing.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a diffuse axonal injury is hard to detect with imaging but can cause coma and brain damage. This injury can be sustained through car accidents or falls.
Concussions
One of the most common TBIs, concussions range from mild and hardly noticed to severe, interfering with daily life. There are long-term consequences, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder resulting from repeated head trauma.
You’re unlikely to develop CTE from one concussion, but that does not mean you can shake off the injury. According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
- Speech, hearing, or vision problems
- Disrupted sleep
- Mood changes
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Concentration and memory issues
Concussions are classified as TBIs for a reason, and they can be grounds for a personal injury claim. Even if your TBI was sustained in sports, your Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers could explore options for pursuing damages: (404) 888-8888.
Coup-Contrecoup Lesions
Your brain is not rigidly in place in your skull. Because of this, when an external force strikes your head, not only is there damage where you’re hit, but the brain can collide with the opposite side of the skull as well. Johns Hopkins states that a bruise at the first site of trauma is a coup lesion.
Where the brain hits on the other side of the skull is a contrecoup lesion. In other words, you end up with damage on opposite sides of the brain.
Coup-contrecoup injuries can cause lesions, internal bleeding, or cerebral edema, as well as shearing of brain tissue. This injury can be caused by falls, car accidents, or being struck.
For a free legal consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer serving Atlanta, call (404) 888-8888
A Traumatic Brain Injury’s Many Causes
TBIs can cause death and disability. Falling can lead to a TBI. You might have suffered a TBI in any of the following situations:
- Slip and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Sports
- Workplace incidents
Negligence can contribute to all of these scenarios. If someone was not paying attention, failed to mitigate risks, or behaved recklessly, they can be held liable for your TBI.
Slip and Fall
Falls account for over half of TBI-related hospitalizations. Some of those are genuine accidents. However, others are due to someone’s lack of oversight. Falls from the following might entitle you to compensation:
- Ice or puddles
- Uneven or broken flooring
- Lack of lighting
- Walkway obstructions
- Loose railings
Property owners must maintain the premises in a way that prevents injury. Known risks should be fixed or labeled. If you suffered a TBI from a fall on someone’s property due to their lack of care, you could file a claim.
On the Road
Whether involving other cars, cyclists, or pedestrians, motor vehicle accidents are too often a cause of TBIs. Crashes are the second leading cause of these injuries, accounting for 20% of TBI hospitalizations. Pedestrians and cyclists sustain worse injuries, lacking vehicle protection.
Knowing who to hold liable after suffering a TBI on the road can be confusing; car collisions are chaotic. However, your personal injury attorney can help clarify who to hold responsible for your claim.
Sports
While participating in sports may require signing a liability waiver, there are instances in which you can still pursue compensation following an injury, such as if:
- Equipment was defective or poorly maintained
- Coaches insisted an athlete play while injured
- The premises were not properly maintained
- A third party was responsible for the injury
Consult your attorney about your options for filing a lawsuit—even with a liability waiver.
Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Atlanta TBI Victims Deserve Support
Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to overcome. Receiving compensation through a personal injury claim can help you access the care you need, however. With the help of an Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, you can get started on filing your claim. The first step is a phone call to (404) 888-8888.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
