A traumatic brain injury can be severely detrimental to a person’s quality of life, sometimes leading to permanent disability or even death. When you or a loved one suffers from traumatic brain damage, you may want to consult with a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney about securing legal representation.
Many traumatic brain injuries stem from negligence. When this is the case, a Las Vegas traumatic brain injury lawyer at Shook & Stone could help you file a legal claim requesting compensation from the responsible party or parties. Our dedicated team of attorneys could act as your legal advocate throughout every stage of your case, whether providing unwavering support during settlement negotiations or litigating a personal injury lawsuit.
Leading Causes and Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A wide variety of incidents can inflict serious physical damage that results in a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Some of the most common causes behind traumatic brain injuries stem from someone’s reckless or willfully dangerous behaviors. Motor vehicle accidents such as car, motorcycle, and cycling collisions are some of the most frequently cited causes of TBIs.
Other traumatic events such as a serious sports-related injury, a severe fall, a swimming accident, or injuries sustained in industrial areas—like construction sites—can put someone at risk of grave brain damage. Assault or violence from a firearm-related incident are also common causes of traumatic brain injuries.
Not all TBIs are created equal. These injuries can range from minor concussions to life-threatening penetrations and skull fractures to brain bleeding. Common signs of traumatic brain damage may include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Severe pain around the temples, forehead, and other areas surrounding the skull
- Increased reactiveness to stimulants like light or noise
Gastrointestinal distress like nausea or vomiting, periods of unconsciousness, and seizures can accompany more serious forms of traumatic brain injuries.
The symptoms of a TBI can worsen in the days following the initial trauma. The possibility of recovery revolves around multiple factors, including the point of injury, whether or not the skull was penetrated, and the speed with which the injured individual seeks treatment. A skilled Las Vegas TBI attorney could help someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury seek justice when someone else’s negligent or willful act caused or contributed to the incident that resulted in the injury.
How Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Treated?
Mild Brain Injuries: Bleeding inside the skull and severe injury to nerves can be treated by surgery. The doctor will often drain any excess fluids that may have seeped into damaged areas of the brain. Infection is also a threat, so antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for treatment. Depending on the extent of damage, physical therapy is sometimes required to help restore vision, speech, etc.
Traumatic Brain Injuries caused by accidents such as automobile or sports injuries often result in permanent disabilities. The treatment will, therefore, include the same therapy mentioned for mild brain injuries above. However, medication may be required because of lingering pain even after the initial trauma has healed, and surgery may also be needed to correct any issues that have been caused by the injury, such as cutting away bone or irritating nerves with spinal cord deformities.
Traumatic Brain Injury resulting from a gunshot wound or a blow to the head while driving can be treated surgically; however, such treatments are often undertaken only in extreme cases when any alternative treatment attempts have failed. Neurosurgery is usually recommended after the patient has gained consciousness, and an MRI scan reveals whether surgery would help restore the patient to a stable condition.
Pain relief medication is essential for Post Concussion Syndrome because the patient may experience headaches, nausea, etc. Drugs are often given to help relieve tension in the brain and to reduce its swelling. Patients suffering from convulsions as a result of TBI are subject to several treatments with anti-seizure drugs. Such treatment can continue for up to two years after the injury.
Long Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The immediate effects of traumatic brain injury can be reduced by proper treatment, but the long-term consequences are a different matter altogether. Long-term effects are those which occur several months or even years after the accident and can result in permanent disabilities if not treated at an early stage. Any TBI that results in a hole or malformation of the skull will require repeated surgical procedures to repair. The most common complications following TBIs in Las Vegas are:
Respiratory failure
Such effects occur when there is damage to the brain stem and upper spinal cord with some sort of breathing disorder like pneumonia, lung/chest infections, etc.
Seizures
Such injuries occur when the brain sustains a blow which causes neurons to misfire. The seizures can lead to long-term disabilities if treatment is not sought as quickly as possible. Concussions are one of the most common causes of epilepsy and seizures.
Cardiovascular failure
A TBI can cause pressure on the brain to create cardiac issues.
Coma
Insufficient blood supply to the brain can lead to this condition.
Loss of vision/deafness
This may occur when there is damage to the lobe or cortex, which switches off sensory stimuli from the ears or eyes. In such cases, treatment may involve replacing the damaged body part with an artificial device.
Memory loss
People who have suffered a TBI often experience memory problems, which usually worsen as time passes by. The brain cannot function properly to recall details of events or information, and any repeat trauma can lead to further memory loss and permanent disabilities.
Depression
Such injuries are often the cause of depression in patients, which may also require psychiatric medications along with other treatments.
Chronic Pain
TBI caused by accidents can lead to paralysis and chronic pain issues because of long-term damage to nerve receptors and muscles. Such issues will worsen if not treated at an early stage.
Personality and behavior changes
The victim may experience an abnormal personality or behavioral change as a result of the injury.
Gait abnormalities
Patients can suffer from gait abnormalities, which affect their movements due to damage to certain parts of the brain. Such issues include difficulty in walking, writing, or speaking.
Bladder and Bowel incontinence
Such conditions result when the brain is damaged, which causes a loss of control over such functions.
CVA
Cerebrovascular accidents are caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain following blunt trauma to the head. This condition can lead to other disorders like reduced brain function, loss of memory, and speech problems.
In the case of any injury, both physical or mental, it is important to seek proper medical care as soon as possible because delays can often lead to permanent disabilities.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur in any kind of accident, which causes damage to the skull or brain tissue. The severe extent of such injuries can range from simple concussions and loss of consciousness to long-term disabilities and even death.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
Here are some statistics about TBI:
- Approximately 70% of all head trauma cases of TBI are due to accidents and falls.
- Approximately 80% of people who suffer from a brain injury as a result of an accident die within the first year after the incident.
- 45,000 Americans die every year as a result of head injuries because of car accidents, falls, etc.
There are many support groups available, such as TBI Links, which can help patients who have suffered head injuries due to accidents or falls. Such groups will provide encouragement, emotional support, and tips about living with TBI successfully. To learn more or get connected with one of these groups, reach out to a Las Vegas TBI lawyer at our firm.
Overview of TBI Claims in Las Vegas
A well-practiced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Las Vegas could help an injured person pursue comprehensive compensation from the party or parties responsible for their harm. The liable parties in a TBI lawsuit could range from a careless driver to a negligent property owner. Individuals or entities whose negligence contributed to what happened may have legal culpability in a personal injury claim for damages.
These recoverable damages could include the cost of the injured party’s:
- Disability
- Mental distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Past and ongoing medical care
- Lost wages and any lost earning capacity
Reach Out to a Las Vegas Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
When facing the ramifications of a traumatic brain injury, know that you do not have to, nor should you, try to navigate the legal system on your own. A Las Vegas traumatic brain injury lawyer with proven experience in these types of cases could give you your best chance at achieving a successful outcome.
Our team of qualified legal professionals at Shook & Stone could help you determine what individual or company might be legally liable for your injuries and build a strong argument for compensation predicated on the unique facts of your case. Contact our office today to set up your free, confidential case evaluation with one of our capable attorneys.
