Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause serious, debilitating injury resulting from significant trauma to the head after an accident.
TBIs can be difficult to identify, but with the help of a skilled Cincinnati brain injury attorney, we can help you determine the value of your case and pursue the compensation you are entitled to.
What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is any type of disruption to brain function, typically caused by a blow or other trauma to the head. Approximately 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, with 52,000 individuals dying from this condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are three different types of TBIs based on severity, including:
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
A mild TBI may result in a temporary disruption in normal brain function. A traumatic brain injury may be considered mild if your loss of consciousness was for less than 30 minutes. Individuals with mild TBIs usually open their eyes spontaneously and respond well to questions.
Symptoms associated with a mild TBI include:
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Loss of smell or sensitivity to sound
- Nausea
- Sleep problems and fatigue
- Feelings of depression
- Problems with coordination
- Memory loss
Although this injury is considered relatively mild, it may still have a big impact on your well-being. Having a mild TBI can leave you continuing to experience symptoms for a year or more. Additionally, having a mild TBI can increase the likelihood of you having a worse brain injury if you sustain another head trauma.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries
Having a moderate TBI may cause you to black out after the initial trauma. You may demonstrate symptoms of confusion and memory loss, including problems with your motor responses.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
If you suffer a severe TBI, you may lose consciousness for several weeks or months after the initial trauma. You may wind up in a coma or may respond very minimally to your environment.
Symptoms associated with a severe TBI include:
- Dilated pupils
- Constant vomiting or nausea
- Clear fluid that drains from the ears or nose
- Difficulty speaking or walking
- Irritable or combative behavior
- Confusion
- Depression
Not all signs of TBI are immediately noticeable. If you think you or your loved one may have suffered a TBI, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Determining Factors Of A Tbi Claim
The potential value of your claim largely depends on the damages that you have suffered. Damages are different in every case, but they may include expenses related to the following:
- Medical expenses – A large portion of your claim will be based on the medical expenses you incurred, including any initial emergency room or hospital stays, prescriptions, lab work, imaging tests or other medical expenses you received that were directly related to your injury.
- Lost income – You may have lost time from work while recovering from your injury.
- Lost earning capacity over your lifetime – If the TBI left you or a loved one unable to return to work, compensation may be available for this loss. An economic expert may estimate the likely lost income over the victim’s lifetime and your attorney can include this information in a demand for compensation.
- Lifetime care costs – Symptoms related to TBIs may last for years or the rest of your life. Future anticipated medical expenses can be considered when estimating the value of your claim. Additionally, if you need a caregiver, this can factor into your damages.
- Pain and suffering – You may be able to receive compensation for the pain and suffering and the negative impacts the injury had on your life.
- Other expenses – You may have incurred other expenses related to your TBI, such as transportation to get to medical appointments, property damage or physical therapy expenses.
Contact A Brain Injury Lawyer
If you sustained a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you contact the brain injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy to help discuss your claim during a free, no obligation consultation.
Our knowledgeable attorneys understand how to handle TBI claims. We know how this injury can affect you or your loved one. We can help identify the damages available to you and seek full compensation for the injuries you have suffered. There are no upfront costs or fees. We only require payment if you recover fair compensation.