If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, talk to a San Diego brain injury attorney at Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers. Contact us today at (858) 551-2090 for a free case evaluation.
A traumatic brain injury can be the tragic result of a car accident, sports injury, slips and falls, medical malpractice, product negligence, or even physical abuse.
Usually, a brain injury is caused by a violent impact on the head, but it can also be caused by an object penetrating the brain tissue.
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can range from internal bruising to torn nerve fibers, internal bleeding, and lacerations to brain tissue. It is a life-changing injury that can lead to many other secondary health problems such as loss of speech and bodily function, amnesia, cognitive impairment, and even permanent coma.
If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, talk to an attorney.
Secure your legal rights with no out-of-pocket costs. If you need help with filing a claim against the responsible party, call us today at (858) 551-2090 and schedule a free consultation. Get all of your questions answered by San Diego’s most respected brain injury attorneys.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is devastating to both the affected individual and the person’s family. It can affect every facet of life including an individual’s ability to speak, eat, talk, and live an overall independent life.
The most common cause of traumatic brain injury is due to car accidents. The impact of a collision can cause brain damage and other catastrophic injuries. Other common causes of TBI include:
- Motorcycle accidents. Akin to car accidents, motorcycle accidents can cause a TBI due to the inherent risk of motorcycling. Although a helmet can prevent brain injury, an accident can still cause damage to the brain due to the high impact of motorcycle collisions.
- Bicycle accidents. Fast speeds and a vulnerable head can lead to a TBI in the wake of a bicycle accident. A helmet can do a lot to protect the brain, but a bicyclist is no match against a moving vehicle. Sometimes, an individual can fall off their bike due to the negligence of another person, business or government agency. Bad products, poor roadway design or upkeep, or another person’s unsafe use of the roadway can all lead to a bicycle accident.
- Slip and fall accidents. Unsafe or uneven surfaces can lead to injury. When a person slips and falls, the head is compromised. It can hit hard surfaces such as a step, curb, concrete surface, or tile and the impact can cause the brain to become inflamed and damaged. The high impact of a slip-and-fall accident can also cause brain bruising and swelling.
- Sports injuries. The force of another body or object hitting the head while participating in sports can be traumatic. Concussions and swelling may lead to other complications that result in a traumatic brain injury. Children are particularly susceptible to sports injuries, but all ages can experience a TBI due to sports.
- Medical malpractice. Most of us trust our doctors to give us high-quality care. Unfortunately, some doctors can make careless mistakes and it can lead to a catastrophic injury such as a TBI.
- Physical assault or abuse. A TBI due to abuse is most commonly seen in the elderly due to poor treatment at care homes. Mistreatment of your loved one is reprehensible; a lawyer specializing in traumatic brain injury due to elderly abuse can help you get the justice you and your loved one deserves.
Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussion
Concussions occur due to a physical blow to the head. It can commonly occur in car accidents due to the high impact of a crash, but concussions can also be seen in sports injuries, slip and fall accidents and physical abuse. Repeated concussions can lead to serious, irreversible health consequences.
Contusion
A contusion is a brain bruise. Contusions can lead to other injuries such as edema, hemorrhage or a hematoma.
Edema
Edema is also known as swelling. Edema of the brain is dangerous because the brain is enclosed in an inflexible skull—pressure can mount and cause damage to surrounding tissues.
Diffuse axonal injury
A diffuse axonal injury refers to general damage to the brain cells. There is no brain bleeding in a diffuse axonal injury but the injury nonetheless results in loss of function. Considered a very serious form of TBI, a diffuse axonal injury can lead to permanent disability or even death.
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage means uncontrolled bleeding. The brain can experience a hemorrhage within the fluid space of the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage), or within the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage).
Hematoma
Hematoma is blood clotting outside of the blood vessels within the brain. A hematoma is extremely dangerous. Pressure buildup due to a hematoma can cause permanent brain damage.
Skull fracture
The skull bone is very hard. It does not contain bone marrow, and so it is quite dense. So, when a skull fracture occurs, the impact must have been severe enough to break one of the hardest bones in the body. A broken skull may absorb some of the impact of a blow, but it is likely that brain damage may occur as a result.
Brain laceration
A brain laceration is a cut or tear to the brain tissue. A laceration can be caused by trauma to the brain or physical impalement.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptomps
Symptoms will generally depend on the classification of traumatic brain injury. It is important to seek medical care for your TBI. If you feel any symptoms, contact your doctor.
The most common head injury symptoms include:
- Headaches and neck pain. Don’t dismiss a headache following an accident as commonplace. Neck pain can be related to a brain injury, or it may be the result of whiplash. Persistent headaches are one of the first indicators that a TBI may have occurred.
- Lightheaded and dizzy. The brain controls your nervous system and any loss of balance following an accident may be indicative of a brain injury.
- Clouded thinking. Confusion, loss of concentration and brain fog can all be signs that a brain injury has occurred.
- Slow response rates. If you feel like your ability to think, speak or react is inhibited, you may have a brain injury.
- Sleepiness and/or nausea. Commonly seen in concussions, sleepiness or nausea may be an indicator of brain injury.
- Impaired senses. If you can’t see, taste or smell, you may have damaged parts of your brain in charge of these functions.
- Ringing in the ears. A constant, high-pitch sound in the ears (tinnitus) might mean you have experienced a brain injury.
- Psychological changes. Changes in personality can indicate a brain injury. Feeling sad, angry or having trouble sleeping without reason can also indicate that your brain has experienced unwanted changes.
Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury
Many long-lasting impacts can affect a patient who has been diagnosed with a brain injury. Whether it’s self-care, going back to work, or taking care of a family, individuals experiencing a TBI may have to go through years of physical or occupational therapy to restore these skills.
Even then, some TBIs are permanent and irreversible and no skills may be regained.
Some of the most common challenges faced by brain injury victims after an accident include:
- Physical impairments requiring aids, motorized scooters, or a wheelchair
- Communication problems like trouble listening or speaking
- Emotional and behavioral issues
- Cognitive disabilities that impede attention, functioning, and memory
- Seizures and related spasticity issues
Brain Injury Lawyers in San Diego
Our San Diego personal injury lawyers are nationally-recognized as the legal experts in traumatic brain injury. Even the most unique or circumstantial cases have turned to us for help.
Our lawyers have helped people just like you get the maximum compensation after filing a claim. We can help you, too.
Call us now to secure your legal rights right away. If you have been injured in an accident and are now experiencing a traumatic brain injury, we can help you get your life back on track.
Our experienced San Diego brain injury attorneys can answer your questions without any out-of-pocket costs to you.
Call us 24/7 at (858) 551-2090. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay anything until we recover money on your behalf.