All injuries are to be taken seriously after accidents, but brain injuries are particularly dangerous both for their impact on lives and how commonly they occur. In 2014 alone, there were approximately 2.5 million traumatic brain injury-related emergency room visits in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 812,000 visits involving children. While victims suffering any injury have a lot to think about when it comes to their medical bills and lost wages, brain injury victims also have to consider future costs of care and if there is lasting brain damage, they may have to quit their jobs and consider hiring a full-time nurse. Though your future may feel bleak, Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A. can help you get your life back on track by filing a personal injury claim and holding negligent parties responsible for their careless actions. Our Fort Lauderdale brain injury attorneys have recovered millions for clients throughout Florida and are prepared to help you.
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Traumatic Brain Injuries Vs. Acquired Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are typically categorized as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and acquired brain injuries (ABIs) depending on how they can occur. ABIs refer to brain injuries acquired from illnesses or after a stroke. TBIs, on the other hand, are more common, especially in personal injury claims, and refer to injuries to the brain caused by external forces like a blow to the head.
Common examples of how TBIs can occur include:
- Being struck by an object like debris or heavy equipment, or any object dropped from a height
- Slip and fall accidents that end with the victim hitting their head on the floor or pavement
- Foreign object penetrating the brain
- Explosions
- The head slamming against an object such as a window or steering wheel in the event of a car crash
Types of TBIs to Be Aware Of
The CDC categorizes TBIs as either penetrative or non-penetrative. A penetrating injury, or open TBI, occurs after an object penetrates the brain tissue and leaves it exposed. A non-penetrating injury, or a closed TBI, occurs after the brain has been jostled in the skull by an external force.
Most people are familiar with concussions, which is the most common type of TBI. A concussion is caused when the brain is traumatized by impact or momentum, which stretches the brain’s blood vessels and often results in a brief loss of consciousness or dazed sensation. While many concussions are minor and temporary, others can involve brain bleeding or swelling and result in permanent brain damage if they’re serious or fail to be treated by a medical professional.
Other types of traumatic brain injuries that can result from accidents include:
- Contusions
- Lesions
- Hemorrhage
- Skull fractures
- Hematomas
Virtually any accident can cause a TBI, but our team has seen many TBIs after serious motor vehicle accidents. Car occupants, for example, can easily hit their heads on their steering wheels or other objects in their vehicles upon impact after a rear-end accident or head-on collision. However, in motor vehicle accidents involving motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, it’s typically the non-vehicle occupants who suffer the most debilitating injuries. This is because these particular victims aren’t restrained by seat belts or have airbags to protect them in an accident. Slip and fall accidents and construction accidents are also known to cause TBIs.
Brain Injury Damages Our Team Can Recover
TBIs have long-lasting impacts on victims. Permanent brain damage, for example, can result in cognitive and motor function disabilities like speech and communication issues, memory problems, and even a change in the victim’s personality. Other TBIs can increase a person’s risk of developing serious health conditions later in life like dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
If you’ve suffered a TBI, you’re likely facing thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and more. You may be considering hiring at-home nursing care, or a family member may have to quit their job to stay at home and care for you. Our brain injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can sit down with you to understand how your injury will impact your life and future. From there, we can build your case and prove liability so you can get the compensation you need. Whether you were injured by a negligent driver or property owner, you shouldn’t have to suffer any more than you already have. Our team is detail-oriented and ready to invest our time and energy into your case to ensure success.
