Brain Injury is a disturbance in brain function caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, the head striking an item abruptly and forcefully, or when an object pierces the skull and penetrates brain tissue.
Observing any of the following clinical symptoms indicates a change in normal brain function:
- Consciousness loss or reduction
- Memory loss for events that occurred before or after the event (amnesia)
- Muscle weakness, loss of eyesight, and changes in speech are examples of focal neurological impairments.
- Disorientation, sluggish thinking, or trouble concentrating are examples of mental state changes.
A closed head injury is any harm to the head that does not shatter the skull. When something penetrates your skull and scalp and enters your brain, it is called an open (penetrating) head injury. Some mild head injuries bleed profusely, while others fail to bleed at all.
Symptoms:
The following are common signs of a mild head injury:
- Migraine
- Lightheadedness
- A feeling of whirling,
- Slight perplexity
- Nausea
- Ringing sensation in the ears
Kinds of Head Injuries:
- Hematoma:
A hematoma is an accumulation of blood outside of the blood vessels. A hematoma in the brain can be pretty dangerous. Clotting creates pressure inside your head. This can result in loss of consciousness or irreversible brain damage.
- Hemorrhage:
Uncontrolled bleeding is referred to as a hemorrhage. In addition, bleeding in the area around your brain, known as subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding into your brain tissue, known as intracerebral hemorrhage, can occur. Headaches and vomiting are common symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhages.
- Concussion:
A concussion is believed to be caused by the brain collapsing against the rigid walls of your skull or by the pressures of rapid acceleration and deceleration. In general, the loss of function caused by a concussion is entirely transitory. Repeated concussions, on the other hand, can result in irreversible brain damage.
- Edema:
Any brain damage can cause edema or swelling. Many traumas induce swelling of the surrounding tissues, but swelling of the brain is more severe. The skull becomes irresponsive to cope with swelling. It causes pressure on your skull.
- A Fracture in the Skull:
Unlike most other bones in your body, your skull lacks bone marrow. As a result, the skull is highly robust and challenging to break. A fractured skull cannot absorb the impact of a hit, increasing the likelihood of brain injury. Find out more about skull fractures.
Preventions:
Seat belts and airbags are standard features: A seat belt should always be used to avoid accidents in a motor vehicle. Seat belts and airbags avoid many life-threatening incidents.
Addiction to alcohol and drugs: Don’t drive if you’re high on alcohol or drugs, even prescribed prescriptions that can impair your ability to drive.
Helmets: Helmets should be used while driving any vehicle. When playing sports, skating, or horseback riding, you should also wear adequate head protection.
Be aware of your surroundings: Don’t use smart devices while driving, walking, or crossing the streets. These distractions have the potential to cause accidents.
When Can a Brain Injury Lawyer Assist?
Suppose you or someone you care about has suffered a brain injury in an accident. In that case, it is critical to cope with the upcoming circumstances. For this purpose, a brain injury lawyer can be beneficial. He answers all the inquiries and negotiates with insurance providers on your behalf, allowing you to concentrate on recuperating. In addition, the lawyer collaborates closely with investigators, industry experts, and medical specialists to ensure that you are fairly paid for your losses, which may include:
- Medical expenses,
- Rehabilitation,
- Long-term care services,
- Wages that are lost,
- Earning potential has been eroded,
- Other psychological issues.
What Compensation Can One Expect?
When a person sues after sustaining a brain injury, they may be entitled to get compensation for both economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical Expenses:
Victims of brain injuries may seek reimbursement for any medical costs incurred due to the damage in a brain injury lawsuit. For example, a person may be able to launch a lawsuit to obtain reimbursement for doc-related expenditures.
- Sufferings:
Victims of brain injuries may be able to seek monetary damages for any long-term medical or mental distress, such as brain damage or forgetfulness.
- Inability to Enjoy Life’s Pleasure:
The plaintiff can get compensation for their inability to participate in activities that they previously loved. But it only happens when the injury case is successful. Individuals who suffer a brain injury lose their wages and become unable to enjoy their life’s leisure.
- Wrongful Death:
If brain damage kills the person, the victim’s family may be entitled to launch a wrongful death case.
In all the situations mentioned above, a lawyer can be beneficial.
A Brain Injury Lawsuit’s Elements:
To launch a case, the victim of a brain injury must have experienced trauma as a result of the carelessness of another. In addition, the attorney representing the injured person must establish the following in a negligence claim:
- Duty of Care: This means legal responsibility that requires an individual to exert a reasonable level of care to avert harm to others. For example, a doctor has a responsibility to uphold the medical community’s standard of care.
- Breach of Duty: If an individual or entity violates their duty of care, they may be deemed negligent. For example, suppose a doctor conducts an operation in a way that is undesirable by medical community norms. In that case, they may have violated their professional responsibility.
- Causation: The defendant’s carelessness must have directly caused the harm or damage that happened.
- Damages: For a victim to bring a claim, the harm must have resulted in either economic or non-economic losses.
An expert brain injury lawyer is required to file a successful compensation case.
Lawyers carefully examine each case’s circumstances and strive to establish and implement a legal strategy that will offer the victim the best opportunity of collecting compensation. Have you suffered from a brain injury and wonder whether you need legal help? Contact Philadelphia Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.