Traumatic Brain Injury Causes

Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is suddenly subjected to some kind of trauma. It can occur when the brain suffers an injury from being rapidly and forcefully thrust against the skull, such as during an automobile accident. It also can happen when something penetrates the brain, such as when a bullet enters the skull and the brain.

The suddenness and destructive quality of the injury makes it especially difficult to adapt to, both for the patient and family. One moment a person is perfectly fine, the next instant life is forever changed. Many situations can cause traumatic brain injury. In addition, the damage from the injury can range from mild to severe.

Some examples of traumatic injury include:

  • The head being drastically shaken or pushed into an object, such as during a car crash or a hard tackle on the football field
  • Diving into a swimming pool and hitting your head on the bottom
  • Other types of athletic injury
  • A bullet entering the brain
  • A crushing injury that causes a part of the skull to enter the brain, such as falling from somewhere especially high and hitting your head when you land, crushing the skull

What Are the Types of Traumatic Brain Injury?
The causes of traumatic brain injury can be divided into closed head injuries and open head injuries. In the case of closed head injuries, which can result from a car crash or serious fall, the damage can be in a specific area of the brain but the damage to the nerves tends to be diffuse or cover a large area of the brain. The skull is not penetrated in a closed head injury.

When a patient has an open head injury, such as from a bullet, the damage is usually limited to a specific area of the brain, the skull is penetrated by a damaging object, and the effects can be as serious as those of a closed brain injury.

What Research is Being Done on Traumatic Brain Injury?
Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health conduct research on traumatic brain injury. There they do laboratory research as well as conduct studies involving patients. The purpose of the studies is to improve the understanding of science and medicine of the biological mechanisms that underlie brain injury.

The research will help doctors develop ways to intervene when traumatic brain injury occurs, and methods for limiting the kinds of brain damage that happens in the days after a person has experienced head trauma. The studies will also assist in the development of new treatments and help in the long-term recovery of the patient’s ability to function.

When Negligence Causes TBI
If another person’s negligence or recklessness results in a serious brain injury, he or she should be held accountable. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers help people and families that are affected by negligence seek compensation to pay for expensive medical bills and lost wages. We may be able to help you.

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment

It is best to begin treatment early when cognitive and communication problems arise from a TBI to prevent further damage from occurring. Traumatic brain injury treatment will usually begin immediately upon entering the hospital if the brain injury individual was taken to a facility. Therapists will work with the TBI individual to help them focus on improving their orientation to the surrounding situation and to stimulate speech and understanding.

Oral motor exercises are used when speech and swallowing problems have resulted from the traumatic brain injury. Depending on how severe and what areas of the brain were affected by the traumatic brain injury, long-term rehab may be necessary. There is specific rehab for people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, including speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and neuropsychologists.

Rehab will help a TBI patient regain the highest level of independent functioning that they can. The potential for the traumatic brain injury patient to restore the level of functioning prior to the accident will depend on the seriousness of the accident. Traumatic brain injury therapy works on repairing lost skills. Some people lose abilities after a traumatic brain injury and will have to learn to compensate for them. The most difficult part of traumatic brain injury is receiving the proper treatment. If a head injury does not result in a hospitalization and the injury is a closed head injury, failure to diagnose a problem during an office visit may result.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities due to a traumatic brain injury according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While all traumatic brain injuries are tragic, some traumatic brain injuries could have been prevented. Contact one of our brain injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation if you wish to seek compensation for a preventable TBI.

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits

Each year, more than 50,000 people die from traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. and thousands more suffer life-long complications from their injuries. In addition to physical limitations and emotional pain, brain injury patients often suffer financial hardships as a result of expensive treatments and rehabilitation costs as well as lost wages from an inability to work.

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of another’s negligence or a defective product, you may be entitled to financial compensation. While a financial recovery may not be able to reverse the damage that has been done, it can help ensure that you receive the highest quality of care. To find out if you qualify for a traumatic brain injury lawsuit, contact us today.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits
Traumatic brain injury lawsuits can be filed on behalf of people who are injured by negligence. Examples of negligence that might lead to serious injuries include:

  • Auto accidents caused by drivers who are drunk or under the influence of drugs
  • Motor vehicle accidents caused by defective auto parts such as faulty brakes or tires
  • Defective safety features such as seatbelts and airbags
  • Defective or unsafe products, including sporting equipment and bicycle helmets
  • Defective or unsafe playground equipment
  • Wet floors or safety hazards in public areas such as grocery stores or parking garages
  • Construction site accidents such as scaffolding accidents or falls from tall buildings
  • Items falling from shelves at stores
  • Violence

In order to file a brain injury lawsuit, the injured party must be able to prove that his or her injury was caused by another’s negligence or reckless behavior.

Do You Qualify for Compensation?
A brain injury can be devastating for an entire family. A traumatic brain injury lawsuit would seek compensation to help the patient and his or her family as they learn to cope with the challenges ahead. To find out if you qualify to file a lawsuit, please contact our traumatic brain injury attorneys today. We will evaluate the details of your case and let you know how we can help you.