Traumatic Brain Injuries in Focus on National Concussion Awareness Day
National Concussion Awareness Day ® is tomorrow, Friday, September 16th, 2022 so we figured this would be a good time to put some focus on traumatic brain injuries (TBI). As traumatic brain injury lawyers, we have seen first hand the life changing impact a traumatic brain injury can have. Studies have shown that even a “minor” TBI can increase the risk of dementia and other health issues later on in life. When a TBI is caused by the negligent or willful act of another, it only adds to the emotional distress of the injury.
What are traumatic brain injuries?
Any trauma to the head that causes injury to the scalp, skull, or brain may be described as a brain or head injury, head trauma, or concussion. Other types of brain injuries are caused by oxygen deprivation – often during the birthing process. Although most head injuries are minor, some result in prolonged or non-reversible brain damage. These serious head injuries are called traumatic brain injuries (TBI). According to cdc.gov, every year, approximately 1.5 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury.
Common causes of TBI
Common causes of head injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Birth injuries
- Firearm-related injuries
- Assault
TBI is a major cause of death and disability
According to the CDC, there are about 176 TBI-related deaths in the United States every day. Anyone, no matter their age or prior health status, can experience a TBI, but we know from the data that some groups are at greater risk of dying or suffering from long-term health problems after the injury, including service members and veterans, prisoners, and survivors of intimate partner violence,
Infants and small children are also especially vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries because their skulls are softer than adults in order to allow their brains to grow appropriately. If you lost your infant to a brain injury or your child has been permanently disabled by a brain injury caused by the negligence of another, you deserve answers and compensation for your loss and medical expenses.
Recovering damages for a traumatic brain injury
Those who have been injured because of the behavior of another may be able to recover for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include items that have an actual value such as medical bills, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, and funeral expenses, if the TBI is fatal. Non-economic damages are just as important to include in a claim, though it is more complicated to assign a value to these items. Some examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
Why it’s important to work with a traumatic brain injury lawyer after a TBI
It is very important to work with a personal injury lawyer who has experience with traumatic brain injury cases in order to get the best possible settlement for your case. A good traumatic brain injury attorney will walk you through each step of the claim process, ensuring that you receive treatment from competent doctors and gathering information and evidence such as medical bills that will help support your claim. They will also arrange for you to see specialists and work with other experts that can testify to the extent of your injuries, as needed. For example, a life care planner can testify about the medical costs you have incurred, any long-term care services and/or assistance you will need to accomplish daily tasks, and whether you will need assistance accomplishing daily tasks. A financial and vocational expert can testify about the loss of earning potential you have suffered as a result of your TBI.
If you or a loved one experienced a traumatic brain injury because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
