What is life like after a traumatic brain injury?
What should you do if you or someone you know has been injured?
Call today for free consultation (877)-987-9LAW
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You can do something to help, and we want to help.
Every day in the United States, 153 people die from injuries that include traumatic brain injuries (Centers for Disease Control Prevention). In 2013 alone, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) contributed to the deaths of almost 50,000 people.
If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury in Bridgeport because of another’s negligence, we at The Flood Law Firm want to offer our sincerest condolences.
More than that, we will help you get the care you need and deserve. Understanding a few things about TBI’s can help you begin to take steps forward.
However, if you are ready to speak to an experienced injury attorney in Bridgeport today, contact The Flood Law Firm at (877)-987-9LAW for a free, no-obligation consultation.
The effects of a TBI can feel isolating for the whole family, but we want to show you that you are not alone. We desire the opportunity to fight for justice on your behalf.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
There is a reason brain injuries are called the “invisible injury,” and that is because there is usually no outward visual representation of the damage that has been done.
Because of this, it’s critical to know the symptoms of a TBI. While they vary, any symptom can become worse with time when gone undetected and undiagnosed.
In 2012 alone, a reported 329,290 children were treated in the United States for injures that led to a diagnosis of a concussion or TBI (CDCP). Fortunately, from 2007 to 2013, TBI death rates decreased by five percent.
Often determined by the severity of the damage to the head, symptoms of a TBI commonly include:
- Personality Changes
- Dizziness
- Loss of Memory
- Impaired Motor Function
- Lack of Concentration
- Decrease in Coordination
- Impaired Cognitive Function
- Slurred Speech
- Impaired Vision
When a TBI occurs, it may take a while for symptoms to develop and in some cases, no symptoms are present. This is why it is crucial to see a doctor immediately if you have sustained an injury or impact to the head. You could be injured without knowing it.
Only a professional physician can determine whether a brain injury exists, and what kind of TBI you have sustained.
Classification of Brain Injuries
A brain injury is classified into one of three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. The symptoms will depend on the severity, and each offers its own damages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 43 percent of patients have a related disability one year after the accident.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
The most common type of TBI, mild traumatic brain injuries are caused by a forceful impact to the head. Loss of consciousness may take place, while other symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, memory loss, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. It can take days (sometimes weeks) for these symptoms to surface, making the diagnosis easy to miss.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
A loss of consciousness is also common with moderate traumatic brain injuries. Often, a patient suffering from a moderate TBI may be kept overnight for observation. Symptoms are similar to a mild TBI and extend to tiredness, dizziness, difficulties concentrating, and irritability. Feelings of worry and anxiety may also be present, ultimately affecting a person’s daily life.
Severe Brain Injury
Unconsciousness for longer than six hours is likely an indication of a severe brain injury. Hospitalization is common for severe TBI’s, as well as rehabilitation and/or physical therapy. Symptoms often associated with severe brain injuries include depression, anxiety, hearing and vision impairment, loss of memory, and personality changes. These symptoms can be short or long-term.
While these symptoms are what the patient experiences, the effects of a TBI on family and friends can also be devastating.
The Effects of a TBI on Loved Ones
Though family and close friends might not have endured the TBI, their pain and suffering is also significant.
It is challenging – even overwhelming – to see a loved one experience a traumatic brain injury. You may be forced into the role of caregiver, which can present its own mental, physical and financial complications. The individual who has sustained the TBI may behave completely differently than before, leading to confusion, anger, and sorrow for all involved parties.
One of the best practices for a person suffering from a TBI is to keep a routine. Because memory loss is often associated with a TBI, a schedule can help him or her regain a sense of familiarity. It may take a while for the person with the injury to return to their original way of life, if ever. Practicing patience as your loved one adjusts to a new way of living is both loving and critical for their success.
It is easy to neglect your own well-being during this time, but caring for yourself is just as important. If frustrations continue without subsiding, consider therapy or a support group to help you process, both of which can be beneficial and offer valuable perspective. Avoid placing blame on the injured person, which can create tension and strain on both individuals.
Common Brain Injury Causes
Though a brain injury can stem from any type of force to the head, common causes of TBI’s include:
- Car Crashes
- Blunt Trauma
- Assaults
- Trucking Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Sports Accidents
In 2013, the leading cause of a TBI was falls, and the second was from being hit in the head with an object. Individuals of all ages are prone to slips and falls, but those 65 and older experienced more injuries from slip and falls (79 percent) versus those zero to 14-years-old (54 percent). Automobile crashes accounted for 19 percent of all TBI-related deaths, ranking as the third leading cause (CDCP).
Despite how a TBI occurs, the consequences are often traumatic and expensive. Hospital bills, therapy, and rehabilitation fees can make a TBI cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Centers for Disease Control Prevention revealed in 2010 that the estimated economic cost of a TBI was approximately $76.5 billion. This does not take into account any damage to the individual’s quality of life.
What should you do if you or someone you know has endured a traumatic brain injury? Aside from seeking immediate medical assistance, contacting a Bridgeport injury attorney could make a big difference in what life looks like after a TBI.
How a Bridgeport Injury Attorney Can Help
If you or someone you know was hurt as a direct result of another person’s negligence, we understand that you might have questions about what it means to seek legal assistance. That is ok, and we welcome your questions.
Our staff has decades of combined legal experience, and we have assisted hundreds of other clients who are just like you. More importantly, we understand what you are going through.
While a monetary settlement won’t change the past, compensation can help alleviate the financial burden of medical bills, missed wages, or rehabilitation costs. This could subsequently improve the quality of life for all those affected by a loved one’s TBI.
Should you choose us to represent you, we will handle all aspects of your case. From collecting medical records to making phone calls on your behalf, we will do it all so that you and your family can focus on what is most important: healing.
Contact The Flood Law Firm
Are you ready to speak to a traumatic brain injury attorney? Contact The Flood Law Firm today by calling (860) 346-2695 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
We are more than attorneys – we are people just like you who care about your best interest. We look forward to serving you.
Bridgeport Office
1087 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
P: (860) 346-2695
