It’s an underreported fact, but traumatic brain injuries are the top cause of disability and even death for Americans ranging in age from infancy through middle age (44), accounting for over 50,000 deaths each year. A few more astounding statistics—over five million people in the U.S. are living with disabilities resulting from brain injuries, with over a million and a half TBIs occurring in the U.S. every year. If you or someone you care about has experienced an injury to the brain due to the negligence or deliberate actions of others, the Philadelphia brain injury lawyers at Brotherly Law are here for you. We’ll walk you through all the steps of the legal process and be clear and honest in our assessment of your case, and, if we believe you have a strong one and we agree to work together, you’ll receive the full commitment of our smart, experienced and determined legal team.
A long list of symptoms – from subtle to severe – are associated with brain injuries. Irritability, sudden aggression, chronic pain, full or partial paralysis, loss of vision and/or blurry vision and memory loss are just a few of the common symptoms resulting from brain injuries.
“Is a concussion considered a traumatic brain injury?” is a question our legal team hears fairly often. And, while we’re obviously not doctors and can’t diagnose the severity of your injuries (or those of your loved ones), the simple answer is that yes, a concussion is one type of TBI, though definitely not the only one. If your physician has used another term to diagnose your head/brain injury, it still may qualify as traumatic, especially if you’re continuing to live with pain, memory loss or any of the many other symptoms associated with this condition.
The highly respected Mayo Clinic defines a Traumatic Brain Injury as occurring when “an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction,” adding that this usually happens thanks to a jolt or blow to the head or even the body. A bullet or a sharp object penetrating the brain or shattering a piece of the skull can also lead to TBIs. Severe brain injuries can result in bruising, bleeding or other serious damage that can lead to long-term disability, permanent disability or even death.
Speed, violence and (sometimes) simple accidents lead to traumatic brain injuries, with leading causes including car/truck accidents, guns and falling. Though not the most common, gunshot wounds to the brain are the most lethal, with about 90% of victims dying from their head injuries.
Yes, guns are the most deadly, but over five years in the late 2000s, falls were identified as the top cause of traumatic brain injuries, especially among children younger than 14 and seniors 65 or older. In fact, four-out-of-five traumatic brain injuries in older Americans were caused by falls.
Assaults account for one-in-ten traumatic brain injuries while getting hit by a blunt object (by accident) accounts for about 15% of cases. Head injuries also take place in the home and at work, often in dangerous professions like construction, oil industry drilling and factory work, but sometimes in offices and other workplaces that seem safe.
If you’ve injured your head, go to your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately. Symptoms don’t always show up immediately and fast medical attention can make a huge difference. If were injured recently and failed to visit a doctor at the time but are experiencing pain, bleeding, confusion, blurred vision or other symptoms that you suspect could be related to your head injury, seek medical attention immediately and have your doctor document your symptoms.
Once you’ve taken care of your immediate medical needs, if your brain injuries are the result of someone else’s actions or negligence, reach out to the experienced and caring Philadelphia brain injury lawyers at Brotherly Law. Once we agree to take your case, we will fight hard to get you the compensation you need to pay your current medical bills, the expenses associated with your medical care down the road, the income you’ve lost and the income you’re likely to lose in the coming months and years, if your injury resulted in a disability. We will also work hard to earn compensation for your pain, suffering and reduced quality of life. Call us at (215) 545-8500 today. Your initial consultation is free.
If you have been injured due to no fault of your own, you may be able to hold the responsible party accountable for the monetary damages resulting from the accident. Fill out the form below to request a free consultation so we can evaluate your case.