Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of injury that occurs when an external force impacts the head, causing damage to the brain. This damage can range from mild to severe and can result in a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. TBIs can occur as a result of various incidents, including falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults, and combat-related injuries.

Here are some common types of traumatic brain injuries:

• Concussion: Concussions are mild TBIs that typically occur after a blow to the head or a sudden jolt to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. Concussions can cause temporary symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise.
• Contusion: A contusion is a bruise on the brain that occurs when blood vessels rupture due to trauma. Contusions can vary in severity, and more severe contusions may require surgical intervention to remove blood clots and alleviate pressure on the brain.
• Coup-contrecoup Injury: This type of injury occurs when the force of impact causes the brain to move within the skull, resulting in contusions at the site of impact (coup injury) as well as on the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup injury).
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI is a severe type of TBI that occurs when the brain is subjected to rapid acceleration or deceleration forces, causing widespread damage to nerve fibers (axons) throughout the brain. DAI can result in coma, persistent vegetative state, or severe cognitive and physical impairments.
• Penetrating Injury: Penetrating injuries occur when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. These injuries can cause localized damage and may require surgical intervention to remove the object and repair the damage.
• Skull Fracture: A skull fracture involves a break or crack in the skull bone, which can sometimes result in injury to the underlying brain tissue. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, skull fractures may or may not be associated with brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury Signs & Symptoms

There are many signs of brain trauma, some of which may not always show up right away. It is important to seek medical care after any type of head injury, as brain damage may have occurred. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a TBI include: 

• Loss of consciousness
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Headaches
• Various sensory changes, including changes in your sense of smell or ringing in your ears
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Loss of balance or dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than normal
• Sense of being confused, disoriented, or dazed
• Issues with memory or concentration
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior
• Anxiety or depression

Note that these are the effects of mild brain damage. Additional symptoms may occur in severe cases, including:

• Seizures
• Inability to wake up when sleeping
• Lost coordination or muscle control
• Numb or weak areas of the body, such as fingers or toes

Whether it’s a mild case or a more severe one, the impact brain trauma can have on your life is significant. These symptoms can be problematic for your work, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Common Causes of Brain Trauma

Impacts to the head are a common cause of traumatic brain injury. 

Scenarios in which this might occur include:

Whether it’s as simple as a moderate bump on the head or as severe as a skull fracture, trauma to the head can result in brain injuries with long-lasting effects. Many traumatic brain injuries are classified as mild, but even those can have a serious impact on your future, developing into motor or sensory impairment, episodes of disorientation, or lapses into unconsciousness. More serious injuries could be life-threatening and increase the odds of developing cognitive disorders later, including Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s.

What Types of Damages Are Available in TBI Cases? 

Even if the symptoms seem minor, they can still impair your social and professional life. If your injury resulted from an accident in which another party was responsible, you are likely entitled to compensation for your injury and its related damages. 

For instance, if you were in an automobile accident in which someone else disobeyed the law and struck your vehicle, then the other driver would be responsible for the costs of your medical treatment, the impact your injury has on your quality of life, lost wages, and repairs on your vehicle. If the TBI was the result of an accident caused by unsafe property conditions, the property owner could be liable. 

While every case is different, many TBI victims are entitled to compensation for the following types of damages: 

• Medical expenses, including surgeries, therapy, follow-up treatments, etc.
• Lost wages/income, including future lost earnings
• Loss of earning ability due to permanent injury, impairment, or disability 
• Physical and mental pain and suffering
• Property damage 
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses associated with the injury 
• Punitive damages in especially severe cases

Note that you can only recover damages if the injury was due to someone’s misconduct or negligent actions. Also, you need to file your claim as promptly as possible to avoid the statute of limitations expiring on your case. The time limit varies from case to case, varying from two to five years depending on the circumstances. In any case, the sooner you act, the better.

Establishing Liability in a TBI Case 

Ultimately, determining who is responsible for a brain injury involves investigating its cause. For example, if the injury occurred in a vehicle accident with another driver, the responsible party could be the other driver if it can be proven that their neglect caused the accident. This can get complex as other factors come into play. For example, if the accident resulted from malfunctioning road signals, the fault may be on the city or another party responsible for road maintenance. 

Regardless of who is responsible for your brain injury, there is a big difference between being able to establish that party as the defendant and actually proving liability in settlement negotiations or court. The defendant—and their insurance provider—won’t accept liability without a fight. This makes it absolutely necessary to have a skilled personal injury lawyer on your side.

What to Do If You Have Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury 

When you suffer a brain injury, your first step after seeking medical attention is to get a skilled lawyer on your side. With our experience and proven track record of success in this area of personal injury law, we can assist you in taking the legal action necessary to fight for the fair compensation you are owed.

You need extensive evidence before making these negotiations, including visual proof of the injury, documentation of the accident that caused it, and expert testimonies and eyewitness accounts proving the connection between the party at fault and the accident itself. Our Chicago traumatic brain injury attorneys can help you analyze this evidence and determine the best path to take. From there, settlement negotiations can be made more effectively, increasing the odds of obtaining the compensation you need.

If the responsible party declines a settlement and decides to go to court, our attorneys are ready to represent you with the skill, knowledge, and dedication needed. To learn more or get a free consultation, contact Hart David Carson today.

You can call us at (630) 931-0379 or reach us online using our free and secure contact form. Hablamos español.