- February 27, 2024
- Brain Injury
- Personal Injury
One of the injuries people suffer in high-impact collisions or slip-and-fall accidents is a brain injury. Brain injuries result from a violent blow or jolt to the head and body and are often called traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A brain injury is classified as catastrophic because it has long-lasting effects that affect a person’s quality of life and their ability to return to the life they had before the injury.
This blog discusses the long-lasting damage of brain injuries and what you need to know about it. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our brain injury lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C., to schedule a free case review. Call us at 248-286-8100.
Why choose our brain injury lawyers in Detroit to represent you?
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have decades of experience representing brain injury victims. We understand the devastating impact of brain injuries and work to help you get your life back on track. Our lawyers understand the Michigan legal system and will dedicate this knowledge to help you get a favorable outcome.
We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and their satisfaction with our services is seen in their positive testimonials. When you retain our services, we will carefully review your case’s facts, inform you of your options, and render advice. Call us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
Different types of brain injuries
A brain injury or TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, but these terms do not necessarily indicate the severity of what a person can experience in the long term as a result of a brain injury. Even a mild concussion can lead to a disability, especially if the symptoms are persistent. A mild traumatic brain injury is often referred to as a concussion.
People dealing with mild TBI may lose consciousness for a short while, but there is no bleeding in the brain and no skull fracture. A moderate brain injury might result in a skull fracture, and there can be visible signs of injury on the head. A person with mild TBI might lose consciousness for a short time and experience non-life-threatening bleeding.
A severe brain injury often involves a fractured skull and brain bleed, and the victim often has extended loss of consciousness or slips into a coma. Victims of severe TBI need intensive care and, in most cases, emergency neurosurgery like a craniotomy. All of these cost money, which is why you should exercise your right to compensation if someone’s negligence caused your brain injury.
The long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury
Brain injuries are common, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. Those who survive brain injuries often suffer long-term effects. The long-term effects depend on what part of the brain the injury affected.
The brain is complex, with the frontal lobe regulating reasoning, judgment, problem-solving, planning, and impulse control. If the frontal brain suffers damage, the victim may exhibit inappropriate or risky behaviors. If the trauma affects the left side of the brain, the victim may develop issues with speech or logic or find it challenging to understand words.
Brain injuries to the right side of the brain can cause apraxia (the inability to perform familiar or regular tasks), neglect, or difficulties processing information. Aside from these, other long-term effects of a brain injury can be:
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Reduced language skills
- Headaches and seizures
- Balance problems
- Dizziness and visual changes
- Fatigue
- Paralysis.
Also, severe brain injuries lead to physical impairments, making it hard to work or move around. Therefore, after an accident or event where you hit your head, make sure you get checked at a hospital. Delay in treating a brain injury can lead to devastating consequences.
Recoverable damages after a brain injury
After a brain injury, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. A successful lawsuit may give you the following damages:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills can pile up quickly when dealing with a TBI. Your compensation will cover all related medical expenses like surgeries, emergency care, therapy sessions, and follow-up appointments.
- Disability accommodations: If the brain injury results in permanent disabilities, you might need to modify your living or work environment. Your brain injury lawyer will request that your compensation cover the cost of installing ramps, adapting vehicles, widening doorways, or getting special communication tools.
- Lost wages and future earnings: A brain injury can keep you from working temporarily or permanently. You can receive compensation for lost wages, future earnings, or lack of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Brain injuries result in physical pain and suffering, and you might experience emotional anguish or mental distress. You can recover damages for this, as well as permanent disability, depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
- Property Damage: If the brain injury results from a car accident, you can get compensation for the cost of vehicle repair and any other property damage. The latter refers to items destroyed in the accident.
Depending on the facts of your case, there are other types of recoverable damages for brain injuries. Our lawyers will inform you of what else you are entitled to and include it in the claim.
Did you suffer a brain injury? Let us help you!
Getting back on your feet after a traumatic brain injury can be tricky, and it is equally challenging to commence a lawsuit in that state. But you don’t have to do it yourself. Our Detroit brain injury lawyers can help you investigate what led to your brain injury, gather evidence, and begin the claim process.
We will devote our time and resources to your claim and fight tirelessly for fair compensation. Contact our attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C., today at 248-286-8100 for a free case evaluation.