Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a forceful blow or jolt to the head and/or a penetrating head injury hinders normal brain function. Nearly 2 million Americans sustain serious head injuries annually, and these injuries break down as the following statistics show:
- 1.5 million people suffer nonfatal injuries without hospitalization
- 300,000 people suffer injuries requiring hospitalization
- 99,000 people sustain injuries resulting in long-term disability
- 56,000 people die of their injuries
The most frequently cited causes of TBI are:
- Sports injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Occupational accidents
- Assaults
Serious brain injuries can manifest symptoms as soon as a few hours after the accident and as long as days following the accident and may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Persistent headaches
- Vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
Often TBI victims can obtain compensation for a brain injury through a personal injury lawsuit. Many factors determine the success of a brain injury lawsuit, including the cause and responsible parties. If your brain injuries resulted from product defects, you may have a case against the product manufacturer and/or designer. If your injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident or medical malpractice, you may have cause to file a claim with the offender’s insurance companies. An experienced personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case and help you determine if you have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Equipment and home modification costs
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Disability and disfigurement
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious brain injury, contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call us at (410) 441-5054 today to schedule a consultation.