Every year, around 1.5 million Americans survive traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with nearly 230,000 hospitalizations. These injuries can range from mild concussions to serious brain trauma, which can leave victims with long-term cognitive and mobility issues.
Knowing the signs of a TBI can help you get timely treatment after an accident, improving your chances of full recovery. If another person’s negligence caused your TBI, you can also seek compensation for medical-related expenses and the TBI’s impact on your quality of life.
Learn common TBI symptoms to help you identify head trauma after a personal injury accident and how our Syracuse slip-and-fall lawyers at Catalano Law can help you get a fair settlement.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are a severe medical condition resulting from a sudden blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury disrupting normal brain function. There are several types of TBIs, including:
- Concussions, a mild form of TBI that temporarily affects brain function
- Contusions, which are localized bleeding and bruising within the brain
- Diffuse axonal injuries, where the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers tear
- Penetrating injuries, where an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain
Vehicle collisions, slip-and-fall accidents, and assaults are among the leading causes of head trauma. 52% of TBI hospitalizations are due to falls, and 20% are due to car accidents. Many of these injuries are due to another person’s negligence. For instance, a property owner who didn’t clean a spill might be responsible for a slip-and-fall incident, or a distracted driver might cause a car crash.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of TBIs
TBIs are hidden injuries, meaning they aren’t externally visible, like broken bones. If you’re hurt in a personal injury accident, it’s vital to know the signs of a TBI so you can get immediate medical attention. Here’s what to look for:
- Headaches or Nausea: Persistent headaches, often accompanied by nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or Balance Issues: Feeling dizzy or experiencing difficulties with balance and coordination
- Memory Problems: Forgetfulness, difficulty retaining new information, confusion about past events, or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in Mood or Behavior: Irritation, depression, mood swings, or sudden outbursts of emotion
- Sensory Disturbances: May include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), blurred vision, or sensitivity to light and noise
These symptoms can impact your ability to perform daily activities and your quality of life.
Neglecting these warning signs can have serious consequences, leading to long-term health issues affecting cognition, motor skills, and life enjoyment. Without proper medical intervention, TBIs can result in permanent disability or death. The mortality rate for TBIs is about 3%.
Damages and Compensation for TBIs
Damages resulting from a TBI can be extensive, encompassing physical, emotional, and financial aspects of your life. Our skilled attorneys at Catalano Law understand these unique challenges and can help you receive a settlement that covers all losses and expenses related to your TBI, including:
- Medical Expenses: Covers all healthcare costs related to the TBI, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and necessary medical equipment
- Rehabilitation Costs: Funds the expenses associated with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitative services needed to aid recovery
- Lost Wages: Compensates for the income you’ve missed out on while unable to work due to the TBI
- Lost Future Earnings: Addresses the potential income you may lose in the future because of long-term effects or disabilities caused by the TBI
- Pain and Suffering: Compensates for the physical pain and emotional and psychological distress experienced due to the injury
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Recognizes the diminished quality of life and inability to engage in leisure activities or hobbies you once enjoyed
Get Fair Compensation After Suffering a TBI
TBIs are one of the most complex and life-changing injuries you can suffer in a personal injury accident. They affect every part of your life, from your career and hobbies to how you move and process information. If your TBI was caused by another party, our compassionate team at Catalano Law can help you get the money you deserve to pay for your losses.
We’ve been helping accident victims in Central New York for over 20 years and have the skills and resources to estimate your full damages and win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your claim and let us help you safeguard your future.