The brain is undoubtedly one of the most important organs in the human body. It controls our systems and stores our memories. These memories with our loved ones are priceless.
Brain injuries can lead to memory loss or difficulty living a normal life. We are accustomed to having these abilities. It is very important to choose an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer when you or a loved one is affected by this type of injury. The Ward Law Group counts on respected and experienced brain injury lawyers in New York City.
In New York, that can build a solid case to win the fairest compensation for you or your family.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury is a condition caused by a strong impact on the head or body. It can also be caused by an object piercing the skull and entering the brain. A sudden stroke can interfere with the brain's normal functioning. Not all head injuries, however, lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
People who get TBI are mostly athletes that practice contact sports such as:
- American Football
- Rugby
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Ice Hockey
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Lacrosse
- Australian Rules Football
- Field Hockey
- Water Polo
There are plenty of sports that can cause traumatic brain injuries. However, people could get this condition for other reasons, for instance:
- Fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Assaults
- Medical Malpractice
- Work-related accidents
Accidents can happen while performing work duties. Construction sites are particularly dangerous, as there is a high risk of injury. Workers using scaffolds are at risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Additionally, construction workers on the ground can be hit by falling debris or tools, increasing the risk of TBI.
The construction industry has strict regulations and rules to protect workers from accidents. This is essential to ensure their safety.
Common Causes of TBI
Let's get into the specific causes of TBI:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents can all result in traumatic brain injuries. The force of impact, collision, or sudden deceleration can cause the brain to hit the skull, leading to injury.
The fact that the brain can hit the interior of the skull and cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is scary. When we examine most motor vehicle accidents, drivers and passengers often hit their heads on something.
Everyone in a car should use seat belts for their safety and the safety of others.
Passengers cannot hit their bodies against the seat before them without seat belts. This can happen with the steering wheel, dashboard, or back seat, and it can be dangerous.
Analyzing motorcycle accidents is a different story. Motorcycles have less mass and protection than cars, making them more dangerous. If the driver is reckless and speeding, it can be fatal.
Even with a helmet, a sudden hit can cause traumatic brain injury. Other serious injuries, such as broken bones, amputation of limbs, and internal injuries, are also common.
Slip & Fall Accidents
Many ways of falling can cause a traumatic brain injury. Old adults and young children are the ones who suffer the most from fall accidents.
Obstacles may stand in their way. Adverse weather can make the ground slippery, causing them to slip or trip while walking to their destination.
Negligent property owners can cause hazardous conditions. They fail to comply with their obligations, such as properly maintaining their buildings. This creates dangerous paths, which can lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
Assaults
Intentional acts of violence of any kind can cause mild to severe traumatic brain injuries. Victims of muggings and physical assault can suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI). If the attack involves gunfire, it can be fatal.
There have been cases in which gunfire to the head did not kill the person in the act due to various factors such as the caliber of the bullet, the distance of the gunshot, the location and trajectory of the bullet, etc. A person who receives a gunshot may not die immediately. Medical attention is essential to save their life. However, they will likely suffer the consequences of a traumatic brain injury.
Workplace Accidents
Workers in the construction industry are not the only ones at risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Industries such as manufacturing, transportation, mining, law enforcement, and security also have workers prone to TBI.
Workers must follow industry guidelines, be trained, and demonstrate their skills to perform their duties safely. This is for their safety and the safety of others.
Mining workers are prone to roof falls, explosions, equipment-related accidents, or exposure to harmful gases. Transportation and law enforcement workers are at risk of injury in many ways. Accidents on the road or by violent acts can cause these injuries.
Blast Injuries
Military personnel and individuals near explosive devices may experience traumatic brain injuries due to the force of the blast.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Infants or young children can sustain TBI if they are violently shaken, causing the brain to move back and forth within the skull. People used to throw babies up and catch them like a ball. This may seem harmless, but it puts the babies at risk of death.
The baby's brain may hit the interior of the skull and cause severe brain injury; depending on the damage, it can present physical and/or behavioral and cognitive symptoms.
Sports Injuries
We have covered that a lot of people who practice contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, and hockey can result in traumatic brain injuries, especially if players do not wear appropriate protective gear or follow safety protocols.
Symptoms of TBI
Traumatic brain injury can cause 3 different types of symptoms; it is good for anyone to have at least a basic knowledge of these symptoms so they can recognize them and seek medical attention because it is crucial to detect them so the person can receive treatment and improve the healing process.
The symptoms for you to be aware of are:
Physical symptoms
- Headaches
- Convulsions and seizures
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Blurred or double vision
- Unequal eye pupil size or dilation
Cognitive symptoms
- Memory issues
- Inattention
- Lack of concentration
- Problem-solving issues
- Loss of or change in consciousness anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours
- Decreased level of consciousness
- Mild to profound confusion or disorientation
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Hearing problems, such as ringing in the ears
Emotional and behavioral
- Irritability changes
- Mood changes or swings, agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., sleeping more, difficulty falling or staying asleep); inability to waken from sleep
- Social difficulties
Children are also prone to TBI, as we previously mentioned; here is a list of symptoms in children:
- Changes in eating or nursing habits
- Persistent crying, irritability, or crankiness; inability to be consoled
- Changes in ability to pay attention
- Lack of interest in a favorite toy or activity
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Seizures
- Sadness or depression
- Loss of a skill, such as a toilet training
- Loss of balance or unsteady walking
- Vomiting
TBI statistics in NY
It is estimated that 500 people sustain a brain injury each day just in New York. Now, talking nationwide, every 10 seconds a person sustain a brain injury that could lead to lifelong disability especially if it is not properly treated.
In 2019, there were approximately 223,135 TBI-related hospitalizations and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. Older adults with ages above 75 had the highest numbers and rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Males were nearly two times more likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die from a TBI than females.
Types of Brain Injuries
There exist 2 classifications of brain injuries: Penetrating and non-penetrating.
Penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI), also referred to as open TBI, occurs when an object, such as a bullet, shrapnel, bone fragment, or a weapon like a hammer or a knife, penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue.
In these cases, the injury typically affects a specific brain area, causing localized damage rather than widespread impact.
Non-penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as closed head injury or blunt TBI, occurs when an external force is applied to the head, causing the brain to move within the skull.
This type of injury is typically caused by various factors such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related incidents, blast injuries, or being struck by an object. In these cases, there is no direct penetration of the skull, but the force exerted on the head can result in brain damage.
Some accidents, such as explosions, natural disasters, or other extreme events, can cause both penetrating and non-penetrating TBI in the same person.
What are the Consequences of a TBI
As a consequence of a TBI, a person can have long-term impacts on the way they live their lives; they might need to accommodate their home facilities for their disability, incur expensive and exhausting treatment and therapy, or need to have someone else always to assist them in their home.
Cognitive impairment, including difficulties with memory, attention, concentration, and information processing, could be something that may live with them until the last day of their life. These affect a person's ability to learn, solve problems, and perform daily tasks.
A brain injury lawyer in New York will gather enough documentation to prove all of these consequences and potential impairment that you or a loved one may get when it is being questioned how much compensation you should receive.
How Can I Get Compensation for My TBI After an Accident?
A TBI accident is very serious and complicated in terms of liability. The Ward Law Group, with its experienced and respected New York brain injury lawyers, will be the best backup for you in these frustrating situations.
They are trained to gather, document, build, and present to the right people the pieces of evidence and facts that will get you the fairest compensation to cover your losses.
It is important to note that since there are plenty of ways in which you or a loved one could sustain a traumatic brain injury, so will the approach to take, and the liable person may vary depending on each case.
Contact a New York Brain Injury Lawyer for Help
You must be having trouble with all the stress of the financial burden, your own or a family member's injuries; you might be thinking about how you will continue your daily tasks if you need to care for someone else and may feel lost about the process.
For all that and more, you can count on an expert New York City brain injury lawyer from The Ward Law Group, with over 25 years of experience representing our clients on personal injury lawsuits; we are your best option to back you up. Call us now at 855-DOLOR-55 for a FREE consultation on your case.