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Traumatic Brain Injuries - What is a TBI?
Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI, by its very name, involves a traumatic event. Trauma in the ER is a "physical injury that came on suddenly and is so severe as to require immediate medical attention." Trauma may require resuscitation efforts (like CPR) and emergency medical intervention to literally save your life... and limb.
TBI often is the result of a jolt to your body, or it may be the result of a violent blow to the head or upper spinal column, according to the Mayo Clinic.
While we all regularly use euphemisms as a defense mechanism to discuss difficult subjects, there are some very hard truths we must face as courtroom lawyers. The first step in such honesty involves speaking in plain, simple terms and using accurate, descriptive language.
“That begins with calling things what they are. It was not an 'accident' if you were hurt as the result of a negligent act, negligence, or carelessness. Your life, and your well-being, are too important to allow insurance companies to diminish the impact of damages in their almost-perpetual effort to avoid responsibility for their insured's failure to be safe or act appropriately.”
– Bill Powers
Traumatic injury legal matters are all-too-often the result of motorcycle accidents, drunk driving wrecks, and semi-trucking accidents. The human body can only sustain so much damage before there is a catastrophic loss or spinal cord injury. In some instances, ER doctors and emergency medical professions are limited to rendering comfort prior to a death associated with an MVA or "Motor Vehicle Accident."
The US Centers for Disease Control (and Prevention) or "CDC" estimates 1,500,000 people in the United States suffer a TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury each year. That is no typo. 1.5 million people are injured, resulting in TBI.
Approximately 50,000 people die from a Traumatic Brain Injury annually. 85,000 people diagnosed with TBI face long-term disabilities. At present, more than 5,000,000 people (5 million), in the United States alone, live with the often-permanent disabilities related to a Traumatic Brain Injury.
Brain injuries are caused by:
- Closed Head Injuries (Blunt Force Trauma / Hitting Head)
- Open Head Injuries
- "Decelerational" or DAI Diffuse Axonal Injury (Sudden Stop)
- Substance Abuse / Overdose
- Cancer / Tumors
- Brain Infections
- Lack of Oxygen (O2) or "Hypoxia"
- Stroke
Indeed, few injuries have a more devastating effect on the family members of an accident victim than a brain injury.
What are the Symptoms of TBI Traumatic Brain Injury After an "Accident" or "Wreck?"
Brain injuries, and how they affect you, vary. There are often psychological and physical effects that may develop over time. They can also appear almost immediately following a serious car accident, motorcycle accident, or head-on collision.
"Mild" TBI symptoms include:
- Getting "knocked out" for even seconds
- Confusion or a "daze" or "feeling disoriented" after an accident
- Head pain or headache
- Feeling of sickness, nausea or vomiting
- Feeling tired or sleepy, "not quite right" or fatigue
- Difficulty speaking or sleeping
- Loss of balance and dizziness
- Lack of memory or inability to focus
- Anxiety and depression
- Irritability or mood changes
Moderately Serious to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury symptoms, which may develop a few hours (and days later) after an accident include:
- Any of the symptoms of a "Mild TBI"
- A headache that "won't go away"
- Repeated incidents of nausea and vomiting
- Seizures and convulsions
- Pupil dilation
- Loss of coordination
- Numbness (weakness) in fingers or toes
- Slurred speech
- Combative behavior / Violent outbursts
- Coma
- Death
"TBI resulting from a motor vehicle collision require special care and consideration of the long-term needs of the client and their family. In some instances, damages associated with Traumatic Brain Injury far exceed those we see as plaintiff's lawyers in Wrongful Death legal claims in North Carolina."
Many people seeking legal representation for legal issues of this type are family members dealing with NC insurance issues. That is because their loved one is either unaware of the nature or extent of their injury, or it is a permanent injury, or they are unable to help themselves.
Now is the time to call our TBI law office in Charlotte NC.
It is imperative to begin collecting and preserving information, as clients with traumatic brain injuries may have little to no memory of the accident, or who was at fault. A client may never regain the ability to recall what happened.
In fact, that lack of memory sometimes causes people to assume they were somehow at fault or negligent in their own injuries.
“You are not being 'litigious' in protecting your legal rights by gathering evidence. By acting immediately, talking to witnesses, taking pictures, and promptly seeking medical care, you are actually 'mitigating' damages. It is imperative for a plaintiff's lawyers to get to work without delay.”
– Bill Powers
If your loved one has suffered a brain injury, no amount of financial compensation can make up for what your family has lost. However, fair compensation can provide rehabilitation and other services to help your family cope. Our lawyers will guide you and your family member through the complex legal, medical and financial issues you will face.
Free TBI Attorney ConsultationAt our Charlotte NC personal injury law office, our personal injury lawyers help brain injury victims and their families.
Call us now.“We understand the science and mechanisms of traumatic loss, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims that are the result of negligence. There is no better reason for insurance, which is required on all vehicles on the roadways of North Carolina. When wrecks, due to negligent acts or even something illegal like DWI or DUI or drunk driving accidents, change forever who you are, what you do, and how you live your life, we are here to help.”
– Bill Powers
We offer free attorney consultations on the phone, in the office, in your home or at the hospital if you are unable to travel. We are accessible through our office phone at 704-342-4357. You can also schedule an appointment by completing our simple contact form.
