Brain Injuries and The Law

Brain injuries come from physical trauma to the head, which can include hard shaking, a heavy blow, or penetrating the brain. When there is a disruption to the brain's normal functioning, it causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can lead to brain damage and even death.

A TBI can be anywhere from mild to severe, with an array of symptoms. Head injuries result from a list of reasons.

• Sport injuries
• Vehicle crashes
• Workplace accidents
• Physical assault
• Explosive blasts and other combat injuries.
• Non-violent events

Brain injuries result not only from violent events but from non-violent circumstances too. Some brain injuries come from birth trauma or from falling down and hitting your head. 

Whether your cause results in developing a mild traumatic brain injury or a severe one, knowing the signs to watch for can lessen the amount of damage a TBI can create.

Common Brain Injuries

Mild TBI will temporarily impact your brain cells and affect how you operate for a brief time. A severe traumatic brain injury can cause bruising, bleeding, lacerations, and other physical damage to the brain. These severe injuries can lead to long-term complications, paralysis, or death.

Common brain injuries that result in altered consciousness include:

• Concussion
• Coma
• Minimally Conscious State
• Vegetative State
• Brain Death

A traumatic brain injury can cause a person’s state of consciousness, responsiveness, or awareness to slow down or make the injured brain to function differently.

33 Brain Injury Symptoms

If you are a loved one hits their head, there are a few symptoms to watch out for, including:

1. Inability to Concentrate
2. Dizziness
3. Fatigue
4. Persistent Headaches
5. Memory Loss
6. Mood Behavior
7. Nausea
8. Blurred Vision
9. Cognitive Function/Confusion
10. Listlessness
11. Irritability
12. Sleep Issues
13. Balancing Problems
14. Unsteady Walking
15. Vomiting
16. Loss of New Skills
17. Loss of Interest
18. Vertigo
19. Seizures
20. Paralysis of Facial muscles/Loss of Sensation
21. Loss Of or Altered Sense of Smell
22. Loss Of or Altered Sense of Taste
23. Ringing in the Ear/Hearing Loss
24. Swallowing Problems
25. Weak Judgment/Decision-Making
26. Attention or Concentration Issues
27. Difficulty Speaking/Writing
28. Social Issues
29. Emotional Changes
30. Communication Troubles

However, not all brain injuries will show signs. Sometimes a brain injury can be symptomless. This makes it even more profound as to why seeking medical attention is the best thing to do, even if it seems like everything is okay.

Although some symptoms may not be immediate and apparent, others can be difficult to recognize, or only appear in time. Be sure the bump to the head does not cause any damage, check with a medical practitioner and leave nothing to chance.

If a brain injury results from another’s negligent behavior, get to know and understand brain injury law.

What is Brain Injury Law?

Brain injury law is a tort law of a catastrophic injury, involving the representing people with brain injuries as the result of the negligence of another person or company. This law also helps those being sued from wrongful conduct, causing brain injury.

The brain injury causes, injuries, and symptoms are very diverse. It is a complicated legal matter as it can also be a part of administrative law. (i.e., workers’ compensation, disability, personal injury.)

The legislation attempts to decrease incidences of brain injuries concerning car crashes, sports, and recreational activities.

Repetitive traumatic brain injuries or severe TBI can raise the risk of degenerative brain diseases. Researchers are still looking into how these diseases are linked to traumatic brain injuries.

Degenerative brain disorders can cause a slow loss of brain functions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or dementia.

How to Reduce Risk of a Brain Injury

Be cautious about your surroundings and avoid areas that seem like it could cause head injuries. If trauma occurs, seek medical attention and contact a lawyer if the brain injuries come from negligence.

To prevent and reduce the risk of a brain injury, follow these tips:

• Wear seat belts
• Do not drive while under the influence
• Wear a helmet or appropriate head protection
• Use handrails and non-slip bathtub mats to prevent falls
• Keep walkways and staircases clear of clutter
• Watch out for projecting objects (i.e., nails, bars, etc.)
• Avoid slippery areas
• Pay attention to warning signs

Reducing risks will not guarantee that a brain injury will not happen, but it can help. To avoid painful head trauma, secure your environment for yourself and your loved ones. If you care for young children or the elderly, be extra careful of what you include in the space. Proof the area to suit the age of your family members and friends.

It may seem like a head injury cannot happen to you, but they can happen anywhere at any time. Although you try to stay safe, brain injuries can still occur, and if one does, call for medical help and a lawyer.

Have You or a Loved One Been Injured?

Suffering from a brain injury or having to watch a loved one deal with brain trauma makes for a challenging time. Especially if the trauma results from another person’s or a company’s negligence. Not only is it essential to seek medical attention right away, but to communicate with an experienced attorney.

Become knowledgeable about this area of law to increase healing and recovering compensation for the injuries. Payments from the negligent party can cover suffering, damage, medical fees, and hospital treatment. Consider your current and future income loss, care, emotional pain, stress, and rehabilitation.

If you do not seek help from a personal injury attorney for a consultation, resources, and representation, it can make a lawsuit impossible to win. If negligent behavior caused your brain injuries, get a lawyer who will fight for you to hold the person accountable for their actions.

To improve your chances significantly, ensure you find a knowledgeable lawyer about brain injuries and the law.

Here at the law offices of Kaufman and Lynd we are devoted to ensuring our clients experience tailored, straightforward assistance throughout their personal injury case. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an accident in the greater Orlando area, please do not hesitate to reach out to us