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Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury? If so, you might face mounting medical bills and be unable to work while focusing on your health. If someone else was to blame for the injury, you could be entitled to take legal action to pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve for your losses.
At Marks & Harrison, we understand the tremendous impact a traumatic brain injury can have on a victim and their family. We are committed to helping injury victims seek justice and compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Let the dedicated and compassionate traumatic brain injury lawyers at Marks & Harrison help you during this challenging time.
We are ready to offer you the support and assurance you need and legal advice you can trust. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with an Alexandria, VA brain injury lawyer.
How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries are all too common in the United States. Research indicates that at least 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. Adolescents between 15 to 19 and adults 65 and over are most likely to suffer a TBI. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates more than 64,000 TBI-related fatalities occurred nationwide in one recent year, or about 176 TBI-related deaths in the U.S. per day.
Some of the common causes of TBIs include the following:
What Are the Different Kinds of Brain Injuries?
Brain injuries occur in one of two ways. The first is through a violent hit or jolt to the head that damages brain tissue, known as closed-brain injuries. Most closed-brain injuries happen because of physical trauma like a car accident or sports injury.
The second way an injury to the brain can happen is when an object penetrates the skull and hits the brain. This wound is called a penetrating brain injury. Gunshot wounds are the most common form of penetrating brain injury.
Trauma to the brain from a closed or penetrating wound can cause different kinds of brain injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Concussions – Concussions are one of the most common types of mild brain injuries. Concussions occur when the head violently thrusts forward and backward. The sudden jolt of motion can cause the brain to collide with the skull, damaging tissue, and blood vessels.
- Intracranial hematomas – Hematomas in the brain occur when trauma leads to blood pooling in one area of the brain. Three types of hematomas can cause damage to the head and brain: subdural, epidural, and intracerebral.
- Coup-contrecoup brain injury – A coup-contrecoup injury is technically two injuries. The first injury to the brain occurs during the initial impact of an accident or violent action. The subsequent injury is on the opposite side of the first. This second injury typically occurs because the brain collides with the skull.
- Hypoxic brain injury – Lack of oxygen causes hypoxic brain injuries. Cells in the brain can die in as little as four minutes when starved of oxygen and oxygen-rich blood.
- Diffuse axonal injury – A diffuse axonal brain injury can tear nerve fibers and disrupt brain signals. This injury occurs when the brain violently shifts or rotates inside the skull.
Physicians generally also categorize brain injuries by their severity – either mild, moderate, or severe. Talk to one of our Alexandria brain injury lawyers today.
What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Many of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury are apparent. However, some signs of a TBI are subtle and hard to detect. In the case of concussions or mild bleeding in the brain, symptoms can take hours or even days to manifest. If you are involved in any violent accident or altercation, seek medical attention immediately.
You should also be aware of some of the most common symptoms of a TBI:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vision changes
- Hearing changes
- Slurred speech
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Changes in mood
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The brain can often heal and rewire itself, even after significant trauma. However, the brain is a delicate organ. Some people can suffer long-term physical, mental, and emotional consequences after a traumatic brain injury.
Some of the most common long-term complications from a TBI include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional outbursts or instability
- Difficulties with impulse control
- Changes in mood
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Physical impairments
- Paralysis
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Insomnia
- Learning difficulties
- Difficulties communicating
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries may also increase a person’s risk of developing certain degenerative disorders later in life. Potential long-term consequences of a traumatic brain injury may include dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Contact an Alexandria brain injury attorney today.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
If you are involved in an accident and suffer a traumatic brain injury, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. In general, you could be compensated for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
What Is the Statute of Limitations in Virginia for Filing My Brain Injury Claim?
The idea of taking legal action after suffering a traumatic brain injury might seem overwhelming, but there is a deadline for filing a brain injury claim. In Virginia, you only have two years from the date of the accident that injured you to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to file your case on time can result in it being dismissed, and you could lose your chance to pursue compensation in civil court.
Contact an Alexandria, VA Brain Injury Lawyer
Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury following an accident? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. Get in touch with a brain injury attorney on our legal team at Marks & Harrison for the legal representation you deserve. Contact our Alexandria brain injury lawyers today for a free consultation.
