For families affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBI), the emotional, physical, and financial toll can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, rehabilitative therapies, lost income, and funeral or burial expenses create a financial burden that can threaten to bury families already struggling with the emotional trauma of the disabling injury or death of a loved one. For victims of auto accidents, construction accidents, violence, or other acts of negligence or malice, compensation may be available through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Contacting an experienced DC penetrating brain injury lawyer is the first step toward recovering damages for your family.
Traumatic brain injuries may occur as a result of a strike or blow to the head, a severe jolt or shaking that damages the brain, or a penetrating injury in which a foreign object enters the brain. Thousands of traumatic brain injuries occur each year, and although most traumatic brain injuries take the form of concussions or mild TBI, many types of head injuries result in severe TBI which can be permanently disabling or fatal. Contact a penetrating brain injury lawyer in DC today for a free consultation.
A penetrating brain injury also known as an open head injury, is one in which a foreign object enters the cranium, or brain. These types of injuries may be caused by high-velocity objects, such as a bullet, or by low-velocity objects, including knives or other weapons. Frequently, a penetrating injury is caused by skull fragments which enter the brain. If the object enters and exits the brain, an open head wound is referred to as a perforating injury.
While low-velocity injuries often have a better prognosis than high-velocity injuries, any penetrating injury can be catastrophic, resulting in permanent disability or death. For survivors of penetrating brain injuries, the injured part of the brain generally suffers irreparable damage. Survivors of penetrating TBI may endure impairment of cognitive function, motor function, sensation, or emotion:
Because a penetrating injury occurs when the dura mater, or protective covering of the brain, is breached, the causes of an open brain injury can result from any action in which a high-velocity or low-velocity object enters the brain.
The most common cause of penetrating injury is motor vehicle accidents, but other causes include:
Whether the foreign object that enters the brain is a nail, a bullet, or skull fragments, the damage to the brain can be devastating. If the injury was caused by a preventable accident those whose actions caused or contributed to the TBI may be held liable for their negligence. If the injury was caused by an act of violence, the perpetrator may be held accountable in both criminal court and civil court.
Suffering the loss of a loved one or adapting to physical and emotional changes in a surviving victim of severe TBI can be devastating for families affected by a catastrophic injury. However, some families are able to obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic costs of an injury through personal injury litigation:
In addition to gaining financial recompense, these families may feel a sense of justice or vindication by holding accountable those whose negligence or malice caused such an injury. In Washington, DC, contact our firm to speak with an experienced penetrating brain injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Information on legal claims regarding other brain injuries is available here.
