Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in Virginia
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are unfortunately common in today’s fast-paced world. Car accidents, sports injuries, and a host of other common injury scenarios happen every day, often leaving expensive medical bills and irreparable trauma in their wake. However, when someone suffers a traumatic brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, it is particularly tragic. In these situations, a Virginia brain injury lawyer can help victims who are suffering from the effects of this unique type of injury.
The attorneys at our firm are committed to serving a dual purpose: 1.) the support and guidance of clients as they pursue the compensation they deserve, and 2.) seeking civil justice, especially from those who endanger the lives, health, and safety of others. To learn more about how our Virginia lawyers can help you, please read on, or contact our law offices to conduct your free initial consultation.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Some of the most common causes of TBI include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Gunshot wounds
- Blows to the head
- Military conflict
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse/Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Sports injuries
- Bicycle crashes
- And more
Even among these accident types, traumatic brain injury is divided further into two categories which may vary from case to case: closed head injury or open head injury. Each unique TBI has its own set of risks and health consequences, which is why it’s important to seek medical attention early and to call a Virginia TBI attorney who understands the science behind these types of cases.
TBI Symptoms
Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can result from a primary injury – an injury that happens at the time of the impact. They include:
- Skull fractures: The impact causes a potion of the skull to break.
- Blood clots: Also known as hematomas, these can occur within the brain or in between the skull and the soft tissue.
- Contusions and bruises: The injury occurs when an impact causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull.
- Coup-contrecoup injury: The coup injury occurs when the brain strikes the skull at the site of the impact. The brain then hits the opposite area of the skull before coming to rest (the contrecoup injury).
- Nerve damage: The injury occurs when the force of impact causes the nerve fibers of the brain to tear.
Secondary injuries occur after the initial injury. These injuries may take hours, days or even longer to manifest in recognizable symptoms, which can make these potentially dangerous or even fatal. Examples of secondary injuries include:
- Brain swelling: Also known as brain edema, swelling is one of the body’s responses to an injury. However, swelling can potentially be fatal as there is very little room within the skull.
- Epilepsy and seizures: Damage to the circuitry within the brain may lead to epileptic seizures down the road.
- Intracranial infection: If the protective layers of the brain are torn, bacteria can potentially enter the brain.
For additional information on the troubling ramifications of traumatic brain injuries, visit this thorough guide page published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
National and State-Wide Brain Injury Statistics
Before consulting with your Virginia attorney about your traumatic brain injury, it may be useful to learn more about the general trends associated with brain injuries in Virginia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, and nearly one-third of the nation’s injury-related deaths are the result of a TBI. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it is estimated that more than 5 million people living today have suffered a TBI which has resulted in a life-long need for assistance in performing day-to-day activities.
The Virginia Brain Injury Central Registry is a good indicator of the occurrence of brain injuries within the Commonwealth. One of only a few jurisdictions to require hospitals to report incidents of brain injury, Virginia is able to keep track of brain injury cases within its borders. Based on this registry, it is estimated that close to 10,000 brain injury victims require medical treatment in Virginia each year. The majority of these injuries are classified as “mild brain injuries,” such as concussion, which allow for full recovery; however, a great number of individuals still suffer from severe, life-altering brain injuries.
Contact an Attorney Today
When you or a loved on have to struggle with effects of a traumatic brain injury, the last thing you should have to worry about is paying your medical bills. That’s why you should call an experienced Virginia traumatic brain injury as soon as you are able so that you can begin calculating a fair settlement and deciding the best way to go about your injury claim. Call our law offices today to learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
