According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.5 million people suffer brain injuries every year. These injuries can have debilitating effects, impairing cognition, altering personalities, and causing lifelong complications.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, the Littleton brain injury attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young can help. Reach out today.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that disrupts the regular function of the brain. According to the CDC, TBIs are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States and are usually caused by bumps, blows, or jolts to the head or penetrating injuries to the head.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs are divided into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Blows to the head or sudden head movements trigger mild TBIs. Due to the brain’s movement and potential chemical changes that occur after injury, a person’s ability to think, learn, and function may be affected. Concussions are one of the most common types of mild TBIs.
Moderate and severe TBIs are life-threatening if not treated immediately. They can lead to long-term complications and disability. Patients with moderate or severe TBIs often require expensive and extensive ongoing medical treatment.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
According to the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, the leading causes of TBIs include:
- Falls – 47% of all TBIs are attributed to falls. Falls can occur at work, stores, home, or other locations. Negligent property owners may be responsible for fall-related injuries.
- Struck by or against accidents – Accidents involving people being struck by or against an object or machinery make up 15% of all TBI cases.
- Motor vehicle crashes – Motor vehicle crashes comprise about 14% of all TBI cases. These accidents can cause brain injuries when vehicle occupants strike their head on a hard surface or when glass or a foreign object penetrates the skull. In some instances, the impact of a motor vehicle collision is so forceful that the brain crashes into the inside of the skull and the victim suffers a TBI despite not making physical contact with an external object.
- Assaults – Assaults and other physical attacks make up another 11% of cases. The brain may be moved violently during these encounters.
Other causes make up the remainder of TBI cases.
Common Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Seeking prompt medical attention is essential after suffering a TBI. After a blow to the head, look for these symptoms commonly associated with TBI:
- Headaches or migraines
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty communicating
- Memory issues
- Problems concentrating or solving problems
- Aggression
- Mood changes
- Vertigo or balance issues
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Vision changes
- Ringing in the ears
Financial Compensation Available for Brain Injury Victims
Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you experienced, such as:
- Medical bills
- Treatment costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- In-home care expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Replacement services
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Our Littleton Brain Injury Lawyers Today
At Dulin McQuinn Young, we work closely with accident victims and their families. If you suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s carelessness, we can help hold them accountable. We can investigate your case, gather evidence, and work with your medical team to ensure we include all relevant damages in your demand.
Contact us today for a free consultation.