Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two and a half million people suffer a brain injury every year. Of these injuries, 280,000 are serious enough to require hospitalization, and 50,000 are fatal. Some of the other most serious outcomes of a brain injury can include coma or persistent vegetative state. Fortunately, not all outcomes are so dire, and with the right kind of medical care and support, brain injury victims can often get back much of what they lost.
For those who survive a brain injury accident, costs of treatment typically run into the millions of dollars for a lifetime of care. Persons living with a brain injury need emergency medical treatment and intensive care, followed by a long period of rehabilitation. They need time to heal and are often disabled from working during that time or permanently. A brain injury can affect cognitive abilities and motor function and also create memory loss and psychological issues. Occupational therapy and counseling are often necessary to help brain injury survivors regain much of themselves that was lost and return to a decent quality of life that was taken from them by another’s negligence.
The Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell help accident victims and their families who have suffered the most serious and catastrophic injuries because of another party’s negligence. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a metro Atlanta car or truck accident, construction accident, or other incident, or if you are an attorney seeking assistance with a complex brain injury case, call Shiver Hamilton Campbell for a free consultation to find out how we can help.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Atlanta
Falls and traffic accidents account for nearly half of all TBIs. In a car accident, vehicle occupants can suffer a TBI by hitting their head on a window or other hard surface in the car, but they can also incur a brain injury without striking any external object. The whiplash effect of a rear-end collision, for instance, can force the brain to impact the inside of the skull. This kind of closed head injury can cause a hematoma, hemorrhage or brain swelling that can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and dealt with medically through surgery, medications or other interventions. Closed head injuries are especially insidious because it may not be noticeable to the victim or others that they have suffered a brain injury. Later on, we describe some of the symptoms of a TBI, but it’s important to get checked out by a doctor after any car accident to look for latent injuries like a TBI.
A catastrophic car accident that causes a rollover and roof crush is also likely to cause a brain injury and is one of the most deadly types of crashes. Victims of motorcycle accidents, tractor-trailer truck wrecks, and bicycle and pedestrian accidents are also at risk of suffering a TBI when they get hit.
The other leading cause of TBIs – falls – is a daily risk encountered by construction workers and others who work on ladders, scaffolds, or at heights. Even a slip and fall can cause a TBI, although this is less common. Falls are the number one cause of serious injury and death on construction sites, including brain injuries. Workers can also suffer a brain injury after being struck by a falling, swinging or flying object on a construction site. Electric shock (one of the top four most dangerous and common construction accidents) can also lead to brain injury, which in this instance is defined in the medical field as an acquired brain injury (ABI) rather than a TBI.
Sports and acts of violence are the other leading causes of head and brain injuries in Atlanta, after falls and traffic accidents.
Watch Out for Signs of a Brain Injury, and See a Doctor After any Fall or Car Crash
A concussion or other head or brain injury is a medical emergency, and an otherwise treatable injury can turn fatal if not promptly attended to. Brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose, and a variety of different brain scans and other diagnostic tools might be needed. It’s important after any fall or traffic accident where the head was hit or there was a significant impact to see a doctor as soon as possible. Seek medical attention after any head injury, especially if any of these signs or symptoms of brain injury appear:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Persistent headache or neck pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sensitivity to lights or sounds
- Trouble with concentration
- Difficulty remembering things
- Confused or disoriented
- Mood or personality changes
- Depression
- Changes in regular sleep patterns
Millions of people sustain brain injuries each year. In many cases, the injuries are relatively minor, with the skull preventing more serious damage from occurring. Unfortunately, though, according to the CDC an estimated half a million brain injuries annually require hospitalization, with severe and often long-term consequences stemming from the injury.
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury(TBI), you may be entitled to compensation. When accidents are the result of another person’s recklessness or negligence, they can be responsible for the damage done. An Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer can work with victims to understand whether they have a viable case. Call a knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorney today to schedule a consultation.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is an injury that occurs when a blow to the head causes physical trauma. There are several types of traumatic brain injuries in Atlanta a person may suffer. If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligent actions of another party, then you may want to obtain the services of a seasoned traumatic brain injury lawyer. An attorney who is knowledgeable about the types of traumatic brain injuries in Atlanta could help you seek the compensation that you deserve.
Primary and Secondary Traumatic Brain Injuries
As mentioned above, there are many different types of traumatic brain injuries in Atlanta. The initial blow to the head may cause a primary traumatic brain injury, which is the injury that occurs immediately after physical trauma to the head. There can also be secondary traumatic brain injury, which is trauma that occurs after that immediate blow to the head. It is a delayed injury and can occur after someone suffered an initial trauma.
Anoxic Brain Injuries
Anoxic brain injuries are injuries where the brain is completely cut-off from its supply of oxygen. This may be the result of strangulation or drowning and can cause the death of brain cells. The brain needs oxygen to process glucose, which is its primary energy source. Anoxic brain injuries are serious because without oxygen brain cells begin to die within four minutes. An anoxic brain injury can cause severe damages and may even leave the victim in a coma or a vegetative state.
Hypoxic Brain Injuries
A hypoxic brain injury is another one of the types of traumatic brain injuries in Atlanta. Hypoxic brain injuries are injuries that result when the brain does not receive enough oxygen. The brain is getting more oxygen than it would in an anoxic brain injury, but not enough to function. Hypoxic brain injuries are serious because they cause a lack of oxygen in the brain. The brain is the most important part of the body because it allows everything else to function and it needs a continuous supply of oxygen to survive. Even a brief loss of oxygen or decrease in oxygen can cause irreversible damage to the brain, which can impact daily life almost immediately. When someone has suffered one of these types of injuries, it is important that they get medical attention and get an attorney. A lawyer could assist the victim with recovering damages after a traumatic brain injury.
The Commonness of Head Trauma
Head trauma is relatively common. In fact, most people will experience some minor form of brain injury at least once in their lifetime. Individuals involved in car accidents are at a great risk of sustaining such injuries. Even a minor car wreck can cause a passenger’s head and neck to jostle violently.
When this occurs, the brain can slam into the skull and suffer damage in what is known as closed head injury. These injuries are incredibly dangerous, as there is often no outward indicator that a person suffered any injury.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Slips and falls are also frequently to blame for brain injuries. A wet floor, a patch of icy sidewalk, or an uneven carpet can send a person flying downwards. More than just embarrassing, such accidents often result in serious head trauma. These kinds of falls can also lead to closed head injuries.
What is most scary about head injuries is that they can occur virtually anywhere. Accidents at work, on the athletic field, or in the home can result in lifelong disabilities.
Legal Options for Victims
When a person’s reckless, negligent behavior results in another person’s injuries, the victim has the right to pursue legal action. With the help of an Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer, an individual can seek compensation from the person who caused their accident. Not every brain injury patient is the victim of such accidents, but those who can trace their accident back to the dangerous decisions of another may have a viable case.
Damages in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
A traumatic brain injury is one of the most severe types of injuries that an individual can suffer. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligent actions of another party, you could be entitled to compensation. After an accident, the injured victim may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages. Skilled attorneys assess these damages in Atlanta traumatic brain injury cases by looking at several categories of potential compensation. Therefore, it is essential for injured individuals to reach out to a seasoned traumatic brain injury lawyer.
Recoverable Damages
After an accident, the injured party may be able to collect economic damages which include medical bills, lost wages, future medical bills, future lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses. A person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is most likely going to have substantial medical expenses. Any rehabilitation expenses will also be included in the damages. They may also have lost wages due to having to miss work. If the injured individual is unable to perform the same job they held prior to their injury, then this will be factored into the damages.
Other types of recoverable damages in Atlanta traumatic brain injury cases are non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include loss of enjoyment of activities, emotional anguish, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. The reduced quality of life for the injured victim could be included in the damages as well. This may include slurred speech or an inability to concentrate, among other daily struggles.
Attorneys will want to look at the permanent effects of the traumatic brain injury and how it will impact the individual’s life. Sometimes even though the person recovers, they may not have all the abilities they had prior to their accident. There may also be recoverable damages resulting from loved ones having to take care of the person who suffered the brain injury.
What if the Injured Victim Does Not Remember What Happened?
In a traumatic brain injury case, the injured victim may not understand or remember what happened. A common symptom of a traumatic brain injury is memory loss. In this scenario, an attorney must work to obtain evidence and witness testimony to determine what happened. Evidence could be gathered by looking for video surveillance or speaking with someone who was there and saw how the incident occurred. A lawyer could review the video, take witness statements, and then piece together what happened.
Settlements for Brain Injuries
People with brain injuries often require expensive medical treatment and time off work to recover from their accident. A settlement can help reimburse individuals for the financial damages they sustain because of their injuries. In some cases, individuals suffer severe enough brain injuries that they can no longer perform their duties at work. The loss of their earning capacity can also be included in a settlement.
Non-Economic Damages for TBIs
The non-economic damages sustained in an accident resulting in brain injuries can also be factored into a lawsuit. The pain and suffering endured by the individual cannot be undone by monetary compensation, but it can help. In many cases, individuals suffer emotional damage after experiencing a traumatic accident. Compensation can allow a person with brain injuries to receive the therapy they need to process their trauma. An Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer could work tirelessly in pursuit of compensation.
Initial Consultation with a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Atlanta
During an initial consultation with someone who suffered a traumatic brain injury, a lawyer wants to understand how the traumatic brain injury occurred, where the person was when they suffered this injury, what they were doing before the injury occurred, and who was around when they suffered the traumatic brain injury. This can help attorneys collect evidence to show that the traumatic brain injury was the result of someone else’s negligence. After gathering evidence to determine what happened, lawyers also want to understand what medical treatment a person suffering from one of the types of traumatic brain injuries in Atlanta received.
Once they understand the information about the victim’s medical care, they want to understand the recovery process of the person suffering from the traumatic brain injury. That could include types of rehabilitation they have been going through and how this traumatic brain injury affected the person’s daily life.
Get the Help You Need by Speaking with an Experienced Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a brain injury because of another’s negligence or wrongful conduct in metro Atlanta, or if you lost a loved one in an Atlanta traffic accident, construction accident, or other traumatic event, call Shiver Hamilton Campbell at 404-593-0020 for a free consultation. We take on cases involving the most serious catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, and we fight to secure significant compensation for our clients who were hurt because of another’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
