Suffering a significant brain injury is a life-changing event. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause lasting disability, with changes in mood and difficulty with memory. The injured person may be unable to work and experience a loss of income.
When a brain injury occurs because of someone else’s negligence, such as in a car accident or a slip-and-fall accident, the party at fault may be held financially responsible for the victim’s losses.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need a strong advocate to fight for the compensation you’ll need to move forward. For decades, our compassionate lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. have been fighting to help accident victims and their families recover compensation for serious injuries caused by others. Schedule a free case consultation with an experienced lawyer today to learn how we can help you and your family. Let us know if you prefer to discuss your case in Spanish.
What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
The brain is encased in and protected by the skull, but it may be injured by trauma or illness. A traumatic brain injury is usually physical damage to the brain caused by a blow to the head or something penetrating the skull and damaging brain tissue. A lack of oxygen also can cause brain damage.
Common types of brain injuries include:
- Open head injuries. When the skull is penetrated, the injury is classified as an open-head injury. Open head injuries can vary in severity, depending on how the brain is affected.
- Closed head injuries. A closed head injury means that the skull was not penetrated. This may sound less serious than an open head injury, but sometimes swelling occurs and the brain has no room to expand. Part of the skull may need to be removed temporarily.
- Concussions. The most common traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a sudden jolt to the head. Depending on the severity, a concussion may heal on its own over several weeks or months. Sometimes, concussions can cause lasting physical or cognitive problems.
- Diffuse axonal brain injury and focal brain injury. Widespread shearing (tearing) to long connecting nerve fibers (axons) in the brain is called a diffuse axonal injury. That occurs when the brain is injured as it shifts and rotates inside the bony skull. Conversely, a brain injury that occurs in one area, such as contusions and lacerations, is called a focal brain injury. Diffuse axonal injury is usually associated with extended loss of consciousness.
- Anoxic and hypoxic brain injury. If the oxygen supply to the brain is insufficient for four minutes or longer, brain cells will die and cause permanent anoxic brain injury. Partial lack of oxygen causes hypoxic brain injury, which usually has less serious effects.
