A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range widely in severity, but in the most severe cases, this type of injury can permanently alter life for you and your family. If you are worried about what this means for your financial future, consulting an Elgin traumatic brain injury lawyer to discuss your possibilities for legal recourse could be beneficial.
Many people who sustain TBIs require extensive medical intervention for the rest of their lives. They may never fully recover from their injuries or experience the cognitive improvement that allows them to return to work. When others cause injuries of this magnitude, a personal injury attorney can assist you with your legal needs.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury usually occurs when an external force results in damage and dysfunction to the brain. If an object enters or strikes the skull, the resulting injury can have a significant impact on brain function. The resulting degree of permanent damage often depends on the force of the impact and the areas of the brain the blow affected.
TBIs can result from various situations, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and assaults. In some cases, an injury may occur even though there was no direct impact to the head. For example, vigorous and violent shaking of the head or the whiplash from a car accident can result in a substantial TBI.
The prognosis for traumatic brain injuries is often uncertain. Although surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a brain injury, in many cases, only time can heal the trauma. The permanent effects of a TBI can include significant cognitive and physical impairments in some situations.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
While some head trauma conditions are immediately apparent, others are not. Some symptoms from a traumatic brain injury may not appear until a few days after an accident. For this reason, seeking medical attention in Elgin after an individual has sustained a blow to the head, whiplash, or any possibility of a head injury is crucial.
People experience different symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, but some occur more commonly than others. Some of the most typical symptoms of a TBI may include:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Abnormal fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulties with memory, thinking, and other cognitive functions
A mild brain injury, referred to as a concussion, could resolve itself in as little as a few days. However, individuals with particularly severe concussions may develop the post-concussion syndrome, which may take months to heal. The more serious a traumatic brain injury is, the more likely that it may cause irreparable damage to that results in permanent cognitive and physical impairments.
Elgin Injury Claims Arising from a Traumatic Brain Injury
Most individuals and companies owe a duty of care to others, depending on the situation. For instance, drivers have a responsibility to follow traffic rules and keep others safe whenever they are operating a car on the road. Businesses must clear ice and snow from their walkways in the winter to ensure that their customers do not slip and fall.
When an individual, business, or other party acts in a way that falls below the standard of care, they can face civil liability as a result of those actions, especially if a reasonable person or entity in the same position would have acted differently. A breach in the duty of care, or negligence, can create evidence for liability in an injury claim filed by a local TBI attorney.
Consult an Elgin Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney for Advice
In the immediate aftermath of an accident that has caused a traumatic brain injury, you and your family may be uncertain about what steps to take first. While caring for emergent medical needs is paramount, protecting your legal rights is also crucial. An Elgin traumatic brain injury lawyer can evaluate your situation and help you determine the most appropriate course of legal action in your case.
An injury claim may allow you to recoup your unexpected medical expenses. You also may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages and more. By seeking legal counsel from the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., you can safeguard your right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
