A traumatic brain injury can have a life-altering impact on someone’s life. A TBI can leave a person with permanent physical and cognitive disabilities that affect their ability to work or enjoy activities. Recovering from a TBI may require expensive medical care and rehabilitation.
If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or fault, turn to D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law for a free initial case evaluation to learn more about your legal options for pursuing financial recovery for the harm and loss you’ve suffered.
Since 1999, Mike has provided excellent legal representation and personalized client service to accident victims in pursuit of the compensation they deserve. When you turn to him after suffering a TBI, you can expect to work directly with him throughout your case.
Mike maintains constant communication with clients, so you always know the status of your case. His determination to secure the best possible results means he will work as hard as necessary to obtain maximum compensation for you, whether through a negotiated settlement or by taking your case to trial if necessary.
Contact Prince William County brain injury lawyer Mike Mullori today, and he will fight to protect your rights and interests.
What Are Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Doctors have identified various types of traumatic brain injuries. Some of the most common examples of TBIs that may occur in accidents include:
- Concussion – Also called a mild brain injury, a concussion occurs when a person suffers a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to shift inside the skull. When that shifting occurs, the person could suffer damage that leads to a temporary change in brain function. Concussion symptoms usually last for several days to several weeks, although some individuals may develop post-concussion syndrome that causes symptoms that last for months or years or become permanent.
- Contusions – Also called a brain bruise, a contusion may occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull, causing small blood vessels to break and form a bruise on the brain.
- Coup-Contrecoup – This is a type of contusion injury that occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull with enough force to bounce off and strike the opposite side of the skull, causing bruising on both sides of the brain.
- Hemorrhage – Also called a brain bleed, a hemorrhage involves uncontrolled bleeding on the brain’s surface or within the brain, which can put pressure on the brain that may become life-threatening if not treated.
- Hematoma – A pooling of blood outside a blood vessel can place pressure on brain tissue and cause adverse or potentially life-threatening symptoms.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury – This injury occurs when the head or body shakes or twists violently, which can cause a shearing effect on brain tissues. That shearing severs the connections between nerve cells called axons.
- Penetrating Injury – An injury that occurs when an object penetrates the skull and brain, such as a bullet or a piece of shrapnel.
- Second Impact Syndrome – A condition that occurs when a person suffers another brain injury soon after suffering a prior injury. The second injury often causes more severe damage than the first.
What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Virginia?
Brain injuries may occur in many kinds of accidents in Virginia, where an accident victim suffers a blow to the head or body or a penetrating injury to the head. Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in Virginia include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Boat accidents
- ATV accidents
- Slip/trip and fall accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Explosions
What Are Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries will vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Common symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury/concussion include:
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Dizziness/balance issues
- Problems with speaking
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Feeling dazed or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping more than normal
If you’ve suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, you should return to your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.
Examples of symptoms of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries include:
- Loss of consciousness lasting several minutes to several hours
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Persistent nausea and repeated vomiting
- Convulsions/seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Unable to wake up from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Coordination issues
- Profound confusion
- Slurred speech
- Combativeness or other unusual behaviors
What Is the Typical Course of Treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The typical course of treatment for a TBI will largely depend on the severity of the injury. Mild traumatic brain injuries/concussions usually require no treatment besides rest from physical and cognitive activities and over-the-counter pain relievers to treat headaches. However, moderate or severe brain injuries require immediate medical attention.
Treatment for more severe injuries often begins with emergency care to maintain blood and oxygen flow to the brain and prevent further injury, especially from inflammation. Severe TBI victims may receive anti-seizure drugs, or doctors may induce a coma while the brain heals. TBI victims may also require surgery to repair the damage, remove foreign objects, and reduce pressure on the brain from swelling.
After a traumatic brain injury stabilizes, an injury victim may undergo rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, and vocational counseling. TBI victims may also receive mental health treatment to cope with emotional and behavioral changes or depression and anxiety over the effects of the injury.
What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
When you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s actions or wrongdoing, you may have a legal claim to recover compensation for financial and personal losses that result from your injury. A financial recovery in a traumatic brain injury claim may provide money for your:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, doctor’s appointments, and therapy
- Costs of long-term care and support services to help if you suffer permanent disabilities, such as home health services, housekeeping, or disability accommodations
- Lost wages/income from missed work or reduced earnings while you recover
- Lost future earning capacity and employment benefits if your injury permanently disables you from your job or other work
- Pain and suffering, including reduced quality of life or life expectancy
