Going through an accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences for an individual. Furthermore, suffering a severe injury can change a person’s life forever. People who suffer severe and debilitating injuries, such as a brain injury, face life-threatening conditions. The recovery process after a brain injury could prove to be extremely challenging, especially if another person’s negligence caused your injuries.
The Hazleton brain injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm know precisely what to look for in personal injury cases and hold those accountable for your severe injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury accident in Hazleton, you could be entitled to compensation. Call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940 to discuss your case.
What Kind of Brain Injuries Can You Suffer in an Accident?
Brain injuries are among the most severe injuries any individual can suffer. A mild bump to the head or a massive strike can cause severe impact on a person’s overall quality of life. Some of the most common brain injuries that a person can sustain in an accident includes:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI is a severe brain injury suffered as a result of a bump or a sharp blow to the head area. Another way Brain injury can occur is by the sudden strong jolting of the head (as would happen in a car accident). TBI can result in several conditions that can be both traumatic and life-threatening. Depending on an individual’s unique circumstances TBI could take a long time to heal, and sometimes it could cause permanent impairments or even death.
Concussions
A concussion is a mild type of TBI (MTBI). This type of injury can happen when a person receives a bump to the head or a hard blow. Some of the symptoms most associated with a concussion include headaches, disorientation, confusion, and nausea, among others. Concussion injuries can vary from mild to severe. Serious concussion injuries can take a long time to recover and may require costly continuous treatment.
Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries are those that occur as a result of a blow to the head, but the cranium is not penetrated or opened by the wounds. When a person suffers a substantial blow to the head, the brain, while protected by the skull, could move inside the cranial cavity. The sudden impact could cause bruising on the brain’s tissue. Bruising symptoms found in closed brain injuries are known as brain contusions. Victims of severe injuries might require ongoing medical care. In lesser contusion cases, an individual would stay in a hospital for a short-term (up to a week depending on the doctor’s recommendations). In more severe cases, a person could go through intensive care, requiring constant monitoring, medication and possibly surgery to alleviate pressure.
Penetrating Brain Injuries
Penetrating head injuries directly reach the brain. A massive blow from a sharp pointy object or a bullet wound to the head are typical examples of a penetrating brain injury. These are one of the most severe types of TBI and could cause permanent, irreparable damage, depending on the extent of the wound. Additionally, a person could also need constant care and medication for the rest of their life.
Next Steps for Brain Injury Victims
The first thing you should do after being involved in a brain injury accident is seek immediate, professional medical assistance. After a doctor assesses your situation, you should find professional legal help to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Frequently, traumatic brain injuries are the result of another person’s negligent acts or omissions. To prove your case based on a negligence theory, you would need to establish certain elements. The elements necessary to prove damages based on negligence are the following:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The breach of duty caused the plaintiff injuries.
- As a result, the plaintiff suffered damages which can be compensated.
For a brain injury claim to be successful, the plaintiff would need to prove the elements mentioned above. If you suffered a brain injury because of another person’s negligence, you should seek legal assistance immediately.
Hazleton Attorneys for Brain Injury Accident Victims
We understand the financial and emotional toll a brain injury can take on a person’s life and family. That is why we dedicate ourselves to holding the responsible parties accountable for your injuries while getting the compensation you deserve. We urge you to seek legal assistance if you are filing a brain injury claim. There are statutory deadlines known as “statutes of limitations” that could affect your right to file a lawsuit. The experienced and knowledgeable Hazleton brain injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm can help you with your injury claim. To schedule a free, confidential consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
