Brain Damaged
Injuries? Lawyers Can Help
Has someone in your family suffered a severe traumatic brain
injury? Because the brain oversees virtually every aspect of our lives, these
types of injuries are among the most difficult to deal with. A brain injury can affect our
physical well-being, cognitive processes, communication, emotions, behaviour,
and our social interactions. Each person who suffers a traumatic brain injury
experiences unique consequences; the person’s abilities may improve over time,
or they may be left to cope with severe deficits for the rest of their lives.
If a family member has a brain injury due to an accident, your family may be
entitled to compensation. A lawyer who has experience with brain damaged
clients and their injuries can help you to explore your options.
Severe Brain Damage
The term "traumatic brain injury” (or TBI) encompasses a
wide range of injuries. The term is used to refer to everything from a mild
concussion caused by a playground accident to a severe and permanent injury
caused by a motor vehicle accident or violence. Most mild traumatic brain
injuries resolve with time, or cause only minor lasting effects. But severe
TBIs can be life-altering, not only for the victims, but also for those who
love them. Depending on the damage done, someone with a severe traumatic brain
injury may need help to navigate every aspect of life.
In the wake of an accident or event that causes a severe
brain injury, the victim may be struggling to survive. Often the victim is
comatose, or in a vegetative state, until the initial swelling of the brain
subsides. During this time, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on the
brain. Once the patient regains consciousness, they may be in what doctors call
"a confusional state.” The length of unconsciousness and of this confusional
state may be indicators of how well the victim will recover.
It is often difficult to predict how a person will recover
from a severe TBI in the early days after the incident, since each
case is unique. Doctors warn that most recovery takes place within six
months of an injury. Other factors that affect recovery are:
- Age;
- the patient’s general state of health/ability
before the injury;
- quality of treatment the patient receives.
While many patients make excellent recoveries, some are
forced to deal with lingering effects for years afterward.
Compensation for TBI
Victims
If your family member currently needs care, you may be
eligible for compensation, whether or not you are providing this care. In
addition, you may also be eligible to receive money for lost income, pain and
suffering, household help, and medical expenses. In order to learn more about
your options for insurance claims or legal action, you should consult with a
lawyer from a personal injury law firm. These lawyers usually offer an initial
free consultation where you can describe your situation and learn more about
what your family member’s claim may be worth. Personal injury lawyers often
work on a
contingency basis, which means that they receive a percentage of any
damages you recover, rather than charging hourly fees upfront.
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, it can be
stressful for the whole family. Receiving compensation can help to make your
lives easier at a difficult time. Contact a personal injury lawyer today, to
discuss your loved one’s brain damaged injury.