A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most common catastrophic injuries, and can result in permanent disability, the need for round-the-clock medical care, and in some cases, death. Larry Disparti knows Chicago law and he is here to help.
The brain is the most complex organ in the entire human body, and when trauma occurs within it, any related civil case is often very complicated as well. Injuries may be different for every individual suffering from a traumatic brain injury, meaning the costs for treating those injuries could vary widely as well. 
One element of any traumatic brain injury case that remains the same, though, is that when the injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, the injured party may be able to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you may benefit from the skilled traumatic brain injury lawyers at the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers when trying to pursue damages. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney could help you fight for the damages you deserve.
Table of Contents:
- What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
- Important Brain Injury Statistics
- Types of Brain Injuries
- Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
- Who Can Be Liable for Brain Injuries?
- When to Consider Hiring a Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a broad term used to describe any type of forceful impact on the head or body that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. This forceful impact may be a bump, jolt, or blow to the head or body, or an object that penetrates the skull. It is important to note, however, that not all blows to the head necessarily lead to a TBI.
Some types of TBI can cause temporary or short-term problems with normal brain function, including problems with how the person thinks, understands, moves, communicates, and acts. More serious TBI can lead to severe and permanent disability and even death.
TBI Categories
Different types of TBI can have varying effects on the brain. A person may experience short-term problems in normal brain function affecting their thinking, movements, understanding, behavior, and communication. In the worst-case scenarios, a more severe case of TBI can result in long-lasting disabilities or even death.
There are two categories of TBI outcomes: primary injuries and secondary injuries. Primary brain injuries refer to the immediate damage caused by the initial head trauma. On the other hand, secondary brain injuries can occur gradually over hours, days, or even weeks following the initial injury. These secondary injuries are the result of reactive processes that take place in the brain after the initial trauma.
Important Brain Injury Statistics
Traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon and should never be ignored or downplayed when they happen. Seeking immediate medical attention after any blow to the head can make the difference between life and death and help reduce the risk of long-term disability. When you are ready to reach out to a brain injury attorney, they will need your medical records to help prove your case. Here are a few important brain injury statistics according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Types of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild TBIs such as concussions to moderate or severe TBIs such as hematomas. If your brain injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, the severity of your injury can help your attorney determine the compensation you may be owed.
Concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is caused by a forceful impact on the head or body, resulting in rapid movement of the brain within the skull. This movement can lead to chemical changes and damage to brain cells. Concussions are usually only temporary, taking anywhere from several minutes to several months to heal. Loss of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, or sudden changes in awareness may accompany concussions.
While concussions are considered mild brain injuries because they are typically not life-threatening, they can still have significant effects on brain function. For example, sustaining a second concussion shortly after the initial one can worsen brain damage, known as the “second hit” phenomenon, potentially leading to permanent harm or even death. Some individuals may also experience post-concussion syndrome, characterized by symptoms that persist for weeks or longer.
Even a concussion can cause a major disturbance in a person’s life. If you or a loved one sustained a concussion in an accident that was someone else’s fault, reach out to a TBI lawyer who can fight for the compensation you may be owed.
Contusions
A contusion refers to a bruise on the brain itself, resulting in bleeding and swelling in the area where the head was struck. It is commonly associated with skull fractures or other blood clots like subdural or epidural hematomas. Contusions occur when tiny blood vessels inside the brain bleed, causing bruising and swelling.
They can manifest directly beneath the impact site (known as a coup injury) or, more commonly, on the opposite side of the brain from the impact (referred to as a contrecoup injury). Contusions may become visible hours or even a day after the initial injury. Coup and contrecoup lesions typically occur when the head undergoes sudden deceleration, causing the brain to bounce back and forth within the skull, such as in high-speed car crashes or cases of shaken baby syndrome.
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
Another common type of brain injury is called a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) which is caused by the rapid shaking of the brain in a back-and-forth motion. This can occur during car accidents, falls, or cases of shaken baby syndrome. While some DAI cases can be mild resembling a concussion, others can cause extensive brain damage. Patients with severe DAI often experience a prolonged coma, and the injury affects multiple regions of the brain.
This type of injury commonly occurs in motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports-related incidents. DAI disrupts communication between neurons in the brain and triggers the release of harmful brain chemicals, potentially causing further damage. The extent of brain damage can vary, with recovery ranging from temporary to permanent and often requiring a lengthy healing process.
If you or a loved one have suffered a DAI, it’s likely that your hospital and treatment costs may be extensive. If this injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, it may be best to consult a traumatic brain injury attorney who can help you collect damages for all costs related to your recovery.
Hematomas
Hematomas refers to bleeding in and around the brain caused by a rupture in a blood vessel. The location of the blood accumulation relative to the brain’s protective membranes, known as meninges, determines the type of hematoma formed. There are several distinct types:
- Epidural hematomas. Occur when bleeding happens between the skull and the outermost layer of the meninges, known as the dura. These hematomas can develop rapidly, within minutes to hours, after damage to a blood vessel beneath the skull. They pose a particular danger due to the potential increase in pressure on the brain.
- Subdural hematomas. Involves bleeding between the dura and the middle layer of the meninges, called the arachnoid mater. Similar to epidural hematomas, they exert pressure on the outside of the brain. Subdural hematomas are commonly observed in the elderly population following a fall, but they can also result from veins tearing between the brain and the dura or from a brain laceration.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage. Refers to bleeding occurring between the arachnoid mater and the innermost layer of the meninges, known as the pia mater.
Additionally, bleeding directly into the brain tissue itself is termed an intracerebral hematoma, which causes damage to the surrounding brain tissue.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The signs and symptoms of TBI can vary and may take a few days after an accident to become noticeable. It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a head injury. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include:
- Headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Convulsions or seizures
- Weakness or numbness of fingers and toes
- Loss of motor coordination skills
- Profound confusion or disorientation
- Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Short temper or irritability
- Vision disturbances, dilation of one or both pupils
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Problems with learning or memory
Who Can Be Liable for Brain Injuries?
Anyone can file a lawsuit for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) if the injury was the fault of someone else. This is the concept of negligence in legal terms. Everyone is expected to act in a reasonable manner to ensure the safety of those around them. If they fail to do so, they have acted negligently and could be held liable for paying compensation to the injured party.
For example, all drivers are expected to follow traffic laws, including stopping at red lights. If they fail to do so and cause a TBI in the driver of another car that they run into, a traumatic brain injury lawyer could help the injured driver file a lawsuit against that negligent driver. The compensation the injured individual seeks could include medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other expenses related to the injury.
When to Consider Hiring a Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer?
In many traumatic brain injury claims, dealing with an insurance company can be incredibly challenging. After a car accident, for instance, the at-fault driver’s insurance company would be responsible for paying some benefits to the injured individual.
However, when it comes down to the insurance companies paying what a victim is owed, they often use tactics to deny, delay, and defend—all so they can avoid paying out large sums of benefits that would take away from those profits. An experienced traumatic brain injury attorney would know just how to fight the many schemes insurance companies use to avoid paying what is rightfully yours.
At Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we know that the denial of benefits can be severely detrimental to an injured individual. Even a delay in benefits could force a person to pay their injury-related expenses out of their own pocket, which—considering the high cost of treating these types of injuries—could cripple their finances.
Receiving accident benefits from an insurance company does not mean that a lawsuit cannot still be filed. When insurance benefits do not cover the full cost of the injury, Larry Disparti could also help an accident victim file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the remainder.
Contact A Disparti Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Like in most other personal injury cases, typically the victim of a TBI has only two years to file a lawsuit pertaining to their injury. Also, eyewitness testimony can become less reliable and evidence may disappear or become lost over time. These are just two reasons why it is so important for you to speak to Larry Disparti as soon as possible.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury because of someone else’s actions, call Larry Disparti today to get your case reviewed. There are options for compensation, Larry and his team will help you pursue all of them.
LARRY WINS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CASES
With over $1 Billion in recoveries for our clients, Larry Disparti knows how to win. Plus, there is no fee unless we win your case. Contact our Chicago and Tampa Traumatic Brain Injury attorneys today. Come join the thousands who say “Larry Wins!”
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