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Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are more than just injuries to the head. TBI victims experience significant psychological, emotional, and physical challenges for the rest of their lives. Someone who has suffered a TBI will have major limitations, steep medical costs, and a decreased quality of life. If the TBI was caused by another party’s negligence, the victim and/or victim’s family has the right to seek monetary compensation.
Do you suspect that a loved one may have suffered a TBI? Consider some of the most common accidents that cause these injuries, as explained by the personal injury lawyers of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C.
What is a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a sudden physical impact to a person’s brain. The damage may be limited to one area of the brain or affect several of them. The cause of the TBI sometimes penetrates the brain, but it doesn’t have to. That means it could be the result of external injury that may not seem, at first, to be significant.
A TBI is no ordinary head injury. Although one victim’s symptoms will vary in nature and degree from another’s, these are some of the main ones:
- Severe or recurring headaches
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Difficulty comprehending, concentrating, and communicating
- Speech difficulties
- Emotional outbursts
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personality changes
Any sort of head injury, no matter how slight it may seem, should be immediately examined by a doctor. The right treatment can lead to early detection and effective treatment of the TBI. Conversely, failure to treat a TBI could aggravate symptoms and lead to further complications. Delays in treatment can also make it much more difficult to hold liable the negligent party that caused the victim’s injury.
The most common accidents that cause TBIs
If you or a loved one has been injured and you notice any of the above symptoms, talk to a medical professional right away. These are some examples of accidents that frequently lead to TBIs:
Automobile accidents. Despite safety features like airbags and steel frames, an automobile accident victim can still suffer a head injury. The risk is even more pronounced when one of the vehicles involved is a large truck; in multi-vehicle accidents; and in accidents in which the victim is a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian.
Slips and falls. A slip and fall can change a person’s life in an instant. The victim may hit his or her head on the ground or another stationary object, or could slip and fall from a considerable height. A premises liability lawsuit can be filed to seek damages.
Sports injuries. Whether recreational or professional, playing sports (especially high-contact sports like football) runs a risk of major head injuries like TBIs. Leagues and recreational organizations that host sports events can be held liable if certain safety measures are not observed.
Construction accidents. New York has strict laws in place that specifically protect construction workers from a number of injuries, including those to the head. For instance, there are laws designed to ensure scaffolding is properly assembled to prevent slip and fall accidents.
Violent crime. Stabbings, shootings, and blunt force trauma to the head are the unfortunate results of criminal activities that claim countless victims every year in New York. A victim may be able to pursue a negligent security action against the owner of the property where the crime occurred.
Review Your Legal Options with Our Personal Injury Team
Significant medical bills are only the beginning of what TBI victims face. Many will lose time from work during their recoveries, and may not even be able to return to their previous jobs. Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life are also typical consequences. To learn more about how Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. fights for the rights of personal injury victims, call us today.
