Traumatic Brain Injuries
An bodily injury to the brain can have more than surface-level damage. Many who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience nausea, memory loss, convulsions, headaches and other debilitating symptoms. Patients who have sustained a traumatic brain injury may have issues being independent and can require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. The costs associated with this type of consistent medical support can be extraordinary.
That is why it’s important you understand your legal options. If you sustained a traumatic brain injury recently because of another person’s negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation. You may also be qualified for a settlement if your insurance company rejects your valid claim by acting in bad faith. Learn more about what you might be entitled to by getting in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney today.
West Des Moines Attorney for Traumatic Brain Injuries in IA
Traumatic brain injuries can leave victims with lifelong effects and intensive required treatments for years. If you’ve recently sustained a brain injury, it’s important you speak to an experienced lawyer immediately. What do we suggest? Call the experienced and skilled personal injury attorneys working at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C..
The personal injury lawyers at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. understand that juggling legal issues while trying to recover can be overwhelming. That is why we want to assist with your recover by providing effective and efficient representation. Call us now at (515) 279-9700 and we can set up your first appointment free. McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. represents people throughout the greater Polk County and Dallas County area including West Des Moines, Perry, Miniburn and Waukee.
Overview of TBI in Iowa
- How to Get Compensation for Your Spinal Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics in the US
- Common Symptoms of TBI
- Additional Resources
How to Get Compensation for Your Spinal Injury
If you were injured under a specific set of circumstances, you may qualify for compensation. Your injury must stem from some sort of negligence, whether it’s from a singular person, business or public entity. Most personal injury cases are based on the grounds of negligence, which means the liable person failed to act in a reasonable manner and that careless or reckless action or inaction resulted in your injury.
For example, if you sustained a traumatic brain injury because a car hit you at a cross walk, then the driver of that could would be considered negligent. This is because he failed to exercise his duty of care by not being aware of his surroundings while driving.
If your insurance company rejected your claim without reason, you may be able to sue them for acting in bad faith. Insurers who act in bad faith needlessly dispute or reject valid claims so they can make a profit from your policy. You may be able to hold your insurance accountable for rejecting your justifiable claim and then receive a monetary award for the distress the company put you under after the rejection.
When filing a personal injury suit, it’s important to understand you are filing for compensation for your damages. Damages are simply the losses you suffered because of the injury. They can be emotional such as pain and suffering or financial such as lost wages.
The following are some damages that your settlement may cover.
- Medical expenses;
- Vehicular repairs;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future earnings;
- Rehabilitation costs;
- Counseling;
- Loss of consortium;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Loss of quality of life
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics in the U.S.
It might be a surprise to you, but brain injuries are much more common than you may believe. Millions of people have experienced or are still struggling with a TBI. The following are some statistics collected from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons related to traumatic brain injuries.
- Approximately 235,000 hospitalizations occur every year for TBI;
- Currently there are between 80,000 and 90,000 people suffering with TBI;
- An estimated 50,000 people die from a TBI-related injury or complication annually;
- Children under the age of 14 account for an estimated 2,5000 deaths;
- People who are 60 and older are at the highest risk f dying because of TBI;
- TBI patients collectively spend up to $48 – 56 billion annually in treatment costs; and
- 60 percent of all traumatic brain injuries are caused by a motor vehicle accident
Common Symptoms for TBI
Most brain injuries occur because of trauma to the head or an object piercing the skill. According to statistics, the majority of brain injuries stem from a motor vehicle accident. Although there are many other ways to sustain a TBI including slip and falls, medical malpractice, and premise liability accidents. Despite the circumstances, the symptoms for TBI are incredibly serious. TBI sufferers endure not cosmetic injuries but also mental, neurological and sensory symptoms after a brain injury.
Some common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Dilated pupils’
- Headaches;
- Droopy eyelids or facial features;
- Vomiting;
- Lethargy;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Dizziness and balance issues;
- Inappropriate emotional responses;
- Ringing in the ears or changes in hearing;
- Loss of bladder or bowel control;
- Breathing issues;
- Body tingling or numbness;
- Changes in vision;
- Speech issues such as slurred words;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Slow pulse;
- Coma;
- Paralysis;
- Confusion;
- Slow breathing rate;
- Difficulty with cognitive thinking; or
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) coming through the ears or nose
Additional Resources
Brain Injury Association of America – Visit the official website for the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA), a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to spreading awareness for brain injuries of all types. Access their site to learn more about brain injuries, how to manage symptoms and how to help.
TBI Statistics and Information – Visit the official website for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more about traumatic brain injuries in the medical setting. Access the site to learn more about the short and long-term symptoms, treatment methods, long-term effects and data for TBI in the U.S.
TBI Personal Injury Lawyer in Dallas County, IA
Have you or someone important to you sustained a traumatic brain injury? You may be entitled to compensation depending on your circumstances of your case. Learn more now by contacting the experienced personal injury attorneys at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. for legal representation. We can help you recover by holding the negligent party legally accountable in court.
Call us now at (515) 279-9700 to set up a free consultation. We have years of experience, extensive resources and passion for what we do. Our lawyers practice throughout the greater Dallas County and Polk County area including Altoona, Waukee, Perry and West Des Moines.