Types of Brain Injuries
In most cases, a brain injury is the result of damage to the brain’s usual function. Every brain injury (no matter how minor it may seem) should be treated as a medical emergency. If you suspect that you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, you should seek prompt medical attention.
Per Healthline, some types of brain injuries include:
- Hematomas – This happens when blood collects outside a vessel in the brain.
- Concussions – When the brain hits against the interior of the skull, this injury can cause a loss of consciousness, confusion, and dizziness.
- Diffuse axonal injuries – This injury damages brain cells, which can result in long-term cognitive impairments.
- Edemas – This is sometimes referred to as “brain swelling.” Edemas can cause the brain to push against the interior of the skull.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Again, if you believe that you or a relative suffered a brain injury, you should seek emergency medical care. If left untreated, a brain injury can result in death.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Each person experiences a brain injury differently. In some cases (like with mild concussions), people can make a full recovery by taking over-the-counter medications and resting. However, in some cases, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The Mayo Clinic states that some of the symptoms of a brain injury may include:
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Dizziness
- Excessive fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
Sometimes, after suffering a brain injury, people may develop mental health complications, such as anxiety or depression. Treatment for a brain injury depends on the type of injury that occurred. Some serious injuries may require prolonged hospitalization and surgical intervention.
Causes of a Brain Injury
There are many situations in which a brain injury can occur. Sometimes, these situations are the result of another party’s negligence. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, you might be entitled to compensation from one or more parties.
Some causes of brain injuries include:
Car Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that car accidents are among the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the United States. A brain injury can be caused when a passenger hits their head against a hard surface or when the brain absorbs the shock of the impact.
Falls
CDC reports that falls result in the hospitalization of 800,000 people each year. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of TBIs.
Medical Malpractice
Sometimes, when the brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, a brain injury can occur. This can happen when a patient is given too much anesthesia.
Sport Injuries
Some contact sports, like football, can cause brain injuries. This could happen when a player collides with a solid object or falls on the playing field.
Construction Accidents
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports that the construction industry is one of the country’s most dangerous workforces. Workers could suffer a brain injury from being electrocuted, falling, being caught between objects, and being struck by falling objects.
There are other ways in which a brain injury can occur.
You May Have the Foundation of a Personal Injury Case
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, you should consider your legal options. With the help of a New York brain injury lawyer, you may be able to recover compensation for your various injury-related expenses, including your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations for your case will depend on how your injury occurred. For instance, if you suffered a brain injury in a car accident, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214(4), you usually have three years to file a lawsuit. However, if your brain injury resulted from medical malpractice, you typically have two years and six months from the date of the incident, per CVP §214-A.
To secure a financial recovery for your injury-related expenses, you may want to consider working with a lawyer. They may be able to handle the responsibilities that go into proving negligence.
The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Can Help You Recover Compensation
We can help you prove negligence and secure compensation for your injury-related losses. No matter what type of brain injury you or a loved one suffered, we can step in and provide legal assistance.
We can do this by:
- Proving the cause of your injury
- Managing the evidence collection process
- Negotiating for an out-of-court settlement
- Identifying the at-fault and liable parties
- Litigating your case, if necessary
Our team works on a contingency-fee-basis. In this arrangement, you do not need to worry about paying us upfront or out of pocket. We only get paid our attorney’s fees if we resolve your case. To explore your legal options in a free, no-obligation case review, dial the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at (866) 878-6774.
