What Are the Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Signs of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can include a mild headache and symptoms as bad as confusion and loss of coordination. Depending on the severity of your injury, you will have various kinds of symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic reports that nausea, loss of consciousness, increased sleep, and a dazed state can present in TBI victims. Sensitivity to light and other sensory issues may also develop, along with depression, changes in mood, and cognition difficulties.
Severe traumatic brain injuries can endanger a person’s health. Inability to wake up, seizures, coma, and loss of coordination are just some of the symptoms of a severe TBI.
What to Do After an Accident Involving a Head Injury
While at the scene of the accident, try to take pictures of the area where you were hurt. If you were struck on the head on someone else’s property, take photos of the object or the site of the building where you were hurt. If you were injured in a car accident, take down the other driver’s contact information and file an accident report if you can.
If you are not in the physical position to do any of this, accept medical treatment from emergency responders and consider taking an ambulance to the hospital.
However, if you or a loved one suffered an accident where someone hits their head, you should seek medical attention. Go to the emergency room, urgent care, or another doctor to receive a diagnosis and a full checkup.
Why Medical Treatment Is Important After an Accident
There are several reasons why you should see a medical professional after an accident—and especially so if you may have a head injury.
The reasons for doing so include the following:
Getting Treatment Is Best for Your Health
Getting diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as soon as possible can enable you to begin the treatment you need to get better. If you delay treatment, you endanger your ability to recover. Some TBIs will not get better on their own and severe symptoms can require medical attention.
Seeing a Doctor Helps You Protect Your Right to Compensation
The insurance company may find ways to argue that you do not deserve fair compensation. They may try to suggest that your injuries resulted from an event separate from your accident, for instance.
Speaking with a doctor as soon as you can after the accident can link your injuries and your accident. Additionally, securing documentation of your injuries at a medical appointment can help you when you pursue compensation.
You Can Seek Compensation After Suffering a TBI
The signs of a traumatic brain injury can qualify a person to pursue an insurance settlement through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Not only could you pursue compensation for pain and suffering for your traumatic brain injury, but you could also seek a recovery for the following other losses as well (if applicable to your case):
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of income, tips, benefits, or bonuses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Medical care
- Transportation costs to and from your accident (if you cannot drive yourself)
- In-home care, for help cleaning and caring for children while you recover
Your accident could have resulted in other physical challenges, such as disfigurement or loss of limb. These losses are also potentially compensable. If you lost a loved one in an accident (where either you or your family member—prior to their death—suffered a TBI), you might be able to seek compensation for the loss of your family member’s income.
Why TBI Sufferers Hire Lawyers After Their Accidents
Traumatic brain injuries can affect all aspects of your life. Though the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reports that 80% of yearly reported TBIs in the United States are mild, any form of diagnosed brain injury could entitle you to seek compensation. Such an injury might prevent you from returning to work, taking care of your family, or even making phone calls.
A lawyer could help you build your personal injury case. They could assist you with hunting down evidence, handling all negotiations with insurance companies, and communicating with liable parties on your behalf.
A lawyer can also go to court with you to argue for a judgment if a fair settlement is not possible through negotiations. If you do not have any experience with filing an insurance claim, your lawyer will tell you about your rights and they will look over applicable policies with you to help you understand what you could seek.
There are also laws and legal doctrines that might prove relevant to your case. These might include the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit and the doctrines of comparative negligence, vicarious liability, and property owner duty of care.
The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Will Stand By You
Our firm helps people in all kinds of accidents seek compensation for their injury-related losses. We can help you pursue a fair award for your accident in the New Hyde Park area. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at (866) 878-6774 to discuss your case with a team member for a free consultation.
