If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI because of another person’s carelessness, you deserve to have a compassionate Georgia brain injury attorney on your side. These injuries can be catastrophic and lead you to feel angry, confused, alone, and unsure about what to do next. Such feelings can worsen when insurance adjusters are pressuring you into settling your claim without assistance from a Georgia brain injury attorney.
Help is available and can ease these overwhelming emotions. When you need a GA brain injury attorney, you can count on The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch.
Over the past several years, the American public has become increasingly educated about the seriousness of brain injuries and the frequency at which they occur. A number of high-profile brain injury lawsuits, many of them originating within the worlds of professional, collegiate and youth sports, have helped to heighten public awareness about this critical issue. But one does not need to be a serious athlete in order to sustain a brain injury or to file a brain injury lawsuit. Every American is vulnerable to brain injury.
Having extensive legal experience in fighting personal injury claims, we have won millions of dollars in damages. While this in and of itself makes us very proud, it is the ability to restore the life of our client’s, or as closely as possible, to the meaningful, enjoyable life they had before their injury. To discuss your accident with a Georgia brain injury attorney, please call today.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Signs Of Possible Brain Injury
- The Most Common Types Of Brain Injuries
- Georgia Brain Injury Infographic
- Georgia Brain Injury Statistics
- Georgia Brain Injury FAQs
- The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch Georgia Brain Injury Attorney
- Contact Our Georgia Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
Every year in the U.S., nearly 2 million people will suffer a head injury. Because the skull is able to provide protection to the brain, many of these injuries are minor. However, for approximately 500 million people, hospitalization and treatment for a traumatic brain injury will be required.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI), may also be referred to as head trauma, is any kind of injury caused by an external force rather than a disease. When this happens, normal brain functioning will cease. The symptoms of a TBI can greatly vary; ranging from mild to moderate, severe, or life-threatening.
Common causes of a traumatic brain injury might include:
- Work accidents
- Recreational accidents
- Slip and fall
- Home or industrial accidents
- Near drownings
- Suffocation
- Traffic accidents
Some TBIs are temporary, others prolonged, and there will be those that are non-reversible. Permanent damage is typically caused by bleeding inside the brain, excessive force to the nerve cells of the brain, and a brain infection caused by blunt trauma.
The human body is comprised of bones, tissues, nerves, organs, and more. Each body system plays a role in our ability to function, maneuver, perform activities, and enjoy life. Our brain is one of the most vital parts of our body and is made of a gelatin-like material. The brain is then encompassed in a protective skull shield which helps cushion the brain from movements. Even with this firm layer of armor, the brain can suffer a concussion due to someone being in a car accident, slipping and falling, a sports injury, or from blunt force impact.
In the article to follow, a brain injury attorney in Georgia goes into detail through a question and answer format, as to what exactly a person with a concussion should know about their injury.
Signs Of Possible Brain Injury
According to statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brain injuries are one of the most common types of personal injury. It is estimated that there are three million new brain injury victims every year. Tragically, brain injuries are also one of the leading causes of permanent disability and death.
A victim can suffer a brain injury in many different types of accidents – car, pedestrian, bike, motorcycle, slip and fall, and even malpractice. If a person has suffered any kind of blow to the head – even if it was a fairly minor one – the following symptoms could indicate a brain injury:
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Balance issues
- Slurred speech
- Vision issues
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive fatigue
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Memory issues
There may also be personality changes that show up weeks or even months following the accident. These changes may seem mild, or they could be dramatic, including agitation, anger, anxiety, cognitive difficulties, depression, and isolation.
The Most Common Types Of Brain Injuries
The following are the most common type of brain injuries that each Georgia brain injury attorney at our firm handles:
- Concussion: Occurs when the brain is jostled against the walls of the skull
- Edema: Swelling of the brain
- Hematoma: Clotting in the blood vessels that surround the brain
- Hemorrhage: Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain
- Skull fracture: Bones of the skull broken and can pierce brain tissue
It is also important to educate yourself on TBI myths like:
- If you were not hit directly on the head, you cannot have a traumatic brain injury,
- If you did not become unconscious, a TBI is not possible.
- A TBI is temporary.
A Georgia brain injury attorney understands that the aforementioned myths have been disproven by researchers around the world. A jolt to the head, without an actual strike, can cause a TBI. A concussion that results in a dazed or confused state can also cause a TBI. Finally, a mild TBI often heals on its own, however, some people will face long-term effects.
Georgia Brain Injury Infographic
Georgia Brain Injury Statistics
Every year, there are millions of people injured in car crashes. While many of these accidents result in minor injuries, there are thousands and thousands of crashes that result in catastrophic injuries. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 35,000 people killed in vehicle accidents each year and almost 3 million injured. A Georgia brain injury attorney knows that one of the most common catastrophic injuries that victims suffer in accidents are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States each year.
Georgia Brain Injury FAQs
What is the brain injury claims process?
If your Georgia brain injury attorney believes that you may be able to hold one or more parties accountable for the harm resulting from a brain injury, you can choose to file a claim in court. Once the case has been filed, your attorney will help to ensure that it succeeds. Success may come in the form of a settlement or a trial verdict. Most of the time, cases settle before a trial occurs but some cases do advance to this phase of the claims process. Although filing a claim can be stressful, the financial damages resulting from a successful suit may help to ensure that related medical costs are covered, lost wages are reimbursed and the suffering you have experienced is acknowledged in a significant way.
What is the definition of a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause a person to experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Most people are rendered temporarily unconscious for few seconds to fifteen minutes or more, depending on the severity of the concussion.
What is the range of symptoms someone with a concussion should expect?
A person with a concussion may experience mental, physical, emotional or cognitive symptoms. The most common symptoms and signs of a concussion are listed as follows:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Headaches that do not decrease in severity
- Feeling sluggish or increasingly tired
- Moodiness, irritability
- Anxiety, depression
- Changes in personality
- Sensitivity to light and/or sounds
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Trouble understanding others
- Changes in appetite
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
What is the standard treatment for a concussion?
For more mild cases, concussion treatment is often rest and not participating in activities which involve physical or mental exertion. A person with a concussion should avoid such things like quick movements, watching TV, reading, or playing video games. As the victim begins to feel better, hobbies can slowly be incorporated into daily life again. The duration of time it takes to heal from a concussion can vary from as short as 24 hours to several weeks.
Is it always necessary for someone with a concussion to see a doctor?
A person who has hit their head should see a doctor or go to the closest hospital. When it comes to getting treatment for a brain injury, medical attention should not wait. It is possible for symptoms to not appear right after the accident, when in fact a damage to the brain has occurred. A doctor can run proper assessments and tests to determine the severity of a concussion and create an appropriate treatment plan.
How do I know if I am eligible for compensation?
Whether you are entitled to compensation from the party at fault will depend on the factors of the accident. It will be important during this time to gather as much evidence as possible to show that you had suffered physically, mentally, and financially. The more details and proof you have to present to your attorney during the consultation, the better they can advise you on what to do next.
It is not uncommon for victims to face thousands and thousands of dollars in medical costs and lost wages, in addition to dealing with immense pain and suffering because of the accident. A Brain Injury Attorney in GA can investigate further to uncover whether the other person’s behavior was intentional or egregious, meaning that punitive damages may be available as well.
What elements have to be proved in my case?
To receive fair compensation, there are a few elements that will need to be proven. After evaluating your case, your attorney can let you know if your situation warrants legal action. Your attorney is going to be considering the following factors:
- Duty: The defendant had a duty to avoid harmful behaviors or inactions that would affect others.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant did not use duty of care or failed to reach an acceptable standard.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty caused the accident to happen.
- Damages: Because of the defendant’s breach, there were injuries and losses that resulted.
What is an example of a breach of duty?
There are many examples of breach of duty when it comes to personal injury cases. For instance, a doctor who was treating a patient may be held responsible for damages and injury caused if they had failed to offer a reasonable standard of medical care. Another common example would be a reckless driver who ran a red light, causing a serious collision with another vehicle on the road, and now has to pay the victim restitution.
From investigating evidence to representing you in court, our team is ready to come to your aid. If you or someone you love who has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by another person, then we urge you to speak with a GA Brain Injury Attorney from Law Offices of Andrew Lynch right away for assistance.
When a victim has been in an accident, it is always recommended that they seek medical attention right away, even if they don’t think they are hurt. This is because there are some injuries that have the potential to be serious, yet the symptoms do not appear for several days or even weeks. This delay in medical treatment can be very dangerous. One of the most common of these types of injuries is a brain injury. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident, you should contact a Georgia brain injury attorney for legal assistance.
What Kind Of Damages Can A Brain Injury Victim Pursue?
The extent of treatment needed will depend on the extent and what type of injury the victim suffered. With serious to severe injuries, the victim may need medications, surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more. All of these expenses can be included in a personal injury lawsuit.
Along with all medical expenses, a victim can also be awarded, loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, permanent disability, and more.
The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch Georgia Brain Injury Attorney
Contact Our Georgia Brain Injury Lawyer Today
When accidents and injuries occur that have the potential to cause lasting damages, contact a law firm to get the professional legal representation you need. Call Law Offices of Andrew Lynch to speak with a Georgia brain injury attorney and find out what legal recourse you have against the party who is responsible for your injury.
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