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There are many types of injuries that might result from an accident, but brain injuries are some of the most worrisome – and they carry dire effects for victims. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in serious health complications necessitating long-term care, permanent disability, or death. Even mild TBIs can have dramatic symptoms. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to another person’s negligence, it’s vital to know your options for legal recourse so speak with a compassionate Columbus brain injury lawyer as soon as you are able.
Effects of a TBI
TBIs range in severity and the term encompasses a variety of different types of injuries. TBIs can result from blunt force trauma that causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull, exposure to chemicals that cut off the brain’s oxygen supply, or penetrating wounds from objects such as bullets or weapons that forcibly enter the skull and damage the brain.
One of the most commonly seen types of TBI is a concussion, typically caused by a force that strikes the body in such a way that the brain shifts inside the skull, suffering damage from impact against the inside of the skull. Concussions range in severity but can have serious symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, distorted perception, mood swings, and a heightened susceptibility to future concussions.
Concussions are common in professional contact sports like ice hockey, rugby, and football, and they also happen to victims of car accidents and criminal assaults. If you suffered a concussion due to a negligent driver, a criminal act, or a slip and fall, consider discussing your case with a Columbus personal injury lawyer who understands the complexities of TBI.
Another type of TBI is a penetrating wound, where a foreign object enters the brain through the skull. This is a common wound in combat or as a result of a violent assault. Bullets, knives, or other weapons can cause serious damage or kill victims. Those who survive penetrating brain injuries may have to endure long-term effects or disabilities. This is also a common result when people are exposed to chemical fumes that damage the body’s respiratory system and cut off the brain’s oxygen supply. Even temporary blockages of this nature can have permanent effects and completely alter the victim’s quality of life.
Compensation in a TBI Lawsuit
In most TBI cases, the victims may not be physically able to pursue legal recourse on their own. If you suffer a TBI, your loved ones will more than likely be the ones to pursue a lawsuit on your behalf. If a loved one has suffered a TBI as the result of another party’s negligence, you may need to seek legal counsel on his or her behalf. If another person or party caused a TBI on you or a loved one, the subsequent lawsuit will fall under the purview of personal injury law. Your Columbus brain injury lawyer will need to prove the defendant (the person or party being sued) was negligent and that negligence directly caused you or your loved one’s injuries and damages.
In a personal injury case of this nature, the compensation you may be eligible to collect can include:
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Medical expenses.
These include your emergency care, hospital bills, and any other medical costs.
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Pain and suffering.
A judge will consider expert witnesses’ testimony to determine the level of pain the plaintiff experienced and award a fair amount of compensation for their physical pain and mental anguish resulting from the incident in question.
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Lost income.
In some TBI cases, the victim cannot return to work for a long period of time – or at all in some cases. The court will award compensation for the wages the plaintiff could reasonably have expected to earn had the incident not occurred.
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Property damage.
If any personal property was damaged by the defendant’s actions, you can claim compensation for these expenses as well.
The Dixon Firm, P.C. | Brain Injury Attorneys in Columbus
When another person or party causes a serious injury, the law is there to hold him or her accountable for the damage. A personal injury lawsuit for a TBI can help victims recover the compensation that they need to carry on with their lives. Call 404-733-1166 and speak with the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at The Dixon Firm, P.C. to see if you or your loved one’s brain injury warrants legal action.
