Brain Injury Attorney Fairview Heights, IL

What is a Brain Injury?

Brain injuries affect 1.7 million people in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The two most common causes of death in the country are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and acquired brain injuries (ABIs). An acquired brain injury is the umbrella term for all brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury is an injury that is caused by an external force, resulting in altered brain function or brain pathology.

• The brain can experience trauma in a number of ways: A physical jolt, blow, or bump to the head can deprive the brain of oxygen, which will result in brain trauma. Electric shock, anoxia, disease, tumors, and vascular disruptions can also cause a traumatic brain injury.
• An open brain injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull, or the skull is cracked open by an external force, such as when a person’s head hits concrete.
• A closed brain injury refers to an injury that does not penetrate or break the skull.

Causes of Brain Injuries

Any accident can result in a brain injury, even when the accident seemed relatively minor. However, there are some causes of brain injuries that are more common than others. These include:

• Car accidents
• Construction accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Truck accidents

When a brain injury is caused by any of the above accidents, it is likely a result of another person’s negligence or carelessness. Victims can file a claim against the at-fault party to recover their losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Brain injuries do not always present symptoms right away. A person may walk away from an accident and think they were not injured, and symptoms of the injury may appear shortly afterwards. While physical symptoms may appear, cognitive and emotional symptoms may also appear.

The physical symptoms of a brain injury include headaches, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coordination issues, sensitivity to light or noise, and lethargy. Accident victims may also experience cognitive issues after a brain injury, including difficulty thinking and concentrating, and an inability to remember new information. Behavioral changes are also quite common after a brain injury, such as irritability, sadness, and nervousness or anxiety. It is not uncommon for a brain accident victim to experience issues with their sleep, as well.

Due to the fact that these symptoms do not always appear right away, it is critical that accident victims watch for symptoms in the days and weeks following an accident. It is also very important that any time a person is in an accident, they seek medical attention as soon as possible so a doctor can examine them and look for the signs of a brain injury that may not have shown obvious symptoms yet.

Long-Term Impacts of a Brain Injury

Immediately following an accident, brain injury victims may have to undergo extensive medical treatment, including surgery to repair the damage. Extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation is also sometimes necessary. However, in the months and years following the accident, victims may also experience other long-term effects of a brain injury, including:

• Feeling isolated from others
• Loss of sense of self
• Suicidal thoughts
• Trouble in their marriage
• Unemployment
• Substance abuse

It is important to identify the potential issues that may arise so the associated damages, such as a loss of earning capacity, can be included in a claim.

Get Legal Help Today

If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, our experienced brain injury attorneys can assist with your case. Headquartered in Fairview Heights, IL, the law offices of Jerome, Salmi & Kopis, LLC serves clients in both Illinois and Missouri. Our skilled attorneys know the devastating impacts a brain injury has on you and your family, and we are committed to helping you recover the full damages you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.