Tag Archive for: traumatic brain injury

traumatic brain injury attorneys in el cajon

What Causes Traumatic Brain Injuries?

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A traumatic brain injury, commonly referred to as TBI, is an injury to your head that affects your brain’s normal function. Traumatic brain injuries can be external or internal. An external TBI is caused by a massive jolt or blow to the head. An internal TBI, on the other hand, is caused as a result of a foreign object – such as a bullet – penetrating the brain tissue.

Depending on the severity, a TBI can be classified into three categories – mild, moderate, or severe.

  • A mild TBI is characterized by headache, confusion, disorientation, loss of balance, vomiting, short term memory loss, and loss of consciousness for a very brief period of time.
  • If the loss of consciousness lasts for several minutes, it is considered a moderate TBI.
  • If the loss of consciousness lasts for several hours, it is considered a severe TBI.

The Most Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Contusion

It is caused by a sudden and forceful impact to the head. In most cases, the part of the brain which is directly underneath the area of impact is affected. In some cases, the part of the brain which is on the opposite side of the area of impact is affected.

Hematoma

It is a clot which is caused as a result of a rupture in the blood vessels. The rupture causes the blood to ooze out, at which point it thickens and clots, resulting in a hematoma.

Depending on where it forms, a hematoma can be termed epidural (between the skull and the brain’s dura lining), subdural (between the brain surface and the dura lining), or intracerebral (deep inside the brain tissue).

Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

It is caused as a result of a tear in the arteries. The tear causes the blood to leak into the space surrounding the brain.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

It is caused when the brain rapidly moves back and forth inside the skull, as a result of a forceful impact to the head. The rapid, forceful movement of the brain tears and damages the nerve axons.

What Causes Traumatic Brain Injuries?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in men and women of all ages are falls, getting struck by an object, and motor vehicle accidents.

Falls

It is the leading cause of TBIs in adults as well as children. Data from the CDC shows that nearly 50% of moderate to severe TBIs in children are caused as a result of falls. Similarly, 80% of moderate to severe TBIs in people over the age of 65 are caused as a result of falls.

Getting Struck by an Object

Data shows that nearly 17% of all TBIs are caused as a result of getting struck by or against an object, which makes it the second most common cause of TBI related hospitalizations in the country.

Young children, in particular, are at a higher risk of getting struck by or against an object compared to adults. Nearly 30% of all TBIs in children are caused as a result of getting struck by a moving or falling object or as a result of getting struck against a stationary object.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Any time two or more motor vehicles collide or crash into each other, all the parties involved – drivers, passengers, as well as pedestrians who happen to be nearby – are at risk of sustaining traumatic brain injuries.

The risk is greatly amplified if the collision happens at high speeds, if one of the drivers is caught off-guard, if one or both of the drivers happen to be speeding, if one or both of the drivers happen to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if one or both of the drivers lose control of their vehicle due to various reasons.

Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic injury to the brain can have life-changing consequences. A serious injury to the brain can cause you to spend the rest of your life in a vegetative state. In many cases, it can lead to a severe decline in cognitive skills, which can make it impossible for you to be gainfully employed ever again in your life.

Other consequences of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries include:

  • Paralysis
  • Partial or complete loss of motor skills
  • Loss of vision
  • Loss of hearing
  • Seizures
  • Chronic pain
  • Incontinence
  • Memory loss
  • Clinical depression        

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in El Cajon, California

A traumatic brain injury can take an enormous toll on you – physically, mentally, and financially. So, it is important for you to be represented by an experienced lawyer who can file a claim or lawsuit against the parties responsible for the accident and recover damages for you.

The litigators at Garmo & Garmo, LLP have over two decades of experience in representing personal injury victims – including TBI victims – in Southern California.

We can provide you with the legal counsel and moral support you need and recover damages to cover the costs of your treatment, rehabilitation, as well as other losses you suffered as a result of the injury. Contact our traumatic brain injury lawyers at 619-736-3935 for a free consultation. 

tbi attorney in el cajon

Coping with Traumatic Brain Injury

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury resulting from a severe bump, blow or jolt to the head that causes the brain to become displaced. Not everyone who is struck in the head ends up with TBI, but according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 2.8 million emergency room visits each year are attributable to this condition. The CDC also says that TBI contributes to the deaths of over 50,000 individuals each year, and 90,000 individuals experience the onset of a TBI-related disability.

TBI manifests itself differently in each individual case. The milder forms, commonly known as concussions, may last only a few days or more. The most severe forms can last years or even become permanent conditions. Those affected by TBI typically experience a number of different symptoms, these may include:

  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Severe and ongoing headaches;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Dizziness or loss of balance;  
  • Difficulty with speech;
  • Difficulty with focus and concentration;
  • Memory loss;
  • Drowsiness and fatigue;
  • Sleeping more than usual;
  • Mood changes or mood swings;
  • Depression and anxiety.

Coping with Traumatic Brain Injury

For those who suffer from more severe forms of TBI, there is a long road to recovery. During this time, they will need to make adjustments to help cope with their “new normal.”  It will not always be easy, but there are ways to make dealing with a traumatic brain injury less stressful:

Follow Doctor’s Orders

As mentioned earlier, TBI tends to manifest itself differently with each case. This makes the path to recovery far less predictable. For this reason, it is extremely important to listen to your doctor and follow all of your doctor’s advice. For example, check with your doctor before resuming important activities such as driving, exercising, and returning to work. It is also very likely that your doctor will tell you to refrain from using alcohol or tobacco. Understand that this is not being done to punish you, but to help with your recovery. Alcohol and tobacco have been shown to hinder the progress of recovery for TBI sufferers, and it is best to avoid these substances if at all possible.

Establish an Organized and Simplified Routine

Do everything possible to simplify your daily habits and make it easier to follow your routine. There are many ways to accomplish this, such as:

  • Get up at the same time each day;
  • Perform hygiene tasks in the same order;
  • Eat meals at scheduled times each day;
  • Keep items in the same location;
  • Put labels on items for easy identification;
  • Use a daily checklist to help stay on track;
  • Take advantage of the numerous apps available to plan your day and track your activities.

Keep a Journal

Journaling not only helps you keep track of what has happened each day, it has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and lower the likelihood of becoming depressed. A journal can be used in whatever way suits the individual. For example, if you only want to write down a few of your thoughts during the day, that’s fine. Or, if you prefer to record a more detailed account of how your day went, that’s great too. By having a journal, you are able to read through previous entries to identify common issues that come up and focus on ways to effectively deal with them. You might also choose to share your journal with your doctor or counselor to help gain additional insights.

Get your Family and Friends Involved

When you are going through TBI, you need a support network of family and friends that are there to help you through this difficult time. You may need to rely on your immediate family for much of the organization of your daily routine. You may also need to educate extended family and friends about your condition, how it impacts you, in what they can do to help.

Obtain Experienced Legal Advice

There are numerous ways that traumatic brain injuries can occur, and many of them happen in accidents that result from the negligence or reckless actions of another party. If you or a loved one is suffering from TBI, it is important to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney, so you understand your legal rights and options. If another party was at fault for your injury, you have a right to compensation; which may include reimbursement for medical costs, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.

At Garmo and Garmo, we have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered from TBI and other types of personal injury in San Diego, El Cajon, and throughout Southern California. If you are in this area, call us today at 619-441-2500 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also send us a message through our online contact form.