If you’ve recently suffered a head injury in an accident, you need a lawyer now. A lawyer is necessary because someone who was hit in the head in an accident caused by other people could have a significant injury claim for compensation. Insurance companies and big businesses don’t take these kinds of claims lightly. They know that head injury accident claims could cost them big time. This is true because head injuries can have very serious consequences and significant medical bills for victims.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The National Institutes of Health website lays out the most common causes of TBIs, and they are nearly all accidents:
- Falls
- Car accidents
- Explosions
- Blunt trauma, such as being hit by an object
- Assaults
Unfortunately, as personal injury lawyers, we have seen our fair share of head injury victims. As described below, the trauma and consequences of a head injury, concussion, or TBI can be severe. That’s why we do our best to help head injury victims recover the compensation they need.
Head Injury, Concussion, TBI – What’s the Difference?
There are several different names for the kind of injury you may suffer if you hit your head or if something hits your head. Impacts to your head or other kinds of injuries, such as lacerations or skull fractures, are generally referred to as head injuries. At the hospital, the doctors will try to narrow down what kind of head injury a victim suffered.
When someone gets hit in the head or hits their head, a common resulting head injury is called a concussion. The National Institutes of Health website describes a concussion as a “type of mild TBI that may be considered a temporary injury to the brain but could take minutes to several months to heal.” Concussions may occur with or without loss of consciousness. Even if they don’t lose consciousness, the victim may experience sudden changes in their awareness, such as confusion, ringing in their ears, or seeing stars. However, symptoms vary from person to person.
TBI stands for Traumatic Brain Injury and refers to concussions and even more severe brain injuries. A TBI can occur when someone gets hit on the head, has something hit their head, is severely shaken around (as in an explosion or car wreck), or has an object enter their brain (penetrating TBI). Common immediate symptoms of a TBI, including a concussion or a penetrating TBI, include “[h]eadache, dizziness, confusion, and fatigue”, among numerous other possible symptoms. Long-term symptoms will be discussed in a future Allen & Nunnally firm blog post.
Short-Term Consequences of Head Injuries
The initial symptoms of a head injury can be scary and difficult to treat. After an accident, doctors first focus on diagnosing a head injury. A neurological exam and/or imaging may be needed for the diagnosis. For example, a CT scan can check for brain bleeds, swelling, or a skull fracture. If you hit your head in an accident or if you are experiencing any of the typical TBI symptoms after an accident and you’re not sure whether you hit your head, it is crucial that you seek medical treatment immediately. Some brain injuries must be diagnosed and treated very quickly to improve the outcome.
Depending on a variety of factors, you may continue to experience TBI symptoms for days, weeks, months, or years after your accident. In the short term, head injury victims often have trouble adjusting to their new normal and may need to take time off work or spend a lot of time seeking medical treatment. If your head injury was caused by someone else, then you may have a personal injury claim to get paid back for the cost of missing work and getting treatment. It’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer experienced with handling TBI claims. You need someone who understands your struggles and will fight for appropriate compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I fell and hit my head at work. Could I have a personal injury claim?
While workers’ compensation may cover some of your claim, it’s worth scheduling a consultation with a personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a case for further compensation. We’ll review your individual circumstances to figure out where you stand.
The insurance company wants my relative to sign a settlement after they suffered a TBI. Can you help?
Please give our firm a call to schedule a consultation before your relative signs anything. The insurance company may be urging them to sign away their rights to future compensation, when many TBI victims have significant ongoing symptoms affecting their lives.
“No Better Friend” “No Worse Enemy”
Have you suffered a head injury in an accident? Are you struggling to figure out how to move forward? At Allen & Nunnally, we have a steadfast commitment to representing injured Texans. We pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of preparation and discipline, which stems from our time in the Marines. Our success on behalf of injured clients shows why hardworking Texans trust us to fight for the compensation they deserve. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, email us at info@allen-nunnally.com, use our convenient Contact Form, or call (713) 955-2217.