Data from the International Brain Injury Association states that annually, one million Americans are treated for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and that 50,000 die due to TBI-related injuries. TBIs can have devastating consequences, including long-term, if not life-long, disabilities that prevent victims from living normal lives and create many expenses for their families. Understanding the types of accidents that cause traumatic brain injury is imperative to aiding in prevention or diminishing the severity of the injury. If someone else's negligence caused a TBI in you or someone you love, you may be able to seek out compensation. Continue reading to learn about the potential causes of TBI and how personal injury attorneys can assist you in your case.
Common Accidents That Cause Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries have both physical and psychological consequences. Not only do they affect the individual’s ability to function, but they also place emotional and financial stress on their loved ones. When potential causes of TBI are understood, that knowledge can aid in preventing these injuries. Common accidents that can cause traumatic brain injury may include:
- Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury. The force of impact can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, leading to concussions, hemorrhages, or long-term cognitive damage.
- Falls: Research from the CDC shows that falls lead to nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations. TBI injuries caused by falls are common in older adults, young children, as well as equipment-related accidents in the workforce.
- Contact Injuries: Many professional athletes suffer TBI from repeated contact injuries to the head. These individuals need to receive proper medical care to ensure they do not receive any form of brain injury misdiagnosis.
- Medical Malpractice Errors: While most TBIs are caused by a blunt force trauma to the head, medical negligence can lead to brain injuries during procedures involving anesthesia, oxygen deprivation, or surgical errors. Birth injuries may also result in lifelong consequences if a newborn suffers a TBI due to preventable mistakes.
When To Take Legal Action
A TBI case becomes legally actionable when someone's negligent act contributed to the injury. Your malpractice attorney’s role is to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Based on the accidents listed above, the other party may be at fault if they committed one of the following actions:
- Ran a red light, causing a motor vehicle collision or pedestrian accident.
- Failed to perform proper maintenance in the workplace, causing a fall.
- A medical professional fails to monitor oxygen levels in a patient, leading to oxygen deprivation in the brain.
The potential negligent causes of common TBI injuries are extensive. Discussing your case with an expert personal injury attorney is crucial to obtaining compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as long-term care, medical treatment, and lost income.
Contact our Attorneys Today
Traumatic brain injuries can alter the course of a person’s life. When those injuries are caused by another party’s negligence, pursuing legal action may be the only way to recover the financial support needed for long-term care, medical treatment, and other related expenses. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to a preventable accident, the personal injury attorneys at Bostwick & Associates can help you explore your legal options. With decades of experience handling complex brain injury cases and seeing record-breaking results, our firm is committed to securing the compensation our clients need to move forward.
Contact us today to discuss your case; we look forward to lending our legal expertise to help you along the path to justice.