Georgia Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are so named, not because they are emotionally traumatic, but because they are caused by some kind of physical trauma to the brain: a sharp blow, a shock wave from an explosion, a bullet or other projectile, etc. TBIs disrupt the normal functioning of the brain for at least a short time, but can cause permanent damage. A serious TBI is a catastrophic injury that may require the victim to adapt to a disability, relearn certain basic life skills, and change their normal daily activities.
The most common brain injuries are concussions, which can range from mild to serious — but even a mild concussion can be very disruptive.
When a TBI is caused by someone else’s bad decision, you can and should hold that person legally responsible for the results. Scholle Law has over 20 years of experience helping injured Georgians recover compensation for this kind of complex personal injury.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a catastrophic injury that disrupts normal brain function and is caused by an outside force, rather than an internal problem like a stroke. Unlike most other tissues of the body, brain tissue does not grow back, which means that any tissue damaged or destroyed by the injury is gone forever. Because the brain controls everything we do — physical movement, emotion, senses, personality, logic, etc. — a TBI can have a devastating and lifelong effect on victims.TBIs can take many different forms, ranging from mild concussions to permanent brain death. Regardless of the form, all TBIs fall into one of two categories: open and closed. Open TBIs occur when the skull is fractured, cracked, or otherwise penetrated, such as with a gunshot wound. Closed TBIs occur when the skull is not broken, such as with a concussion. Closed TBIs are the most common category.
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Some of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
Concussion
A concussion occurs when a blow or jolt to the head basically causes the brain to “shake” or jostle inside the skull, which may cause bruising, nerve damage, damage to blood vessels, etc. Concussions are the most common type of TBI, and many are not serious or life-threatening – but they can still be dangerous if not diagnosed and treated.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is poisonous because it displaces oxygen in the body, effectively depriving the body of oxygen. Too much exposure to carbon monoxide can kill critical brain cells by oxygen deprivation, sometimes causing permanent damage.
Brain Aneurysm
A brain aneurysm is a bulging or swelling of a blood vessel in the brain, sometimes caused by trauma. A brain aneurysm can put pressure on the brain tissues and nerves, sometimes causing symptoms like blurred vision, numbness, etc. If a brain aneurysm ruptures, it can be immediately life-threatening.
Brain Hemorrhage
A brain hemorrhage is essentially a stroke, occurring when an artery in the brain ruptures and causes bleeding in the brain, killing the cells. Brain hemorrhages can cause permanent damage or death.
Blast Injury
A blast injury is a blunt force trauma caused by an explosion. Blast injuries occur most often in military members and can cause both external and internal damage to many parts of the body, including the brain.
Closed Head Injury
A closed head injury occurs when blunt force trauma from a sudden impact (like a collision or a fall) causes injury to the brain inside the skull without penetrating the skull.
Causes of Brain Injuries in Georgia
In our 25 years of experience, we have handled many personal injury cases involving brain injuries. While the specific causes differ from case to case, we have seen that TBIs are almost always caused by an accident or attack resulting in excessive force to the head.
Some of the most common causes of brain injuries in Georgia include:
- Car, truck or motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Inadequate security leading to violent crime
- Slip and falls
- Sports injuries
- Falls from a height
- Assault and violent attacks
- Being struck by or against a hard object
- Exposure to blast waves (especially during military service)
Among the list of causes above, the most frequent incidents of TBI occur because of some type of vehicular accident, especially those where the victim is relatively unprotected, such as in a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Because the brain is the most complex organ in the body, victims of brain trauma may experience a wide range of symptoms depending on the type of injury, the severity of the injury, and even what part of the brain has been impacted.
Mild cases of TBI may be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Feelings of fatigue or drowsiness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Blurry vision
- Unusual sensory changes (e.g., sensitivity to light or sound, bad taste in the mouth)
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in sleep habits
- Difficulties with concentration, focus, and/or memory
In addition to the symptoms listed above, incidents involving moderate or severe brain trauma might come with more significant symptoms, including:
- Severe and/or persistent headache
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness or agitation
- Severe or extended disorientation
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of vision
- Dilated pupils
- Extended loss of consciousness
- Convulsions or seizures
- Slurred speech
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
The important thing to remember is that none of these symptoms should be ignored if they occur after a blow to the head. It is also important to note that these symptoms may not emerge right away after a brain trauma.
Sometimes after an accident, victims either decline treatment or do not seek treatment because they do not recognize the danger signs.
If you or someone you love has experienced any of these symptoms following a traumatic event, it is vital that you see a doctor immediately and consult with a legal expert as soon as possible. This cannot be overemphasized.
How a Georgia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Can Help
If you or someone in your family suffered a traumatic brain injury because of another person’s negligence, it is vital you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Then, get in touch with a local TBI lawyer.
At Scholle Law, we have more than 25 years of experience helping Georgia residents recover the compensation they deserve. We know how difficult it may be to even think about the process of filing a lawsuit, especially after a brain injury.
Our attorneys will take the worry and stress of taking legal action off your shoulders by handling the entire case from start to finish on your behalf.