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Raleigh Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

Brain injuries can be very intense and come with various complexities. These injuries can alter someone’s life, both mentally and financially. However, it can be challenging to prove as many traumatic brain injuries do not show up on MRIs or other diagnostic tests. “Objective evidence” is not always detected, and diagnosis may only be based on “subjective” symptoms. This often leads to further complications as insurance companies frequently claim that an injured person exaggerates or makes up a condition because there is no “objective evidence.”  These extensive complications emphasize the importance of contacting an experienced Raleigh brain injury attorney to help you deal with insurance companies and get the compensation you deserve.

What Causes Brain Injuries?

Trauma

Traumatic brain injuries are a type of acquired brain injury that occurs due to a physical impact on the head. This can happen in a variety of scenarios, including:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Direct blows to the head from car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle collisions often cause these injuries.
  • Falls: Slips and falls at home, in public places, or from heights at work are common causes of head trauma.
  • Sports injuries: High-impact sports or recreational activities, such as football, hockey, soccer, skiing, and skateboarding, can cause these injuries.
  • Assault and Violence: Physical assaults, including gunshot wounds, domestic violence, and being struck by objects, can result in significant brain damage.

Oxygen Deprivation

Brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation, known as anoxic or hypoxic brain injuries, result from situations where the brain is deprived of oxygen. Common causes include:

  • Drowning: Swimming and diving accidents where victims experience prolonged periods without oxygen.
  • Medical Negligence: Surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or other forms of medical malpractice, such as delays in emergency treatment, can lead to oxygen deprivation.
  • Birth Injuries: During childbirth, complications like umbilical cord strangulation or delayed C-sections can result in anoxic brain injuries, sometimes causing conditions like cerebral palsy.

Non-Impact Injuries

Non-impact brain injuries occur when a sudden force causes the brain to move within the skull without direct trauma to the head. These types of injuries often stem from:

  • Whiplash: Auto accidents where the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head causes the brain to collide with the skull.
  • Explosions: Industrial accidents or military incidents involving blasts can lead to brain injuries due to the shockwave and force of the explosion, even without direct head impact.

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Classifying Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are generally classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. An injury falls into one of these categories based on the severity of the initial injury rather than the resulting symptom. These injuries can affect people differently; even a “mild” injury can have serious and lasting effects.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

Mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion, is the most common type of brain injury. They occur when a sudden blow or jolt to the head causes the brain to shift within the skull momentarily, temporarily disrupting normal brain function. Symptoms often include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory lapse, and sensitivity to light or noise. While the symptoms typically resolve within weeks, some individuals may experience lingering effects for months, known as post-concussion syndrome. Though often considered “mild,” this type of injury still requires careful management to ensure proper recovery and to avoid further injury. Individuals who lose consciousness for less than 30 minutes and memory loss for less than 24 hours are typically diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries

Moderate traumatic brain injuries involve a more significant impact on brain function and may result in prolonged periods of unconsciousness or confusion lasting from a few hours to days. They often experience symptoms similar to those of mild traumatic brain injury but with greater intensity. Symptoms may include persistent headaches, profound memory issues, and difficulty with concentration or coordination. Recovery may require months of rehabilitation, including physical or speech therapy and cognitive exercises. The risk of long-term complications, including physical disabilities and cognitive impairments, is higher compared to mild traumatic brain injuries. Individuals who lose consciousness for at least 30 minutes but less than 24 hours and memory loss for less than seven are typically diagnosed with moderate traumatic brain injury.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Severe traumatic brain injuries are life-altering events that result from intense trauma to the head, often causing extended periods of unconsciousness or coma. These injuries can cause significant damage to the brain, leading to permanent cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Individuals may struggle with speech, motor skills, memory, and behavior. Recovery often involves extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation; many individuals face lifelong challenges. It frequently impacts a person’s ability to work and can lead to substantial medical costs, making legal action critical in securing compensation for the victim and their family. Individuals who lose consciousness for more than 24 hours and memory loss for more than seven days are typically diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury.

Damages in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

Damages are available with the goal of helping you restore your financial stability. In North Carolina, for traumatic brain injuries you may recover compensation for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Past lost wages and future diminished earning capacity
  • Past and future physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Permanent injury and disability
  • Permanent scarring

Liability in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

Liability in traumatic brain injury (TBI) claims revolves around determining who is legally responsible for the injury. To establish liability, the injured party must prove that the defendant’s negligent or reckless actions caused the brain injury. In some cases, multiple parties may be held liable. Establishing liability often requires gathering evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness accounts, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony.

Why Hire Maginnis Howard

There are hundreds of personal injury firms throughout the Raleigh area. Why is Maginnis Howard unique? Our attorneys are some of the best in the business, and have recovered millions for car accident clients. We care about the client and tailor each case to fit your needs specifically. Instead of trying to quickly settle your case and move on, we want to make sure you get every last cent you desserve. If you want attorneys who will put your interests in front of all else, contact us today.

Contact Our Raleigh Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury, contacting a lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive fair compensation. Contact a Raleigh traumatic brain injury attorney to schedule a free consultation. To reach an intake specialist, visit our contact page or submit an inquiry through our Live Chat feature. You may also call us at (919) 526-0450. We accept clients across the Carolinas.

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