According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries are the cause of approximately 30 percent of all fatalities in the United States. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump or jolt to the head, or a penetrating cranial injury.
Rhode Island traumatic brain injury lawyer
While various scenarios can cause brain injuries, motor vehicle accidents in Rhode island and Massachusetts are a common cause of brain injuries. About 14 percent of all motor vehicle accidents lead to these types of injuries. According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents were the second leading cause of TBI-related deaths between 2006 and 2010.
TBIs during a motor vehicle, car or auto accident typically occur when the driver or passenger’s head strikes the interior of the car such as the steering wheel or dashboard. A TBI may be considered mild or severe; a mild brain injury may be considered a concussion, which is very common during a RI car crash.
Some common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Visual problems
- Sleeping disturbances
Victim may also suffer from behavioral changes, such as mood swings, anxiety and even depression. It should be noted that a person who suffers from a traumatic brain injury does not always lose consciousness, so be mindful of other symptoms that may become apparent after an auto accident.
Treatments for a TBI will usually vary based on the severity of the injury. For example, a concussion may only require bed rest and medication to treat any headaches. However, a severe injury that leads to bleeding or swelling of the brain could require surgery and months of recuperation. Preventing a brain injury can be difficult as a concussion is very common after an accident. However, wearing a seatbelt and making sure that you’re airbags are in working order can help reduce the chances of a serious traumatic brain injury.
Damages and traumatic brain injury in RI
No matter the severity of the TBI, motor vehicle accident victims will be stuck with medical bills and lost wages along with pain and suffering. Our Rhode Island personal attorneys have seen firsthand the devastation of RI auto accidents, not only the physical and emotional damage, but also the financial damage. If you were hurt in a providence auto accident, a RI car accident lawyer can help you determine if you are entitled to file a lawsuit for your losses.
“A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury). Most TBIs that occur each year are mild, commonly called concussions. How big is the problem?
2.5 million emergency department (ED) visits,
- In 2010, about 2.5 million emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, or deaths were associated with TBI—either alone or in combination with other injuries—in the United States.
- TBI contributed to the deaths of more than 50,000 people.
- TBI was a diagnosis in more than 280,000 hospitalizations and 2.2 million ED visits. These consisted of TBI alone or TBI in combination with other injuries.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion TBI: Get the Facts
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect 2.8 million people per year, of which 90% require emergency treatments. A traumatic head injury can lead to death or permanently disability. If you have suffered from a brain injury as a result of the negligence of a person or corporation, you may be wondering what legal action can be taken to get justice and compensation for your injuries. A victim of an accident causing personal injury, traumatic brain injury, may be entitled to compensation if the injury was caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior. For instance, an accident may have been caused by dangerous driving, negligence or an employer’s failure to follow state, local or federal regulations.
TBI Symptoms
Make sure you understand the signs of TBI, how to protect yourself against it and what action to take if you or someone you know experiences a head injury. Someone experiencing TBI may lose consciousness after hitting their head or will remain conscious, but be dizzy, dazed and confused. A TBI often leads to nausea, vomiting and difficulties with speech and motor control. In the long term, traumatic brain injury could cause memory loss, mood swings, personality changes and depression.
Required Precautions
It is better to avoid complications in the first place than to seek compensation once an accident has occurred. The accident victim’s line of defense is proper head protection when in an unsafe environment. Something as simple as a hard hat when a person is operating machinery or a crash helmet if traveling at speed could be enough to prevent serious injury. All motorcyclists and bicyclists should wear a helmet. If a person is taking part in an activity such as rock climbing or bungee jumping, then he or she must first research the legal requirements. Immediately following a blow to the head, a victim must seek emergency medical attention. The faster you can treat a head injury, the less severe it will be. Remember though, when it comes to brain injuries, it isn’t just the physical body that is affected, but a victim’s consciousness and mental well being too. a victim of a TBI / head injury may want to Seek mental health services including meditation and therapy. This will help the accident victim maintain proper cognitive function.
Who is to Blame?
In mounting a legal personal injury lawsuit, it is important to determine who is to blame. If a victim was under the responsibility of someone else at the time of the accident, then it is possible that they failed in their duty of exercising due care. Whether this is an adventure group leader, employer or just a friend driving you to work, is it important to determine whether their active behavior, inaction or negligence caused the TBI. Get in touch with a Rhode Island personal injury lawyer to assess the situation. Every case is different, but investigating all the facts and looking into the often complex and dense legal literature requires a top Providence traumatic brain injury lawyer. A RI personal injury attorney who is also a RI TBI lawyer will help you get the justice and compensation you are entitled to. As long as someone else can be shown to be acting recklessly or negligently, you could be able to claim compensation for any inconvenience, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering caused.
Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island
A TBI can be a life changing experience. It is not just the immediate pain that causes suffering, but the long term mental decline and potential personality changes. Always aim to assess a situation and look into safety issues before entering a dangerous environment. If an injury does occur, seek compensation through the legal process to help with long-term healing and a return to full health. There are a number of excellent resources for victims in Rhode Island such as: The brain injury association of ri.
The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island has an annual Hidden Treasure Gala to raise funds to support the association. Victims need to research resources for cognitive rehabilitation rhode island.
Traumatic brain injury treatment
It is of utmost importance that victims do not ignore traumatic brain injury symptoms and get the traumatic brain injury treatment they need. Traumatic brain injury long term effects are fairly well known in this day and age. Traumatic brain injury recovery can only properly occur if TBI treatment occurs.
- “In 2013,1 about 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States.
- TBI contributed to the deaths of nearly 50,000 people.
- TBI was a diagnosis in more than 282,000 hospitalizations and 2.5 million ED visits. These consisted of TBI alone or TBI in combination with other injuries.
- Over the span of six years (2007–2013), while rates of TBI-related ED visits increased by 47%, hospitalization rates decreased by 2.5% and death rates decreased by 5%.
- In 2012, an estimated 329,290 children (age 19 or younger) were treated in U.S. EDs for sports and recreation-related injuries that included a diagnosis of concussion or TBI.3
- From 2001 to 2012, the rate of ED visits for sports and recreation-related injuries with a diagnosis of concussion or TBI, alone or in combination with other injuries, more than doubled among children (age 19 or younger).3″ CDC
If you’re looking for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) lawyer or head injury attorney, it’s likely because you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. Traumatic brain injuries can have long-lasting and life-altering effects, so it’s essential to find an attorney who specializes in this area of personal injury law. Here’s what you should consider when searching for a TBI lawyer or head injury attorney:
- Experience: Look for an attorney with a significant amount of experience in handling traumatic brain injury cases. They should have a track record of success in representing clients with similar injuries.
- Specialization: It’s important to choose an attorney who specializes in personal injury law, especially those cases related to head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. They should be well-versed in the medical aspects of TBI and the legal issues surrounding it.
- Reputation: Research the attorney’s reputation in the legal community. Online reviews, testimonials, and recommendations from others who have worked with the attorney can be valuable resources.
- Communication Skills: A good attorney should be an effective communicator. They should be able to explain complex legal concepts and the progress of your case in a way that you can understand.
- Compassion: Dealing with TBI cases can be emotionally challenging. A compassionate attorney will not only focus on the legal aspects but also show understanding and empathy toward the client and their family.
- Resources: Ensure that the attorney and their law firm have the necessary resources to investigate and litigate your case effectively. TBI cases can be complex and may require medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other resources.
- Contingency Fees: Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. This can be beneficial for clients who may be facing financial challenges due to their injury.
- Free Consultation: Many TBI attorneys offer free initial consultations. Take advantage of this to discuss your case and gauge whether the attorney is a good fit for your needs.
- Local Expertise: It can be advantageous to hire an attorney who is familiar with the local legal system, as laws and procedures can vary from one jurisdiction to another.
- Clear Fee Structure: Understand the attorney’s fee structure and any additional costs associated with your case before proceeding.
Remember that it’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence. A skilled TBI lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the injury.
An experience Rhode Island personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free case review. If you are seeking a mesothelioma lawsuit attorney, contact us.