Maine Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of someone else’s negligence can be devastating. A head injury can occur as a result of many different accidents.

When a person’s head hits something or is shaken in an accident, the brain can suffer major damage. Even what may seem, at first, to be a minor bump can turn out to be much more.

The brain is at the core of every human being. It’s what makes up our thoughts, our movements, and our emotions. Everything we do, both voluntary and involuntary, relies on proper brain function, so an injury to your brain can be life-changing.

People who suffer head injuries may be left with permanent disabilities, including a limited ability to reason, communicate, display emotions, and recall words, phrases, or events. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to significant changes in behavior that are difficult for the injured party and their family members to understand.

The Brain Injury Association of America has resources in each state, including Maine, for families and loved ones affected by traumatic brain injuries. Similarly, having a strong legal advocate, like the catastrophic injury attorneys at Mann Law, can help you navigate the financial, emotional, and physical aspects of a head injury claim. Let a Maine traumatic brain injury lawyer help in your case.

Common Causes of TBIs

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by blows and jolts to the head, which jerk the injured person back and forth violently. The resulting damage varies, depending on the force of the impact and its cause.

There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries, but some of the most common include:

• Slip and fall accidents – Slip and fall accidents are unfortunately frequent and can be especially serious for young children and older adults. They can happen anywhere, but often occur when a person slips in the bath or shower, loses their balance on a ladder or getting out of bed, or trips and tumbles down a staircase. According to the CDC, slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in general. When they’re caused by the negligence of a third party, like a home or business owner, that person may be held liable for the costs of the TBI.
• Car accidents – A traumatic brain injury often occurs when a person’s head jolts violently back and forth during a car crash. Car accidents are the second leading cause of TBIs, making up 17.3 percent of all traumatic brain injuries per year.
• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle accidents can be particularly dangerous and even deadly because the riders, not the vehicles, bear the brunt of collisions. Unlike an automobile or a truck, motorcycles do not have safeguards like airbags or seat belts that protect riders in the event of a crash. While car drivers and passengers are surrounded by a cage-like framework that acts as a barrier between the collision and occupants, motorcyclists are often directly impacted by a crash. This means that traumatic brain injuries can be much more serious and can lead to life-altering disability, as well as death. Close to 20 percent of motorcyclists in collisions sustain traumatic brain injuries, which is why wearing a helmet is so important.
• Truck accidents – Traumatic brain injuries resulting from 18-wheeler accidents can be severe, especially those caused by multi-vehicle collisions. The sheer force of a large commercial truck’s impact means that TBI’s commonly result from these types of crashes.
• Pedestrian accidents – Like motorcyclists, pedestrians are often directly impacted by collisions with motor vehicles because they have no physical protection. As a consequence, they can result in more serious and even fatal TBIs. Drivers who hit pedestrians may be legally responsible for the medical treatment and other expenses they caused.
• Acts of Violence – Willful violence is also a common cause of TBI. Domestic abuse, child abuse, and assault can all result in traumatic brain injuries. Perpetrators may be held criminally and civilly responsible.

Treating Brain Injuries

Treatment for a traumatic brain injury depends on its type and severity. Types of head injuries include:

• Concussions
• Hematomas
• Contusions
• Hemorrhage
• Skull fractures
• Force from a whiplash type injury

It’s best to consult with a doctor if you or a loved one have suffered any head injury.

Mild injuries, such as mild concussions, may require only a checkup. A doctor might prescribe over-the-counter medications to manage pain and swelling, as well as rest. The injured party may need to avoid any strenuous physical activity that could exacerbate the TBI. It’s essential to monitor victims of even mild traumatic brain injuries in case the symptoms worsen.

For moderate to severe brain injuries, immediate medical care is crucial. Initial treatment may include supplemental oxygen and monitoring the patient’s blood pressure. Your doctor may admit you to the hospital for monitoring or prescribe strict limits to your activities to avoid worsening your TBI in the accident’s aftermath.

In some cases, emergency surgery is necessary. Doctors may need to treat hematomas, which occurs when bleeding results in blood clots that put harmful pressure on the brain. Surgery can help relieve that pressure. Surgeons may also need to remove pieces of the skull and repair any fractures.

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one sustained a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. At Mann Law, our TBI lawyers are here to help you in all stages of your recovery.

Our legal professionals understand how TBIs can turn your life upside down. Navigating insurance claims shouldn’t be stressful, especially while you’re recovering from a serious injury. That’s what we’re here for.

Our expert attorneys can collect the necessary evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to get you the most compensation possible to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Call today to get started.