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Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Information

Usually sustained in catastrophic accidents or through other violent means, severe injuries to the central nervous system can have tragic and lasting effects on the lives of victims and their families. Whether an individual has suffered traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, the road to recovery can be long and painful. In some cases, victims are physically or mentally impaired for life, are no longer able to provide for family members, and may need assistance caring for themselves.

When someone sustains a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, it is vital that a lawyer is contacted to review the circumstances surrounding the injury. An experienced personal injury lawyer can gather essential information and determine whether another party can be held liable. The victim may be entitled to recover financial compensation to pay for hospital bills, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and permanent disability or mental impairment.

If a loved one has suffered traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, please contact a personal injury lawyer immediately for legal advice.

Traumatic Brain Injury

More than 1.5 million Americans sustain brain injuries every year, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. Of these, approximately 50,000 die and 80,000 are permanently disabled. For those who do eventually recover, full rehabilitation takes five to ten years, on average.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), as opposed to an acquired brain injury, is typically caused by an outside force acting on the head. Traumatic brain injuries are classified as closed or penetrating. A closed brain injury often involves a blow to the head, either directly injuring the brain or causing it to ricochet against the interior of the skull. This can bruise the brain and possibly result in bleeding, which can cause further complication by elevating the pressure on the brain within the skull. A penetrating traumatic brain injury occurs when a foreign object (a bullet, for example) pierces the skull and damages brain tissue. The most common causes of TBI include:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Often referred to as a “concussion,” mild traumatic brain injury usually involves a brief loss of consciousness or temporary sense of confusion. While tests or brain scans may appear normal, the victim may have lasting effects, including memory loss, personality changes, recurring headaches or other physical consequences.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

When a loss of consciousness lasts for several minutes to a few hours, a moderate traumatic brain injury has likely occurred. The victim often experiences a prolonged state of confusion, and other mental, emotional, or physical effects may last for months or endure indefinitely.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

When a victim falls into a long period of unconsciousness or coma that lasts days, months, or years, a severe traumatic brain injury is often to blame. The length of time an individual remains in such a state is some indication of the extent of the brain damage suffered. Severe traumatic brain injury frequently results in permanent mental and physical impairment.

Contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer for more information.

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Spinal Cord Injury

According to The National Spinal Cord Injury Association, approximately 11,000 Americans sustain new spinal cord injury (SCI) each year. Since injuries to the spinal cord are currently incurable, most victims suffer some form of permanent paralysis. The extent of paralysis depends largely on the location of injury. In general, the higher the injury occurs in the spinal column, the more dysfunction will occur. There are also varying degrees of damage to the spinal cord, ranging from partial to complete impairment. Patients must undergo physical therapy in order to recover as much functionality as possible. The most common causes of SCI include:

Paraplegia

When the lower part of a victim’s body cannot move (both legs are paralyzed), the appropriate medical term is paraplegia. Paraplegic patients may also suffer from impotence or urinary and fecal incontinence.

Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)

When victims are paralyzed from the neck down (cannot move their arms or legs), they are said to suffer from quadriplegia – although the term “tetraplegia” is gaining wider acceptance. Quadriplegic patients may need assistance performing some basic bodily functions.

Contact a spinal cord and traumatic brain injury lawyer for more information.

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