Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. suffer severe brain injuries, with dramatic, life-altering consequences. If you or your loved one has sustained brain injury through the negligence of another, contact an Indianapolis brain injury attorney as soon as possible. Merry Fountain is a dedicated advocate for brain injury victims.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by external trauma. It is a disruption of the normal function of the brain. TBI can be caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, or by a penetrating injury, such as a gunshot wound. The three types of brain injuries range from mild (also known as a concussion), moderate to severe.
The most common situations in which people get brain injuries are falls, fire-arm related injuries, car accidents, and assaults.
The symptoms of a brain injury are not always obvious or quick to appear. Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild injury, causing brief changes in mental status, to severe TBI, resulting in an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies brain injury symptoms into four different categories:
Some symptoms of traumatic brain injury may appear soon after the accident or injury. Other symptoms may not be noticed until days, weeks, or months later, when the injured person tries to resume his or her normal life. Signs and symptoms of TBI may be difficult to sort out, and problems may be overlooked early on by victims, their family members, and physicians.
Indianapolis car accident lawyers know that car crashes cause a large percentage of traumatic brain injury cases. Trauma to the brain can occur when the head strikes an object, such as the windshield or steering wheel, in a crash. TBI can also occur even when the skull does not come into contact with an object in the vehicle. The sheer force of a motor vehicle accident can cause the brain to strike the internal hard bone of the skull when the head comes to a sudden, jolting stop.
If you or your loved one has suffered serious brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence, your best course of action is to consult with an experienced Indianapolis brain injury lawyer as soon as possible. This type of injury can have devastating, long-term effects for victims and their families. The brain injury attorneys at Fountain Law Firm, P.C. can:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), closed head injury, concussion, brain damage, or post-concussion syndrome are all terms synonymous with acquired injury to the brain. Any incident with or without skull fracture that produces an external physical force that produces a diminished or altered state of consciousness can produce a brain injury.
The most common causes of traumatic brain injury are vehicle crashes, slip and falls, sports injuries, and violence. Other acquired brain injuries can be caused by medical events such as hypoxia or anoxia (loss of oxygen to the brain), aneurysms, infections to the brain, tumors, or stroke.
The outcomes of acquired brain injury are unique to the individual and the severity of the trauma. A severe brain injury can leave an individual in a permanently altered state of consciousness. A moderate to severe brain injury can cause physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral/emotional impairment.
Even a mild brain injury can lead to “post-concussion” syndrome, a cluster of symptoms evidenced by fatigue, dizziness, slowed mental functioning, and headaches that last for months, even years, with varying amount of severity. For some people a brain injury can be temporary, others suffer permanent partial or total functional impairment.
Even if you think your injury is minor, don’t settle with any insurance company until you receive a complete evaluation. Many injuries are not found during initial visits to the doctor or emergency room. Sometimes people do not experience problems until years later.
In 2012, the subject of brain injuries gained well-deserved widespread international attention when some four thousand former NFL players joined civil lawsuits against the League, seeking damages over the League’s failure to protect players from concussions.
On August 30, 2013, the NFL reached a $765 million settlement with the former NFL players over the head injuries. The settlement created a $675 million compensation fund from which former NFL players can collect from depending on the extent of their conditions. Severe conditions such as Lou Gehrig’s disease and postmortem diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy would be entitled to payouts as high as $5 million. From the remainder of the settlement, $75 million will be used for medical exams, and $10 million will be used for research and education. The amount is still being contested with many thinking it is just not enough to cover all of the victims.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury, please call us today for a free consultation. Indianapolis personal injury attorney Merry Fountain wants to help you deal with these difficult times and recover full compensation for your injury and lasting brain damage. She has the experience in settling claims for traumatic brain injury and is dedicated to helping you cope with many of the other problems you are probably facing, including medical bills and insurance issues.
We will manage your case with personal, compassionate attention while you focus on your recovery. There is never a cost to you until you receive your settlement. Call Fountain Law Firm today for a FREE personal injury consultation.
Indianapolis traumatic brain injury lawyer Merry Fountain will ensure that you understand your rights, your options and the legal consequences of your decisions before proceeding with representation. Fountain Law Firm, P.C. is committed to obtaining the best possible settlement for you. If we represent you in your injury case, we will not charge any fees until you receive a fair settlement. If it is difficult to come to the office, Indianapolis injury lawyer Merry Fountain will come to your home or other location of your choosing.