Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating to one’s life, as the effects can be unpredictable and life-lasting. Unlike most other injuries, brain injuries do not heal the same, as symptoms could appear right after the accident, or they could appear months after the accident. These injuries cause permanent biological damage and could require lifetime medical treatments. According to NRS 427A.850, Nevada has a unique program to protect victims of traumatic brain injury. The program includes special treatment, such as in-home care, care provided in an assisted living facility, and special instruction in the skills required for independent living and job placement. Additionally, there is treatment for substance use disorders and support for the family of the victim. Every victim of a traumatic brain injury has the rights to these services and is encouraged to take advantage of them in order to compensate for their suffering.
Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can be caused in many different scenarios, including slip-and-falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, construction accidents, or even medical malpractice such as birth injuries or brain surgery. If you suffered from a traumatic brain injury, you are highly encouraged to seek medical assistance right away, because the injury can be made worse if you fail to seek assistance. Swelling or bleeding of the brain can cause fatal results either hours or days after the accident first occurred. According to the CDC, the number of student-athletes who have received traumatic brain injuries due to physical contact in sports have significantly increased over the last few decades. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE, is commonly found in football players or boxers. CTE is a form of a traumatic brain injury, as it results from having multiple concussions, causing mood and behavioral disturbances. Another significant risk of having a traumatic brain injury is repeated head trauma. An example would be having multiple concussions, as it is unlikely to have head trauma from one concussion, but it is likely that after multiple concussions you would start having effects of head trauma. Traumatic brain injuries are very serious, and there are multiple causes to being diagnosed with one.
Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
As a doctor, it can be difficult to figure out how serious a brain injury really is, as even severe brain injuries can appear mild at first. While brain injuries have life-lasting effects, some of the effects you feel can be short lasting, such as:
- Dazed feeling
- Pain shortly after the injury
- Memory loss
- Uneven pupils
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Visual disturbances
Long-term effects from suffering traumatic brain injury can be very unpredictable, and the cognitive effects can be life-lasting. The effects of head injuries are different for everyone, as some people may not even feel dazed or have pain from their head injury, although that doesn’t mean there is no injury.
Compensation for Brain Injuries
If you are a traumatic brain injury victim due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to receive compensation. The injury compensation includes the amount of lost wages, medical care bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Your life is completely changed when you receive a traumatic brain injury, and it is only right to receive compensation, especially if someone else caused it. If you are a victim of traumatic brain injury, there are certain documents you must have ready to provide to the court and doctors. These documents include insurance information, social security, driver’s license, school records, work records, accident report, bank statements, and birth certificate. These documents give the court, the doctors, and the person who caused you the injury more insight on how much it cost and how it changed your life, including employment. Bills for traumatic brain injuries can get very expensive, as some services may even get into the millions. It is highly encouraged that you file for compensation if you received a traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries are very different and more serious than most other injuries, and it is important that you get help in order to get back on track. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is best to reach out to a legal team to talk about the situation that led to your brain injury, and if it was caused by someone’s negligence. Although no one can reverse the incident that led to your traumatic brain injury, our attorneys at Richard Harris Law Firm can help you receive compensation to pay for your medical bills and other damages that have altered your day-to-day activities.
