Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Union
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often complex medical situations that will require ongoing care and have lasting impacts. TBIs can result in cognitive impairment, including memory issues and challenges to concentration. In addition, those with TBIs may notice trouble with communication, frequent headaches, fatigue, and psychological impacts like depression or anxiety. In short, TBI has the potential to impact every aspect of an individual’s life.
The causes of traumatic brain injuries in Union vary, and some of them may be the result of negligence on the part of another individual or business. When negligence is at the root of a TBI, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recoup some of the financial losses from treating this ongoing and serious condition.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury typically occurs when there has been some kind of blunt force trauma to the head. The injury might be a sharp blow, repeated low-level impacts, or a penetrating injury to the brain. There are many different causes of TBIs in Union:
Car Collisions
A car crash — especially one that occurs at a high rate of speed — can cause a TBI when it results in a forceful blow to the head. If another driver is found to be at fault for a collision, the injured person could be eligible for compensation (usually from the driver’s insurance company) for their immediate medical costs, ongoing care needs, and lost wages.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident, as the name suggests, occurs when an individual slips, falls, and incurs an injury in the process. A TBI is particularly likely when a person falls backward, hitting the back of their head on a hard surface. If the accident occurred due to negligent upkeep (missing or broken stairs, poor lighting, etc.) or lack of warning about dangerous surfaces (slippery floors, spills, etc.), the person responsible may be found liable for damages.
Assault/Acts of Violence
If an assault includes a blow to the head with a fist or a weapon, it can result in a TBI. In these cases, the assailant will likely face criminal charges — brought by the state — for the assault itself, but the victim can choose to bring a separate civil case to recoup financial losses resulting from the incident.
Defective Products
There are many products designed specifically to protect the brain from injury. If these products are faulty or poorly made, then the manufacturer or distributor may be legally responsible for the resulting damages. The most common defective products that may result in TBI include helmets, vehicular airbags, faulty child products like cribs or high chairs, and recreational equipment like a bounce house or zipline.
What Makes a Strong Legal Case for TBI?
Someone who is bringing forward a lawsuit after an incident caused a TBI in Union will have the strongest case if they can clearly demonstrate a link between the negligent act and the injury itself. Typically, the plaintiff (person bringing forward the lawsuit) will need to demonstrate the severity of the injury through clinical markers like imaging (CT or MRI scans) and testing (like the Glasgow Coma Scale).
It will also be necessary to demonstrate that the defendant (person or business being sued) had a duty of care (a legal responsibility to act safely) and a breach of that duty. The plaintiff will need to show that the negligent breach of duty directly resulted in the injury.
Finally, the plaintiff will need to lay out the damages in clear, financial terms. It is important to have records of all medical procedures, care costs, and assistive device purchases.
Enlist the Help of a Union Attorney After a TBI Injury
There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries in Union, and if you have a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, you can enlist the help of a dedicated attorney to get compensation. Call today to speak to someone about your case and make a plan for the next steps.