Head trauma can be dangerously deceptive, as severe injuries do not always have obvious symptoms and sometimes may not produce any symptoms at all. After suffering a serious blow to the head or neck in any kind of accident, seeking medical attention as soon as possible should be your first priority.
If you are diagnosed with a concussion that requires medical attention and significantly impacts your day-to-day life, you may want to speak with a Chardon traumatic brain injury lawyer who could help you establish legal negligence, quantify the value of your damages, and seek appropriate compensation. There are many necessary steps in attempting to hold another party responsible for your accident losses, but an experienced catastrophic injury attorney could guide you throughout the process.
Causes and Effects of Traumatic Brain Damage
Depending on the degree of severity, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have many different consequences and manifestations. Mild injuries may be characterized by dizziness, nausea, headaches, or fatigue. However, more severe injuries can result in the following symptoms:
- Significant cognitive impairments
- Loss of coordination
- Mood swings
- Prolonged loss of consciousness.
While traumatic brain damage can occur in any type of incident, they are particularly common in high-speed car wrecks, slip and fall accidents, collisions during athletic competitions, and impacts from falling debris at construction sites and in other hazardous areas. A knowledgeable attorney in Chardon with experience in various types of TBI cases could clarify whether a particular situation may give rise to litigation.
Recovering Short-Term and Long-Term Damages
Regardless of the specific circumstances leading up to it, a victim of traumatic brain damage must be able to prove someone else was legally negligent in order to pursue a civil lawsuit over their injury. This means demonstrating that the defendant violated a duty of care owed to the injured plaintiff and that this breach of care directly caused the accident that resulted in the plaintiff’s TBI.
Just like in any other personal injury claim, the civil plaintiff in a traumatic brain injury case can seek financial restitution for any form of harm they already suffered from their injury prior to filing suit. Recoverable short-term damages often include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Physical pain and suffering from the injury
However, if a traumatic head injury results in permanent loss of sensation and cognitive function, a skilled lawyer in Chardon could help a plaintiff seek recovery for long-term damages as well, such as loss of future earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life. Furthermore, since a TBI resulting in permanent harm would qualify as a catastrophic injury under state law, the cap on non-economic damages that usually limits recovery in Chardon would not apply.
Discuss Legal Options with a Chardon Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Taking effective legal action can be tricky after any serious accident, especially one that leads to a lifelong disability. If you suffered a severe or permanent brain injury due to the reckless or careless actions of another party, you may have significant legal possibilities. A diligent attorney could help you understand all available choices for civil litigation to take full advantage of the options for recovery.
A conversation with a Chardon traumatic brain injury lawyer could put you on the right track towards comprehensive civil recovery for past damages and those you will likely deal with in the future. To set up a meeting about your case, call today.
