Can a personal injury claim be made for traumatic brain injury?

In our last post, we discussed the recent Amtrak tragedy, including a lawsuit filed by an onboard employee seeking damages for an alleged traumatic brain injury.

Unfortunately, there are many causes of TBI, including motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, or other trauma to the head. Not all TBIs may be severe, yet a damages claim in a personal injury lawsuit requires the plaintiff to specify a dollar amount. For that reason, a further examination of the symptoms and treatment of TBI is warranted.

Regardless of the cause, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after suffering trauma to the head. A doctor can work to stabilize a TBI injury, ensuring adequate blood flow, blood pressure and oxygen supply to the brain. A computed tomography, or CT scan, may reveal ruptured blood vessels or bruised brain tissue.

Unfortunately, there may be initial brain damage in a TBI. Current medical technology can do little to repair permanently damaged brain tissue. However, there are strategies for stabilizing a patient and rehabilitative therapies to help improve long-term functioning.

As the coordinator of the central nervous system, it’s easy to understand why a brain injury can manifest into a wide range of symptoms. An individual’s symptoms might include the loss of motor skills, paralysis, dizziness, dulled sensory perception, cognitive deficiencies, memory loss, and/or mood changes. Said another way, there can be physical, mental and emotional challenges following a TBI.

If you have suffered a brain injury due to another person’s negligence, it is important that you consult with a personal injury attorney to protect your rights. Our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Related post: “Are there special litigation issues after a mass transit crash?” May 15, 2015

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page,” copyright 2015, NINDS