Each year in the United States, about 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Perey Law Group, PLLC has represented many individuals and families whose lives have been seriously impacted by a TBI, and we understand the devastation and anxiety that accompany such severe injuries. If you or your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, let us help you. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation about your legal rights and options.
What Constitutes a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The medical term "traumatic brain injury" refers to an injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Not all blows/jolts to the head cause a TBI, however. In addition, the symptoms and signs of TBI can be quite subtle and may be missed or may not appear for days or weeks after the injury. The symptoms and signs of a TBI include:
· Dizziness, light-headedness, or loss of balance
· Headaches or neck pain that doesn't go away
· Ringing in the ears
· Blurred vision or eyes that get tired easily
· Nausea or the urge to vomit
· Mood changes (e.g., feeling angry or sad for no reason)
· Loss of sense of taste or smell
· Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
· Increased sensitivity to distractions, lights, sounds
· Slowness in thinking, speaking, reading, or acting
· Getting lost or easily confused
· Feeling tired all the time, having no motivation or energy
· Changes in sleep patterns
A TBI can cause long-lasting or permanent functional changes in a person's thinking, language, sensation, and emotions. A TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for developing a disorder such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and other brain disorders that are more common among elderly people.
Causes of TBIs
The CDC reports that the leading causes of TBIs are:
· Falls (28%)
· Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%)
· 'Struck by/against' events (19%)
· Assaults (11%)
TBIs are also becoming known as the "signature" injury among the American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some TBIs are immediately fatal; others may leave the afflicted person in a coma or a highly vulnerable medical condition. Long-term disabilities are not uncommon among individuals who have sustained a TBI.
Long-Term Expenses and Losses
The CDC reports that at least 5.3 million Americans, about 2% of the U.S. population, are living with a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform the normal activities of daily living after having suffered a traumatic brain injury. If you or a member of your family has had a TBI, you know what the losses and damages can be like — medical bills, the expense of rehabilitation and long-term care, loss of income and future earning capacity, the loss of companionship, and pain and suffering, for example.
To find out whether your losses may be recoverable through legal action, contact Perey Law Group, PLLC to discuss the circumstances of your case. We have the experience and legal knowledge to help you determine the best course of action.
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Perey Law Group, PLLC
1606 8th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 443-7600
Fax: (206) 443-4785