We Can Help You With A Wisconsin Traumatic Brain Injury Case
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury. The symptoms and range of disability depend on the severity of the injury, as well as other factors. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to the negligence or carelessness of another, it is important that you speak with a personal injury attorney who handles TBI cases.
Why You Should Consult An Attorney
A TBI can be a long-term and devastating injury. Often insurance companies will propose a settlement that only covers medical costs for a specified length of time. Most TBIs, however, require more than just routine medical care. Some TBIs require life-long treatment and assistance.
Important Medical Information
A TBI can occur as a result of any event that causes the brain to move back and forth in the skull. When we think of “brain damage” we naturally think of blunt force trauma to the skull resulting in a fracture and/or a brain bleed. However, a TBI can occur even if there is no actual blunt force trauma to the skull, such as in the case of shaken baby syndrome. A baby can suffer a serious brain injury merely by being shaken.
Car Accidents And Brain Trauma
Keeping that concept in mind, consider acceleration and deceleration forces in a car accident. Many people suffer TBIs in car accidents despite the fact that they never hit their head on anything during the accident itself. This is called a “coup contrecoup injury.” This term describes the movement of the brain in the skull in an acceleration/deceleration accident most commonly experienced in automobile accidents, sports injuries, blast injuries and falls.
While we all appreciate that our skulls are quite hard, the brain is made of tissues with the consistency of firm pudding. So even in incidents where there are no outward signs of damage to the skull, this does not mean that the brain was not injured.
Symptoms To Look For
Symptoms of a TBI vary significantly from person to person. However, most commonly, TBIs interfere with what is called “executive functioning” and can affect brain functions potentially causing problems with:
- Judgment
- Memory, both short and long term
- Concentration
- Place and time orientation
- Insight
- Safety awareness
- Energy levels
- General orientation
This is a very general list. More specific problems can be difficulty with word finding, emotional problems, difficulty with social interactions, dizziness, vertigo, difficulty multitasking, and unfortunately, many others.
If you have experienced any of these problems and do not feel that you have received adequate medical care, please follow up with your primary care physician or contact the Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin for a possible referral.
Contact Our Office For A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one is a victim of an accident, speak with an attorney before you sign any offers of settlement by any insurance company. While nothing can undo the damage done, an attorney can ensure you and your family recover fair and just compensation. Call Atterbury, Kammer & Haag, S.C., and speak with an experienced TBI attorney. Or please contact us here.
