Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries are devastating and can change the lives of survivors and their loved ones in an instant. When a spinal cord injury or TBI is caused by the carelessness or intentional act of another, it is imperative to seek legal help. Although compensation can't restore an individual's health, it can help ease the burden of the costs of care associated with these injuries.
If you or a loved one sustained a brain injury or has been paralyzed as a result of another's negligence, carelessness or intentional acts, you may be entitled to compensation that can help cover the costs of medical bills, future treatment and lost wages. The family of personal injury lawyers from Bruntrager & Billings have helped clients obtain financial settlements in personal injury lawsuits since 1954. We have the experience, power and resources to help you get justice for you or your loved one.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a traumatic brain injury as a blow or jolt to the head or penetrating head injury that disrupts the brain's function. The CDC estimates that each year 1.4 million people in the United States sustain TBIs. Of that number, 50,000 die, 235,000 are hospitalized and 1.1 million are treated and released.
TBIs are classified as mild or severe. A TBI is considered mild if the victim is confused, disoriented or unconscious for 30 minutes or less. Such survivors may experience headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, mood swings and feelings of frustration.
A TBI is considered severe if the victim loses consciousness or experienced amnesia for an extended period. The survivor of a severe TBI may be comatose, suffer from cognitive deficiencies, have limited movements of the arms or legs or experience emotional problems.
The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain and to just above the waist. A bundle of nerves, the spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is injured, it can cause loss of sensation, partial paralysis and even complete paralysis.
Approximately 80 percent of all spinal cord injuries occur in men. The leading age group for sustaining a spinal cord injury is between the ages of 16 and 30. Auto accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries among people younger than 65; individuals over the age of 65 are more likely to sustain a spinal cord injury in a fall.
In addition to paralysis, an individual who has sustained a spinal cord injury may have to grapple with such complications as incontinence, lack of sensation, circulatory problems, difficulty breathing and changes in sexual function.