Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A brain injury, also referred to as head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI), occurs when the head is struck or hit by some external force. A brain injury most often results when there is a blow to the head in a car accident or fall.

When the skull is seriously hit, the brain may twist within the skull. This type of brain injury is called Diffuse Axonal Injury. After a closed brain injury, the rotation and disruption of the brain inside the skull will sever or shear the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers. This damage can be microscopic and difficult to measure. In cases involving “mild brain injury”, the effects may not be long term, but following more severe brain injury it can result in permanent disability, unconsciousness and coma. Unfortunately, there is no real treatment for Diffuse Axonal Injury. Recent studies indicate that the damage to axons appears to progress over the first 12 to 24 hours after the injury. It is hoped that in the near future it may be possible to prevent the progression with specific treatments.

Free Case Consultation

For legal help in Cook, DuPage, or Lake County, call the car accident attorneys at Donald W. Fohrman & Associates.

Call: (800) 437-2571

After a brain injury, a variety of other damage may occur including:
Hematoma (epidural, subdural and/or intracerebral); Brain swelling/edema: Increased intracranial pressure; Cerebral vasospasm; Intracranial infection; Epilepsy.

What are some of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?

low-grade headaches or neck pain that won’t go away
having more trouble than usual with mental tasks (e.g., remembering, concentrating, making decisions)
slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
getting lost or easily confused
feeling tired all the time, lacking energy or motivation
changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping) * feeling light-headed or dizzy, losing your balance
increased sensitivity to sounds, light, or distractions
blurred vision, eyes that tire easily
loss of the sense of smell or taste
ringing in the ears
mood changes (e.g., feeling sad or angry for no reason)

What are the disabilities associated with traumatic brain injury?

Basically, it depends on what type of injury the brain suffered, the location of the injury (which may be localized or diffused affecting many functions), and the degree of the impairment. Frequently these injuries impair one or more of the following areas:

cognition: attention/concentration, memory, perception, judgment, information processing, abstract concepts, time and space relationship, reading and writing skills, and mood;

movement abilities: strength, endurance, coordination, tremors, swallowing problems, and balance;
sensation: tactile sensation and special senses such as vision.

No lawyer can tell you at the beginning of your claim how much your case is worth until he or she has all the medical records, bills and wage loss analysis in hand. However, by calling 800-437-2571 anytime and explaining the specific circumstances of your accident and injuries, one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, may be able to give you a “ballpark figure,” or if you prefer, may also use our convenient Free Case Evaluation submission form.