Atlanta Brain Injury Lawyer
Brain injury lawyer fighting to get the compensation you deserve.
Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers You Can Trust
Are you the victim of an automobile accident? Have you survived a recent assault? Did you suffer a fall where you hit your head? If you have experienced a head injury caused by the negligence of another person, it can be an extremely stressful, tiring, confusing, and expensive experience.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, personal injury lawyers at The Fitzpatrick Law Firm in Atlanta, GA, is here to help answer your legal questions, navigate your traumatic brain injury case, and help you gain the financial compensation you deserve.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, commonly referred to as a TBI, occurs when someone experiences a severe jolt, blow, or penetrative force to the head that compromises brain function. Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability in the United States, with the Center for Disease Control reporting over 60,000 deaths per year caused by trauma-inducing head injuries.
People of all ages and backgrounds can suffer catastrophic injuries that result in brain damage, though people heavily involved in contact sports and survivors of domestic violence rank among the highest number of victims of a TBI.
It is important to note, regardless of the extenuating factors involved in your life, traumatic brain injuries can also come as a result of pedestrian accidents, auto accidents, or any kind of attack or injury caused by someone else’s negligence.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Mild TBI/Concussions
The most common type of traumatic brain injury that occurs each year is mild, known commonly as a concussion. Concussions occur when there is a bump or blow to the head that results in the head and brain being forced to quickly jolt back and forth.
Despite being labeled as "mild," these types of brain injuries are still incredibly serious, with long-term effects, though they are not usually life-threatening. The individual's brain has not only been quickly bounced and twisted around within their skull, but this sudden movement causes chemical changes within the brain and damages brain cells.
Moderate to Severe TBI
Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries are caused by trauma to the head and brain that results in changes to brain function for longer than a few minutes and carries a high risk of long-term brain damage and even death.
Brain injuries that result in unconsciousness anywhere from 30 minutes up to 24 hours in length are categorized as moderate. Severe traumatic brain injury cases deal with instances where unconsciousness lasts for longer than 24 hours in length.
Moderate and severe TBI cases require ongoing treatment, create a huge emotional toll on the victim as well as members of their family, and can result in significant costs for medical care and treatment.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Atlanta
The most common causes of traumatic brain injury are:
- Falls: The most common cause of TBIs are due to falling. When someone falls from a ladder, on ice or sleet, down a flight of stairs, or in the bathtub, any fall can result in an injury to the head that affects brain tissue and cognitive functioning.
- Vehicle-related collisions: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents as well as pedestrian-related collisions are the second most common cause of TBIs. A car crash or other auto accidents can result in concussions, brain contusions, skull fractures, diffuse axonal injury, and other injuries to the brain that range from mild to severe.
- Acts of Violence: Violent actions inflicted onto one individual by another are a common cause of TBIs. Some examples of violence that results in brain injuries are gunshot wounds that penetrate the skull, blows to the head caused by blunt or sharp objects, brain slams caused by being forcibly pushed against a wall or floor, “shaken baby syndrome,” and loss of oxygen due to strangulation that could cause hypoxic brain injury or anoxic brain injury.
- Sports injuries: High-impact sports like hockey, football, soccer, and boxing can result in short-term and long-term effects that need medical attention. Acquired brain injury from sports is more common in children, young adults, and professional athletes, though anyone participating in contact sports could suffer a TBI.
- Combat-related injuries: For active duty military soldiers, the risk of a TBI resulting from a number of job-related experiences is unfortunately high. Instances where an individual experiences an explosive blast, a head injury from a gunshot wound or other impact, a direct blow due to shrapnel or debris, as well as body collisions and falls are common.
Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
If you experience an injury of any kind to the head it is important to take it seriously and get medical attention quickly. Ignoring a brain injury can result in unnecessary long-term trauma, so seeking the help of medical professionals early is key.
Brain injury victims can experience a combination of physical, intellectual, emotional, behavioral, sensory, and communicative symptoms.
If you suspect you may have a traumatic brain injury, some symptoms to look for are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Seizures or convulsions
- Vomiting and nausea
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Memory problems
- Difficulty speaking and communicating
- Slurred speech patterns
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Noticeable changes in your sense of smell or taste
- New sensitivity to light or sound
- Feelings of disorientation or confusion
- Difficulty with concentration
- Feeling easily agitated, combative, or emotional
Just as you should seek legal advice for your personal injury case, you should seek medical attention for any of the above symptoms after suffering a head injury.
What Compensation is Available for an Atlanta Brain Injury Lawsuit?
Your Atlanta brain injury lawyers believe you have a right to compensation whether you have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury or a moderate to severe brain injury. We understand that after a car accident, attack, or fall due to someone else’s negligence it can be very stressful to pursue compensation as well as non-economic damages without support.
Our personal injury case clients suffer significant impacts on their lives and livelihoods. Oftentimes, victims of TBIs can no longer participate in their favorite hobbies or pastimes, nor can they remain on the career paths they’ve spent years working so hard for.
In addition to living with pain, we see traumatic brain injuries require ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, hospital care, and ongoing struggles communicating with insurance companies.
Working with our experts in personal injury cases, The Fitzpatrick Firm will assist you or your loved ones by seeking compensation for:
- past and future medical bills
- lost wages
- ongoing treatment costs
- long-term medical care
- medical devices or modifications made to your home
- pain and suffering
- emotional distress
- loss of quality of life
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury and believe you are eligible for compensation, The Fitzpatrick Firm can help.
Our team of personal injury lawyers has worked with many clients to settle their traumatic brain injury cases. Call us today at (678) 607-5550 or fill out our form below to schedule a free consultation.
