Our brains do so much for us that it is horrible to think what might happen if they get injured. But brain injuries do happen for a number of reasons and the extent of the brain injuries can often impact our ability to live, work, and enjoy life. This page defines some of the types of brain injuries that can occur.
For those of you living and working in Creve Coeur, MO, a brain injury can change your life, but you have the Finney Law Office, LLC team here to help you understand what that brain injury means and how you can get compensated for that injury.
Types of Brain Injuries
Depending on what the accident was and how severely your brain was injured, including an open or closed head injury, there are different types of brain damage that could happen.
- An open head injury occurs when the skull is fractured due to penetration by an object or blunt force trauma. When your head is open, the brain then becomes vulnerable to all types of viral and bacterial contamination. The resulting injury could mean that your brain tissue becomes infected as well as becoming lacerated by an object or pieces of your skull.
- A closed head injury means that there is no opening in the skull. However, your brain was still injured due to the force it experienced from the impact that comes from whiplash in a car accident or some other type of blunt force that had the brain violently hit your skull. The result can be that the brain tissue swells, further damaging other brain tissue and cutting off oxygen and blood flow to the brain. This could essentially kill your brain.
- A focal brain injury happens when a part of the brain is injured from an object such as a bullet or skull fragment becoming lodged in the brain tissue. Depending on where in the brain this happens, the result can be brain damage, neurological disorders, disability or impairment. You can end up living in a vegetative state or possibly even dying.
- A diffuse axonal brain injury is common, yet devastating. Several parts of the brain are damaged when nerve fibers are destroyed causing the nerve cells to stop communicating with each other and thus stop performing certain functions. This most often leads to death because when certain functions cease happening in the brain, it essentially dies.
While it is devastating to have any of these types of brain injuries, even worse is the fact that they can lead to further physical complications in the rest of the body. Even with immediate medical attention, these types of brain injuries are very difficult to recover from, substantially altering your quality of life, or taking you away from your loved ones.
If you live, you may then experience side effects from the brain injuries, such as seizures, cognitive problems, changes in your personality, and sensory disturbances. Emotional and mental problems can also develop as a result of even a mild brain injury or concussion.
Causes of Brain Injuries
No one ever plans for or asks for a brain injury. The causes of a brain injury are often related to accidents and negligence. Here are some of the causes:
- Falls due to uneven or slippery surfaces or obstructions
- Motor vehicle accidents caused by others or by defective automotive features
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Falling items
- Work-related environments that are unsafe
As you can see, these causes are almost always the result of someone else’s negligence, rather than the person who has sustained the brain injury. Creating an unsafe working, playing, or living environment means that the party responsible should then be held accountable for any type of brain injury that results from that environment.
The Cost of a Brain Injury
While some part of the cost of a brain injury relates to the actual expense of covering medical care, rehabilitation, and potential support for the rest of your life, some of which is offset by health insurance, many people with a brain injury have to pay for physical therapy and other care out of pocket. There is also the cost of lost income while undergoing rehabilitation that adds further stress.
Plus, there is the cost that is hard to calculate in terms of the loss of a quality of life and the inability to lead an independent life. Then, if a person with a brain injury dies, there is the cost of the loved ones left behind that have to support themselves and emotionally go on without this person.
Compensation for Brain Injuries
The person with the brain injury and their families can get compensated if the brain injury was due to the fault or negligence of another person or a company. If this is the case, it is essential that a brain injury victim and/or their family seek legal advice from a lawyer that specifically understands brain injury cases and legal claims for personal injury. A brain injury lawsuit can help victims like you in Creve Coeur, Missouri, to get financial compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Without the right legal representation, you may not be able to prove that negligence led to your brain injury. You may also be unaware of Missouri state law in regards to when, where, and why you can file a brain injury lawsuit. With the Finney Law Office by your side, you are assured the maximum benefits due you as a victim of brain damage.
Through our Creve Coeur, MO legal firm, we have helped so many brain injury victims and their loved ones get the compensation they deserve from irresponsible individuals or companies. Let us help you.
The legal team at Finney Law Office, LLC has delivered proven results for brain injury victims so that they can get justice. They have also created an awareness for companies and individuals in Creve Coeur, MO and nearby St. Louis, MO. of of the importance of creating a safe work or living environment for their employees, colleagues, and community members.
Contact us now to set up your free consultation so you can start getting the assistance you need to help minimize the effects caused by your brain injury.
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