The most severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) crush or tear through critical parts of the brain, causing life-threatening damage and often leaving the victim with lasting impairments. These head injuries can be open, when there is a fracture in the skull, or closed. They can also be diffuse or localized.
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI in an Ohio accident that someone else caused, a personal injury lawyer might be able to help you get compensation. At Bressman Law, we understand which type of TBI is the most severe—and how that could impact a potential claim. Call us at (614) 538-1116 for a free consultation about your case.
What Are the Effects of a TBI?
A severe TBI usually requires extensive emergency care to save the victim. If the victim survives their ordeal, they will likely spend weeks or months in the hospital, followed by inpatient rehabilitation to rebuild strength and relearn as many skills as possible. In many cases, they will never regain their pre-accident abilities. They may not be able to return to work and may require life-long care.
Because of the high cost of a brain injury, victims of a severe TBI often qualify for significant damages.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
What Are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?
According to Northeastern University, there are two general types of TBIs: open and closed head injuries. Either of these types of TBIs is possible in a car accident or another type of negligence incident. Both open and closed head injuries can cause major impairments.
Open Head Injuries
Open head injuries occur when the impact breaks or penetrates the skull in some way. In accidents, this most often happens because of a crush injury, but it can also occur if something penetrates the skull. A penetrating injury may cause only localized damage, while a crush injury can cause diffuse damage that affects several areas of the brain. Either can be severe, depending on the areas of the brain affected.
Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries occur without the skull breaking. While this may seem like a less serious injury, that is not always the case. Closed head injuries usually happen because of an impact, such as when the head hits the windshield or another solid surface during a car crash. The result is usually diffuse damage to numerous areas of the brain. A closed head injury can be relatively minor or very severe, depending on the nature of the injury and the parts of the brain affected.
What Are the Lasting Effects of a Diffuse Brain Injury?
Diffuse brain injuries can be the most severe of brain injuries because they often affect the parts of the brain that control breathing, swallowing, talking, higher cognitive function, movement, and other important tasks. In the most severe cases, a diffuse injury can cause damage to most of the brain, leaving the victim in a coma or persistent vegetative state.
Diffuse injuries are one of the most common types of head injuries in car accidents, falls, and other negligence accidents. Even moderately diffuse brain trauma can lead to permanent impairments. These injuries offer little hope of full recovery for most accident victims.
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How Much Damage Do Localized Injuries Cause?
While diffuse brain injuries often lead to significant impairments, localized injuries that occur because of penetrating TBIs can also cause lasting damage. This is one reason we recommend always wearing a helmet and other safety gear when riding a motorcycle and having your children wear safety gear while riding their bikes.
Whether or not a skull penetrating injury leads to permanent impairments depends on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the accident. In some cases, a skull fracture leaves the victim with only a small scar. In other cases, though, critical areas of the brain suffer injury from the impact. This can result in an inability to:
- Speak, see or hear;
- Control movements; or
- Have higher cognitive function.
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What Are the Signs of a Severe TBI?
According to Northeastern University, a severe TBI can cause:
- A loss of consciousness lasting 24 hours or longer;
- A coma;
- Post-traumatic amnesia for more than a day; and
- Unusual brain imaging results.
You can expect your loved one who suffered a severe TBI to spend weeks, if not months, in the hospital and inpatient rehabilitation. Their overall recovery during this period depends on their individual injury and the specific details of their condition. Some people recover with only relatively minor deficits, but others require around-the-clock nursing care for the rest of their lives.
How Can I Get Help After a TBI?
If you or your loved one suffered a severe TBI in an Ohio negligence accident, the team from Bressman Law can help you build a strong case and fight for the compensation your family needs. We can explain your potential options for trying to get the payout your family deserves.
Call us today at (614) 538-1116 for a free case review from a member of our team.
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