A traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, can significantly affect how the brain functions. TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States and impacts between 1.5 and 2 million Americans every year. Of those, more than 700,000 will experience long-term disability as a result.

If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury, the Robenalt Law Firm, Inc. can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

A brain injury can be the result of a particularly traumatizing event, but TBI is not always easy to identify. There are four common causes of TBI, and understanding the differences between them can help you and your lawyer understand the type of TBI you experienced and identify the party or parties that caused your injuries.

TBI is caused by some sort of trauma to the head. The initial injury that occurs at the time of impact is known as the primary injury. The primary injury may affect just one side, or lobe, of the brain, or it may involve the entire brain.

During the primary injury event, the brain moves violently inside the skull. This can cause bruising and bleeding of the brain, and tearing of the nerve fibers. A person who suffers a traumatic brain injury may not remember the event, and may suffer confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. The person may initially appear to be fine, but their condition may deteriorate quickly.

After the primary trauma, the brain suffers delayed trauma as it swells and pushes against the skull. This results in further injury to the brain as the swelling reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood that flows to the brain. This is known as the secondary injury, and it can be even more damaging than the primary injury.

Together, the primary and secondary trauma can result in damage to the brain. Traumatic brain injuries fall into the following four categories:

• Concussions are caused when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. They are commonly caused by a blow to the head, or when the head is shaken in a car accident or truck collision.
• Brain penetration happens when the brain is penetrated by a foreign object, such as a knife, bullet, or another object.
• A contusion refers to bleeding of the brain that may have been caused by a direct blow to the head.
• Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a small child is violently shaken, causing injury to the brain.

Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury is a serious and complex injury that can be difficult to identify. A brain injury is obvious if you experienced head trauma such as a skull fracture or were in a coma. But more minor injuries can still cause TBI and result in debilitating and life-changing symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

Traumatic brain injury is a serious and complex injury that can be difficult to identify. A brain injury is obvious if you experienced head trauma such as a skull fracture or were in a coma. But more minor injuries can still cause TBI and result in debilitating and life-changing symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

Common symptoms of TBI include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Difficulty remembering things
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Irritability
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Sudden mood changes
• Depression
• Nausea
• Getting lost or confused
• Slowness in thinking

TBI is unique because symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months after a traumatic event. Symptoms are often subtle, and may not even be recognized by the person who suffered the TBI. It is not uncommon for family members or friends to recognize the signs and symptoms of a TBI.

Compensation for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, an experienced brain injury lawyer can help you and your family obtain the compensation you need to alleviate some of the burdens that are caused by a TBI.

Because TBI can vary significantly in severity, people who have experienced a brain injury may be entitled to different types of compensation. Depending on the nature of your injuries and your unique circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Costs of a caregiver
• Rehabilitation
• Prescription medication
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Robenalt Law: Fighting for People Who Experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you suspect that you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury, you should contact a skilled and experienced brain injury attorney as soon as possible.

The personal injury attorneys at Robenalt Law have extensive experience handling complex cases, including cases involving serious brain injuries. We have the experience, resources, and expertise to evaluate your case and secure compensation from the people who caused your injuries.

We invite you to learn why clients choose us, to read our answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and to contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Tom Robenalt started his litigation career at a large firm in Cleveland where he represented corporate defendants and insurance companies. For the past 25 years, he has used that experience to help people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries secure the compensation they deserve.