Douglasville Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Brain injuries are among the most challenging and difficult injuries to deal with after an accident. They can be hard to diagnose and treat, and ultimately, they can change the lives of victims and their loved ones. If someone else’s negligence caused the brain injury, however, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the harm which he or she has suffered.
The personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., have spent decades carefully improving and refining our skills inside and outside of the courtroom. Our attorneys understand that recovering compensation for a brain injury requires taking the time to carefully investigate the case and to learn all about the science and medicine behind the injury. We are here to help.
If you suspect that another person’s negligence caused you or a loved one to suffer a brain injury, contact our Douglasville brain injury lawyers for a free consultation about your case. We serve clients in Douglasville and throughout West Georgia. We are ready to review your case today.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is exactly what it sounds like – a physical injury to the brain. When the brain suffers a physical impact – whether from a puncturing force or impact with a solid object – the injury is not always observable to the naked eye. Instead, special diagnostic imaging tests must be used in order to properly identify and diagnose the injury.
TBI can lead to a wide range of symptoms, many of which may look similar to other unrelated conditions. So, the diagnosis of TBI can present a challenge to healthcare providers. However, once diagnosed, treatment is available in many TBI cases. The key is early detection and proper diagnosis.
What Are Common Types of Brain Injuries in Georgia?
A sharp blow, puncture wound, or jostling of the head can lead to a wide range of damage to the brain. Some of the most common types of brain injuries that we see among our clients at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., are:
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- Hematoma – This is a clot or small cluster of blood that forms outside of the vessels. A hematoma is a sort of bruise that can form inside the brain, leading to complex symptoms.
- Hemorrhage – This is considered bleeding that cannot be controlled. A brain bleed can be fatal if a victim does not get immediate treatment.
- Fracture – When the skull suffers a harsh direct blow from a blunt object like a dashboard or pavement, the skull can actually be fractured, leading to serious complications.
- Concussion – Often described as a mild to moderate form of TBI, a concussion occurs when there is a lapse in consciousness – even if for just a brief second or two. The longer the state of unconsciousness, the more severe the potential concussive event.
- Diffuse axonal injury – This type of injury occurs when the brain is shaken or twisted about inside the skull, leading to small lesions in the white matter of the brain. These lesions can occur throughout the brain in different areas, leading to a constellation of symptoms that can be troubling to health care providers.
What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can result in complex and bewildering symptoms. At times, the symptoms may be severe, while at other times, they may appear to subside. Here are just a handful of common symptoms of minor or moderate TBI:
- Groggy or disoriented feelings
- Mood changes
- Agitation or frustration
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Visual and auditory changes
- Gait and balance trouble.
More serious and severe cases of TBI may result in symptoms that include:
- Hallucinations
- Speech and language challenges
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sensory changes (i.e. smelling and hearing)
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Death.
If you know someone living with injuries from a car accident or fall, and they begin displaying any of these signs or symptoms, make sure they get prompt medical attention. TBI can have a lasting effect on a person. The earlier they are diagnosed and begin treatment, the better their chances of making a full recovery.
Treatment options often center on therapeutic care such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and neurological evaluations. They may also require the assistance of a neuropsychologist to diagnose functional limitations and make recommendations for adaptive housing or other measures in order to accommodate changes that have taken place.
What Are Common Causes of Severe Head Injuries?
Severe head injuries occur with remarkable frequency in West Georgia. Many of them are entirely preventable. The most common causes of TBI are:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Even car accidents that result in minor property damage can result in severe head trauma. It does not take a lot of impact for the head to strike an airbag and cause a concussion. Likewise, hitting the side panel inside of a car’s frame can leave a person with small fractures, brain bleed, or TBI, which can lead to changes in the person’s personality and ability to function.
- Falls – Most falls that result in injury disproportionately affect older people and those with physical ailments. Sometimes, businesses and property owners care more about saving money than making their properties safe for visitors. When this happens, people can suffer horrible falls, leading to brain injuries.
- Physical assaults— If a business fails to provide reasonable security and protection, such as failing to provide locking doors in a hotel or over-serving patrons at a bar without proper security on staff, these types of injuries can be quite predictable. The business should be held accountable for its negligence.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
Yes, there is. The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia is two years. it is crucial to have your lawsuit filed before that two-year time limit expires. Should you not file your lawsuit within that time frame, you will effectively be forfeiting your opportunity to have your lawsuit heard in court.
Contact Our Douglasville Brain Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of TBI following a serious car crash or some other type of accident, and you believe someone else is responsible, then you need to act now. Time is limited for taking action to protect your legal rights. The Douglasville GA brain injury attorneys of the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., are here to help. We never charge for a consultation, and we will get paid only if we can help you collect compensation. So, contact us today to discuss your case.
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