When someone sustains a head injury in a car crash, it is in his or her best interest to seek medical help immediately. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and serious concussions are among the most common types of car accident injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 2.5 million brain injuries each year, and as many as 57,000 do not survive. For those who do survive their injuries, the damages can be serious and permanent if left untreated.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak discusses more details about brain injuries, including how an untreated TBI can impact your ability to earn a living.
Our firm may be able to help you to pursue compensation for your concussion or brain injury. Contact one of our representatives to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your potential case and legal options.
A Brain Injury May Not Be Immediately Evident
Brain injuries may happen in a car accident, such as if you strike your head against something. If you are lucky, you may suffer only minor bruising and can recover quickly. However, many accident victims suffer more serious internal damages, such as torn tissues, internal bleeding, bruising of the brain and other damages that could be serious or life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated.
The challenges of a brain injury are that often the injured party is not initially aware there is anything wrong. This is because the damage is often more internal, and early on, the damages may only be evident after diagnostic testing. Any delay in seeking a medical examination could have a lasting impact on your health and quality of life.
Early signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) could include some of the following symptoms:
- Temporary loss of consciousness, from a few seconds to minutes
- Sudden headache
- Feeling drowsy or fatigued
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Being in a state of confusion or feeling disoriented
More severe brain injuries may have many additional sensory or cognitive symptoms, including atypical agitation, combative behavior or mood swings, memory loss, severe ear ringing, loss of feeling in fingers and toes, loss of consciousness, coma and death.
An Untreated Brain Injury May Impact Your Future Earning Capacity
Early and ongoing treatment for a brain injury offers injured victims the best chance for a full recovery. While the range of damages can be significant depending on the type and severity of your brain injury, delaying medical care could impact your health, your maximum achievable recovery and even your future earning capacity.
Untreated brain injuries may lead to irreversible damages, such as:
- Severe behavioral or mental changes
- Reduced fine motor skills
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of reading comprehension
- Slurred speech
- And more…
With symptoms like these, holding on to a job after a brain injury can be challenging. Often TBI victims require extensive physical and rehabilitation therapy, as well as counseling. For many this could greatly impact a TBI victim’s future earnings, which is especially devastating if the injured victim was the primary earner for his or her family.
Compensation Can Help You Get The Treatment You Need
The medical costs for treating a TBI are extreme, and a recovering patient may require treatment for months or even years after the initial injury. Seeking compensation can help victims manage the financial burden of this type of injury, as well as provide for their families.
The types of damages you may be able to pursue for a brain injury include:
- Wages lost while recovering
- Ongoing medical care
- Lifetime caregiver expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Physical and rehabilitation therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
How an Attorney May Be Able to Help Your Claim
Our experienced South Bend personal injury attorneys have in-depth knowledge of brain injury cases, and we understand how to help you build a strong case for fair compensation.
We charge nothing up front if we represent you, and only collect our fees if we first recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we are prepared to help. Contact our firm for your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak. Legal help when you need it. (844) 678-1800
