Brain Injury

Any accident that involves head trauma is very serious, and there are a number of different types of head injuries that a person may endure. One specific type is a closed head injury, which is any injury to the head that does not penetrate the skull. A closed head injury is typically caused by a blow to the head, and it often occurs as a result of an assault, a fall, or a traffic accident. There are unfortunately several risks associated with this type of injury; for example, a strong blow can cause brain swelling, which can lead to permanent brain damage.

There are a few different types of closed head injuries, and the extent of the patient’s brain damage will depend on the severity of the injury. This type of injury can range from mild to severe, and can lead to serious brain damage or perhaps even be fatal. Here is information on four different types of closed head injuries:

1. Concussion: A concussion is a type of head injury that may temporarily affect normal brain functions. Most tend to be mild and do not cause loss of consciousness.
2. Diffuse axonal injury: A very debilitating type of traumatic brain injury that can cause permanent damage to the nerves in the brain. This injury is often caused by high speed transportation accidents.
3. Brain contusion: A brain contusion is bruising of the brain tissue that occurs due to brain trauma. These are present in 20 to 30 percent of severe head injuries.
4. Intracranial hematoma: This occurs when a person’s brain is forced against the inside of the skull. The three types include: epidural, subdural, and intraparenchymal.

A closed head injury can require costly treatment, including surgery, and even extensive rehabilitation for a patient to regain basic motor and cognitive skills. If you have suffered from a closed head injury that was caused by another party’s negligent actions, you can legally pursue compensation from the at-fault person and a closed head injury lawyer in Chicago at the Bradley Law Firm can help. Call (312) 252-1488 to discuss your case with us.

Celebrated in March, Brain Injury Awareness Month seeks to increase awareness about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1.7 million Americans suffer from each year. Also, 3.1 million people live with life-long disabling effects that were a direct result of a TBI, including physical, cognitive, and behavioral changes. In order to improve a TBI patient’s quality of life, the Brain Association of America believes the key is equal and adequate access to healthcare. With proper medical care, TBI patients are less likely to experience medical problems and permanent disability.

A traumatic brain injury is either a closed or penetrating injury, which is caused by a hit, strike, or blow to the head that stops the normal function of brain activity. There are a number of types of accidents that can cause this serious injury, which can certainly happen when a person least expects it, and as such, the theme of this year’s Brain Injury Awareness Month is “Brain Injury: Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone – Brain injuries do not discriminate.” The CDC offers these noteworthy statistics regarding some very common causes of TBI:

• 75 percent of TBI’s are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury;
• 35 percent of TBI’s occur from a fall;
• 17.3 percent are caused by traffic accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes;
• 10 percent of these injuries are caused by assaults; and
• 16.5 percent of TBI’s occur when a head is struck by/against something.

A traumatic brain injury can permanently alter the life of a victim and may result in costly treatment and medical bills in order to recover. The brain injury attorneys in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm can help a brain injury victim obtain compensation when an accident and injury was caused by another party’s negligence. To discuss your potential claim, call our offices at (312) 252-1488.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over 1.7 million people in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Awareness of the risks of TBI has increased in recent years, especially among those who play sports, as the National Football League (NFL) and other professional and school sports organizations have begun working to reduce the number brain injuries caused by sports yearly. However, the CDC notes that much work needs to be done to reduce the rate and severity of TBIs in the U.S.

A TBI may be caused by any bump or blow to the head, including an injury in which something penetrates the skull and damages the brain. Approximately 80 percent of the traumatic brain injuries suffered in any year in the U.S. are mild injuries, for which the injured person can be treated in a hospital emergency room or doctor’s office and then sent home to recover. The remaining 20 percent, however, are often fatal.

Serious head injuries that do not cause death nearly always leave the injured person with permanent disabilities. A TBI can cause permanent difficulties with thinking, memory, or speech. They can also cause problems with gross motor skills, like walking, and with fine motor skills, like those required to write or to pick up and handle small objects. Depending on what part of the brain is injured, victims of severe TBIs may also suffer loss or impairment of function in any limb or body part.

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, you have certain legal rights. The skilled Illinois brain injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm, P.C. can help you understand your rights and options and take the best next step for yourself and your family. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-360-5072.

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is bruised or injured by a blow to the head. A concussion may occur when something hits a person’s head, such as during a sports game or in a construction accident, or it may occur when a person’s head strikes another object during a car accident.

A concussion can cause serious and lasting brain damage if it is not treated properly. Recognizing the symptoms of a concussion can help ensure that the injured person receives proper medical care.

Symptoms of a concussion usually fall into one of four categories:

1. Mental symptoms like difficultly thinking clearly, slow or confused thoughts, or difficulty remembering things or concentrating;
2. Physical symptoms like headache, neck pain, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or feeling fatigued, “run down,” or like something is “off;”
3. Emotional symptoms like irritability, sadness, anxiety, or changes in mood or behavior that aren’t explained by current life circumstances;
4. Sleep-related symptoms like difficulty falling asleep, falling asleep during everyday activities, or sleeping far more or less than usual.

If you’re not sure whether you or someone you’re caring for has suffered a concussion, the best choice is to have the injured person visit a doctor immediately. Prompt medical care gives the injured person the best chance for a full recovery.

If you or someone you love has suffered a concussion or other traumatic head injury, you have certain rights under Illinois law. The experienced Chicago brain injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help you understand your rights and options after an accident. To learn more, call us today at 312-252-1488 for a free and confidential consultation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. A recent study in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) relates data and trends concerning fatal incidents of TBI in the U.S. during the decade of 1997-2007.

According to the MMWR, an average of 53,014 deaths per year were associated with traumatic brain injuries from 1997-2007, combining to total approximately 580,000 total deaths resulting from a TBI-related condition. The rate of TBI-related deaths was three times greater for males than females. Ethnically, and within the male population, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives had the highest rate of fatal TBI incidents; Hispanics had the lowest. Different age groups also saw differences in TBI-related fatalities, as well as the type of TBI-causing incident. Young children aged five years or younger, teenagers between the ages 15 and 19, and older adults aged 75 years or older experienced the highest rate of TBI-related deaths, with young children being the highest. The common causes of TBI-related deaths are related to, in order of most common to least, firearms, motor vehicle accidents, and falls.

TBIs remain to be a health concern in the U.S., despite the decrease in the overall rate of TBI-related deaths during the 1997-2007 report period. Traumatic brain injuries are often the most emotionally difficult injuries an Illinois personal injury victim and their family can endure because it can forever change their lives. Recovering or living with a TBI is a long, emotional and financially burdensome process that can push any family’s limits. Fortunately, victims of Illinois brain injury accidents have legal rights.

The experienced Chicago brain injury lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm are dedicated to easing the financial burden of an Illinois traumatic brain injury and will diligently pursue compensation for TBI victims harmed by another person’s negligent or reckless actions. To learn if legal action is right for you, please contact us at 312-252-1488 for a no-cost consultation.