Accidents that result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often accompanied by a long and expensive recovery. Hagens Berman represents victims who suffer TBIs and fight to ensure they receive their due compensation.

As per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans suffer about 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) every year, most of which require medical treatment. This includes those injuries that take place in the Seattle area.

While there might not be any external signs of an injury, a sudden force or impact can cause the brain tissue to be bruised, stretched or torn. Even a seemingly simple rear end accident can cause severe damage to the brain.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAIN INJURIES

When a victim suffers a brain injury, there is a primary injury and there might also be a secondary injury. The primary injury is sudden, and often with great intensity, while a secondary injury generally refers to the inflammation that develops within a few hours to a few days after the primary injury. Swelling from the brain’s tissue puts pressure on the brain and causes further damage to it.

COMMON TYPES OF TBIS

A concussion refers to the mildest type of TBI. It might cause a brief loss of consciousness, but permanent brain injury doesn’t ordinarily result from the injury unless a second concussion is suffered a short time later. Here are a few other common types of TBIs:

  • Contusions: These occur when a blow to a specific part of the head causes an injury to the brain directly under the site of the impact. The contusion is specifically known as a coup injury. A contusion might also be called a contrecoup injury when it appears on the opposite side of the brain from where the impact occurred.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): This type of closed brain injury is dangerous because of the likelihood of permanent damage. It is the result of rapid shifting and micro-tearing of nerve axons that is caused by a sudden and strong impact. When these injuries occur, they’re often the result of rapid acceleration and deceleration in motor vehicle collisions or sports activities. Routine nerve signals in the brain are interrupted. DAI damage often occurs in more than one part of the brain, and those parts might be affected by varying levels of damage.
  • Hematomas and Hemorrhages: Hematomas are blood clots, and hemorrhages involve current bleeding. Hemorrhages might occur within the brain’s tissue or the layer between the skull and brain. Hematomas might form between the protective covering of the brain and the bone of the skull, or they can form directly on the brain. Both hematomas and hemorrhages raise the risk of permanent brain damage or death. 
  • Penetrating Skull Fractures: When a victim suffers a skull fracture, bone fragments or a foreign object might penetrate the skull and brain. That penetration can cause permanent debilitating injuries or even death. Penetrating skull fractures are severe TBIs that require surgery as soon as possible.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A TBI? – CLASSIFYING TBIS

When a person suffers a TBI, the injury is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Those levels of severity are distinguished in the following ways:

  • Mild: There may have been a short loss of consciousness for several minutes. However, the victim quickly regains consciousness with open eyes. The victim might be confused and disoriented and suffer from short-term memory loss and headache.
  • Moderate: A loss of consciousness for between 20 minutes and up to 6 hours can result from a moderate TBI. There might be some brain swelling or even bleeding. The victim might be lethargic and sleepy but can be awakened.
  • Severe: The victim is presented to an emergency room unconscious. The victim’s eyes don’t open to stimulation, and the victim will remain unconscious for an undetermined period of time.

SEATTLE TBI LEGAL TEAM

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as a result of an accident, you’ll want to work with top-quality medical professionals to create a treatment plan. That plan can be time-consuming, complicated and incredibly costly.

You’ll also want to consult with an experienced lawyer who can hold the responsible party financially responsible for paying for your damages. At Hagens Berman, we have successfully worked with accident victims with mild to severe TBIs.

WHY RETAIN A SEATTLE TBI LAWYER?

Just some of the overwhelming expenses of treating a TBI can include emergency room services, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, extended care and counseling. In severe cases, victims are placed in long-term assisted living facilities.

Victims and their families shouldn’t have to carry the financial burden of an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence.

By hiring a Seattle TBI lawyer, victims and their families can focus on their physical and emotional recovery while an experienced team of personal injury lawyers fights to protect their financial security.

CONSULT WITH A SEATTLE BRAIN INJURY LAWYER AT HAGENS BERMAN

Contact Hagens Berman to arrange a free consultation and case evaluation with our Seattle TBI team. We will take the time to understand the circumstances of your accident and the financial and emotional impact it has on your life. We will also provide you with an overview of your legal options and answer any questions you have as well. When you retain our firm, you retain a deep bench of experienced advocates fighting to protect your wellbeing.