There are few injury types that are more devastating than an injury to the brain. When a person’s brain is impacted, they are not only at risk of death in some cases, but are also at risk of permanent physical, emotional, and cognitive impairment. When a brain injury is the direct result of another person’s actions, the victim may be able to recover financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Charleston Accidents that Lead to Brain Injuries
There are dozens of types of accidents that may lead to a brain injury. For example, accident types where a brain injury is a potential outcome include:
- Car, truck, and boat accidents;
- Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents;
- Childbirth
- Slip and fall accidents;
- Drowning/near-drowning incidents;
- Assault and battery;
- Workplace accidents; Common workplace injuries.
- Sports accidents (e.g. high school football accidents); and
- Incidents of medical malpractice.
If you have been involved in an accident where you suffered a brain injury, call an attorney in Charleston, SC today.
Types of Brain Injuries
The type of brain injury that is most common is a concussion. A concussion can range in severity from mild to severe; a more mild concussion will usually heal on its own with time and rest, whereas a more severe concussion requires emergency medical care. A concussion can be caused by a direct blow to the head (e.g. a person falling and hitting their head), a gunshot, a whiplash injury, or violent shaking.
In addition to a concussion, the other types of brain injuries include:
- Contusion. A contusion brain injury means that there is bleeding of the brain. Usually the result of a direct impact to the head, a severe contusion may need to be removed via surgery.
- Acquired brain injury. An acquired brain injury refers to a brain injury that is acquired by something other than force, such as a stroke, a tumor, or anoxia (oxygen deprivation). This type of brain injury may occur because of a defective pharmaceutical that leads to stoke, a drowning incident, or even a birth injury.
- Penetration. As its name implies, a penetration brain injury refers to a situation in which the brain is actually penetrated by an object. If a person is assaulted with a weapon, such as a knife, the blade may actually penetrate the brain and cause a devastating injury.
- Diffuse-axonal. Extensive tearing of nerve tissues throughout the brain, caused by rotational forces or severe shaking, is referred to as a diffuse axonal injury. This type of injury can occur when an individual is in a car accident, and may lead to permanent brain damage, coma, or death.
- Coup-contrecoup. When contusions occur at the point of impact (i.e. the side of the brain where the person who fell made contact with the ground), and the complete opposite side of the brain, a coup-contrecoup injury occurs. This happens when the force that struck the initial side of the brain is so great that it causes brain to slam into the skull at the opposing side.
Why are Brain Injuries so Devastating?
The brain is not only the most important organ in the body, but also one of the most delicate. When the brain is impacted, the effects can range from the physical to the emotional.
Some of the repercussions of a brain injury are obvious; coma, brain death, a vegetative state, and a minimally conscious state are all possible, and are all terrible to think about. But the less-obvious effects of a brain injury are also awful. For example, a brain injury may leave a person able to function fully, but unable to perform the same cognitive tasks that they once did with ease (imagine a math teacher who is no longer able to recall mathematical formulas). Or, a brain injury can completely alter the emotional state of an individual – consider a happy, loving father who is in a car accident, and now suffers from depression, anxiety, and angry outbursts as a direct result of a brain injury. These symptoms of brain injuries can not only impair a person’s relationship with their friends and family members, but also result in an impaired quality of life, the risk of unemployment, the necessity of dangerous prescription drugs, and more.
How Can A Charleston Brain Injury Attorney Help Me?
The truth is that when a brain injury happens, there is usually someone to blame. For example, did a slip and fall accident – which led to a brain injury – occur because a landlord failed to correct a dangerous condition on the property, such as a broken stair? Or, did a car accident happen because another driver was driving while alcohol impaired? Did a child’s brain injury occur because the owner of a pool failed to put up a fence to prevent children from entering, contributing to the child’s near-death incident?
If the brain injury of you or your family member was caused because of someone else’s negligent act, you need an attorney who will advocate for you. An attorney will guide you throughout all steps of the claims process, including determining who is liable, gathering evidence to support liability, understanding total value of losses, filing your claim, negotiating for a settlement, and even going to court.
Why Joye Law Firm is the Right Choice for Legal Representation
Joye Law Firm has been serving those in Charleston and surrounding areas since we first opened our doors in 1968. Since then, we have committed to guiding victims through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We have a large team of experienced and passionate attorneys who share our values of excellence, and we have received national and statewide recognition for our services.
When facing the aftermath of a brain injury, you need an attorney on your side who is as dedicated to serving you as they are competent. At Joye Law Firm, you will find that our aggressive Charleston brain injury attorneys will also put your needs first. To schedule a free case review to learn more about how we can help you, call us directly or use our online form to get in touch with us today.
