A closed-head injury happens when the brain is injured without a break in the skull. The damage may be invisible from the outside, yet it can disrupt memory, thinking, and even basic physical abilities. These injuries often occur in car wrecks, sports injuries, workplace incidents, or serious falls. They can range from mild head injuries to severe traumatic brain injury.
Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has helped thousands of injured people across South Carolina get the help they needed after a serious head injury. We know what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable for your medical bills, lost income, and long-term changes to your everyday life. Our team recently secured a $4 million settlement for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury and other serious harm after being struck head-on by a drunk driver. Results like these reflect our commitment to helping clients seek the full compensation they deserve when someone’s reckless choices cause lasting harm.
Living with the aftermath of a head injury can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you get the resources you need to move forward with your life.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Help in Closed-Head Injury Cases
If you’ve suffered a closed-head injury because of another person’s negligence, it can feel like the deck is stacked against you. Getting a lawyer can level the playing field. Here are a few ways a personal injury lawyer on your side can help build a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Legal Rights of Brain Injury Victims
When someone’s careless or reckless actions cause a closed-head trauma, the injured person has the legal right to pursue compensation. This is true whether the injury is a mild closed-head injury or a severe traumatic brain injury. The law allows victims to recover the costs of medical care, lost income, and the personal impact of living with a brain injury.
Our clients are backed by a team of award-winning attorneys recognized as leaders in the field. For example, several have been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America or South Carolina Super Lawyers, and Attorney Melissa Mosier serves as a member of the National Traumatic Brain Injury Association, a reflection of our commitment to advocacy and thought leadership in brain injury law.
Investigating the Cause of the Injury
A successful case begins with a detailed investigation. At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we review accident reports, collect witness statements, and analyze any available photos or videos from the scene. We consult with medical professionals using cutting-edge technology to understand the full extent of the brain injury, whether it involves diffuse axonal injury, cerebral contusions, or other severe head trauma.
Building Medical Evidence for Your Claim
Strong medical documentation is essential in proving the connection between the accident and the injury. This can include brain imaging results such as magnetic resonance imaging or CT scans, Glasgow Coma Scale evaluations, and records showing changes in mental status or motor responses. We work with medical illustrators to create easy-to-understand graphics that help all parties understand the severity of your injury. Medical evidence can also highlight secondary injuries or complications such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, increased intracranial pressure, or long-term cognitive difficulties.
Demonstrating the Full Impact of the Injury
Closed head injuries can create both immediate and long-term challenges. We work to show not only the physical effects but also how the injury impacts your ability to work, maintain your relationships, and participate in daily activities. In some cases, we present testimony from treating physicians, rehabilitation specialists, and family members to illustrate the changes in quality of life.
Addressing Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in cases involving head injuries by suggesting that symptoms are temporary. We counter these arguments with medical evidence, professional testimony, and proof of ongoing limitations. For injuries with risk factors such as repeated trauma or pre-existing conditions, we highlight how these make recovery more complex, while demonstrating the causal relationship between your accident and head injury.
Presenting the Case in Court if Necessary
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to present the case in court. This can include detailed explanations of brain imaging results, testimony from specialists on the long-term effects of severe head injuries, and evidence showing the financial, emotional, and physical harm caused by the injury. Our goal is to make sure the judge or jury understands the seriousness of the injury and the need for fair compensation.
At every stage of this process, we bring the values that define Joye Law firm Injury Lawyers. We lead with compassion, understanding that our clients are hardworking people who often feel outnumbered and outmatched by powerful insurance companies, and we step in to level the playing field. Our team is committed to continuous improvement, always striving to be better because winning for our clients requires nothing less.
What is a Closed-Head Injury?
A closed-head injury happens when the brain moves inside the skull, hitting against the bone and causing damage. This type of brain injury can range from a minimal head injury to a severe traumatic brain injury. Conditions such as diffuse axonal injury, cerebral contusions, encephalomalacia, and brain swelling can occur without an open wound.
Brain imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging and CT scans help doctors find injuries such as subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, or raised intracranial pressure. Closed-head injuries are different from penetrating injuries, where the skull is broken. Even without a fracture, the brain can still suffer from trauma.
As a result, closed-head injuries can cause conditions that can interrupt cerebral blood flow, change cerebral blood volume, and reduce cerebral perfusion pressure. Doctors may also monitor systolic blood pressure and other vital signs closely to prevent secondary injuries.
Common Causes of Closed-Head Injuries
Closed-head injuries often result from events that create a strong force against the head. Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents and auto accidents
- Falls at home, work, or in public places
- Sports-related injuries
- Assaults and blunt force trauma
- Industrial or workplace accidents
- Blunt cerebrovascular injury from sudden head movements
In trauma patients, even mild head injuries can result in lasting issues. More serious head injuries may require emergency surgery or surgical intervention to manage intracranial lesions or skull fractures.
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of severe head injuries. Sudden stops or impacts cause the brain to move violently inside the skull, sometimes leading to severe head trauma or diffuse injury.
Falls are another major cause, particularly among older adults. In some cases, blunt cerebrovascular injury can occur, affecting blood flow to the brain and leading to additional complications. Even a mild closed head injury should be taken seriously because symptoms can worsen if left untreated.
