What is the most common brain injury? Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the most common type of brain injury. Each year in the U.S., millions of people are victims of traumatic brain injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, sadly, tens of thousands of people die annually from these injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are caused by blows or jolts to the head in car crashes, falls, and other incidents. They can also happen when an object goes through the skull.
Some brain injuries are called non-traumatic or acquired brain injuries. These injuries are caused by strokes, tumors, and other medical conditions and diseases. They can also happen when the brain is deprived of oxygen, such as in drownings and difficult child births.
What Is the Most Common Type of Traumatic Brain Injury?
What is the most common type of traumatic brain injury? Concussions are the most common traumatic brain injury. They can be caused by blows to the head, shaking, or accidents, where the head and brain move quickly back and forth. They can happen in falls, car accidents, while playing sports, and in other ways. Even though concussions are not usually life threatening, they are often very serious and harmful.
Other types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Brain contusions, which is a bruising of the brain tissue caused by an impact to the head.
- Penetrating injuries, which happen when an object pierces the skull and impacts the brain.
Severe traumatic brain injuries can cause loss of consciousness, confusion, seizures, coma, and even brain death. People who experience them may face expensive and ongoing medical bills, long recuperation times, missed time at work, and other serious and costly consequences.
How Do Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen?
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in a wide variety of ways. Some are caused by violent acts, and many are due to accidents. Here are some common causes of traumatic brain injuries:
- Falls from heights, slips and trips, falls down stairs, and other falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
- Motor vehicle crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians account for many TBIs.
- High-impact sports, including football, hockey, boxing, soccer, and others, can result in head injuries, especially among young people.
- Shootings, punches, shaken baby syndrome, and other violent and abusive acts cause brain injuries.
- Accidental blows to the head from equipment and machinery in workplaces account for some traumatic brain injuries.
- Explosive blasts in military settings can harm the brain.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have a Brain Injury?
If you’ve suffered a blow to the head and have even minor symptoms, see a doctor right away. Symptoms can include:
- Worsening headache
- One pupil being larger than the other
- Vomiting
- Depression
- A hard time waking
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- And more…
When you see the doctor, be sure to ask for records of all of your treatments. These records will be important if another party caused your injury and you decide to file a legal claim.
When your traumatic brain injury was due to another party’s violent or negligent actions, you can possibly be compensated through a legal claim. While bringing a lawsuit won’t make your injuries go away, the money you could receive can make your life easier in the future. This is especially true if you can’t work or need ongoing care. It can be smart to consult with an experienced brain injury lawyer. A lawyer will look at all the facts of your case and tell you about your options and what damages you could potentially be awarded.
Non-traumatic brain injuries can also be due to negligence. For example, brain injuries that occur in childbirth might be caused by negligent doctors or other healthcare providers. A public swimming pool where a drowning happens might be liable in a brain injury case if they didn’t have enough lifeguards on duty. An attorney can advise you whether you might have a claim based on your circumstances
What Can a Brain Injury Lawsuit Ask For?
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries and the specifics of your case, your brain injury lawsuit might ask for compensation for:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost income for time missed at work
- Future lost income if you can no longer work at all, or if your work is limited or you must take a lower paying job due to your brain injury
- Pain and suffering for ongoing physical pain, depression, reduced enjoyment in life, and other losses
- Punitive damages intended to punish the at-fault party when their actions were especially bad.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Brain Injury?
Here are some examples of parties that can be held liable when brain injuries happen:
- Negligent drivers in car accident cases
- Owners of properties where dangerous conditions cause slips and falls
- Employers who don’t maintain safe workplaces
- Doctors and other healthcare providers
- People who conduct violent acts.
Time Limit on Filing a Brain Injury Claim
If you wish to file a legal claim against the party that caused your injuries or a loved one’s brain injury, it is important not to delay. Texas has a two-year time limit, called a statute of limitations, for bringing most personal injury claims. The clock starts ticking the day of your injury. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to bring a claim. ***Always speak directly to a licensed attorney to understand the exact deadline(s) that apply to your claim(s).***
Houston Lawyer Stands Up for Brain Injury Clients
Serious brain injuries often have lifelong impacts. And they are very expensive. The costs of medical treatments, time lost from work, convalescent care, rehabilitation, and other things adds up quickly. Our skilled brain injury lawyer will examine your case and work toward getting you compensation for what you have lost because of another party’s actions.
Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at (713) 973-8888 for a free consultation about your brain injury case. We are on your side. We will fight for your right to receive payment for your injuries.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]