Head and Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries have the greatest risk of causing irreversible, serious disabilities that can have profound effects on a person’s ability to think, move, communicate and ultimately to enjoy their life to the fullest. While cranial cuts, cranial bruising and mild concussions are among the more minor types of head and brain injuries, in the worst cases, a person can suffer from severe traumatic brain injury that could result in him being in a permanent vegetative state. When the negligence or recklessness of another person or party causes or contributes to worsening a head or brain injury, the victim will likely be entitled to compensation for his previous medical bills, ongoing treatment costs (even in the event that lifelong treatment is necessary), lost wages, mental anguish and any permanent disabilities.

Causes of Head and Brain Injuries

Common causes of head and brain injuries, according to head and brain injury statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include:

• Falls, which is the leading cause of brain injuries, as falls account for more than 35 percent of all brain injuries that occur each year in the U.S.
• Motor vehicle accidents, which are the second most common cause of head and brain injuries, as traffic accidents account for more than 17 percent of all brain injuries that occur in the U.S. each year
• Being struck by an object (whether or not that object has fallen on someone’s head or is stationary), which accounts for approximately 16.5 percent of all head and brain injuries that occur each year in the U.S.
• Violent assaults, which account for about 10 percent of all head and brain injuries that occur each year in the U.S.

Symptoms of Head and Brain Injuries

The symptoms of head and brain injuries can appear immediately or, in some cases, can take days or weeks to become evident. While the precise nature of head and brain injury symptoms a person displays will depend on the area of the brain damaged, as well as the extent of the damage sustained, some of the most common symptoms of head and brain injuries include:

• Difficulty remembering things or concentrating
• Dizziness, difficulty balancing and/or loss of coordination
• Disorientation and confusion
• Headaches, which can be recurring and intense
• Loss of consciousness
• Mood swings, including unusual irritability, anxiety and depression
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Persisting fatigue
• Pupil dilation
• Seizures
• Sleeping problems, particularly problems waking from sleep or insomnia
• Slurred speech and other speaking problems

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained a head or brain injury that could be attributed to another party’s negligence or recklessness, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.