What Causes a Brain Injury?

Several types of accidents lead to traumatic brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, over 35% of TBI’s are caused by falls.  Behind that, 17% are caused by motor vehicle accidents and 27% are caused by miscellaneous blows or “strikes” to the head.  Unknown causes account for 21% of TBI.  Assaults (one person striking another) account for 10% of TBI cases each year.  A traumatic brain injury can be caused by any jolt, sudden start-stop movement, or blunt force trauma to the head.  Slip and fall accidents, in which the victim falls and hits the head on a hard surface, are the most common cause.

Some of these accidents include:

The variety of ways that a brain injury can happen makes serious brain and spine injuries even more complicated for juries to understand and reward. Many people believe that you must have blunt force trauma to the head in order to receive a brain injury, but our brain injury lawyers know this is not correct.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury?

  • ​Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Visual impairments
  • Memory loss
  • Poor concentration or attention
  • Sleep problems
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Irritability and emotional changes
  • Depression
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of smell
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty thinking

What Are Treatment Options for Traumatic Brain Injury?

Depending on the severity of the TBI and the abilities it has affected, the appropriate treatment may include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the patient regain as much of the function he or she has lost, including the following:

  • Gross motor skills, including walking, balancing, throwing a ball, and exercising
  • Fine motor skills, such as picking up objects, holding utensils, writing, and crafting
  • Speech and communication skills, which may include speech therapy or learning alternative forms of communication.
  • Occupational skills, including relearning work tasks or learning new skills in order to get a job
  • Counseling to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the accident and injury
  • These therapies may be needed for months or even years in order to make up for the deficits caused by the injury and are very expensive. If the accident that left you injured was not your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for the consequences.

What Factors Determine The Value Of My Brain Injury Case?

These are the main factors that will be taken into account when determining the value of your Virginia traumatic brain injury case.

  • Medical treatment costs from the initial accident
  • Long-term care costs
  • Pain and suffering beyond the original injury if you experience a loss of quality of life
  • Lost wages and earning potential if you are unable to work after your accident

For our Richmond brain injury attorneys to accurately establish the value of your case and recover the full amount you are owed, it is critical to see a doctor immediately after the accident to establish a paper trail. 

What Evidence Do I Need For My Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Case?

  • Eyewitnesses 
  • Photographs of the scene where the injury occurred
  • Police reports
  • Video evidence if the accident was filmed
  • Diagnosis from an emergency room doctor or neurologist
  • Medical documentation of the injury such as an MRI or CT scan
  • Cognitive evaluation from a neuropsychologist

Evidence of Future Expenses

  • Pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns
  • Treatment notes from any physical, occupational, or speech therapy 
  • Expert witness testimony
Kevin W. Mottley
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Richmond, VA trial lawyer dedicated to handling brain injuries, car accidents and other serious injury claims