A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have life-altering consequences. At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, we understand the complexities of these injuries and are dedicated to helping victims in our local communities and across the state of Connecticut seek justice.
No matter what type of traumatic brain injury you are suffering from, when someone else’s negligence caused it, you deserve knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how our experienced TBI attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Any traumatic force to the head that injures the brain is a traumatic brain injury. The symptoms of a TBI can vary a lot depending on the severity of the brain injury. They’re usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe. As the severity goes from mild to moderate to severe, the symptoms likewise increase in significant degrees and the treatment that’s necessary.
A mild traumatic brain injury is often referred to as mTBI, and symptoms can include:
If you have a mild brain injury, you may be symptomatic for the types of symptoms listed above. With mild head injuries, often there isn’t much acute treatment necessary other than rest if brain scans are normal. However, this does not mean that everyone recovers from mild traumatic brain injuries. Many people don’t and have lasting symptoms. To address these lasting symptoms, several different types of medical care may be necessary including treatment by a neurologist; neuropsychologist; neuro-ophthalmologist or neuro-optometrist; forensic psychiatrist; physical medicine and rehabilitation; cognitive rehabilitation; Ear, Nose & Throat specialist; endocrinologist; primary care internist; psychologist or social worker; and sight therapy.
Moderate brain injuries often result in a loss of consciousness, more significant neurological features like weakness in any of the extremities, and even seizures.
Generally, with a moderate TBI, you’re increasing the degree and the severity of symptoms that you’re having. Most moderate brain injuries require emergency medical care and significant treatment.
When you have a severe brain injury, you’re likely to have things that would include skull fractures and loss of consciousness as well as much more significant neurological symptoms, which can include paralysis. Severe brain injuries can even result in death. Severe TBIs often require emergent surgical techniques either to repair a skull fracture, to relieve pressure on the brain, or to drain bleeding in the brain.
If objective tests like MRI or CT scans—or what we refer to as DTI imaging, Diffusion Tensor Imaging—reveal that you suffered significant brain damage, then that is one way you can demonstrate a brain injury in court. But oftentimes, with mild and even some moderate brain injuries, that type of testing is negative.
The reason for that is that you can have certain types of damage at the cellular level that imaging machines are not sensitive enough to pick up. So, in those situations, you have to present other evidence of your brain injury. This is often done with the help of a neuropsychologist, neuropsychiatrist, or forensic psychiatrist. The opinions of these medical professionals are generally based on various tests, the results of which are then scaled. A determination is made based on the results of that testing that show whether or not there are certain functions or areas of the brain that have been damaged by the injury that was sustained. After making their determination, the involved medical professionals are often called on to testify at deposition or in court.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It is an injury to the brain, considered mild in nature. So yes, if you suffered a concussion as a result of someone’s negligence, then you have the right to bring a legal claim in the state of Connecticut. A concussion can be a significant injury. Sometimes, the symptoms are short-lived, but other times, they can be chronic. There is nothing that would prevent you from bringing a claim if you have a short-lived concussion versus a chronic symptom complex from a concussion. The key is simply that someone’s negligence caused your injury.
Understanding the types of traumatic brain injuries and your legal rights in Connecticut is crucial. At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, we are here to guide you through the legal process and help you demand the compensation you need to recover.
Call now to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case with one of our skilled legal professionals, remotely or in person.
