Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can turn your life upside down. You might be left with lasting health issues, medical bills, an inability to work, and more. If you or a loved one have suffered a TBI in an accident, it is important to understand that you have legal options.
You do not need to handle the recovery process alone. Our catastrophic injury attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can serve as your dedicated legal advocates. A Torrington traumatic brain injury lawyer can investigate what happened, help you understand your options, and put together a civil claim to hold the responsible party accountable.
An injury to the head can cause serious damage to the brain, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Not all brain injuries are TBIs. To qualify as a TBI, an external force must cause the injury. The force can be a blow, bump, blunt force injury, or penetrating injury. The force does not have to directly impact the head—it can rattle a person, causing the brain to hit the inside of the skull instead.
TBIs range from mild to severe. Mild TBIs—also generally known as concussions—often resolve on their own in a short period. However, concussions can result in permanent deficits cognitively and emotionally. At times, your medical history prior to the concussion can have a significant impact on how well you recover. The term mild is not intended to imply that you may not have lasting disabilities. Damage from concussions can be cumulative, so these injuries, while termed mild, are not insignificant. Moderate and severe brain injuries are more likely to lead to lengthy recovery periods, permanent injuries, and disabilities.
Brain injuries can lead to both physical and mental symptoms. Physical symptoms can include but are not limited to:
Mental issues can include but are also not limited to:
These symptoms of traumatic brain injuries also affect the family of an injured person as they try to provide care and companionship. The cost—both financial and emotional—of such a long-term injury should not be overlooked. Our Torrington TBI attorneys understand what you are going through. We want to help you seek recovery and justice.
Some of the most common causes of TBIs are falls, motor vehicle crashes, physical assaults, and firearm injuries. Many times, someone else’s negligence causes or contributes to a TBI.
Falls are the leading cause of TBIs. If the fall occurred on someone else’s property, they may be responsible for the injuries. It will depend on whether the fall was due to their negligence. Loose floor tiles, sliding rugs, slippery floors, icy walkways, defective stairs, and loose handrails are some examples of negligence that could support a claim against them.
Motor vehicle wrecks—especially motorcycle collisions—are another leading cause of TBIs. The tremendous force in a crash means that if your head impacts a surface, the blow will be immense. It also means that if you come to an abrupt stop, like when a safety belt keeps you from hitting the window, your brain can still hit the side of your skull.
Motorcycle riders are some of the most vulnerable in auto accidents, especially since Connecticut does not require helmets for most adult riders.
Physical assaults and many firearms injuries are intentional torts, not negligence. You may still have a personal injury claim against the person who caused the harm, but the legal theory will be different. A Torrington lawyer can look at the cause to determine what approach to take in a TBI injury claim.
TBIs can impact every facet of your life—the ability to care for yourself, your ability to work, your mobility, and even your core personality. The changes radiate outwards from the injured person, affecting their friends and family, as well. In addition to the physical and emotional turmoil, serious brain injuries can also lead to tremendous financial hardships. Coming out of a severe accident with a traumatic brain injury can leave you anxious about what to do next.
D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, is here to provide support and legal advice. With a free consultation—remote or in person—we can assess whether you might have a claim and discuss your legal options. Make a no-obligation appointment as soon as possible to see how a Torrington traumatic brain injury lawyer can help.
