Accidents happen all the time. And while some end with nothing more than dirt on your pants and a little bit of embarrassment, others can leave you with life-altering injuries. One of the most devastating injuries you can sustain following an accident is traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is subjected to a blow or a bump from a blunt or penetrating object. As this happens, the brain may crash back and forth within the skull resulting in bruises, tearing of the nerves and bleeding. A traumatic brain injury can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the severity of the impact.
Here are three types of accidents that result in a traumatic brain injury.
Auto accidents
In an auto accident, the head can be slammed against the car body resulting in a skull fracture and brain injury. While these injuries may not be noticeable immediately, they can be extremely serious.
Slip-and-fall accidents
A trip, slip and fall can happen anywhere – at home, in a store or on a slippery or uneven sidewalk causing you to hit your head against a hard object like concrete.
Medical injuries
Medical injuries happen when the healthcare professional, out of negligence, commits a mistake that results in hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply to the brain). When the brain fails to get the right amount of oxygen, its cells begin to die. Common medical errors that can result in brain damage include errors while administering anesthesia or prescription of medication that interferes with the oxygen supply to the brain.
The consequences of a traumatic brain injury can be swift and severe. Knowing your legal rights can help you pursue the financial restitution you deserve if you or a loved one sustains a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligent behavior.
