Brain injuries are not a one event accident, such as breaking an arm. When an individual sustains a brain injury, he or she cannot simply go to the emergency room, have a cast placed on the fracture, and then go home and wait for it to heal. According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), brain injuries are the start of a long journey of rehabilitation, misdiagnosis, and underfunded care. Since the brain is responsible for our emotions, thinking, speech, and movement, among other things, sustaining a brain injury can affect many of these functions, and it can change who people are. After a brain injury, a person may have to learn to walk or talk again. That person could also be out of work for the rest of his or her life, which creates a financial hardship in the person’s life. Furthermore, brain injuries are always unique, making them difficult to treat and diagnose correctly.
Brain injuries commonly occur from motorcycle accidents where the rider is not wearing a helmet, falls in the shower or on concrete, vehicular accidents, sports-related injuries, and explosive blasts (Mayo Clinic). Blows to the head by nothing more than a fist can prove fatal, as Utah has recently seen in the case of Ricardo Portillo, who died from being punched in the head by an angry soccer player.
Another difficult thing about brain injuries is that after a traumatic accident the person may feel fine for a few days or even weeks before symptoms appear. This is why it is so important to see a doctor immediately after an accident, even if you feel okay. According to the Mayo Clinic, some common symptoms of brain trauma include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Feeling depressed (if it is not usual for you to feel so)
Brain injuries do not only affect the people who receive them but those closest to them as well. Family members may be forced to quit their jobs in order to provide care for their loved ones. This can cause financial hardship and emotional stress on families.
Finding the right care for a brain injury, negotiating with insurance companies, and receiving compensation from the responsible parties can be daunting tasks. Good Guys Injury Law specializes in brain injury law and can help you find the compensation and support that you need when confronted with this traumatic experience.
If you have been affected by a brain injury that was the fault of someone else, we can help you. In the unfortunate situation that your loved one died from a brain injury due to negligence on someone’s part,Good Guys Injury Law can aid you in receiving the compensation that you deserve. Please call us today at (801) 506-0800.
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