Head or brain injuries can occur due to a wide range of accidents.  Slip and fall accidents are reported to be the most common cause of brain injuries.  However, traumatic brain injury can result from many incidents including: motor vehicle accidents, bicycling accidents, assault, violent shaking (as in shaken baby syndrome), or a strike to the head by any object.  Also, acquired brain injury can be caused by incidents such as near drowning, stroke, neurotoxins, asphyxia, electric shock, or a lightning strike.

Any brain injury or suspected brain injury should be taken very seriously.  Depending on the extent of damage to the brain, symptoms of brain injury can be mild to severe.  Even if the person remained conscious after the event or lost consciousness for a few seconds or minutes, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know has been involved an incident like those above and is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
• Excessive drowsiness
• Severe or persistent headache
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Change in sleep patterns
• Drastic behavioral or mood changes
• Confusion or trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blurred or loss of vision or tired eyes
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to awaken from sleep

These symptoms or signs of brain injury may be present alone or in combination with one another. If you suspect brain injury, please consult a doctor right away.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Injury Center, reported brain injuries annually cause an average of 52,685 deaths, over 300,000 hospitalizations, and about 1,800,000 minor emergency visits and release.

A brain injury can be debilitating, not only to the injured person, but often also dramatically affect the lives of family members and friends.  Rehabilitation and recovery can be expensive an exhausting.  If you or someone you know has suffered brain injury caused by an incident that may have been someone else’s fault, you should consult an attorney right away to assess your specific situation, protect your rights, and evaluate the possibility of a personal injury claim to help you recover any damages to which you may be entitled.  The person(s) responsible for the cause of the injury can be held accountable, not only for the necessary medical expenses, but also for the resulting pain, suffering and inconvenience.  At Raheen Law Group, we will assess your case individually and work hard to protect your rights and provide you with the best help for the best legal outcome possible.

Recovery Tips from the Brain Injury Association of America:

• Get lots of rest. Don’t rush back to daily activities such as work or school.
• Avoid doing anything that could cause another blow or jolt to the head.
• Ask your doctor when it’s safe to drive a car, ride a bike, or use heavy equipment, because your ability to react may be slower after a brain injury.
• Take only the medications your doctor has approved.
• Don’t drink alcohol until your doctor says it’s OK.
• Write things down if you have a hard time remembering.
• You may need help to re-learn skills that were lost. There are programs, supports and services available to people with brain injury and their families.

If you’ve been in involved in a brain or head injury, please contact us for a FREE initial telephone consultation.  We speak English, Farsi (Dari), Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.