Loomis Brain Injury Lawyer

As more research is being done into the area of traumatic brain injuries, new diagnostic and treatment options are being implemented. As imaging modalities improve, it seems like more and more people are being told that they have suffered a head or brain injury. This prospect can be scary to patients, their loved ones, and the people around them. Furthermore, there are many ways that someone can suffer severe neurological damage.

There are many different ways that a patient might suffer a traumatic brain injury. Examples of common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

Pedestrian Accidents: In some situations, looking both ways before crossing the street isn’t enough. A pedestrian walking down the road can be struck by anything from a bicycle to a bus. Whether the patient’s head strikes the vehicle or the ground, the potential of suffering severe neurological damage is real.

Competitive Sports: The NFL and other sports leagues have been in the news recently due to their concussion risks. Even high school or middle school athletes can suffer brain damage while playing contact sports. For this reason, it is imperative to wear a helmet if the sport demands it. Failure to do so could lead to a serious head injury.

Slip and Fall Accidents: Someone can suffer brain damage while walking on the pool deck, enjoying a party on the porch, or even at work. A wet floor, missing stair, or algae-covered pool surface can cause someone to slip and fall. The person’s head could strike the floor or side of the pool, leading to a serious brain injury.

While there are many types of brain injuries, the initial management of head trauma is going to follow a similar pattern. The first steps include:

Airway Protection: The first step is to protect the patient’s airway. If the airway is obstructed, the physician will try to clear the airway and intubate the patient. This will ensure that oxygen is flowing to the brain.

Ventilation: Once the patient is breathing, the doctor will try to maintain safe levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Proper levels of both gases are important for keeping the intracranial pressure in a safe range.

Blood Pressure: The patient’s blood pressure must be normalized. To accomplish this the physician may employ IV fluids or even a blood transfusion. Ensuring that the blood pressure is at a safe level will help keep an appropriate amount blood flowing to the injured area.

Imaging: Once the patient has been stabilized, they may be sent to imaging for diagnosis of a brain injury. A CT scan or MRI will help paint a picture of what is happening in the patient’s head. The area of injury will be highlighted and neurosurgery could be contacted if emergency treatment is necessary.

When patients suffer a traumatic brain injury, the financial aspect is likely not the highest priority. What people need to understand is that the financial ramifications of a traumatic brain injury have the potential to last for the rest of the patient’s life. When someone has suffered a head injury as a result of negligent or reckless conduct, the responsible party should be held accountable. An experienced attorney can take many of the logistical, financial, and legal issues off of the patient’s to-do list, allowing them to focus on their recovery. A lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies for a fair and just settlement. They can go through the patient’s medical records and fill out the required legal paperwork. If necessary, an attorney can even take the case to court to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable. Nobody should ever have to face the prospect of a serious brain injury alone.

I’m Ed Smith, a Loomis Brain Injury Lawyer. The management of an acute traumatic brain injury is no easy task. If you or someone you know has suffered a serious head injury, please reach out to my team at 916.921.6400 for friendly, free advice.

I am a member of the California Chapter of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We are a group of injury attorneys who have been rated with some of the country’s top trial lawyers. Each of the attorneys in our forum has settled cases or won verdicts in excess $1 Million Dollars.

My verdicts and settlements can be found here.

My client reviews and ratings are located on Avvo, Yelp, and Google Plus.

Image Attribution: From Patrick J. Lynch, via Wikimedia Commons

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