Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys in St. Joseph, MO
Advocating for victims of traumatic brain injuries throughout Missouri
While accidents can happen to anyone at any moment, there are some accident-related injuries that are particularly catastrophic for victims and their families. There is a lot of stress that is placed on the family of those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A victim may suffer from cognitive deficits, and it can take months or years for them to reach a certain level of recovery. Many victims do not fully recover from these kinds of injuries.
Not only will family members now become caregivers, but they will also need to provide financial support that had once been provided by the TBI victim. While this can all seem grueling, TBI victims are entitled to seek compensation from the negligent party that caused their injury. This can be an employer, business, or individual. A St. Joseph traumatic brain injury attorney from Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help you recover compensation for your injury.
Are traumatic brain injuries common?
Yes, traumatic brain injuries are common. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for 2017, there were 61,000 people who died from a TBI. There were another 224,000 victims that had to be hospitalized for a TBI. Nearly half of all accidents resulting in a traumatic brain injury were caused by a fall. A quarter of accidents that caused TBIs were motor vehicle accidents.
How do traumatic brain injuries happen in St. Joseph?
While we mentioned a couple of ways that a traumatic brain injury can be caused there are several others. These injuries are caused by any accident that involves force to a person's skull and head. Other common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Defective products
- Construction site accidents
- Sports accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
Since there is a range of ways that a traumatic brain injury can occur, this also means there are different parties that can be held liable. These injuries do not only affect the victim but their families as well. The negligent party should be held responsible for the damage they caused to victims and their families.
Are there different types of traumatic brain injuries?
Since these injuries can affect each individual differently, there are several different kinds of traumatic brain injuries from mild to severe. In some cases, symptoms are onset immediately at the scene of an accident while in other cases symptoms do not appear until days later. Another complication with these kinds of injuries is that the damage can either be in one specific area of the brain (focal) or in several parts of the brain (diffused).
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What are the signs and symptoms of TBI?
While there are general signs to look for that can mean an injury has occurred there are also specific symptoms regarding the severity of the injury. Children will also experience different symptoms than adults.
When it comes to a mild TBI look for the following symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Speech problems
- Fatigue and extreme drowsiness
- Loss of balance and dizziness
If you have suffered a moderate or severe TBI, symptoms may present as the following:
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness ranging from minutes to hours
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Worsening or persistent headaches
- Seizures or convulsions
- Inability to wake from sleep
- Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes
- Pupil dilation
- Clear fluid drainage from ears or nose
If your child has been involved in an accident, it is crucial to keep an eye on them. They may not be able to articulate what they are feeling. Some signs and symptoms to look for are:
- Change in sleep
- Change in eating
- Drowsiness
- Loss of interest in their favorite toys or activities
- Easily irritable
- Persistent crying
- Inability to pay attention
- Depressed mood
For anyone who suffers from a TBI, you should look for loss of bladder control and double vision as these are additional symptoms. There are also many potential complications associated with traumatic brain injuries. There are physical and emotional complications that you can sustain from a TBI. Treatment can help to resolve these issues over time. Unfortunately, other cases result in permanent conditions. Some complications that are often seen from a TBI include:
- Cognitive injuries
- Motor difficulties
- Communication and language deficits
- Perceptual or sensory deficits
- Emotional changes
- Functional deficits
You should follow all doctor's orders and treatment plans. If you or a loved one have suffered a TBI, you will need to contact a St. Joseph traumatic brain injury attorney.
Is there treatment available for TBIs?
While there are treatment options for victims of TBIs, it is crucial that emergency care is sought. This will be the first treatment and often the most critical in your recovery process. During your emergency room visit, you will likely undergo testing to determine what injuries and the extent of injuries you have sustained.
The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to evaluate brain injuries. The test consists of 15 points that focus on motor skills, verbal questions, eye movements, and more. You will also need to undergo scans such as an MRI and a CT scan. Emergent surgery may be needed in some extreme cases. This type of injury will require several members for your care team including:
- Physiatrist, psychologists
- Rehab nurses
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapists
- Respiratory therapists
- Audiologist
- Nutritionists
- Neurosurgeons
- Vocational therapists
- Neuropsychologist
Your treatment plan and care team will vary depending on the symptoms you are experiencing and how severe your TBI is. Much of this treatment is costly and you may not be in the position to pay for it all. This is why you need a St. Joseph traumatic brain injury attorney. You will also suffer a range of other out-of-pocket expenses that should be reimbursed.
Do you have a traumatic brain injury attorney near me?
Our St. Joseph office is located at 2501 Frederick Avenue Suite 100 by appointment. We also see clients throughout Missouri and Kansas.
How a St. Joseph traumatic brain injury attorney can help
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we understand how difficult this injury can be and how much has changed as a result. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of all accident victims. Through our years of experience, we have a rapport with neurosurgeons, neurologists, confusion specialists, neuropsychologists, and others. We will use our expertise to get you the treatment you need for your injuries and build a strong case to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our commitment to our clients is unwavering and our track record speaks volumes about how far we will go for you. We obtained a settlement for a TBI victim who suffered a decrease in nine cognitive areas. She had been involved in a truck accident, and we obtained a three million dollar settlement on her behalf. This was no easy feat as several experts needed to be called in to show how severe the injuries and damages were.
Work with a dedicated TBI lawyer in St. Joseph
Insurance companies are not cooperative when it comes to paying out claims, which is why you need an experienced St. Joseph traumatic brain injury attorney. You need to get your life on track and the negligent parties need to be held accountable for their actions. We will work alongside your medical team to get you back on your feet and will use our resources to build a strong case for you. Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys by calling 816-471-5111, or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.
St. Joseph Office
2501 Frederick Avenue, Ste. 100,
St. Joseph, MO 64506