Many people in New York have been victims of auto accidents, physical assaults, falls or sports-related accidents that caused head injuries. Although the skull serves to prevent a brain injury, some incidents can cause severe harm. Living with a brain injury is a challenge for the victim as well as his or her family, friends and colleagues, and understanding it might make it easier.
Head injuries can involve the scalp, skull or brain, and the severity could range from mild bumps and bruising to traumatic brain injuries. They are typically caused by scalp wounds, concussions and skull fractures. The brain can be damaged even if there is no open wound, such as a skull fracture. Closed brain injuries are sometimes ignored, often with serious consequences, because internal bleeding and swelling are not visible but could be life-threatening.
Brain trauma can also occur without any blow to the head. This often happens in car accidents when the impact of a collision causes a whiplash motion of the heads of vehicle occupants. The rapid movement of the head — back and forth or side to side — can cause bruising or bleeding as the brain slams into the skull. Typical symptoms may include disorientation, confusion and loss of consciousness; however, not all injuries are immediately noticeable, and a medical evaluation after any car accident is crucial.
A brain injury can have long-term consequences, and depending on the severity and the location of the damage, victims might be unable to return to work. In some cases, specialized medical care and therapy are required for extensive periods. Mounting medical bills and lost income could cause further anxiety, but damages might be recoverable. If another party’s negligence led to the injury, the help of an experienced New York personal injury attorney could be invaluable. Legal counsel can assist with the navigation of a civil lawsuit to recover economic and noneconomic damages.
