Blunt Force Trauma Leads to Traumatic Brain Injuries
Help for victims who have sustained a concussion or physical injury to the head
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a serious medical condition. A physical blow to the head – even if it seems minor – can lead to a TBI. Moderate to severe brain injuries can cause a victim to experience long-lasting or permanent repercussions affecting movement, speech, or cognitive function.
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we help TBI victims obtain the services and compensation they need to live their best possible lives. We are well-known in Nashville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and throughout Tennessee for our aggressive strategies and comprehensive care for clients who have been injured. If another person’s negligence or actions caused you a physical injury which led to brain damage, you can trust our “Gladiators in Suits” to fight for your rights.
"When I was a teenager, Dad got hurt. Insurance company wouldn't pay. We lost our house. But, Dad got a lawyer and we got justice. That's the moment I decided to become an attorney. As a lawyer, I have dedicated my life to helping injury victims."
~ Rocky
How do traumatic brain injuries happen?
Some brain injuries are the result of illness or infection, but the majority of them come from physical trauma to the skull. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the physical causes of TBI are bump[s]; blows or jolts to the head; or a penetrating head injury. Most of those injuries come as a result of:
- Falls
- Being struck by another object
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Assaults
In each of these examples, blunt force trauma results from things that actually “shake” your brain inside your head. This could happen as a result of hitting your head on a car window or falling off a ladder and smacking your head into the ground. The amount of force resulting from the trauma to the brain determines the severity of the injury.
What types of brain injuries result from blunt force trauma?
After a blunt force injury to the head, a person can experience a variety of brain injuries, including:
- Concussion. Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury resulting from pressure on the brain. Mild concussions may clear up within a few weeks, but moderate to severe concussions can affect a patient for months or even years.
- Contusion. Also called a brain bruise, a contusion causes damage to the brain from bleeding or a buildup of pressure.
- Hematoma. Hematomas are blood clots that create pressure on the brain. Hematomas can occur between the skull and the dura, or between the surface of the brain and the dura. This pressure can cause damage to the tissues of the brain.
- Diffuse axonal injury. Also called DAI, this is one of the most serious types of brain injuries. Blunt force trauma to the head can cause tears in the brain tissue so serious that it can damage the brain beyond repair. Some DAIs are so severe they are fatal.
If the brain only moves a little, it is considered a mild concussion. You may suffer a mild concussion if you hit your head on a car door, or if a relatively light package falls off the top shelf of a store and hits your skull. Your doctor will likely examine the spot of the physical injury. They will check your pupils and ask that someone at home monitor your behavior for a few days to ensure that you are okay.
If the brain moves a lot (known as a “jarring” injury) then the TBI is deemed more severe. A jarring injury can lead a person to lose consciousness, develop memory loss, or experience seizures. Severe TBIs and concussions may be the result of falling off scaffolding at a worksite, slamming into your air bag in a car accident, or going helmet-to-helmet while playing football.
What are the symptoms of blunt force trauma brain injuries?
After any type of forceful blow to the head, whether it happens to you or your child, always seek medical treatment. Although in the past, we were told to “walk it off,” that advice is now outdated and downright dangerous. Traumatic brain injuries can cause serious health problems – even fatal ones – if ignored. Be alert for any of the following signs and symptoms of a brain injury after you or a loved one hit your head:
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Excessive drowsiness
- Trouble waking up
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
Brain injuries are typically diagnosed through medical imaging. Physicians can use an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to identify the type of brain injury and the extent of the damage. These tools can also help the doctor prescribe a treatment plan.
Am I entitled to compensation for my Nashville brain injury?
When you or a loved one suffer a blunt force trauma brain injury from the negligent actions of another, you are likely eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault party for your losses. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses, current and future. This includes all of your costs for medical treatment, therapies, surgeries, and medications.
- Lost income and future earning capacity. This is compensation for paychecks lost while recovering from your injury and any losses incurred if you can’t return to your previous career.
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life.
Every case and every patient is unique. The exact amount of compensation to which you may be entitled depends on your specific situation. The Tennessee attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can sit down with you to determine the details of your case.
Why is Rocky McElhaney Law Firm the right choice?
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm in Nashville, we have decades of experience fighting on behalf of the seriously injured. Each one of our Tennessee brain injury lawyers knows what it takes to build a winning personal injury case. We know how to fight insurance companies that don’t want to pay your claim at all, let alone an amount that is fair and right.
Our firm founder, Rocky McElhaney, is involved in every case our firm handles. Our clients always work with a team of legal professionals who not only know their case inside and out, they know each client’s goals, dreams, fears, and needs. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we help people just like you whose lives have been turned upside down because of serious traumatic brain injuries.
Your trusted authority for personal injury law in Tennessee
With four convenient offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville, we at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm make sure that you always have a trusted attorney and friend nearby. If you or a loved one suffered a blunt force brain injury due to another person’s negligence, we have the skills, resources, and experience you want on your side. To set up a free consultation with a Tennessee brain injury lawyer you can rely on, please call us at 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form.