Brain Injury Lawyers
Brain injuries can be some of the most tragic injuries suffered in an accident. Not only can a brain injury can affect all other parts of the body, it can also inflict cognitive, psychological, and emotional damage as well. People suffering from a brain injury may not fully recover or may be left permanently disabled. Even worse, some brain injuries result in death. That’s why there’s no such thing as a “minor” brain injury. That’s why it’s so important to contact a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced brain injury lawyer as soon as possible after an injury-causing accident.
When a person suffers a brain injury, the injury itself is just the beginning. Not only do some brain injuries take several months if not years to heal (if ever), brain injury sufferers also have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, lost work, and what is often a long and difficult recovery. The physical and emotional strain of recovering from a brain injury can seem insurmountable. Not only can the right brain injury lawyer make sure an injured person receives the compensation he or she deserves, a brain injury lawyer can relieve the stress and anxiety of dealing with “everything else.” An experienced and knowledgeable brain injury lawyer can ease the burden and help the injured person focus on what’s most important—their recovery. GKT can help you.
If you’ve suffered a brain injury in West Virginia, Ohio, or Pennsylvania, you should call the brain injury lawyers at Gold, Khourey & Turak. Our brain injury lawyers understand how difficult it is to recover from a brain injury and will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve. Our consultations are always 100% free, and we never charge a fee unless we make a recovery in your case. GKT’s brain injury lawyers are available at any time by calling (304) 845-9750, by Live Chat 24/7 at GKT.com, or online. Need help? Get help. Get GKT.
About Gold Khourey & Turak Brain Injury Lawyers
Gold, Khourey & Turak’s brain injury attorneys have been trusted by countless people and their families to fight for them and obtain the compensation they deserve. That’s because our brain injury clients aren’t just clients—they’re our neighbors and friends. Our brain injury attorneys take the time to get to know our clients on an individual basis to best serve them
Whether you’ve suffered a brain injury in West Virginia, Ohio, or Pennsylvania, you can count on the brain injury lawyers at GKT to provide you with the personal attention you expect and deserve.
Contact a GKT brain injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation. Need help? Get help. Get GKT.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can vary widely in their severity. A concussion may heal within a matter of days while penetrative brain injuries frequently result in permanent disability or death. Below are some of the most common brain injuries suffered in accidents. Keep in mind that two people suffering the same type of brain injury may experience very different symptoms.
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury in which the brain “bounces” off the inside of the skull. After a concussion, the brain is physically damaged and can undergo chemical changes. Concussions occur as a result of bump or blow to the head or a hit to the body that causes rapid, back and forth movement of the head (i.e. whiplash). While many consider concussions to be “minor” brain injuries they can be quite serious and cause long-lasting impacts.
Common symptoms of a concussion may include:
- Lack of memory before and after the accident
- Headache or head “pressure”
- Appearance of being stunned or dazed
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Noise or light sensitivity
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Sluggishness
- Delay in answering simple questions
- Loss of consciousness
- Mood or personality changes
- Depression
- Inability to sleep
- Inability to concentrate
Most people who suffer a concussion recover in a matter of weeks. However, sometimes people suffer from post-concussion syndrome—where concussion-like symptoms persist for months if not years.
If a person has been in an accident and suffers from any of these symptoms, medical attention should be sought as soon as reasonably possible. Sometimes, concussions and other brain injuries aren’t immediately noticeable. Waiting to receive medical care can be dangerous.
Brain Bruise (Contusion) and Brain Bleeds (Intracranial Hemorrhage)
A brain contusion is simply a bruise on the brain and are similar to brain lacerations. An intracranial hemorrhage is active bleeding in or around the brain. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid that covers the brain. Contusions are distinguished from intracranial hemorrhages in that contusions typically involve multiple, micro-hemorrhages of smaller blood vessels. Both brain contusions and brain bleeds are commonly caused by strong blows to the head.
Common symptoms of brain contusions and brain bleeds include the following:
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Lack of coordination
- Stupor
- Sluggishness
- Spinning sensations or vertigo
- Lack of memory
- Speech, hearing, and vision problems
- Emotional or mood changes
Similar to blood clots, contusions and brain bleeds often cause severe cranial swelling. Swelling is usually worst 4-6 days after the accident. At its worst cranial swelling can cause a great amount of pressure on the brain resulting in permanent injury, coma, or even death if not timely treated. Surgery is often required to reduce pressure on the brain. Treatment in an intensive care unit can be necessary.
Skull Fracture
A skull fracture is a break of the skull bone which surrounds and protects the brain. Skull fractures are commonly caused by blunt force blows to the head. Some skull fractures may resolve on their own and only require observation. On the other hand, some skull fractures require surgery and can result in permanent disfigurement.
There are 4 types of skull fractures:
Linear Skull Fracture
Linear skull fractures are fractures that don’t result in any movement of the bone. Linear skull fractures require observation and don’t typically require surgery.
Depressed Skull Fracture
Depressed skull fractures are fractures that result in movement of the skull bone. Typically, the skull is caved in or “depressed.” Surgery is often required depending on the severity of the depression.
Diastatic Skull Fracture
Diastatic skull fractures are fractures of the areas between the skull plates that fuse together during early childhood. Diastatic skull fractures are most commonly suffered by newborns and infants.
Basilar Skull Fracture
Basilar skull fractures are fractures involving the bone at the base of the skull. These are the most serious type of skull fractures and often require surgery. Signs of a basilar skull fracture may include bruising around the eyes or behind the ear and drainage of clear fluid from the nose or ears.
Treatment of a skull fracture depends on the type and severity of the fracture. Similarly, recovery times vary by the type and severity of the skull fracture. Sometimes, people may resume day-to-day activities in a matter of days while others will endure surgery and weeks of recovery.
Blood Clot (Intracranial Hematoma)
An intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood in or around the brain. Like other brain injuries, brain blood clots are usually caused by blunt force trauma to the head. The trauma causes blood vessels to rupture, releasing blood inside the brain or between the brain and the skull. Intracranial hematoma are similar to contusions and brain bleeds except that hematoma typically describes bleeding that has more or less clotted.
There are 3 types of intracranial hematoma:
Epidermal Hematoma
An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and the covering of the brain, the dura. Epidural hematoma frequently occur with skull fractures.
Subdural Hematoma
A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood between the dura and the outside of the brain. Subdural hematoma are also associated with skull fractures.
Intracerebral Hematoma
An intracerebral hematoma is a collection of blood within the brain itself. Intracerebral hematoma are sometimes caused by or accompanied by brain contusions.
Common symptoms of an intracranial hematoma include:
- Headache (often increasing in severity with time)
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unequal pupil size
- Drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Loss of movement of one side of body
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sluggishness
Brain bleeds are dangerous and can cause death if left untreated or not treated quickly enough. The sudden influx of blood within the head can create enormous pressure on the brain. Surgery is often required to remove the blood and relieve the pressure. If pressure is not relieved, a person may suffer a brain herniation where the brain is squeezed past parts of the skull.
Difuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
A difuse axonal injury is a traumatic brain injury involving rapid, back and forth movement of the brain within the skull. The acceleration and deceleration of the brain against the skull causes shearing of the connective tissue of the brain, axons. This trauma causes lesions on the white matter of the brain. Car, truck, and other vehicular accidents are a common cause of difuse axonal injuries. A DAI occurs in approximately 50% of all severe head trauma. Difuse axonal injuries are difficult to detect and often do not present well on CT scans.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for many of those suffering from a difuse axonal injury is not good. Patients frequently end up in a coma or persistent vegetative state and never regain consciousness. Even those that do recover consciousness are often left significantly and permanently disabled and needing care for the rest of their lives. Still others lose their life as a result of a DAI.
Penetrative Brain Injury
A penetrative brain injury is one in which a foreign object pierces the skull and physically enters the brain. While an uncommon brain injury in most accidents, they are known to happen more frequently in truck and other heavy vehicle accidents. People suffering from a penetrative brain injury almost invariably lose their life or suffer permanent disability.
Common Accidents Causing Brain Injuries
Brain injuries may occur in any number of different accidents. The following are some of the more common types of accidents causing brain injuries.
Car Accident
Car accidents are a leading cause of brain injuries. Speeding and reckless behavior such as drunk driving are frequent factors in car accidents causing brain injury.
Truck Accident
Perhaps the accident most frequently causing brain injuries are truck accidents. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks and tractor trailers, truck accidents tend to be more devastating than other accidents.
Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents also frequently result in traumatic brain injuries. Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in accidents due to inattentive drivers. And when they do happen, motorcycles offer little in the way of protection.
Workplace Accident
People working in dangerous industries involving heavy equipment, machinery, and equipment sometimes suffer brain injuries on the job. Those industries include the coal, oil and gas, and steel industry, among others.
Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents often cause less significant brain injuries such as concussions. However, a slip and fall can result in a skull fracture, contusion, or brain bleeding and swelling.
Medical Malpractice
A doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare provider’s wrongful actions or inactions can cause a brain injury. Medical malpractice claims involving a brain injury can be extremely complex.
If you’ve suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s actions or inactions, you may be entitled to compensation. That’s true regardless if you’ve been involved in one of these accidents. Contacting a brain injury lawyer like those at GKT is the first step to determining whether you have a claim.
Brain Injuries and MRIs and CT Scans
Brain injuries are notoriously difficult to detect by our current diagnostic tools. Two of the most frequently used brain injury diagnostic tools are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography scans (CT scans). Because some brain injuries are remarkably small, almost microscopic, these diagnostic tools might not always indicate a brain injury. Other times, the indications of a brain injury might be easy to overlook and may be missed by a healthcare provider. Even if you have been told that your MRI or CT scan came back negative for a brain injury does not mean that you have not suffered from one. Misdiagnosis of a brain injury is a common medical malpractice claim.
Brain Injury Compensation
A variety of compensation may be available to those who suffer a brain injury, whether or not a brain injury lawsuit is filed. If you’ve been in an accident and suffered a brain injury you may be entitled to the following compensation:
Medical bills and expenses
Many people who suffer brain injuries incur significant medical bills. Compensation to pay for past and future doctor, hospital, and specialist bills may be available.
Long term care
Many brain injuries result in permanent disability requiring long term care. Compensation may be available for this type of care.
Lost wages and income
Many brain injury sufferers are unable to work for significant time periods. Others may never be able to return to work.
Pain and suffering
Many brain injuries are traumatic and cause a great deal of pain. Compensation for pain and suffering will likely be a part of any brain injury lawsuit.
Loss of companionship/loss of consortium
When people suffer as a result of a loved one’s brain injury, they may be entitled to compensation
Emotional distress
Brain injuries often occur in devastating accidents causing emotional distress. A reputable brain injury lawyer will investigate whether a claim for emotional distress can be made under the facts of the case.
Wrongful death
When someone is killed as a result of brain injury, his or her family may be entitled to significant compensation for wrongful death.
Consulting with a skilled brain injury lawyer is the first step to better understanding what type of compensation may be available and in what amounts. A good brain injury lawyer will investigate making claims for a variety of compensation types to make sure the injured person receives the full compensation he or she deserves.
Hiring a Brain Injury Lawyer
Many lawyers will represent clients suffering from a brain injury. However, not all lawyers have the knowledge and experience to effectively represent those suffering from a brain injury. Choosing the best brain injury lawyer for you can make all the difference, like those at GKT.
The key to finding the best brain injury lawyer for you is making sure the lawyer has experience handling the type of accident involved and the specific brain injury sustained. If a lawyer has experience handling car accident cases but not brain injuries, he or she is probably not best suited for the case. Similarly, just because a lawyer has experience handling brain injury cases but has never dealt with the intricacies of truck accident litigation, they are probably not best suited for a truck accident case involving a brain injury. The brain injury lawyers at GKT have successfully represented clients injured in a variety of accidents involving numerous different types of brain injuries.
That’s why it’s extremely important for those suffering brain injuries to ask questions of any lawyer they’re considering hiring. Do you have experience litigating my type of accident? Do you have experience litigating my type of brain injury? How many cases have you had? What are your results? Because some brain injuries are exceedingly rare, it might not be possible to find the “perfect” lawyer. The goal should be to find the best lawyer for you and your family.
When to Call a Brain Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in an accident and suffered a brain injury, calling a brain injury lawyer as soon as possible is always a good idea. Why? A good brain injury lawyer will want to immediately start gathering evidence of the accident and investigating the accident to make sure your rights are preserved. An experienced brain injury lawyer can also start dealing with insurance companies and make sure you don’t say anything that may negatively impact your case. Moreover, the sooner you have brain injury lawyer involved, you can rest assured that your case is being professionally handled so you can focus on what is most important—your well-being.
Our Brain Injury Lawyers Get Results
At GKT, a consultation with one of our brain injury lawyers is 100% free with no obligation. Our brain injury lawyers know that this is perhaps the most difficult time in your life and are available whenever and however it is convenient for you—by phone, online, livechat, or in person at our office or at your home or another location, we’re available 24/7, 365 days a year. All of our brain injury clients are handled on a contingency fee basis. That simply means we don’t charge a fee unless and until we obtain compensation on your behalf. If you think you have a brain injury case, we are here to help. Need help? Get help. Get GKT.
