Manchester Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Compassionate representation for brain injury victims in Connecticut
Head injuries are common and can be devastating. Each year, there are an estimated 2.5 million people in the United States who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 57,000 of these cases involving men, women, and children end in the death. Those who are fortunate enough to survive may experience complications that have long-term or permanent effects on their physical and mental health, relationships, and finances.
If you or your loved one is facing an uphill battle with a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, consult with the caring Manchester injury attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC to discuss the best options for holding the wrongdoer responsible.
Causes and symptoms of brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when your head is struck by an external force resulting in internal swelling, tearing, bleeding or bruising to your brain. Athletes participating in contact sports, car accidents, falling and striking your head on a hard surface all can be root causes of TBI.
Brain injuries can be open, where a skull fracture has occurred, or closed, where the trauma is contained within an intact skull adding more danger as the brain swells with nowhere to go.
Concussions can cause severe brain injuries due to the force of your head being snapped back and forth from an impact during a sports activity, a car accident, or a fall.
Another cause of TBI is the tearing of brain tissue after a violent car accident or other hard hit to the skull, leading to nerve damage that hinders the brain signals necessary for certain bodily functions to occur.
How can we help?
- What is a traumatic brain injury?
- What are the causes of a traumatic brain injury in Manchester, CT?
- What are the symptoms of a TBI?
- How do doctors in Manchester diagnose a traumatic brain injury?
- What are the treatments for a traumatic brain injury?
- What are the challenges of living with a TBI?
- How much is a traumatic brain injury claim worth in Connecticut?
- What resources can help TBI victims in Manchester?
- Do you have a Manchester traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?
What is a traumatic brain injury?
Johns Hopkins University defines a traumatic brain injury as “a blow or a jolt to the head that can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). An injury to another part of the body that transmits force to the head can also result in a concussion. The injury may keep the brain from working normally.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, there were more than 214,000 TBI-related hospitalizations. In 2021, there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths. The CDC estimates don’t include patients who receive ER care, primary care, urgent care, or those who don’t seek medical care.
The University of Connecticut estimates that “approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur every year.”
What are the causes of a traumatic brain injury in Manchester, CT?
Our Manchester traumatic brain injury lawyers work with investigators, the police, and other liability and medical professionals to show what caused a TBI and who is responsible. Some of the common causes of TBIs include:
- Car, motorcycle, truck, and other types of vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent security and other acts of violence
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Construction accidents
- Defective products, including machines, equipment, and tools, such as ladders and scaffolds, can cause falls
- Sports injuries
Brain injuries can be open, where a skull fracture has occurred, or closed, where the trauma is contained within an intact skull, adding more danger as the brain swells with nowhere to go. Concussions can cause severe brain injuries due to the force of your head being snapped back and forth from an impact.
Another cause of a TBI is the tearing of brain tissue after a violent car accident or other hard hit to the skull, leading to nerve damage that hinders the brain signals necessary for certain bodily functions to occur.
What are the symptoms of a TBI?
At Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC, we can work with neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other physicians who understand and treat TBI symptoms.
Common TBI symptoms include the following:
Physical symptoms
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue/drowsiness
- Problems with speech
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness/loss of balance
- Unequal pupil size
- Nystagmus
- Convulsions or seizures
Sensory symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Changes in your ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
Cognitive/Mental symptoms
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes/mood swings
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Automatism
- Combativeness
- Atypical behavior
Children’s symptoms
- Change in eating or nursing habits
- Persistent crying
- Seizures
- Fatigue
- Changes in the ability to focus
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
Don’t become a statistic. Get help now if you have a TBI by holding those responsible accountable.
How do doctors in Manchester diagnose a traumatic brain injury?
Doctors usually diagnose a TBI by testing a patient’s responses to certain questions and stimuli.
One common test is the Glasgow Coma Scale. This 15-point test examines the patient’s ability to follow directions, move their eyes and limbs, and speak. Lower scores mean more severe injuries. Doctors may also question anyone who observed the accident or event that caused the TBI.
Imaging tests include:
- A CT scan looks for signs of bleeding in the brain, blood clots, contusions, swollen brain tissue, and fractures.
- An MRI is generally considered after the victim’s condition stabilizes.
Another diagnostic test is an intracranial pressure monitor.
What are the treatments for a traumatic brain injury?
The treatments generally include immediate emergency care to address the TBI and any other related injuries. Medications may include anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs, and diuretics. Surgery may be necessary to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, eliminate bleeding in the brain, and open a window in the skull.
Victims who have a severe TBI may need an extended stay at a rehabilitation center or will require long-term home physical therapy to gain more independence. The rehabilitative team may include a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a physiatrist, a neuropsychologist, a TBI nurse specialist, and other medical professionals.
The expenses for the treatments can be substantial. You need skilled attorneys who can seek the compensation that will allow you to get the care that you need for as long as you need it.
What are the treatments for a traumatic brain injury?
The treatments generally include immediate emergency care to address the TBI and any other related injuries. Medications may include anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs, and diuretics. Surgery may be necessary to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, eliminate bleeding in the brain, and open a window in the skull.
Victims who have a severe TBI may need an extended stay at a rehabilitation center or will require long-term home physical therapy to gain more independence. The rehabilitative team may include a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a physiatrist, a neuropsychologist, a TBI nurse specialist, and other medical professionals.
The expenses for the treatments can be substantial. You need skilled attorneys who can seek the compensation that will allow you to get the care that you need for as long as you need it.
What are the challenges of living with a TBI?
Challenges you could face with a traumatic brain injury include:
- Chemical dependency. Brain injuries can lead to the use of alcohol and drugs as a method of self-medication when dealing with depression and other mental health issues.
- Mental health issues. Brain injuries can leave you with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other cognitive and emotional disorders.
- Physical therapy. Because brain injuries can affect such a wide array of life functions, you may need assistance with regaining fine motor skills, eating, walking, talking, reasoning, and other basics of life that people without brain injuries take for granted every day.
- Hearing loss. Traumatic brain injuries can leave a victim with hearing loss ranging from minor to severe enough to require hearing aids just for everyday functioning in life.
- Financial hardship. Individuals who suffer from brain injuries very well may experience financial strain after paying for medical bills, therapy equipment, and psychological counseling. Suffering the loss of a job can pose difficulties with maintaining your mortgage or rent, and even buying groceries. It is likely that after recovering to the extent possible, a brain injury victim may need to undergo occupational therapy and training for a new career suited to his or her limitations.
Severe TBIs may lead to a coma, a vegetative state, a minimally conscious state, or brain death. Other complications include infections, vertigo, seizures, cognitive difficulties, communication challenges, behavioral and emotional changes, and sensory difficulties. Researchers are investigating the relationship between severe TBIs and degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
How much is a traumatic brain injury claim worth in Connecticut?
Our Manchester TBI attorneys realize you have not only lost part of your life, but your financial security has been damaged. We can help you recover by working to secure compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future loss of income
- Loss of employment benefits
- Non-economic damages, which may include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of bodily function
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Punitive damages, in limited cases, and generally limited under Connecticut law to litigation expenses
We can work with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries. We can also work with life planners who can help place a value on all your long-term needs, including possible complications.
We can also assist with wrongful death claims brought by the executor or administrator of the estate when a TBI results in death.
What resources can help TBI victims in Manchester?
Residents of Manchester who have experienced a traumatic brain injury may need resources to help them get through their difficult time. These resources include:
- CVH (Connecticut Valley Hospital) - Addiction Services Division
- Crisis Services (Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)
- Suicide Prevention | VA Manchester Health Care | Veterans Affairs
- Manchester - Brain Injury Support Groups - Connecticut | Abi Resources
As a family member, if you have become a caregiver, you may experience burnout. Having a plan in place is a must to avoid your own physical and mental health problems that can be brought on by stress and exhaustion.
Do you have a Manchester traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?
Yes. We can meet with accident victims and family members at our office, located at 989 Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut. We’re located right off I-84 or I-384 in Manchester.
If your injuries prevent you or your loved one from traveling, we can arrange to see the TBI victim in person at their home or a healthcare facility. We can also conduct phone and online video consultations.
Get help from our experienced Manchester TBI lawyers today
When you or your loved one endures a TBI, drastic life changes are to be expected depending upon the severity of the injury. You can’t anticipate what lies ahead, but being prepared can help relieve some of the stress you and your family constantly experience. At Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC, we can fight for your future or the future of a family member. To schedule a free consultation, contact us. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.