Baltimore Brain Injury Lawyers

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Some head injuries can cause permanent brain damage. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious injury and can cause bleeding in the brain, which is very dangerous. The Brain Injury Association of America defines a TBI as “an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force.” Brain injuries can cause cognitive problems, as well as issues with movement, speech, and memory. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 223,050 hospitalizations in the United States in 2018 as a result of traumatic brain injury.

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What Are the Types of Brain Injuries in Baltimore?

Most brain injuries can be classified into two categories:

Open Head Injuries

Open head injuries are caused when the skull is struck or penetrated by an external object, which often requires surgery and significant recovery. An open head injury is very likely to leave a victim with permanent brain damage and lifelong challenges. Some of the types of open head injuries are basilar skull fractures, depressed skull fractures, linear skull fractures, and diastatic skull fractures.

Closed Head Injuries

Closed head injuries are caused by an external force causing the brain to move or shift inside the skull, which can damage brain tissue. Some of the head injuries in the closed category are concussions, cerebral contusions, intracranial hematomas, and diffuse axonal injuries. Some closed head injuries are less severe, like a concussion, which may only require rest to heal. More serious closed head injuries, like intracranial hematomas can necessitate emergency surgery and be life-threatening.

What are the Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Baltimore?

Traumatic brain injuries can have many causes, but some of the most common causes are:

Car accidents. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBIs. In an auto accident, it is common for the passengers of the vehicle to hit their heads or receive severe concussions from whiplash.

Sports accidents. TBIs are common in sports, especially in contact sports such as football, hockey, or soccer.

Workplace accidents. It is not uncommon for a TBI to happen at the workplace, especially if the workplace involves construction or similar fields of work. Workplace safety violations are the most common cause of injury or death in the workplace.

Slip and fall accidents. Another cause of traumatic brain injuries is slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can range from minor to severe, with the most severe causing TBI and paralysis.

Medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is another common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Surprisingly, one of the most common areas of TBIs in healthcare is in labor and delivery. Babies suffer TBIs with regularity. In adults, surgical errors and pharmaceutical mistakes can cause TBIs.

Recreational accidents. Another cause of brain injuries are recreational activities. Common types of recreational activities that cause brain injury are swimming and using recreational vehicles like ATVs or four-wheelers.

What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Symptoms of a TBI can vary, but some common symptoms are:

Cognitive impairment. Trauma to the brain often causes problems with cognition, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. This type of impairment interferes with the victim’s personal life and daily tasks.

Impaired vision. Brain injuries can cause vision problems such as blurry vision or double vision. Some people with TBIs also lose their peripheral vision. While these impairments can improve with time, sometimes the impairment is permanent.

Personality changes. A common side effect of a traumatic brain injury is a change in personality. Often these changes are negative and include depression, anxiety, and irritability.

Aphasia. Aphasia is difficulty comprehending language. It can be hard for people with aphasia to remember words or recall the correct word. People with aphasia often become frustrated with the inability to understand others and communicate.

Motor Problems. After a TBI, movement can be impaired. Many TBI victims have difficulty balancing and moving as they did prior to the accident.

Some other symptoms include slurred speech, chronic fatigue, numbness or paralysis, seizures, and coma. Victims of a TBI also could suffer from emotional and mental symptoms like depression or anxiety. These symptoms can be severe and some may last permanently.

How Do You Prove Negligence for a Brain Injury in Baltimore?

TBIs are often the result of an accident caused by negligence, or the failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have used. Every accident is different, but negligence claims generally must meet the same four elements:

Duty,

Breach of that duty,

Causation, and

Damages.

The at-fault party must have owed the injured party a duty of reasonable care and they must have breached that duty. The injured party must also show a direct link between the negligent action and the injury. Finally, the injured party must be able to prove that they suffered actual harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain.

Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means that you must show that you had no fault in the accident. Maryland is also an “at-fault state,” which means that the party found negligent must pay for all the damages. This makes it crucial to your claim that you can prove that the other party caused the accident based on negligent or careless conduct and that you did not contribute to the accident in any way. Since Maryland has such strict negligence laws, it is important that TBI victim has an experienced lawyer to help them navigate the legal process. If you are considering suing for your traumatic brain injury, you can call or message Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Traumatic Brain Injury in Baltimore?

Statutes of limitation are governed by state law. Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which includes TBIs. You have three (3) years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If you have any more questions about when to file, please contact us for a consultation.

What Factors Should I Consider When Hiring a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Baltimore?

At Regan Zambri Long, we provide our clients with experienced legal counsel and the resources needed to succeed. Some of the factors you should consider in your decision to hire a lawyer or which lawyer to hire are:

Client-centered advocacy. Our firm is focused on devoting the necessary time and energy to you and your case. We will handle complex negotiations for you and fight for the compensation that you deserve.

Experience. Our lawyers know the ins and outs of brain injuries and personal injury law in Baltimore. Regan Zambri Long is a nationally recognized law firm and has recovered millions in damages for its clients over the last several decades.

Financial resources. Our firm is established in the field of personal injury and has the resources necessary to hire the best experts to testify on your behalf and a very qualified team of attorneys to assist you along the way.