Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI

Brain injuries can be complex, affecting more than one area of the victim’s life, from daily functions to work to relationships and everything in between. Some brain injuries can be virtually unnoticeable if your encounter with the victim is brief, making it harder to prove the full scope of the impact the injury has had on the victim’s life. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury due to another person’s negligence in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, contact the knowledgeable team at Goodman Acker to review your case.

What Is a Brain Injury?

Any type of head injury can be severe, including concussion, closed head injury, traumatic brain injury, or hemorrhage. If you experience head trauma, you should seek medical attention immediately, even if you think nothing is wrong. Symptoms of head injury do not always appear immediately after the injury. Sometimes days go by before the victim is able to connect the head trauma to their symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, headaches, or dizziness. Brain injuries can leave you with permanent behavioral, sensory, physical, and cognitive issues. They may interfere with your ability to perform daily activities or return to work.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually caused by a sudden injury that damages the brain. A TBI may occur from a bump, jolt, or blow to the head as a closed head injury. It may also happen due to an object, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, penetrating the brain as a penetrating injury. Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe, depending on the injury, and some TBIs result in permanent issues or even death. Even a mild TBI can have long-lasting, serious effects on a victim’s life.

What Are Common Causes of TBI?

A sudden injury to the head, either caused by something hitting your head or by a whiplash motion of the head, can result in a traumatic brain injury. Common causes of TBI include:

• Falls.
• Motor vehicle accidents.
• Child abuse.
• Sports injuries.
• Explosion injuries.
• Physical assault.
• Construction site accident.
• Workplace accident.
• Premises liability accident.
• Defective products.

Men are more likely than women to suffer from a TBI in their lifetime, and adults 65 and older are at a greater risk of hospitalization and death caused by a TBI. Falls are the most common cause of TBI in adults 65 and older, while motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause for young adults, and child abuse is the top cause for children under the age of five.

What Are Common Symptoms of a TBI?

The symptoms a victim experiences after a traumatic brain injury will vary depending on how severe the brain damage is. Symptoms can include:

• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Confusion.
• Lethargy or fatigue.
• Lightheadedness.
• Dizziness.
• Tired eyes or blurred vision.
• Bad taste in the mouth.
• Change in sleep patterns.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Mood or behavioral changes.
• Memory, concentration, thinking, or attention troubles.
• Seizures or convulsions.
• Dilation of the pupil.
• Numbness or weakness in legs or arms.
• Coordination issues.
• Increased agitation, confusion, or restlessness.

If you or someone you love experiences any of these symptoms for TBI, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Your healthcare provider will need to perform a complete physical examination to determine the severity of your TBI and steps for treatment. They may order imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan. The Glasgow Coma Scale may be used to rate how severe the TBI is based on your ability to move, speak, and open your eyes.

What Are the Treatments for TBI?

Treatment for a TBI will vary according to the brain injury’s severity, size, and location. For a mild TBI, such as a concussion, the treatment is often rest. Your healthcare professional may recommend you use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce the headache associated with your brain injury. If you follow your doctor’s instructions, you should be able to return to your normal activities gradually without much issue. If symptoms of a mild TBI worsen, or you develop new symptoms, you’ll need to check in with your healthcare provider again.

A moderate to severe TBI will be treated differently, and the first task will be to stabilize you to prevent any further injury. The medical team will then check your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and the pressure inside your skull. Once you’re stable, treatments may include:

• Surgery. Your healthcare professional may feel the need to reduce additional damage to your brain to repair skull fractures, remove damaged or dead brain tissue, remove hematomas, or relieve the pressure in the skull.
• Medication. A doctor may prescribe a variety of medications to treat the symptoms of TBI. These medications may also lower the risks associated with the TBI, including anti-anxiety, anticoagulants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, stimulants, or muscle relaxants.
• Rehabilitation. Therapy for cognitive, emotional, or physical difficulties may also be part of your treatment plan after a severe TBI. These therapies include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive therapy, psychological counseling, and vocational counseling.

Some people who suffer a TBI end up with permanent disabilities or develop depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. These problems associated with a traumatic brain injury can impact your daily activities and quality of life.

Pursue Maximum Compensation in Grand Rapids With Goodman Acker

If your TBI was caused by another person’s negligent or reckless behavior in Grand Rapids, you should reach out to the team at Goodman Acker because you may have a personal injury case. With over 150 years of combined experience, we can evaluate your specific case to determine whether or not you have the right to compensatory and punitive damages.

Compensatory damages include lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation services, chiropractic bills, future medical bills, and future lost wages, as well as emotional or mental anguish and pain and suffering. You may also be awarded punitive damages if the at-fault party is found to have acted maliciously or with gross negligence. An experienced Grand Rapids brain injury lawyer from Goodman Acker can help you maximize your compensation package to eliminate the financial burden of your TBI.

Reach Out to Our Grand Rapids Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you love has experienced a traumatic brain injury, contact Goodman Acker by phone or via our secure online form to set up your free consultation today. We’re here to provide you with answers to your questions and guide you through the process from beginning to end until your case is resolved favorably.