Lake Forest Brain Injury Attorneys

There are many types of brain injuries and all of them can drastically change the victim's quality of life. Anyone who has experienced head trauma in an accident should immediately seek out medical attention. Proper diagnosis and treatment is key to a successful recovery. If you have suffered a brain injury as the result of someone else's negligence, please contact an experienced Lake Forest brain injury lawyer to better understand your legal rights and options.

Concussion

Victims of a direct blow to the head, or a sudden shaking motion, may suffer a concussion. This is one of the most common types of traumatic brain injury and it can occur in an open or closed head injury. Victims of concussions may or may not lose consciousness. Individuals who lose consciousness for a prolonged period of time have likely suffered a more severe injury than those who remain conscious. Concussions can heal over a period of a few months or years, but they sometimes result in fatal blood clots.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

This is a devastating traumatic brain injury that covers a large part of the brain. It can result from a sudden shaking of the head. This powerful shaking motion can lead to tears in the brain structures resulting in brain chemicals being released. The tearing of the nerve tissue can interrupt regular communication and chemical processing. It typically results in the person losing consciousness and could even land him or her in a vegetative state. Victims of severe diffuse axonal injuries may never regain consciousness. There is tragically no specific treatment for diffuse axonal brain injuries beyond stabilizing the victim and trying to limit the pressure on the brain. For many, diffuse axonal injury is fatal.

Contusion

A contusion is essentially a bruise to the brain that may occur as the result of a direct impact to the head. This type of injury can occur in a Lake Forest car accident, a slip-and-fall accident or during a sporting event. Symptoms include memory loss, issues with focus, emotional stress, struggles with motor coordination, numbness and issues with language. While minor contusions can heal on their own, severe contusions can result in herniation of the brain and a coma. Some contusions may require surgeries and prolonged rest.

Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury

This is when someone has sustained a traumatic brain injury in a second incident before the symptoms of the first traumatic brain injury have healed. A recurrent TBI can have even more severe consequences than a single TBI. It is common for a second concussion to result in brain swelling and widespread damage. Victims of a second concussion within a few days or weeks of the first injury may suffer from long term muscle spasms, issues with learning and thinking and rapidly changing emotions. This is why it is crucial that victims of brain injuries are properly diagnosed so that they know how long they need to rest.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury

This is when a contusion injury is found at the site of the impact as well as on the opposite side of the brain. This type of injury can occur if the blow to the head is so strong that it causes the brain to slam into the opposite side of the skull. This type of injury can occur as the result of an auto accident or as the result of shaken baby syndrome.

Other Injuries

Other victims of brain injuries may suffer a penetration injury when a sharp object enters their brain. Babies may suffer from shaken baby syndrome involving a whiplash-like motion resulting in blood vessels between the brain and skull to rupture. Some victims experience "locked-in syndrome," which is when victims are unable to move any part of their bodies except their eyes.

Rights of Injured Victims

Anyone who has suffered a brain injury because of the negligence or wrongdoing of someone else should contact an experienced Lake Forest brain injury lawyer right away. Financial compensation may be available for their considerable medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering. The knowledgeable Lake Forest brain injury lawyers at our law firm have a successful track record of representing and fighting for the rights of injured victims and their families. Please contact us for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.