The brain is an extremely powerful but delicate organ. That’s why damage to the head can cause devastating, lifelong injuries. Even though the brain is protected by the skull, a violent bump, jolt, or blow can change a person’s life forever.In particular, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are one of the most common but severe types of brain damage that can result from an accident. Caused by external forces such as car accidents or physical violence, TBIs cause alterations in brain function and can be deadly.
Contrary to popular belief, elderly populations aren’t the only ones suffering from TBIs. In 2014, 39,914 children were admitted to emergency rooms in Illinois for TBI-related injuries. Unfortunately, even mild trauma can cause complications and irreversible damage.
After experiencing a brain injury, a person will most likely need intensive care requiring expensive treatment. If your or your family member’s injury resulted from someone else’s negligent actions, you have the right to pursue legal action against them and hold them responsible for the damage they caused.
The Chicago brain injury lawyers at Langdon & Emison have helped victims recover the money they need to pay for medical care and treatment. We’ve helped TBI victims regain a sense of normalcy and move past the accident.
Results for Victims of Brain Injuries in Chicago
- Langdon & Emison awarded $8 million in damages to the family of a two-year-old girl who suffered a brain injury in a car accident. The suit was filed against a seat manufacturer whose defective product caused the child’s brain damage.
- A federal jury awarded our client $4.5 million in a truck accident case. Our client suffered several injuries, including a fractured thoracic vertebrae and a mild TBI.
Legal Representation for Your Injury
It’s critical to hire a lawyer who understands the emotional, financial, and physical toll of your brain injury. Not all attorneys know how serious this damage can be, making it more likely that you will receive less compensation than you need.
The lawyers at Langdon & Emison have helped hundreds of clients find relief from their financial burdens and recover the money they need to pay for treatment. Brain injuries are expensive to treat, and our attorneys work relentlessly to award you what you deserve – nothing less.
Our Chicago brain injury lawyers demonstrate their knowledge, expertise, and empathy for every client. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in an accident that someone else caused, you have the right to hold the responsible parties accountable through legal action. Call (866) 931-2115 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Causes of Brain Injuries in Chicago
Brain injuries are severe and tend to be deadly, but they’re not uncommon. Of 7,000 annual injury deaths in Illinois, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sit within the top three causes. Of the 55,000 annual injury hospitalizations in Illinois, TBIs are also one of the three most common, beaten only by accidental falls.
Here are some of the most common causes of brain injuries in Chicago:
- Car accidents – These are the most common cause of TBI in young adults. They can result from two vehicles or motorcycles colliding or a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle.
- Falls – Although anyone can trip or fall over an object and suffer brain damage, this type of accident is most often seen in the elderly. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 56,000 senior citizens are hospitalized for a head injury due to a fall each year; 8,000 die as a result.
- Physical violence – Unfortunately, one of the major causes of TBIs in Chicago is physical violence, particularly domestic violence between partners. Health officials continue to study the link between domestic violence and traumatic brain injuries, but it’s a clear issue in Chicago. Each year since 2010, domestic violence-related crimes made up 14-17% of total reported crime in the Windy City, many of which resulted in victims suffering head and brain injuries.
If you suffered a brain injury, you have the right to pursue compensation from the person or company that caused the accident. The Chicago brain injury lawyers at Langdon & Emison will fight to get you the money you need for recovery. Call (866) 931-2115 today for a free case consultation.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are two main classifications of traumatic brain injury: open and closed. An open (penetrating) TBI occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain, damaging specific parts of the organ. A closed TBI occurs when the head suffers an external impact without penetration by an object. For example, a person may experience a closed TBI in a car accident when their head slams into the dashboard.
It’s also important to understand the difference between primary and secondary brain injuries. A primary injury occurs immediately at the time of the accident, while a secondary injury evolves over hours or days.
Some types of primary traumatic brain injury include:
- Skull fracture
- Contusion (bruising and bleeding on the brain)
- Concussion
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
Some types of secondary traumatic brain injury include:
- Cerebral edema (brain swelling)
- Hypoxia (insufficient oxygen in the brain)
- Hypo/hypertension
- Ischemia (insufficient blood flow in the brain)
- Hypercapnia (high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood)
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Symptoms of TBI can vary greatly from person to person, and the severity of symptoms depends on the location and the extent of injury. This is not a comprehensive list of symptoms; consult your doctor immediately if you suffered a brain injury or believe you may have a TBI.
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dizziness
- Enlarged pupil in one or both eyes
- Headache
- Ringing in the ears
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness ranging from a few minutes to hours
Chicago Brain Injury Lawyer
After suffering brain damage in an accident, a person’s friends and family may not recognize them anymore. Personality and mood changes are common in these injuries, and unfortunately, they come with a high fatality rate and risk of complications.
Victims of traumatic brain injuries suffer greatly, especially because there are such limited options for long-term recovery. Although a victim’s medical options may be few, legal action can reduce the impact of the injury by providing the victim with compensation and closure
At Langdon & Emison our team of Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers has helped hundreds of clients recover the funds needed to pay for medical procedures, medication, and rehabilitation. The greatest chance of recovery begins with a dedicated legal team who will fight to get you every penny of what you deserve.
Langdon & Emison will work to get you what you need so you can enjoy life again. Call (866) 931-2115 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
