Rebuilding your life after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a long and difficult journey. Some TBIs cause catastrophic damage and have life-changing consequences, while others result in less visible impairments that affect your ability to perform everyday tasks the way you once did. If someone else caused your head injury, you could be entitled to compensation in Maryland.
No matter the type of traumatic brain injury you sustained, you deserve to have someone to help you fight for the care and money you need, both now and moving forward. Consulting an experienced TBI attorney can help you understand your legal options as you consider your next steps.
At Trollinger Law LLC, our legal team understands that every brain injury is different. We also know the struggles that TBI survivors encounter when presenting their complex cases to insurance companies and defense lawyers. Our firm puts clients first, dedicating every effort to seeking maximum compensation and helping restore their financial security and personal well-being.
Call or contact us today to arrange a free consultation with an experienced brain injury lawyer in Maryland.
Two Types of TBI: Closed vs. Open Head Injuries
Understanding traumatic brain injuries begins with understanding how they are categorized.
Generally, a TBI is any injury that disrupts normal brain function. Doctors generally classify brain injuries into two categories:
- Closed brain injury ā A closed head injury occurs when an external force jolts the head or neck. The head rapidly accelerates forward and back, causing damage to the brain, internal bleeding, swelling, or internal chemical changes that impair brain function.
- Penetrating brain injury ā A penetrating head injury ā also known as an open injury ā happens when an external object pierces or opens the skull and enters the brain. Bullets are the most common cause of penetrating brain injuries.
A Closer Look at Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries are common in accidents involving blunt force trauma. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that falls and motor vehicle crashes are two of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. Although the skull remains intact, closed TBIs can cause significant damage and lead to lifelong impairments and disabilities. Some of the most common types of closed head injuries include:
Concussion
Concussions are the most common type of closed TBI. They are generally caused by a violent blow to the head or neck that causes the brain to shake or move inside the skull.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the brain rapidly shifts, twists, or moves inside the skull. These motions stretch and tear nerve fibers called axons. High-impact car accidents, whiplash, and shaken baby syndrome are leading causes of these kinds of brain injuries.
Coup-Contrecoup Injury
Coup-contrecoup injuries are two brain injuries in one. They occur due to blunt force trauma, which causes damage at the point of impact and additional damage on the opposite side, when the brain rebounds and collides against the skull.
Intracranial Hematomas
Hematomas involve blood collecting inside the skull. These hematomas are categorized by where the pooling blood collects, including epidural, subdural, and intracerebral hematomas.
Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury
These TBIs are the result of a loss of oxygen to the brain. Oxygen deprivation can cause brain cells to die within minutes, resulting in permanent brain damage.
Understanding Penetrating Head Injuries
Penetrating brain injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and exposes or enters the brain tissues. Unlike closed TBIs, open injuries often cause direct, localized damage. They also carry a high risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, permanent disabilities, and death.
Gunshot wounds are one of the most common causes of penetrating brain injuries. However, slip and falls, motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, construction accidents, and other violent acts can also cause open head injuries.
Secondary Brain Injuries: The Damage After the Impact
Sometimes, the initial brain injury is not the most significant or damaging incident. Secondary brain injuries can cause substantial tissue damage and may result in permanent cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Secondary injuries are often caused by the bodyās internal response to damage and trauma. Traumatic brain injuries can trigger the bodyās inflammatory response, creating pressure in the skull. This intense pressure can further damage the brain, causing significant complications. Biochemical changes in the brain due to damage can also impair brain cell functions and lead to secondary injuries. These symptoms may not appear until hours, days, or weeks following an initial impact or trauma.
Untreated or undiagnosed bleeding is another common secondary brain injury. Thatās why it is critical to seek immediate medical attention after a violent incident or suspected brain injury. Infection is also a concern, especially in open brain injuries where foreign matter may expose the brain to germs and other dangerous pathogens.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a TBI
The symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some of the most recognizable signs of a potential head injury include:
- Headache
- Pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of coordination and mobility
- Slurred speech
- Changes in hearing or vision
- Memory problems
- Behavioral changes
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Always seek medical attention if you hit your head in an accident, even if you feel normal or think itās ājust a bump.ā
How Trollinger Law LLC Fights for TBI Victims
A TBI can affect every part of your life and your future. At Trollinger Law LLC, we understand the overwhelming nature of facing growing medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain recovery. Our job is to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on resting, rehabilitation, and returning to your daily routine.
Our traumatic brain injury attorneys understand the complex nuances that come with TBI cases and work tirelessly to build compelling cases that seek to recover compensation to help with immediate expenses and anticipated future care.
We can:
- Meet with you in a free consultation
- Offer personalized legal and moral support
- Discuss your legal options
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the TBI
- Determine liability
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Negotiate with the insurance company for full and fair compensation
- File a brain injury lawsuit and take your case to trial if necessary
Contact Our Maryland Brain Injury Lawyers Today to Understand Your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury, you need more than legal representation. You need a strong advocate willing to fight for whatās right. At Trollinger Law LLC, our team is committed to standing with TBI victims and helping them rebuild their lives.
Ready for an initial case review? Contact our office today to get started.
