Serious brain injuries can in an instant change the life of both Atlanta-area residents and their families.
In the worst-case scenario, a person with a brain injury could require life support measures for the rest of their lives. In other cases, the person will need constant personal and medical care.
Moderate to major brain injuries almost inevitably will affect a victim’s functioning and quality of life. The physical, cognitive and emotional fallout from a significant brain injury is well known.
There are two types of brain injuries. As the name implies, a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, happens because of a blow, violent force or other physical injury to one’s skull and brain. Common causes of TBIs include the following:
- The most common cause of a TBI is falling. The elderly as well as small children are particularly prone to these types of TBIs.
- Motor vehicle accidents contribute to a significant share of TBIs.
- Violence contributes to many TBIs. On this point, it is important to remember that Georgia residents and businesses still have obligations to protect customers and visitors from criminal violence.
- Certain sports and recreation activities increase the risk of a TBI.
The other type of brain injury, called an acquired brain injury or hypoxic brain injury, arises because the brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, and permanent internal damage results. Even though the cause of this injury is different, the symptoms are the same as that of a TBI.
Acquired brain injuries can happen for medical reasons that are hard to predict or prevent altogether. However, accidents, including toxic exposure, near-drowning, severe electric shock and other incidents can lead to an acquired brain injury.
Victims of brain injuries that are caused by negligence may obtain compensation
Too many of the brain injuries that leave a person permanently disabled could have been prevented with a little care and caution on the part of others. When another’s negligence has contributed to someone’s brain injury, they and their family may have legal options to pursue compensation.