Fort Collins Brain Injury Attorney
Brain injuries lead to serious repercussions that can last a lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, brain injuries account for around 30% of all injury-related deaths each year. People who suffer from traumatic brain injuries often require long-term medical care and in-home assistance. If you or a loved one recently suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another party, contact a Fort Collins personal injury attorney at Cannon Law.
- We have the experience, knowledge, and compassion to help you recover maximum compensation.
- We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis. You won’t pay any fees unless we win a settlement or court judgment on your behalf.
- We take a tailored approach to each case. We know your situation is unique and establish goals for your case.
- We exercise transparency and effective communication with every step. You’ll always know how your case is going and what to expect next.
Colorado Brain Injury Resources:
- Who is liable in a brain injury claim?
- What compensation can I recover in a brain injury case?
- When should you contact a brain injury attorney?
- What is a traumatic brain injury?
- What are the different types of brain injuries?
- What are the symptoms of brain injury?
- What are the common causes of brain injury?
Who Is Liable for Brain Injuries?
One of the most important aspects of a brain injury case is determining who is liable for the injury. If a person’s negligence directly or indirectly caused an injury to another person, then he or she will be liable for any material and immaterial damages that result.
Medical professionals may also be held liable for traumatic brain injuries if they failed to uphold their duty of care to their patients. If a nurse or a doctor acted negligently in ensuring the safety of a patient and it led to the injury, they may be held liable.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Brain Injury?
A brain injury can alter a persons life forever. It’s because of this that compensation for brain injury can be very high in value. The damages paid in a brain injury case are assessed on an individual basis but must reflect the extent of the changes in a victim’s life. They typically and include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Nursing costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Impact upon the quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Why You Need a Fort Collins Brain Injury Attorney
A considerable amount of expenses may be involved with most traumatic brain injuries. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and even long-term expenditures such as lost wages and earning potential can accumulate rather quickly. Due to this, the litigation process can often be complex, as plaintiffs file suits against individuals, medical professionals, and perhaps even hospitals. A skilled, experienced accident lawyer in Fort Collins may be required in order to navigate this process and hold those negligent parties responsible for their actions. If you or a loved one suffered harm in an accident, contact a Fort Collins brain injury attorney at Cannon Law, and schedule a free case evaluation today.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow to the head or body, jars or shakes the brain. The external force can cause bruising, bleeding, or swelling of the brain tissue resulting in injury ranging from a mild concussion to complete paralysis or even death. Young children and the elderly are the most susceptible to these types of injury. Brain injuries differ from head injuries in that, while head injuries refer to damage caused to scalp and skull, brain injuries refer to damage caused specifically to the brain. The severity of brain trauma is classified by both physical, emotional, and behavioral effects. Patients suffering from a traumatic brain injury may recover in full, but it’s often more likely that there will be lasting effects that will stay with a victim for years to come.
What are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?
Many different types of brain injuries exist, and each one affects victims in different ways. Some of the most common types of brain injuries include:
- Concussion. This is technically a type of traumatic brain injury but is generally milder that other grades of TBI. A person may recover from a concussion with little medical intervention, but multiple concussions in a short time frame may lead to long-term injuries.
- Diffuse axonal injury. This type of brain injury occurs when rapid or violent movement disturbs the delicate nerves of the central nervous system, ultimately creating damage to brain cells. A common example of a diffuse axonal injury is shaken baby syndrome.
- Hematoma. This is a collection of blood that can occur outside the blood vessels in the brain. Sometimes, the clotting can lead to pressure buildup inside the skull, leading to permanent brain damage.
- Wrongful Death. The brain is one of the most delicate parts of the human body. Traumatic brain injuries such as those listed above can often lead to death.
What are The Symptoms of Brain Injuries?
About three quarters of brain injuries that occur each year are concussions or other mild head injuries. However, the symptoms for a traumatic brain injuries may not be immediately evident at the time of the accident and therefore are less likely to be checked out by a medical professional. Symptoms can very in severity and length, some of the most common symptoms for a traumatic brain injury are:
- Impaired vision or hearing
- Short term memory loss
- Poor balance
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking
- Confusion
- Poor concentration
What are some Common Causes of Brain Injuries?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the following as the most common causes of brain injury in the United States:
- Slip and falls are the number one cause of all brain injury, accounting for nearly a third of all TBIs, and 2/3 of reported TBIs in people over the age of 65. A fall may occur as the result of nursing home negligence, unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, or work hazards.
- Struck by an object is the second leading cause of TBI, accounting for 15% of all TBI-related emergency department visits. These injuries may arise from occupational injuries or even playing recreational sports.
- Car accidents are the third most common cause of brain injuries, accounting for 14% of all visits to the emergency department across the United States.