Springfield Head Injury Lawyer for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Individuals suffering from a head injury do not always realize they have experienced such traumatic damage. While open head injuries are apparent to bystanders and emergency room staff, closed brain injuries and bleeds are far less recognizable at the initial stages, making it vital to consult with a medical professional even if a condition is not readily apparent.
After seeking medical care and being diagnosed with a head injury, it is critical to reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Severe brain and head trauma can require significant long-term care, which is often costly, sometimes reaching into the millions of dollars.
If you or a family member received a head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by someone else, you deserve to be fully compensated for your injuries and damages. We can help.
We Invite You to Call Us Today – Learn Your Options, and How We Can Help
Contact Alekman DiTusa for personalized and caring representation in Springfield and throughout Massachusetts. As Springfield head injury lawyers with more than 60 years of combined legal practice, we are experienced in positioning the cases of our clients in seeking full compensation through a settlement or at trial. We offer a complimentary initial consultation and, because we only charge a fee if compensation is recovered and we advance the costs of litigation, our clients do not need to pay any legal fees or costs while their case is ongoing.
What Types of Brain Injuries Can Occur?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a traumatic brain injury as “a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating the head.”1 Brain trauma can occur due to violent acts, crashes, automobile accidents, sports-related injuries, slip-and-falls, altercations and blows to the head, and other incidents.
The following are a few types of common head injuries:
- Concussions. Concussions typically occur when the brain hits against the hard walls of a skull and forces sudden acceleration or deceleration.
- Hematoma. This condition is a collection, or clotting, of blood outside the blood vessels.
- Hemorrhage. Uncontrolled bleeding, known as a hemorrhage, can occur in spaces around the brain (subarachnoid) or within the brain tissue (intracerebral).
- Edema. Brain swelling, known as edema, can lead to pressure buildup.
- Skull Fracture. Unlike most bones in the body, the skull lacks bone marrow. This makes it extraordinarily strong and difficult to break. When a skull is broken, it is unable to absorb the impact of a blow; consequently, a brain injury will likely result.
- Anoxic Brain Injury. This type of injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen, causing brain cells to die and often resulting in permanent brain damage.
- Contusions. Contusions are bruises of the brain tissue.
Because it sometimes is difficult to recognize changes in oneself, it is crucial to have family, co-workers, and friends watch closely over a victim following a severe head injury. The following are signs or symptoms of a concussion, brain, or other head injury:
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Forgetfulness
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Numbness in fingers and toes
- Confusion or disorientation
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Concentration issues
- Odd behavior such as putting milk carton in cupboard instead of refrigerator, leaving the stove on, or poor word retrieval or usage
How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBI, are a major cause of disability in the United States. Each year, an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI. As a consequence of these injuries:
- 230,000 individuals are hospitalized and survive;
- 50,000 people die; and
- 90,000 experience the onset of long-term disability.2
Cumulatively, an astounding 5.3 million men, women, and children are living with a permanent TBI-related disability in the United States today.3 Their condition can affect a wide range of functions, including thought and memory, senses, language and emotions, and may also lead to an increased chance of developing:
- Seizures
- Brain disorders
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease[1]
Because of the significant impact of a brain injury, victims need to receive full and comprehensive treatment, however many individuals, however, forgo proper care because of the associated, exorbitant costs. Our Springfield traumatic brain injury attorneys work aggressively to determine the cause of accidents, highlight all possible defendants, and seek to hold all liable parties responsible for the injuries sustained so that clients can recover compensation and obtain the best care possible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Massachusetts After a Traumatic Brain Injury?
In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including brain injuries, is established in Massachusetts General Laws 260 § 2A. This law sets a standard three-year deadline (known as the statute of limitations) for filing a claim. This means that if an individual suffers an injury, they generally have three years from the date of the incident to file a claim seeking compensation (in some limited circumstances, this deadline may be extended).
Because there is only a short amount of time to file a lawsuit, it is critical to reach out to our office as soon as possible if you desire to file a claim. We can set a schedule and assist in making timely filings (if the statute of limitations has not passed). Further, if more than three years have transpired, we can evaluate whether an exception may exist that extends the normal deadline.
If You Want to Pursue Compensation following a Severe Head Injury, Call Today!
A head injury can impact the rest of an individual’s life. Working and earning a living may be more difficult — or even impossible. Communicating with family members or strangers may be daunting. Even recalling special events of the past or routine daily tasks can be challenging.
If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic head injury as the result of an accident, our experienced attorneys may be able to help you recover damages for your physical, emotional, mental, and financial burdens. At Alekman DiTusa, we understand the impact traumatic brain injuries can have on every aspect of life. Call us today for a free consultation.
[1] See https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-disease/faq-20057837 and https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/traumatic-brain-injury-increases-parkinsons-risk#:~:text=A%20recent%20study%20in%20the,of%20Parkinson’s%20disease%20(PD).
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