Washington DC Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Traumatic brain injuries have featured prominently in the news lately, as many former professional athletes have come forward, claiming they have suffered a host of health problems related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease caused by repetitive head injuries.

Recent studies reveal that as many as 40 percent of former professional football players have abnormal brain structures.

This greater awareness of the lingering effects of brain injuries may be the reason researchers have seen an increase in the number of concussion-related emergency room visits.

Between 2006 and 2010, American emergency rooms reported a 29 percent jump in concussions. According to one study, the increase could be due to multiple factors, including better diagnostic techniques and more awareness of concussion symptoms.

Although athletes at all levels of play and in nearly every sport are at risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury, TBIs can and do happen to just about anyone. At the Rich Firm, PC, our attorneys are at the leading edge of TBI advocacy.

We are a powerful voice for people who have been hurt in accidents. If you have suffered a brain injury due to another person’s negligence, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Happen to Anyone

Despite the spotlight that has been put on sports-related TBIs, researchers say that the very young and the very elderly are the two demographics with the highest risk of suffering a brain injury.

According to the Washington DC, adults over age 75 have the highest hospitalization rates for head injuries, which is due in large part to a greater likelihood of experiencing a fall. Similarly, children up to age 14 are responsible for about 475,000 concussion-related ER visits annually.

Although sports-related injuries certainly account for many TBIs, brain injuries can occur in many different ways, including:

• Car accidents
• Falls
• Physical assaults
• Objects striking the head

Because TBIs can be difficult to diagnose, some victims spend months and even years suffering with symptoms that baffle doctors. Many brain injury victims report endless months and years of frustration, as they go from doctor to doctor, seeking a diagnosis and treatment that will help them reclaim their life.

Too often, they suffer in silence because they are told nothing is wrong, or that doctors can’t determine the source of their pain. Furthermore, TBIs don’t always cause the same symptoms from person to person.

Despite staggering advances in medicine and science, health researchers still know comparatively little about the brain. It’s a tremendously complicated part of the body, which makes it difficult to predict how a patient with TBI will progress and recover.

The Lasting Effects of a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can vary widely from individual to individual. A person diagnosed with a mild brain injury may experience trouble concentrating, a shorter attention span, fatigue, and memory problems, which is sometimes called “brain fog.”

Someone with a moderate to severe brain injury can generally expect to suffer all of these symptoms, along with speech difficulties, tinnitus, vision issues, mobility problems, and emotional and mood disturbances.

It’s also not unusual for people with TBI to have difficulty maintaining personal relationships and friendships. Victims of TBI often experience challenges when they return to work after an accident, or attempt to socialize with friends or family members. These difficulties can quickly lead to depression, job loss, and trouble staying connected to loved ones.

Obviously, money is no substitute for your health and well-being. No amount of compensation can make up for the pain and trauma suffered in a car accident or other serious accident. On the other hand, no victim of TBI should ever have to shoulder the financial impact of another person’s thoughtless conduct.

This is why every brain injury victim deserves compensation for his or her injuries. At the Rich Firm, PC, we are dedicated to making sure the TBI victims we represent get the full amount of recovery available.

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury? Our personal injury lawyers are available to talk to you today about your case and your options.

Call 888-RICH-LAW today to schedule your free case evaluation. You can also reach us by email or through our online contact form.