Dothan Brain Injury Lawyer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 2.8 million emergency room visits occur every year in Alabama and throughout the country due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries are never minor. They are some of the most serious, life-changing injuries among the clients we assist at Gartlan Injury Law.
Attorney Aaron Gartlan and our legal team understand the physical, personal and financial toll of traumatic brain injury on victims and their loved ones. If another person’s negligence caused your brain injury, you can count on us to work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. We know how important your case will be for your future. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation through our Dothan office.
Contents
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain becomes damaged by sudden trauma. When an object suddenly hits the head with great force, a TBI can result. If a sharp object pierces the skull and penetrates the brain, this will also result in a TBI.
Depending on the severity of the injury, TBI can be mild, moderate or severe. While some accident victims will lose consciousness for a period of time, this isn’t always the case. Even when accident victims remain conscious, it’s important for the victim to seek medical treatment right away. Brain injuries are not always apparent right away. A doctor will be able to examine the patient and check for signs of brain injury.
What are the Symptoms of Brain Injuries?
Many symptoms are associated with brain injury. Accident victims may experience several of these symptoms, while others will have only one or two symptoms. The severity of the symptoms will also depend on the nature of the injuries. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Dizziness, light-headedness, and vertigo
- Vision problems such as blurry vision, seeing stars or eyes tiring easily
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
- Issues with taste and sense of smell
- Sensitivity to sounds and light
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
- Fatigue
- Problems concentrating, making decisions and remembering.
While you should take all of these symptoms seriously, some other symptoms of TBI are particularly troubling. They include:
- Loss of consciousness – even just for a few seconds
- Difficulty in waking up
- Seizures or convulsions
- Dilated pupils, particularly if the dilation is uniform in both eyes
- Fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Nausea, with or without vomiting.
Any time a person shows symptoms of a brain injury after an accident of any kind, the person should see a doctor immediately.
What Are Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBI results from an outside force that damages the brain. Sometimes, an object such as a bullet will penetrate the skull, or the head will get hit or shaken with such force that it causes the brain to slam into the skull. These instances most commonly occur during a slip and fall accident, motor vehicle crash or assault, and when an object collides with the head. When the head hits an object such as a steering wheel, it can also result in brain injury.
Sports and recreational activities can also quite easily cause TBI. This is a particular risk for young people. Servicemen and women also commonly sustain TBI. When they do, it’s most commonly caused by bullets, shrapnel, falls, motor vehicle accidents or assaults.
What Types of Head Injury Cases Do We Handle?
At Gartlan Injury Law, we understand the nuances of different types of brain injuries, including:
- Hematoma – These brain injuries occur when blood collects outside the walls of the blood vessels. The pooling of blood can cause swelling and put pressure on the brain – even causing it to shift.
- Hemorrhage – A brain hemorrhage is uncontrolled bleeding in the brain. When this occurs in the area around the brain, it’s known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage. These typically cause headaches and vomiting. When a hemorrhage occurs within the actual brain tissue, it’s referred to as intracerebral hemorrhage. The severity of the hemorrhage will depend on the injury, but any amount of blood will cause pressure to build in the brain.
- Concussion – This injury occurs when the brain hits the walls of the skull with sudden acceleration and deceleration. While a person may lose certain bodily functions after a concussion, this is typically temporary. Repeated concussions, however, can result in a permanent brain injury.
- Edema – Any swelling of the brain is known as edema, and it can be caused by any brain injury. As the brain swells, the skull cannot expand to accommodate the swelling, which increases pressure in the brain and causes it to push against the skull.
- Skull fracture – The skull is different from other bones in the body because it doesn’t have any bone marrow. This makes the skull extremely strong and difficult to break. When it does fracture, it’s unable to absorb the impact of a blow, which means there’s an increased risk that brain damage will occur.
- Diffuse axonal injury – This injury occurs when an injury causes damage to the brain cells but does not involve bleeding. This is one of the most dangerous types of brain injuries and can result in permanent brain damage and even death.
Aaron Gartlan is an experienced brain injury lawyer that has dealt with all these types of cases. So, he fully 
understands the nature and severity of these injuries. He also knows how to pursue full and fair compensation for accident victims.
Get Help from a Dothan Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Brain injuries are extremely serious and form the basis for some of the most complicated personal injury claims. If you have suffered this type of injury, you can count on Aaron Gartlan and our team at Gartlan Injury Law to provide the professional and compassionate legal help you need. Contact us today for your free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options after someone else’s negligence causes a brain injury.
