A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen in the blink of an eye, but the effects can stick with you for the rest of your life. In some catastrophic cases, a TBI can be life-threatening. In other cases, it can go mostly unnoticed with the exception of an initial headache, dizziness, or brief loss of memory following an accident. Survivors often face lasting challenges, including permanent disabilities that can significantly impact their daily lives and require ongoing support from family members and caregivers.
If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help ease the financial hardships such a serious injury can bring. Reach out to a Mississippi severe brain injury lawyer who can provide guidance during this difficult time.
What Is Considered Severe Brain Damage?
Severe brain damage is usually the result of a blunt force trauma or a penetrating brain injury that leads to an extended loss of consciousness, bleeding or swelling, skull fractures, or tissue damage. Common causes of TBIs include car wrecks, other motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, and physical assaults.
Doctors commonly use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess a brain injury victim’s level of consciousness post-injury. This scale measures the patient’s ability to perform several functions, such as responding to questions, opening their eyes, pupil response, and moving their limbs. If the GCS score falls between 3 and 8, the injury is considered severe. Imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs can verify a definitive diagnosis.
Can You Live Through a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The period after a severe brain injury can leave Mississippi victims and families with more questions than answers. Many ask themselves, “Can you survive brain damage this severe?”
Advances in critical care, emergency medicine, and neurosurgery over the years mean that many people survive brain injuries. According to the International Brain Injury Association, approximately one million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those, about 230,000 require hospitalization and survive. Roughly 80,000 are left with disabilities as a result of their injuries.
It’s vital to remember that survival doesn’t always mean a full recovery. Survivors of catastrophic brain injuries in Mississippi may face numerous challenges, such as:
- Severe headaches
- Memory loss and cognitive issues
- Loss of motor control
- Speech difficulty (aphasia)
- Feeding issues
- Visual impairment
- Hearing loss
- Bladder dysfunction
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Mood swings and psychological distress
- Long-term disabilities
- Dependence on caregivers to complete hygiene and daily life activities
Securing compensation to support the long-term needs of a brain injury survivor is often essential to safeguard their future well-being. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced brain injury attorney on your side. Knowledgeable advocates who have handled brain injury cases before know what it takes to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Common Medical Complications After Catastrophic Brain Damage
Any Mississippi brain damage attorney will tell you that one of the more difficult and unpredictable aspects of severe brain trauma is the variety of medical complications that can arise. Some of those complications include:
- Swelling – The brain’s automatic response to trauma is swelling. The inflammation can place pressure on the skull if not controlled quickly, causing additional damage on top of the initial injury.
- Infections – Surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and immune system deficiencies caused by the TBI can increase the risk of infection.
- Blood clots – Severe brain damage can lead to reduced mobility, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
- Motor skill impairment – TBIs that affect the motor cortex or cerebellum can impair walking, balance, and coordination.
- Seizures – It’s common for catastrophic brain injuries to result in post-traumatic epilepsy, a condition characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures.
- Cognitive deficits – Damage to cells and structures can disrupt the brain’s ability to process information, resulting in cognitive issues like memory loss, impaired judgment, and difficulty concentrating.
Long-Term Recovery and Rehabilitation Outlook
Traumatic brain injury recovery looks different for everyone, but the process often follows the same steps, which may include:
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Psychological counseling
The greater access to care and the more support someone has as they recover from a catastrophic injury in Mississippi, the better their odds of regaining function and reclaiming their life. If the TBI was caused by someone else’s reckless or intentional actions, a Mississippi traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you seek maximum compensation that can provide greater support, healthcare access, and recovery services.
Someone Else’s Negligence Caused My Brain Injury. What Are My Rights?
Given that violence and car accidents are among the most common causes of TBIs, it’s not uncommon that these devastating injuries are someone else’s fault. When that’s the case, it’s critical that the victim get help from a brain injury attorney in Mississippi.
If you suffered brain injuries and someone else is responsible, your attorney can help you seek compensation for:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Costs for home health care and nursing services
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Holding the negligent party responsible may involve negotiating with insurance companies and possibly even taking your personal injury claim to court. A Mississippi traumatic brain injury attorney can fiercely advocate for your rights at the negotiating table or in the courtroom while you focus on recovery.
Filing a Brain Injury Claim in Mississippi
It’s your right to pursue a brain injury claim, but you have deadlines to meet. Mississippi personal injury law gives victims three years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit. Certain factors could shorten or extend this deadline, so it’s crucial to consult a personal injury attorney to learn the limitations period for your case.
Can Brain Damage Worsen?
Unfortunately, brain damage can worsen over time. One example is the compounding effect that repeated concussions can have on the brain. Too much head trauma can result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can disrupt cognitive and motor function and alter mood and behavior. CTE symptoms may not appear for years after the initial brain injury.
Several brain injury-related issues can also worsen without ongoing therapy. Cognitive abilities can decline without stimulation, motor function can worsen without physical therapy, and mobility and communication issues can lead to mental health struggles due to increased isolation. An experienced Mississippi severe brain injury lawyer can help you fight for just compensation so you have the resources you need to afford continuing rehabilitation services.
Contact a Mississippi Brain Injury Lawyer
Your long-term care and well-being matter after a TBI. At Mama Justice – MW Law Firm, our legal team offers comprehensive services designed to secure justice and the highest quality of life for brain injury survivors in Mississippi. Compensation is one part of the equation. Our law firm has a medical management staff that can connect you with specialists and providers to discuss your medical treatment and community resources as you rebuild your life.
Mama Justice is the fastest-growing, female-owned law firm in the United States with 400+ five-star reviews from satisfied clients. Partner with us and get the Southern hospitality you’d expect from a brain injury attorney in Mississippi. Call or contact our law office today for a free consultation.
