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According to the Brain Trauma Foundation, about 2.5 million individuals suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) each year. 50,000 of these injuries result in death, while 80,000 others suffer permanent disability. 20% of all TBIs are caused by automobile accidents.
The Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman team is committed to helping North Mississippi families who are struggling to deal with the fallout from a car accident-caused TBI get the help they need to compensate them for everything the TBI has taken away from their family. This can mean money for the ongoing care of a loved one struggling to recover after a TBI, or closure following the death of a close relative whose life was cut short.
Traumatic Brain Injuries are Increasing
Over the past couple decades, the attorneys at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of north Mississippi residents diagnosed with TBIs. At first blush you might think this increase has something to do with lifestyle choices, but the reality is the medical community is simply taking TBIs more seriously.
Advances in identifying brain injuries have helped catch TBIs that were previously misdiagnosed or completely missed. For example, it is now standard practice for anyone involved in a car accident to be screened for TBIs. On top of this, better TBI tests mean fewer injuries are being missed.
More and better testing is a very good thing since traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for individuals under the age of 45, and even minor brain injuries can have serious, long-lasting impacts:
- Loss of motor skills;
- Impaired memory and reasoning skills;
- Difficulty with communication and speech;
- Changes in personality;
- Loss of bodily functions, control, and sensation; and
- Trouble regulating emotions
Two Types of TBIs Commonly Caused by Car Accidents
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified two different types of TBIs that car accident victims may suffer.
- Primary brain injury refers to the sudden and profound injury to the brain that is more or less complete at the time of impact. This happens at the time of the car accident.
- Secondary brain injury refers to the changes that evolve over a period of hours to days after the primary brain injury. It includes an entire series of steps or stages of cellular, chemical, tissue, or blood vessel changes in the brain that contribute to further destruction of brain tissue.
Therefore it is critical that anyone involved with a car accident be screened for a TBI immediately following an accident, but also monitored for additional injuries in the coming days. Many of the symptoms of TBI match those of other injuries, so the only way to ensure proper diagnosis is continued medical treatment.
Keep in mind the cost of monitoring and treatment is something you can seek reimbursement for by filing a lawsuit. The Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman team can help you keep track of these expenses, so you and your family get fully compensated for the harm you have suffered.
The Lawyers That Listen
Because brain injuries are sometimes slow to develop, and are always slow to heal, some North Mississippi car accident victims suffering from TBIs miss their chance to file a lawsuit because the statute of limitations runs out. When the window for filing a brain injury lawsuit closes, it cannot be reopened, no matter how seriously you have been hurt.
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman’s experienced team of brain injury attorneys can help you make sure you are not stopped from getting the help you need. We will listen to your story, let you know what your options are, and help you and your family move forward. We serve clients in Shelby County, Tennessee, and Desoto and Tate counties in Mississippi, as well as the surrounding area. Please contact us today to set up a meeting.
