Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injury FAQ

May 28, 2021 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

brain-3168269_1920-300x181 While you may think that traumatic brain injuries are all similar, the term actually covers various injuries that cause problems with how the brain works. Depending on the TBI’s severity, it may resolve without any medical intervention or require lifelong treatment. Here are some FAQs about TBIs.

What Exactly is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

TBI is basically brain damage due to trauma, like a significant blow to your head. This results in the brain moving forcefully and suddenly inside your skull, causing a primary injury that damages your brain. In turn, this primary injury leads to secondary injuries in the brain’s cells, blood vessels, and chemical signals. Consequently, these secondary injuries cause more destruction and damage to the brain.

What Causes TBIs?

April 28, 2021 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A graphic of a person's head showing the brain in the skull pproximately 165 people in the U.S. die from traumatic brain injuries or TBIs daily, according to the CDC. TBIs are life-altering for the victims but for their families as well. Some people who survive a TBI will experience a quick and complete recovery. Oftentimes, however, others will need a couple of months or years to heal, and some may not even completely recover. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to another individual’s negligence or intentional actions, you’re entitled to pursue compensation from the liable party for all your current and future losses.

Different Causes of TBIs

TBIs result from a blow to the head or other serious head injuries. They can occur anywhere, at any age, and from various causes, including the following.

FDA Approves New Device Intended to Prevent Brain Injuries

March 29, 2021 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new device called the Q-Collar. This device could help lower the risk of sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI) A graphic of a person's head showing the brain in the skull during high-impact sports. It works by securing the neck’s blood vessels to help raise the skull’s blood volume. In turn, this restricts the brain’s movement inside the skull and helps prevent TBI. In the event that you have already sustained a TBI in an accident, it’s in your best interest to call our law firm to speak to an Atlanta personal injury attorney today.

What Exactly is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI occurs when a jolt, blow, bump, or some other kind of external force results in damage to the brain structure or problems with its functions. Besides functionality issues, you could also experience other kinds of damage, including an imbalance of brain chemicals, seizures, fever, or swelling.

Pool & Spa Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

February 28, 2021 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A man swimming in a pool Any discussion of pool and spa accidents inevitably turns to drownings, and with good reason. From 2014 through 2016, there was an average of 363 drownings in pools or spas per year of children under 15 years old. In the summer of 2019 alone, there were at least 150 pool and spa drownings of children younger than 15 nationwide. Seven of those drownings occurred in Georgia. However, focusing solely on drownings ignores many non-fatal accidents that happen around pools and spas annually.

While drownings are tragic, thousands more are injured every year in accidents in or around pools or spas. In fact, from 2016 through 2018, there were an estimated 6,600 injuries treated in emergency rooms each year involving children younger than 15. Many of these involved non-fatal near-drownings, while many others were poolside accidents and accidents in the pool or spa involving slips, falls, and diving accidents.

Non-Fatal Pool And Spa Accidents Can Be Devastating

The Most Common Causes of TBIs

December 10, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of a head showing the brain In the U.S., traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of disability and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares that the number of hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room, and deaths related to traumatic brain injuries were up 53 percent in 2014 (from 2006). This translates to 155 TBI-related deaths every day. The fact is that TBIs happen, and they often have devastating effects that reverberate throughout the victims’ families and support systems. If someone else’s negligence leaves you with a traumatic brain injury, consult with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer today.

The Effects of a TBI

A serious TBI can have dramatic negative physical and emotional effects on a victim’s life, including:

The Differences Between Car and Truck Accidents

July 15, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A white triple-trailer semi truck While there are obviously many similarities between car and truck accidents, there are also some fundamental differences. From the potential issues involved to how the claim gets handled, truck accidents can be more complicated than car accident cases on a number of levels. For this reason, some personal injury attorneys specialize in truck accident claims so that they can better represent their clients. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you get compensated for your injuries quickly and fairly.

The law firm of Slappey & Sadd has been working with truck accident victims in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia since 1992. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to help you put your life back together. If you’re injured and need help, call us at 404-255-6677 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Truck Accidents Are Often More Severe

Are You Suffering Memory Loss After Your Car Accident?

January 5, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of the brain We wrote a post not too long ago about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), many of which are caused by car accidents. One of the most common symptoms of a TBI is memory loss, which is often difficult to diagnose and can be even harder to treat. If you’ve been in a car accident and are wondering if you may be suffering from memory loss, we hope that this post gets you pointed in the right direction.

The Symptoms of Memory Loss

Memory loss can often be difficult to detect as the symptoms are mostly subjective. Even after an accident, many victims don’t want to admit to themselves that they are having memory problems, let alone anyone else. The accident may have also caused the victim to suffer from anxiety or depression as a result of the accident, which can also mask the symptoms of memory loss. Here are some common symptoms of memory loss following an accident:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: What You Need to Know

December 31, 2018 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of a head showing the brain Brain injuries occur far more often than many people realize. According to the Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, 1.7 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those, 52,000 will result in death, and 275,000 will be hospitalized. In their most recent study, Georgians suffered 15,608 traumatic brain injuries as of March 2017, more than half of which were caused by car accidents. If you’ve been in an accident and hit your head, you may have suffered a brain injury that could lead to lasting complications.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Defined

The CDC defines a traumatic brain injury as “a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain.” The CDC notes that traumatic brain injuries encompass a range of injuries from mild to severe. The most common mild TBI is a concussion, but we know that even mild concussions can have long-term consequences.

Car Accidents Can Cause Brain Injuries

April 19, 2017 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Car accidents can lead to a number of injuries, including bruises, broken bones, and whiplash. One of the more severe injuries that are common in car crashes are brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.3% of all traumatic brain injuries are caused by car crashes, affecting roughly 2 million Americans per year. These types of injuries are so severe because the brain is the most important organ in the body, and even minor injuries to it can have long-ranging and life-altering effects.

Causes and Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by violent blows to the head, either from being struck with an object or from the head coming into contact with a hard surface. There are two types of traumatic brain injuries: open and closed. An open traumatic brain injury occurs when a foreign object pierces the skull and enters the brain. A closed traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump or a blow to the head. Because closed head injuries are much more common than open head injuries in car crashes, that is the type that we will focus on here.