Brain Injury Attorney & Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury due to an accident, birth injury, or negligence of another person, you may already know the long-term impact of these injuries.

Living with a brain injury is not easy. You may struggle to take care of your basic needs and, as a result, cannot return to work, resume your daily activities, or enjoy an active life. 

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While nothing can undo the damage, you have legal rights if you or a loved one suffers a brain injury due to the wrongdoing or negligence of another person or company. 

At Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law, we are experienced brain injury lawyers who can help you pursue rightful compensation. We will answer your questions, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and work closely with investigators and medical professionals to ensure that you are justly compensated for your losses.

Understanding Brain Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries

You may have heard the terms brain injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), acquired brain injury, non-traumatic brain injury, and others. But are they different, and if so, what do they mean? 

  • Brain injury – Also known as acquired brain injury, is the umbrella term for all brain injuries. It is a brain injury that is not congenital, hereditary, degenerative or induced by trauma at birth. It is a type of brain injury acquired after birth and changes the brain’s neuronal activity. There are two types of acquired brain injuries: traumatic and non-traumatic.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A TBI is an injury that affects how the brain works and is caused by an outside force, such as a violent blow to the head. They are impact injuries that can be closed (non-penetrating) or open (penetrating). Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:
  • Blast injuries
  • Domestic violence
  • Unintentional blunt trauma
  • Abusive head trauma
  • Non-Traumatic brain injury – Like a TBI, this type of injury affects brain function. However, the cause is different. Non-traumatic brain injuries result from internal factors, such as exposure to toxins or lack of oxygen. Common causes of non-traumatic brain injuries include:
    • Tumors
    • Seizure
    • Meningitis
    • Stroke
    • Infectious disease
    • Neurotoxic poisoning
    • Lack of oxygen – choking, drowning
    • Drug overdose

Types of Brain Injuries

There are four main types and three different levels of TBIs. The types are concussion, contusion, penetrating injury, and anoxic brain injury. The levels are mild, moderate, and severe.

  • Concussions are minor brain injuries caused by an impact on the head, shaking, or a sudden change in movement, such as whiplash. Concussions can cause headaches, memory loss, disorientation, or trouble concentrating. It is dangerous when more than one is sustained over time, especially if the first one hasn’t had time to heal.
  • Contusions occur when brain tissue is bruised, just like a bruise a person gets on their skin. The breaking and leaking of small blood vessels cause them. Leaking on the brain causes many issues, which primarily relate to building pressure. They can range from minor to extremely severe.
  • Penetrating brain injuries occur when an object pierces through the skull and into the brain. The injury may cause the object, hair, skin, or skull fragments to contact the brain. It can cause damage to a concentrated area or an extensive area of the brain. Penetrating brain injuries are often caused by an external force or object that is strong enough to break through the skull, such as a gunshot wound to the head or a car accident in which something penetrates the skull.
  • An anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen to operate correctly. Brain cells begin to die after four to five minutes without a proper amount of oxygen. When brain cells die, brain injury will occur. This kind of brain injury can be caused by stroke, blood clots, severe trauma, drowning, choking, carbon monoxide poisoning, and others. 

Brain Injury Symptoms

Brain injuries are more common than many people realize, and they sometimes go undiagnosed. According to the CDC, more than 1.5 million suffer a brain injury each year in the U.S. Of those, 85,000 suffer long-term disabilities, and 50,000 die. Severe head trauma can impair cognitive and physical functions or even put a person in a coma. However, even seemingly minor accidents can lead to severe brain injuries. That is why you should always seek medical treatment following any kind of accident.

Common symptoms of a brain injury include:

  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vision or hearing changes
  • Sleep issues
  • Slurred speech
  • Emotional changes, depression
  • Ringing in the ears

Recovering from a Brain Injury

No two brain injuries are the same. If you have suffered a brain injury, you may require hospitalization, specialized care, and rehabilitation services. It is possible to recover from certain types of brain injuries and to lead a productive life. However, others may have to live with the effects of their injuries for the rest of their lives. 

Cost of a Brain Injury

Depending on the severity and area of the brain affected, the costs associated with recovering from a brain injury vary. But the cost goes far beyond the initial hospital bills. There are both direct and indirect costs to consider. Some of the medical services and treatments for traumatic brain injuries include:

  • ER treatment
  • Intensive care
  • Surgeries
  • Rehabilitation in hospital
  • Long-term rehabilitation 
  • In-home nursing
  • Assisted living programs
  • Counseling
  • Medications

How a Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury in an accident, it is essential to work with an attorney with experience with these complex cases. For more than 45 years, the brain injury lawyers at Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law have been representing victims in all types of accidents throughout New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

We will take over dealings with insurance companies or other parties while you focus on getting better. You will receive caring, personal attention, and reliable information every step of the way.

Free Consultation with a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Contact Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law to request a free consultation.

Call (212) 568-4245