Alaska now ranks as the number one state for recorded brain injuries, according to the Alaska Brain Injury Network or ABIN.
The majority of brain injuries in Alaska are credited to slips and falls. Another large portion of TBIs in Alaska are attributed to motorized vehicles such as ATVs and automobiles. According to recent data, an estimated 10,000 Alaskans experience brain injuries each year, while only around 600-800 are actually treated for it. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injury is not very well understood, and many who suffer from it are going untreated.
Types of Brain Injuries
There are three forms of brain injury including mild, traumatic, and severe. Indicators of a brain injury can initially include dizziness, memory loss, and nausea. Other symptoms can manifest as behavioral symptoms, including displays of frustration, anger, and irritability. Physically, hypersensitivity to light can manifest itself in an individual with a TBI, while sound and vision can also be affected. Serious cognitive issues, such as memory and reasoning loss, loss of physical abilities such as walking, and changes in sensations like touch and taste can also occur. If a brain injury goes untreated, it can lead to serious issues such as depression, sense of loss, and dependency on drugs and alcohol.
Of all of the injuries a victim can suffer, few are more serious and potentially debilitating as traumatic brain injuries. Aside from the physical repercussions, when someone suffers a brain injury it generally results in the need for numerous medical tests and treatments, resulting in high medical bills. While some brain injuries heal over time with help from medical professionals, many traumatic brain injuries are permanent, leaving those who suffer from them with a lifetime of rehabilitation, expense, and a lower quality of life. Many times those who suffer from these types of injuries face the real prospect of never working or generating an income again.
Recovering Damages in a Brain Injury Case
What does one do to counteract these problems? While it is important to protect oneself from injury by using proper protective equipment, like helmets and seatbelts, many injuries are not the injured party’s fault. If you are injured through someone else’s careless decisions or reckless actions, you may be entitled to take action to protect your legal rights against your losses. These losses can include compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Those who suffer from traumatic brain injuries may need expert legal help. Traumatic brain injuries can result in exorbitant costs both in the present and in the future, even with the help of health insurance. Therefore, if you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of another’s negligence, recklessness or even intentional conduct, seek the expert help of the experienced Alaska personal injury lawyers at Barber and Associates, LLC.