Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries and Outcomes

Some of the most debilitating and devastating injuries occur when a victim suffers brain or spinal cord trauma.  These types of injuries are often marked by permanent physical disability, loss of use of parts of the body, changes in intellectual or emotional makeup, and inability to work or live independently.  Because these types of injuries are so devastating and life-impacting, it is very important for victims to have the help of a professional who can guide them through the settlement negotiation process after an accident.

TBIs and SCIs

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs are injuries to the soft tissue of the brain.  There are several classifications of TBIs, including:

  • Blood clots, or hematomas, may develop after a traumatic head injury.  These can be mild or life-threatening, depending on the extent of the damage and where it is located.
  • Skull fractures. Fractures to the skull can impact the soft tissue of the brain.  This can lead to serious, life-long injury or an injury that heals in a matter of time, depending on how bad the fracture is and whether bone penetrates the brain.  The amount of swelling after a head injury is also a factor in how serious the damage is to the brain.
  • A bruise to the brain can occur even if there is no visible injury on the outside of the skull.  These types of injuries, known and coup and contrecoup injuries, are common in car crashes.
  • Diffuse axonal injury. A DAI results when rotational forces violently act upon the brain, tearing nerve and cell connections.  These types of injuries are generally not visible at first but can have lasting repercussions for the victim.

Spinal cord injuries can also be divided into categories based on their location.

  • Upper spinal injuries usually affect the arms and chest, although a serious SCI at the top of the spine, such as a broken neck, can result in full-body paralysis. Depending on how serious this injury is, the victim may or may not ever regain use of the limbs and body parts below the neck.
  • Lower spinal injuries often result in partial paralysis, such as that of the legs only. Despite the fact that the victim may still use his or her arms if this type of injury is permanent, it results in a loss of independence that will affect the rest of the victim’s life.

If you have been the victim of a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury, you deserve compensation for your trauma.  In order to get the full amount to which you are entitled, it is important not to rely solely on the word of insurance companies and their representatives.  In fact, you may benefit from a consultation with an attorney who has years of experience in negotiating these types of cases.  At Barber & Associates, we have helped Alaskans recover fair compensation for serious injuries for many years.  Give us a call to see how we can help you protect yourself and ensure that you have compensation to last you a lifetime.

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