MTBIs Endanger Accident Victims of Every Age Group

MTBIs Endanger Accident Victims of Every Age Group

• October 5, 2024
• Categories: Personal Injury

Each year, more than one million Americans of all ages are admitted to emergency departments with symptoms of concussions or other mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs). Most are treated and released the same day. But will these victims experience ongoing cognitive problems over the long term? And what difference, if any, do the victims’ ages make when it comes to MTBI?

At Neale & Fhima, we help people in Southern California who have suffered head injuries in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. We represent MTBI victims, young and old, but the goal is always the same – to secure enough financial compensation to put our clients on the road to recovery.

What is MTBI?

The term MTBI refers to mild traumatic brain injury, but characterizing these injuries as minor may be misleading. MTBIs, like all brain injuries, are extremely serious. They result when a blow, jolt, shaking, or other trauma to the head causes the victim to experience symptoms such as:

• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Slowness of thought
• Memory lapse
• Seizures
• Oversensitivity to light and sound
• Headache, dizziness, irritability, mood swings
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Loss of sense of smell
• Depressed mood.

The onset of symptoms is usually immediate and can last for prolonged period of time. It may also be delayed for days or weeks, however, making diagnosis difficult. One reason for delay in reporting MTBI symptoms is that victims are disoriented in thought. In other instances, victims or observers may choose not to report a concussion, as commonly occurs in the sports world.

Long-Term Consequences of a Head Injury

People tend to think of a concussion as an event. But for some victims, the injury is not an event, but rather a condition. Chronic symptoms like those listed above can lead to a significant deterioration in the accident victim’s quality of life. Victims may find it difficult to emotionally connect with friends and family. They may have trouble sleeping, remembering things, or holding a job. They may also be at an increased risk of suicide:  A study published last year in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that MTBI victims are three times more likely to take their own life. If you or a loved one is facing these challenges after an accident, it’s important to seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options.

The Victim’s Age Makes a Difference

Age is an important factor in determining the likelihood of suffering an MTBI. Age also affects how the victim’s brain responds to the injury and whether a complete recovery is possible. The following age groups are particularly at risk:

• Children – MTBIs can cause serious harm to young children because the injury comes at a time when the victim’s brain is still developing. Sadly, abuse is one of the causes of injury in this age group, including physical abuse by childcare providers.
• Adolescents – Organized sports are popular among teens in the United States. According to a survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, 462,000 boys and 337,000 girls participated in school sports during a recent school year. The most popular sport of all? Football – a game in which head-to-head collisions occur by design.
• Seniors – Adults over the age of 65 are the most likely to require hospitalization following a head injury. Victims in this age group are also the slowest to recover. Because falling down is the most common cause of MTBI among the elderly, concerned individuals should take steps to prevent falls in the home. In cases where a slip and fall does occur, consulting with an experienced attorney for slip and fall incidents can be crucial for seeking appropriate legal remedies.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you have been injured or a loved one has died in an MTBI accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  Our personal injury lawyers fight aggressively on behalf of every client who has been harmed due to someone else’s negligence, and we won’t rest until we’ve achieved the maximum payout possible in your case.  Damages you could be entitled to include:

Economic

• Medical and hospital bills
• The cost of future medical and rehabilitative care
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings if disabled
• Property damage

Non-Economic

• Pain and suffering
• PTSD and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

In some cases, clients are also entitled to punitive damages, which is additional compensation ordered by courts to punish a responsible party for its negligence and prevent others from pursuing similar bad actions.

Why Choose Neale & Fhima

There are many reasons to choose a personal injury attorney at Neale & Fhima to represent you in a head or brain injury case.  Some of these are:

We Know the Law

Our attorneys deeply understand the intricacies of state law and court opinions, and we can share our legal knowledge and insights with you.

We Value Client Relationships

High-volume law offices think of clients as nothing more than a case file. The file gets passed around until it ends up with a paralegal who just wants to finish it and move on. We enjoy getting to know our clients, which helps us create a settlement that aligns with your best interests.

We Have Many Years of Legal Experience

There is no need to settle for an attorney that lacks comprehensive case experience. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience representing clients throughout California.

We Offer Free Consultations

If you are uncertain about whether to move forward with your case, there is no need to worry. You can have a free initial consultation with a Neale & Fhima attorney.  We’ll explain your rights and your legal options.

Contact an MTBI Lawyer Today

The fact that concussions are classified as “minor” brain injuries does not make them any less dangerous. Young people and senior citizens face the greatest risk. But one of the most common causes of MTBIs – automobile collisions – can impact individuals of any age. If you or a family member has suffered an MTBI in a vehicle crash, seek medical attention right away and contact an automobile accident attorney who has experience handling brain injury accident cases. Whatever the cause of your MTBI, the attorneys at Neale & Fhima are available to speak with you now. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free consultation at 888-407-2955.