Springfield Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
Filing a Brain Injury Claim or Lawsuit in Missouri
Every year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with brain injuries. Often, these injuries are the result of preventable accidents, negligence, and the wrongful conduct of others. When this is the case, injured victims and their family members can take legal action against the liable parties and seek fair compensation for their damages.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we understand the immense impact a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have, both on victims and their loved ones. Our Springfield traumatic brain injury attorneys can not only fight for justice on your behalf but also for the full, fair compensation you are owed for your medical bills, future care costs, lost income, pain and suffering, diminished qualify of life, and other damages. Reach out to our team today to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
Call (888) 287-1046 or contact us online using our free and secure submission form.
The Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Any type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in a wide variety of physical, mental, and cognitive effects. The overall impact of a TBI depends on numerous factors, including the type and severity of the injury, how it occurred, and the individual’s history of past head and/or brain injuries.
Some common effects of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Permanent and irreversible brain damage
- Impacted vision, hearing, and/or speech
- Difficulties with walking, coordination, and balance
- Affected memory, particularly short-term memory
- Changes in the individual’s mood or behavior
- Personality changes, including increased irritability or hostility
- New or worsened mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression
- Mild, moderate, or severe cognitive impairments
- Inability to return to work and/or obtain new gainful employment
- Difficulty caring for basic, everyday needs, such as eating
- Incontinence and/or sexual dysfunction
- Coma, seizures, and/or death
The worry and stress caused by a serious brain injury can be overwhelming, not to mention the exorbitant cost of treating a TBI and providing for the victim’s ongoing well-being.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we recognize the challenges you are facing, and we want to help. Our Springfield brain injury lawyers represent injured individuals and the families of those with catastrophic brain injuries throughout Missouri. We are here to answer your questions and provide the guidance you need to move forward.
Types of Brain Injuries
While there are many different types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), they are generally classified into the following two categories:
- Closed-Head Injuries: A closed-head injury occurs when there is brain damage without visible injury to the head, including the scalp and skull
- Open-Head Injuries: An open-head injury involves damage to the brain and injury to the head, including the scalp and/or skull bone
Both closed-head and open-head injuries are incredibly serious. However, closed-head injuries can be even more deadly, as they are often more difficult to detect than open-head injuries.
Some of the most common closed-head and open-head brain injuries include:
- Concussions: Caused by a sudden impact, force, or blow to the head, concussions are among the most common type of brain injury. They are generally classified as mild, moderate, or severe, but all concussions are serious and require immediate medical attention. Severe concussions, as well as multiple concussions, can result in significant and permanent brain damage.
- Contusions: A contusion is the medical term for a bruise; a brain contusion, therefore, is a bruise that forms on the brain. Depending on the size and location of the bruise, brain contusions can be serious and may lead to life-threatening complications. Often, brain contusions accompany other TBIs, such as concussions or coup-contrecoup injuries.
- Coup-Contrecoup: Coup-contrecoup injuries are caused by an impact, force, or blow to the head that causes the brain to move within the skull. As a result, the brain suffers two injuries: one where the initial impact occurred and one where the brain hit the opposing inside of the skull. Coup-contrecoup brain injuries are serious and may have lasting effects.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries: A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) occurs when the tiny, microscopic connective fibers within the brain (called “axons”) are torn or otherwise damaged due to the brain moving or shifting within the skull. This is known as “shearing,” and it is incredibly serious. Often, DAIs result in catastrophic brain damage and/or death.
- Oxygen Deprivation: It only takes a couple of minutes without oxygen for brain cells to become damaged and start dying. Oxygen deprivation is categorized in several ways; anoxia occurs when there is a complete lack of oxygen to the brain, and hypoxia involves restricted oxygen flow to the brain. Both are extremely serious and can be deadly in as little as four to ten minutes.
- Penetrating Injuries: A penetrating brain injury is one of the most serious and deadly types of TBI. These injuries occur when a foreign object, such as a bullet or piece of fragmented skull bone, physically impacts the brain. Often, this leads to catastrophic brain injury, excessive bleeding, coma, and/or death.
- Skull Fractures: Just like any other bone in the body, the skull is susceptible to cracking or breaking. A skull fracture is particularly serious, as skull fragments may cause physical damage to the brain, and excessive bleeding can lead to significant and irreversible brain damage. Skull fractures always require emergency medical attention, and may necessitate ongoing care.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries?
Any serious accident, traumatic event, or criminal act can result in a devastating brain injury.
Some of the most common causes of TBIs include:
- Falls, including slip and falls and falls from heights
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car, motorcycle, and truck accidents
- Assault, battery, and other acts of violence
- Sports and recreation accidents, including boating accidents
- Swimming pool accidents, diving accidents, and drownings/near-drownings
- Construction accidents and other work-related incidents
- Defective and/or dangerous products
Most often, traumatic brain injuries are preventable, occurring as a result of someone else’s careless, negligent, or wrongful conduct. When this is the case, victims and/or their families can take legal action and fight to hold the responsible party accountable.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call (888) 287-1046 or contact us online.
Types of Damages Available in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Like other catastrophic injury claims, brain injury cases are different from standard personal injury claims due to the severity of the injuries and extent of the victims’ damages. In addition to immediate medical attention, traumatic brain injuries often require extensive ongoing treatment and even lifelong care. The cost of this can quickly add up, resulting in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
To make matters worse, TBI victims are often out of work for months or years; sometimes, they are never able to return to work due to permanent disabilities or cognitive impairments. For families of TBI victims, this can mean immense financial hardship on top of the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the injury.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we fight for maximum compensation for our clients, including but not limited to the following damages:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
- Loss of future earnings and benefits
- Past, current, and future pain and suffering
- Lost or reduced earning capacity
- Diminished quality/enjoyment of life
- Costs associated with in-home assistance and care
- Home modifications to accommodate a disability
No matter how serious your situation may be or how complex your case, our Springfield traumatic brain injury attorneys are prepared to advocate tirelessly for you and your recovery. We offer free initial consultations and do not collect any legal fees unless/until we win your case.
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“My husband was in a car accident, we called Aaron Sachs, and are very glad we did! First of all, they sent someone to our home to interview my husband, so he did not have to drive all the way to Springfield to their office while he was in pain.” - Former Client
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“I was rear-ended by a non-insured driver. My car was totaled and I ended up having surgery on my shoulder. I was thrilled to get a settlement way larger than I could have dreamed.” - Former Client
Our Core Principles
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Accessibility
We make sure that we are available to answer our clients’ questions, breaking down the complex legal jargon and using plain English. There is no “one size fits all” answer — your case needs and deserves individual attention, and this is what we are prepared to provide.
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Professionalism
Our team has over 235 years of combined experience, handling over ten thousand personal injury cases. We are committed to professional excellence in every aspect of what we do and how we do it. We have over 65 employees with an exclusive focus on injury claims.
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Understanding
We strive to meet our clients where they are and provide the service they need. Suffering an injury is a difficult time in an individual’s life; you need representation that understands both the worries you may be feeling and the world you are now dealing with. Let us help ensure your rights are protected.