Austin Brain Injury Attorneys
What to Do if Your Loved One Suffered a Traumatic Injury
Sadly, head injuries are one of the most common types of catastrophic injuries. Head and brain injuries have serious, lifelong consequences for both victims and their families. In many cases, they can lead to permanent disability and damage. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, our firm can help. At Howry Breen & Herman, we have been helping clients throughout Austin, Georgetown, and the surrounding areas and Texas, since 1995. We understand the complexities involved in these types of cases and are prepared to aggressively advocate for you. As soon as you or your loved one receives a brain injury diagnosis from a medical professional, it’s important that you contact an experienced brain injury lawyer in Austin who can help you understand your legal rights.
To learn more about brain injury cases and how our firm can help you with your claim, contact us online or by phone at (512) 430-4844 and schedule a free consultation.
Types of Brain Injuries
There are several different types of brain injuries, ranging in severity from mild to moderate to severe. However, just because a brain injury is categorized as “mild” does not mean that it should not be treated seriously. All brain injuries have the potential to have lasting effects on the victim. If you suffered any type of brain injury, it is crucial that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Several of the most common types of brain injuries include:
- Concussions: Generally considered by some to be relatively mild, concussions occur when there is excessive shaking, sudden movement, or direct impact to the head and they can indicate serious brain injury. Though concussions are not always visibly detectable with imaging tests, they should nevertheless be treated seriously. Multiple concussions are particularly serious. Symptoms of concussion include headaches, memory problems, inability to concentrate, and disorientation.
- Contusions: A brain contusion is essential a bruise that occurs on the brain as a result of broken and/or leaking blood vessels. Brain contusions can occur when there is a direct impact to the head or when the head is moved violently so as to cause the brain to hit the side of the skull. Much like concussions, contusions can range from minor to severe. Symptoms of a brain contusion include loss of consciousness, fatigue, agitation, confusion, or distress.
- Penetrating Injuries: A penetrating brain injury occurs when a foreign object penetrates the skull. When this happens, the foreign object, along with skull fragments and other debris can make contact with the brain, causing extensive damage. Penetrating brain injuries are incredibly serious and require immediate medical attention.
- Anoxic Injuries: When the oxygen supply is cut off from the brain, an individual may experience an anoxic brain injury. Even as little as four minutes without oxygen can cause brain cells to die, resulting in permanent and often irreversible brain damage. Anoxic injuries can occur when a person’s oxygen supply is cut off or when the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the brain. This might occur as a result of drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, or suffocation.
Traumatic brain injuries require both immediate and ongoing medical treatment. The recovery process is often slow and incredibly costly with medical bills sometimes amounting to millions of dollars. For victims and their families, this alone is incredibly stressful—not to mention the stress of learning to live with a catastrophic injury.
Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
Fortunately, many traumatic brain injuries are treatable. While some victims may never fully return to their previous normal lives, others may be able to make a partial or full recovery. Even in instances where full recovery is not possible, traumatic brain injury victims are often still able to lead happy lives.
Common treatments for traumatic brain injuries include:
- Emergency treatment to stop or reduce damage
- Medication to address various complications, including seizures
- Surgery to stop bleeding, repair the skull, or remove hematomas
- Cognitive and/or occupational rehabilitation therapy
- Speech and language pathology treatment
When your loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury, your primary focus is getting them the best medical care possible. At Howry Breen & Herman, we work to recover the financial compensation you need to make this a reality. Our Austin brain injury attorneys strive to hold the negligent parties accountable for your loved one’s injuries, all while providing you with compassionate guidance and tireless representation.
Reach out to us today at (512) 430-4844 to get started with your complimentary case evaluation.
