California Catastrophic Brain Injury Attorneys
Catastrophic Brain Injury
A catastrophic injury changes your life without warning or opportunity to prepare. The results of a catastrophic brain injury can be particularly devastating, robbing you of the ability to work and relate to friends and family members the way you did in the past. They generally leave you unable to function at the physical, mental and emotional levels you experienced prior to being injured.
Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Brain Injury
The most common causes of brain injuries, according to the Center for Disease Control, are as follows:
- Falls
- A strike to the head
- Traffic accident
- Assault
Examples of situations in which you may fall and suffer injury range from tripping on a broken step to being dropped during cheerleading practice. You could be struck in the head hard enough to cause catastrophic injury by a loose brick falling off a building or by being tackled while playing football. Children and the elderly, not surprisingly, are more likely to suffer falls that result in brain injuries while adults in their early 20s are more likely to experience brain injuries in motor vehicle accidents and assaults.
The Aftermath of a Catastrophic Brain Injury
Any abrupt, traumatic brain injury that results in long-term or permanent disability is considered catastrophic. You may fall into a coma, a state of unconsciousness that can last anywhere from a day to years, soon after sustaining the brain injury. Typically, the longer you remain comatose, the less likely it is you will ever recover your full mental, physical and emotional capabilities upon awakening. A significant period of in-hospital treatment and recovery time should be expected after sustaining a catastrophic brain injury during which you may require invasive treatments like having a drain inserted into your skull to relieve fluid build-up. Your physicians will also likely put you on a course of medication to stave off seizures and reduce the risk of brain herniation or other potentially fatal complications.
Long-Term Prognosis
After release from the hospital, you will likely require the following:
- Long-term medical care
- Physical therapy
- Mental rehabilitation
- Behavior modification therapy
- Job training (if feasible)
If it is determined that you cannot work because of your injury, you will likely require assistance filing for Supplemental Security Income or other disability insurance. In order to help you get around once you go home, your house may have to be equipped with special adaptive furnishings like ramps or grab rails. You may also need an in-house aide to assist you with your daily activities and hygiene.
The grim fact is that, following a catastrophic brain injury, you are at risk of losing your independence, career, relationships, health and vitality. On top of all that, the bills for the medical treatment and services you require can quickly skyrocket. All of these factors add up to monumental changes in your life and lifestyle that continue well beyond the initial injury.
If you have suffered from a catastrophic brain injury in California, you should consult with a skilled California catastrophic brain injury lawyer at The Brain Injury Legal Help Center immediately to discuss your brain injury legal matter. Contact (800) 610-1892 right away for answers to your catastrophic brain injury questions.