Utah Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

Advocating for TBI Victims Across Utah

Caused by a blow or bump to the head, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have lasting consequences for injury victims, even when it is classified as “mild” by medical professionals. TBI is also one of the top causes of serious injury, disability, and death in the United States: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 2.87 million emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to TBI in 2014 alone.

If you have reason to believe that your traumatic brain injury was caused by another person’s negligence, our Utah attorneys at Pearson Butler can review your case and help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation. With millions recovered for injury victims across Utah, we have the resources and experience to fight on your behalf after a serious accident.

Our compassionate attorneys are ready to hear your story. Call us at 385-444-2102 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Defining the Degrees of TBI

Although our brains have some built-in protections against trauma, these crucial organs are surprisingly delicate – meaning that even a minor bump may result in a TBI. According to the Brain Trauma Foundation, brain damage also tends to spread in the days and weeks after the initial injury, as the brain swells to protect the affected area.

Because TBIs vary widely in both their symptoms and severity, doctors attempt to classify these injuries based on a spectrum known as the Glasgow Coma Scale, which provides an objective scoring measure for brain injuries. Although mild cases of brain damage are often dismissed as “minor injuries,” the truth is that any brain injury has the potential to re-shape the structure of the brain, leaving the injury victim to deal with the fallout for months and years to come.

Here are the primary degrees of a traumatic brain injury:

• Mild: Also known as a concussion, a mild TBI is marked by headaches, dizziness, vision problems, and loss of coordination. Individuals with a mild TBI typically do not lose consciousness, or only lose it for a few brief moments.
• Moderate: A moderate TBI will include many of the same symptoms as a mild TBI, coupled with intense lethargy, seizures, and a lack of responsiveness to visual stimuli. Individuals with a moderate injury may lose consciousness for anywhere between 20 minutes and 6 hours.
• Severe: When classified as “severe,” a traumatic brain injury can result in loss of consciousness greater than 6 hours, also known as a coma. In this state, the victim will be unable to speak, open their eyes independently, or listen to commands.

Common Types of TBIs

Brain injuries can vary widely in severity and type, often classified by how the injury occurs or the part of the brain that is affected. Here are the most common types:

• Concussion: A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden impact or jolt to the head. It disrupts brain function temporarily, leading to symptoms like headache, dizziness, and confusion. It often results from falls, sports injuries, or car accidents and usually resolves with rest, but repeated concussions can lead to more serious long-term effects.
• Contusion: A brain contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by a direct blow to the head. It can lead to bleeding and swelling in the brain, potentially causing memory problems, headaches, and impaired motor function. Severe contusions may require surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
• Penetrating Brain Injury: This occurs when an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain tissue. It can cause severe damage, resulting in symptoms such as unconsciousness, loss of motor function, and cognitive impairments. These injuries are often life-threatening and require emergency medical intervention.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI happens when strong rotational forces cause nerve fibers in the brain to tear. It’s one of the most severe forms of brain injury, often leading to coma or long-term disabilities. Car accidents and violent shaking (e.g., shaken baby syndrome) are common causes.
• Coup-Contrecoup Injury: This injury occurs when the brain is damaged both at the site of impact and on the opposite side due to the brain rebounding against the skull. It can cause cognitive and physical impairments depending on which areas of the brain are affected. High-impact accidents like car crashes are typical causes.
• Second Impact Syndrome: Second impact syndrome happens when a person experiences a second concussion before the first one has fully healed, causing rapid brain swelling. It can lead to severe brain damage or death. Athletes who return to play too soon after a concussion are at high risk.
• Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury: These injuries occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen, either partially (hypoxic) or completely (anoxic). Lack of oxygen causes widespread brain damage, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, or even coma. Causes include drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, or cardiac arrest.
• Intracranial Hematoma: An intracranial hematoma occurs when blood pools inside the brain after a blood vessel ruptures. The pressure caused by the collection of blood can result in headaches, confusion, and unconsciousness. Trauma from falls or accidents is a common cause, and surgery may be required to remove the hematoma.
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: This involves bleeding between the brain and the tissues covering it, often caused by trauma or a ruptured aneurysm. Symptoms include a sudden severe headache, neck stiffness, and sensitivity to light. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent long-term brain damage.
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): CTE is a progressive brain condition caused by repeated head trauma, often seen in athletes involved in contact sports. Symptoms include mood swings, memory loss, depression, and cognitive decline. Over time, it can lead to severe mental health issues and dementia.

Common Causes of TBIs

From car accidents to athletic injuries, there are many ways that another party’s negligence or wrongdoing can contribute to your traumatic brain injury. If you believe that negligence played a role in your injuries, you could be entitled to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

The most common causes of TBI include:

• Falls (including slip and fall accidents)
• Physical and sexual assault
• Sporting accidents
• Car accidents
• Gunshot wounds
• Collisions with an object
• Outdoor recreational activities
• Bicycle accidents

Because there are so many different possible causes of traumatic brain injury, it’s important to review the details of your accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you’re facing massive medical bills, reduced earning capacity, and other costs, an attorney can help you seek compensation to account for these damages. Our Utah brain injury lawyers at Pearson Butler are completely dedicated to our clients, and we will offer the caring counsel you deserve after a life-altering accident.

Do you need to schedule a free consultation? Call 385-444-2102 today.