Westchester County Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very serious type of injury that occurs when a violent blow or jolt to the head results in the destruction of brain cells. An object that pierces the skull can also cause traumatic brain injury. A brain injury can be occur in a number of different ways such as car accident, construction accident, scaffold accident, or slip and fall accident. A brain injury can be mild or severe. If the injury is mild the effects may be temporary. However, if the injury is severe, meaning that there is bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain, the victim may experience long-term physical and mental problems, or the victim may die. A brain trauma may also include other injuries such as a spinal injury, broken bone, or paralysis. If you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury as the result of an accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Westchester County brain injury lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Common causes of brain injury include:

• 35.2% are caused by falls. For example, victims who slip and fall on a slick area of a store floor or in a parking lot, hitting the head onto a hard floor or pavement.
• 17.3% are caused by auto accidents where the collision causes the victim to slam his or her head against the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, or on the road.
• 16.5% are caused by blows to the head
• 10% are due to assaults

For example, in the case of Reeves v. 1710 Broadway, LLC, 2012 NY Slip Op 30200 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., 2012), plaintiff Kevin Reeves filed a lawsuit against defendant 1710 Broadway, LLC after slipping and falling on a set of stairs on the defendant's property. Reeves testified that there was water on the staircase. As a result of the fall, Reeves suffered a traumatic brain injury.

While many people equate loss of consciousness with a serious head trauma, it is possible to be badly injured while remaining conscious. Signs to look for include:

• Paralysis on one side of the body
• Chronic drowsiness
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory loss
• Ringing in ears
• Mood swings
• Personality changes
• Headaches
• Slurred speech
• Mobility problems

While there are several different types of brain injuries requiring different types of treatment, according to one estimate the lifetime cost associated with treating a traumatic brain injury is at least $600,000 and can reach well over a $1 million. Sufferers of traumatic brain injuries often are unable to go back to work, or must settle for a reduced work schedule. Substantial medical bills coupled with a reduced income may mean that the victim faces significant debt.

Fortunately, through a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident that resulted in your brain injury, you can demand compensation that will cover your medical expenses and that will replace the wages that you lost while recovering from your injury. Furthermore, the physical and emotional pain and suffering that you experience is a compensable loss as well.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in a brain injury, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical and emotional issues associated with traumatic brain injuries. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.