Traumatic Brain Injuries Resulting from Accidents
All too often we hear about people suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result of an accident. Brain injuries can be sustained in a car accident, a motorcycle accident, a snow mobile accident, an ATV accident, or from a fall or a blow to the head.
The nature of the incident can sometimes make it clear that the person has suffered a traumatic brain injury. There may have been more than a brief loss of consciousness involved, a coma, fractures to the person’s skull or facial area, internal bleeding of the brain requiring surgical intervention, or other evidence of a serious injury.
In many other accidents, whether a person has suffered a traumatic brain injury depends on the symptoms the person presents with. In many cases, the symptoms of having an acquired brain injury can be subtle, and may not be readily apparent. Brain injuries differ from physical trauma in that the treating medical professionals involved may have to “wait and see” before they can determine the full extent of the acquired brain injury, or if one in fact has occurred at all.
Depending on the severity of the traumatic brain injury, one may see mild, moderate or severe impairments in the injured person’s cognitive, physical, psychological and social functioning. The person’s balance, coordination, fine motor skills, strength and endurance may have also been compromised.
Depending on the severity of the acquired brain injury, many, if not all, areas of the injured person’s life can be affected. A person’s lifestyle may need to change. Extensive physiotherapy, occupational therapy and counseling will likely be required. Modifications to the home environment may be required or attendant care and supervision may be necessary. Timely access to income replacement benefits, disability benefits and housekeeping benefits become very important. Where benefits are available under more than one policy, such benefits will have to be coordinated.
Dealing with a traumatic brain injury is not only difficult for the injured person, but it also can be very challenging for spouses, partners, and siblings. Education for those family members and for the injured person is crucial following such an accident.
We believe it is important for you to contact a personal injury lawyer to find out about the various options available for support and to ensure access to that support. Our goal is to assist the individual and/or family to access those benefits, so they can focus on the recovery and healing process.
Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP’s personal injury lawyers have a significant history of representing individuals who have acquired a traumatic brain injury, as well as their families. We will examine all aspects of a person’s life and will explore all avenues to ensure proper support and compensation is obtained for them as a result of the injury.
There is no charge and no obligations for having a consultation meeting with one of our personal injury lawyers. You will leave the meeting with a good understanding of your rights and an outline of any next steps you may need to take.
Please feel free to contact us by calling 613-238-8080 or toll-free at 1-833-892-3331 and ask to speak to John Lundrigan, head of our personal injury department. Alternatively, click here to send us an email.
Our personal injury group offers services throughout Ontario and in both official languages.
