The skull is very hard and protects the brain from damage caused by a blow to the head. Because of this built-in protection, we often suffer bumps and bruises when we hit our head, but escape serious injury. While many head injuries are minor, others can be life threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States each year. Of those people, 275,000 people are hospitalized and 52,000 die. A Kentucky brain injury is a serious and potentially fatal injury that can be categorized into two main types of injuries:
- Penetrating head injury – An injury to the brain that occurs when a foreign object enters the skull—directly damaging the brain tissue. This type of injury is typically caused by weapons fire or being struck with a sharp object.
- Closed head injury – An injury to the brain caused by movement of the brain inside the skull as a result of blunt force trauma to the head—often the result of a serious fall, a Kentucky car accident, or being struck with an object.
A TBI can cause debilitating changes in personality, behavior, reasoning ability, and physical capabilities. These changes can be permanent. In fact, accident victims can be left with disabilities so severe that they are unable to perform daily tasks. In addition to loss of independence, a TBI can cause severe financial difficulty due to ongoing medical costs, the cost of in-home care, and lost wages.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by the negligence of another, a Kentucky brain injury attorney at Gray & White Law may be able to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and help you to understand your legal options—all during a no-obligation consultation. Contact our office today at 888-450-4456 or fill out our online contact form to get the process started.