Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in South Carolina

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact a South Carolina traumatic brain injury attorney at the Strom Law Firm.

Many injuries can affect a person’s mobility, but a traumatic brain injury can affect much more. A traumatic brain injury can impact mental capacity, personality, and the ability to perform daily life activities. Brain injuries are distinct and unpredictable in their outcome, but every person affected by these injuries needs proper assistance and support.

After review, we may be able to take your case on a contingency basis, which means that we will only be compensated for our services if we recover on your behalf. South Carolina’s traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have extensive experience with obtaining compensation for injuries. Call us today to see if our South Carolina’s traumatic brain injury attorneys can assist you.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is defined as a “blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain.” Not all damage to the head may cause a traumatic brain injury. In mild cases, there could be a brief change in mental status or consciousness; yet, in more severe cases, there is an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.  The impact of these injuries may affect a person’s independence short-term or long-term. Conditions like a stroke, brain infection, or a brain tumor are not included in the scope of a traumatic brain injury. Other conditions like a mild concussion, temporary confusion, headaches, long-term coma, or even death, could be considered a traumatic brain injury. Medical professionals can determine and classify the levels of brain trauma, but this is usually only applied to the initial presentation of symptoms. Some traumatic brain injuries can produce lifelong complications, while others may fully recover from their severe traumatic brain injury symptoms.

According to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina, 61,000 residents have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) disability. Additionally, each year in South Carolina, over 1,300 people will sustain a life-long traumatic brain injury-related disability. Traumatic brain injuries are the number one cause of deaths in South Carolina of people between the ages of 1 and 44 years old. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 2.5 million traumatic brain injury-related emergency department visits were treated in 2014. Over 56,000 of these were fatal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are a serious public health concern. Each year, thousands lose their lives and suffer disabilities relating to traumatic brain injuries.

For those who are over 75 years of age, the risk of a brain injury can be especially high. In children 19 years of age and younger, it has been shown there is an increase in concussions and other brain injuries. This is primarily due to sporting or recreational activities.

Types of Brain Injuries

Injury to the brain may result in mild or severe conditions. Some injuries can have such force as to cause a person to stay in a coma or permanent vegetative state. Other times, a person may not even know they have a brain injury as they are without any typical signs. The signs of a brain injury may be immediate, or they may not appear until long after the injury occurred. The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for executive functions and regulates emotions. This area of the brain is often found to be the most injured.

Several types of injuries to the head include:

Concussion

An impact to the head caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or a hit to the body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth is considered a concussion. This bouncing or twisting against the skull can change the chemicals in the brain and damage brain cells. Concussions are not considered life-threatening; however, the effects of them can be quite serious. Repeated concussions can cause permanent damages, and there have been recent concerns about the effects of repeated concussions in sports.

Hematoma

Hematoma is when there is bleeding in or around the brain. There are several types of hematomas:

• Epidural hematoma (a pool of blood between the skull and the protective outer layer of the brain)
• Subdural and Subarachnoid hematomas (blood collects inside the skull on different layers of the brain)
• Intracerebral hematoma (bleeding into the brain itself)

These injuries are extremely dangerous. The effects of hematomas can lead to permanent brain damage.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal injury is when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull during the impact of the injury. Those who suffer this type of injury typically lose consciousness for at least six hours or are left in a coma. Other symptoms include confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, longer periods of sleep, and dizziness. This is one of the most common types of traumatic brain injury and can be one of the most debilitating.

Hemorrhage

Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain is called a hemorrhage. Subarachnoid hemorrhages are those that occur around the brain, while intracerebral hemorrhages are those that have bleeding within the brain. Usually, symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage will begin with headaches and vomiting. Depending on the amount of bleeding and duration of the bleed, intracerebral hemorrhages can cause pressure to build up and become a life-threatening situation.

Cerebral Edema

Swelling in the brain is called cerebral edema or brain swelling. This becomes serious and life-threatening when the skull can no longer contain the swelling brain. Fluid develops in the brain and causes pressure to build up, resulting in pressing the brain against the skull. Such swelling will decrease the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain and can cause irreversible damage. Symptoms of brain swelling include headaches, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, and numbness. Severe cases will exhibit signs of moodiness, memory loss, speech difficulties, incontinence, change in consciousness, and weakness.

Skull Fracture

The skull is a difficult bone to break. A forceful blow to the head could cause a fracture of the skull and result in a brain injury. The inability to absorb an impact to the head due to a fractured skull can increase the amount of injury to the brain. Symptoms of a skull fracture include bleeding from the nostrils and/or ears and facial bruising.

Common Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury Include:

• Headache
• Dizziness or trouble balancing
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Nausea
• Speech difficulties
• Incontinence
• Change in consciousness
• Fatigue or sleep disturbances
• Bleeding from the nostril and/or ear and facial bruising
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Memory problems
• Attention, focus, or concentration issues
• Agitation and irritability
• Aggression

Treatment

As with any medical condition, treatment for a traumatic brain injury is unique and case-specific. Treatment can include medication and rehabilitation, but may also require hospital stays and invasive surgical procedures. Further out-patient therapy and rehabilitation may be required to assist individuals suffering from these conditions to return to their daily lives.  South Carolina’s traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help you get the treatment you need.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in South Carolia

According to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina, the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in South Carolina include:

• Falls: Accounts for 28% of cases in the state
• Motor Vehicle accidents: Car accidents account for 23% of all cases in the state
• Violence: Accounts for 10% of cases
• Struck by or against an object: Accounts for 8% of cases
• Sports and recreation: Competitive sports and recreational activities account for 3.8 million concussions every year in the United States. Seventy percent of these seen in emergency rooms involve children and teens.
• Combat Blasts and Explosions: Accounts for .2% of cases and is the leading cause of TBI for active military duty personnel in war zones.
• Workplace Injuries
• Intentional self-half

Children between the ages of 0 and 4 and between the ages of 15 and 19 years old are the ones at highest risk for traumatic brain injuries. Males are 1.5 times more likely to suffer a brain injury than women. African Americans have the highest traumatic brain injury death rate.

What to Do if You Have Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury

As reports have shown, no one is exempt from potentially suffering from a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can have a lasting impact on a person’s life, whether the effects are momentary or permanent. It can affect all areas of life, including vision, hearing, memory, physical feats, and mental and emotional functioning. A person may not know the extent of these injuries, and the symptoms may not be visible to others. Future medical care and treatment may be required.

If you or someone you know was injured, even if you believe the injuries may be minor, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The best South Carolina traumatic brain injury attorneys agree that a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary to avoid any further injury or the chance of a permanent injury. You should also obtain any and all medical records pertaining to the injury and treatment as they may be necessary if you pursue a lawsuit.

Under South Carolina law, you may be entitled to compensation if you believe that another person’s negligence is the cause of your traumatic brain injury. Losing time from work, requiring new employment, or being unable to work is not uncommon after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The medical procedures and treatment can produce massive medical bills, not to mention the physical and emotional pain you will endure. It will quite possibly alter every area of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury is defined as a “blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain.” Not all damage to the head may cause a traumatic brain injury. In mild cases, there could be a brief change in mental status or consciousness; yet, in more severe cases, there is an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. These injuries can be short-term or long-term in their impact on a person’s independence. Conditions like a stroke, brain infection, or a brain tumor are not included in the scope of a traumatic brain injury. Other conditions including a mild concussion, temporary confusion, headaches, long-term coma, or even death, could be considered a traumatic brain injury. Medical professionals can determine and classify the levels of brain trauma, but this is usually only applied to the initial presentation of symptoms. Some traumatic brain injuries can produce lifelong complications, while others may fully recover from their severe traumatic brain injury symptoms.

How common are traumatic brain injuries in South Carolina?

According to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina, 61,000 residents have a traumatic brain injury disability. Additionally, each year in South Carolina, over 1,300 people will sustain a life-long traumatic brain injury-related disability. Traumatic brain injuries are the number one cause of deaths in South Carolina of people between the ages of 1 and 44 years old. In 2006, 598 persons ages 1 to 44 years, died from traumatic brain injuries. In the same year, 322 persons of the same age died from cancer and 345 persons died from heart-related diseases.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 2.5 million traumatic brain injury-related emergency department visits were treated in 2014. Over 56,000 of these visits were fatal injuries.

Who is most at risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury? Reports have shown, no one is exempt from potentially suffering from a traumatic brain injury. Individuals falling into the below categories are most vulnerable:

• Children between the ages of 0 and 4 and 15 to 19
• Males are 1.5 times as likely as females to suffer a traumatic brain injury
• African-American are reported to have the highest death rate from a traumatic brain injury
• Certain military personnel

What are the different types of brain injuries?

• Concussion: A concussion is considered an impact to the head caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or a hit to the body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth. This bouncing or twisting against the skull can change the chemicals in the brain and damage brain cells. Concussions are not considered life-threatening; however, the effects of them can be quite serious. Repeated concussions can cause permanent damages, and there have been recent concerns about the effects of repeated concussions in sports.
• Hematoma: Hematomas are extremely dangerous. The effects of hematomas can lead to permanent brain damage.
  • Epidural hematomas occur when blood pools between the skull and the protective outer layer of the brain.
  • Subdural and Subarachnoid hematomas occur when blood collects inside the skull on different layers of the brain.
  • Intracerebral hematoma is bleeding into the brain itself.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury: A diffuse axonal injury is when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull during the impact of the injury. Those who suffer a diffuse axonal injury typically lose consciousness for at least six hours or are left in a coma. Other symptoms include confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, longer periods of sleep, and dizziness. This is one of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries and can be one of the most debilitating.
• Hemorrhage: Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain is called a hemorrhage. Subarachnoid hemorrhages are those that occur around the brain, while intracerebral hemorrhages are those that have bleeding within the brain. Usually, symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage will begin with headaches and vomiting. Depending on the amount of bleeding and time, intracerebral hemorrhages can cause pressure to build up and become a life-threatening situation.
• Cerebral Edema: Cerebral edema or brain swelling is when swelling occurs in the brain. When the skull can no longer contain this swelling, a cerebral edema becomes serious and life-threatening. Fluid develops in the brain and causes pressure to build up, therefore pressing the brain against the skull. Such swelling will decrease the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain and can cause irreversible damage. Symptoms of brain swelling include headaches, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, and numbness. In most severe cases of brain swelling, one may exhibit signs of moodiness, memory loss, speech difficulties, incontinence, change in consciousness, and weakness.
• Skull Fracture: The skull is a difficult bone to break. A forceful blow to the head could cause a fracture of the skull and result in a brain injury. The inability to absorb an impact to the head due to a fractured skull can increase the amount of injury to the brain. Symptoms of a skull fracture include bleeding from the nostrils and/or ears and facial bruising.

What signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury should I be aware of?

A traumatic brain injury can result in mild or severe symptoms. Some injuries can have such force as to cause a person to stay in a coma or permanent vegetative state. Other times, a person may not even know they have a brain injury as they are without any typical signs. The signs of a brain injury may be immediate, or they may not appear until long after the injury occurred. The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for executive functions and regulates emotions. This area of the brain is often found to be the most injured. If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is possible you may experience the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Dizziness or trouble balancing
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Nausea
• Speech difficulties
• Incontinence
• Change in consciousness
• Fatigue or sleep disturbances
• Bleeding from the nostril and/or ear and facial bruising
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Memory problems
• Attention, focus, or concentration issues
• Agitation and irritability
• Aggression

What will treatment for my traumatic brain injury look like?

Treatment for a traumatic brain injury is unique and case-specific. Your treatment can include medication and rehabilitation, but may also require in-patient hospital care and invasive surgical procedures. It is possible you may also require out-patient therapy and rehabilitation to assist in recovery to return to your daily life. South Carolina’s traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help you get the treatment you need.

What are some common causes of a traumatic brain injury?

The most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in South Carolina include:

• Slip and falls
• Motor Vehicle accidents
• Incidents involving violence
• Being struck by or against an object
• Sports and other recreational activities
• Combat Blasts and Explosions
• Workplace Injuries
• Intentional self-harm

I suffered a traumatic brain injury in South Carolina. What should I do next?

Traumatic brain injuries can have a lasting impact on a person’s life, whether the effects are momentary or permanent. It can affect all areas of life, including vision, hearing, memory, physical feats, and mental and emotional functioning. A person may not know the extent of these injuries, and the symptoms may not be visible to others. Future medical care and treatment may be required.

If you or someone you know was injured, even if you believe the injuries may be minor, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The best South Carolina traumatic brain injury attorneys agree that a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary to avoid any further injury or the chance of a permanent injury. You should also obtain any and all medical records pertaining to the injury and treatment as they may be necessary if you pursue a lawsuit.

What damages are available to me following a traumatic brain injury?

Under South Carolina law, you may be entitled to compensation if you believe that another person’s negligence is the cause of your traumatic brain injury. It is not uncommon for you to lose time from work, require new employment, or are simply unable to work after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The medical procedures and treatment you need can produce massive medical bills, not to mention the physical and emotional pain you will likely endure. It will quite possibly alter every area of your life. You and your family are entitled to seek adequate, just and fair compensation for medical treatments, current and future lost wages and non-economic damages suffered as a result of someone else’s negligent actions. You should not have to worry about the added financial strain as a result of suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Why should I hire a Strom Law Firm lawyer to help me with my traumatic brain injury?

Every traumatic brain injury claim is unique. These claims and lawsuits are extensive and can include very complicated legal issues. If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. After review, we may be able to take your case on a contingency basis, which means that we will only be compensated for our services if we recover on your behalf. South Carolina’s traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have extensive experience with obtaining compensation for injuries. Our offices in South Carolina and Georgia are equipped with the knowledge, skill, and dedication to discuss your claim. Call today at (803) 252-4800 to schedule your free case consultation.

Consult a South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Every traumatic brain injury claim is unique. These claims and lawsuits are extensive and can include very complicated legal issues. If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Pete Strom and the experienced South Carolina traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are experienced, available, and determined to help many people recover the compensation they deserve.

Our offices in South Carolina and Georgia are equipped with the knowledge, skill, and dedication to discuss your claim. Call today at (803) 252-4800 to schedule your free case consultation.