Boston Brain Injury Attorneys
The brain is one of the most vital organs in the body, regulating everything from our ability to think critically to our breathing. Therefore, even a relatively minor level of damage to the brain can nevertheless have extremely serious consequences for an individual, potentially requiring costly medical care and rendering work difficult or impossible, leaving brain injury victims unable to support themselves independently.
Brain injuries may be caused by many different factors, from car accidents to slip and falls, but if someone else was responsible for causing someone to be injured, our lawyers at Crowe & Harris, LLP , believe they should be held accountable for the ensuing consequences. Fortunately, through personal injury claims, many victims of brain injuries are able to take such action and get the financial compensation they need and deserve.
The Boston brain injury lawyers at Crowe & Harris, LLP have years of experience working with patients, such as yourself, who have suffered at the hands of careless or incompetent doctors. We understand the importance of your time and money, and we are prepared to help you fight back and receive justice for the problems and pain you have experienced.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious brain injury, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced Boston brain injury lawyer at Crowe & Harris, LLP. Contact us online or call (617) 404-3417.
On This Page:
Types of Brain Injuries
A brain injury can occur in a variety of different ways, not to mention affect each person in unique ways. However, some of the most common types of brain injuries that people sustain include:
- Concussions
- Hematomas
- Brain damage
- Memory loss
- Contusions
All of these injuries can present serious problems for brain injury victims. Apart
from the physical consequences, many brain injury victims find themselves
facing
psychological and financial problems, making it difficult for them
to adjust
to
life
after the injury.
Brain Injury Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is A Traumatic Brain Injury Worth?
The value of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) claim can vary significantly based on
several key factors. Understanding these elements below can help individuals
grasp
the potential compensation outcomes when pursuing a claim.
-
Medical Expenses: One of the most substantial components of a TBI claim is the cost of medical care.
This includes immediate emergency treatment, ongoing medical visits, rehabilitation,
surgeries, and any required medical equipment or home modifications. Future
medical
costs, considering the potential need for long-term care, also
play
a crucial role.
-
Lost Wages: TBIs can severely impact a person’s ability to work, both in the short and long term.
Compensation can cover lost wages due to missed workdays and can extend
to
loss
of
earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to their
previous
employment
or
any form of work in the future.
-
Pain and Suffering: Beyond tangible financial losses, TBIs often lead to significant physical pain and
emotional distress. Compensation can account for the victim's reduced
quality
of
life, emotional suffering, and the psychological impact of
living with a TBI.
-
Life Impact and Daily Challenges:
The extent to which a TBI affects daily living, independence, and relationships can
also influence compensation. The more a TBI disrupts normal life, the
higher
the
potential compensation to address these challenges.
While exact monetary amounts cannot be specified without a detailed assessment of
the individual case, understanding these factors offers a foundational view
of
how
TBI claims are valued in the legal system. Consulting with a knowledgeable
TBI attorney
can provide more personalized guidance.
How prevalent is traumatic brain injury (TBI) in accident cases in Massachusetts?
When it comes to death caused by TBI, motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading
cause, according to a state report from Health and Human Services. In 2012,
there
were 840 deaths of Massachusetts residents that involved a traumatic
brain
injury.
At Massachusetts acute care hospitals, there were 5,879 hospitalizations
for inpatients,
2,213 observation stays and 67,397 emergency room visits for
nonfatal traumatic
brain
injury in 2013.
Learn more
Is there a certain age group or that is more at risk of traumatic brain injury?
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, residents that are 65
years old or older make up the largest portion of TBI-related hospitalizations.
The
rate at which they face these injuries is also higher than other age groups.
These
residents accounted for 46% of TBI-related deaths and 49% of TBI-related
hospitalizations.
However, Massachusetts children ages zero to fourteen years
had the highest number
and rate of TBI-related ER visits, and these children
accounted
for 24% of such visits.
Learn more,
How does TBI affect the body?
A non-life threatening, but severe TBI may result in an extended period of unconsciousness
(coma) or amnesia after the injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recently reported that there are several issues, both short- and long-term,
that affect people with TBI. These include an affect on cognitive function,
motor
control, sensations, and emotions. Click the link for descriptions on
how each
of
these are affected.
My spouse was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after an accident. How long
can I expect the injury to affect our daily life?
The CDC reports that for individuals hospitalized after a TBI, almost half (43%)
have a related disability for one year after the injury. The CDC also reports
that
the consequences of severe TBI can affect all aspects of an individual’s
life, including
relationships, their ability to work, do household tasks,
drive,
and/or participate
in other daily living activities.
Are there any safety measures that a parent can take to prevent traumatic brain injury
(TBI) in their children?
One of the leading causes of death, injury, and TBI in the US is motor vehicle crashes.
The CDC’s primary prevention focuses buckling your child into the car using
a
child
safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child’s
height,
weight,
and age). The prevention program also focuses on deterrence
of other
impaired driving.
For more information, see:
U.S. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Statistics
According to a CDC report, there are over 5 million people in America who are affected
daily by a TBI. The effects of these injuries can be so drastic that ever part
of
a person’s life can be affected. In addition, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
is a
major
cause of disability and death for children and young adults in the
U.S. It
is a fact
that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI resulting
in hospitalization.
Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI.
- 230,000 people hospitalized, but survive
- 50,000 people die as a result
- 80,000 to 90,000 people experience some long-term disability
It is estimated that for the 5.3 million Americans who exist with a TBI-related disability,
the financial cost is only part of their total personal burden. The long-term
impairments
and disabilities associated with TBI and the full human cost cannot
be determined
easily. Since these disabilities are not easily visible to the
public,
like a broken
extremity, TBI is looked at as an invisible epidemic.
The CDC further
reports that
these disabilities that arise from some cognitive,
emotional, sensory,
and other
motor impairments, can often permanently change
a person’s vocational
aspirations
and they can have significant effects on family
and social relationships. Visit
this CDC webpage
to learn more.
U.S. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Prevention
Fortunately, the number of motor vehicle accidents that lead to TBI deaths has gone
down by nearly 40 percent since 1980. This drop is likely due to a number of factors,
including widespread seatbelt and car seat use, an increase in vehicles that are
airbag equipped, and a decrease in incidences where the driver was intoxicated.
These
positive changes, along with recent changes in speed limits and in seatbelt
and helmet
use requirements, should be reviewed further to determine their impact
on TBI incidence
and death.
The current American Association of Neurological Surgeons TBI statistics:
- National statistics show that between 50-70 percent of TBI accidents are the result
of a motor vehicle crash.
- Nearly 1.7 million cases of TBI occur in the U.S. every year.
- Annual direct and indirect TBI costs are between $48-56 billion.
- There are nearly 235,000 hospitalizations for TBI each year, which is more than 20
times the hospitalizations for spinal cord injuries.
- TBI accounts for an estimated 2,685 deaths, 37,000 hospitalizations, and 435,000
ER visits for children that are ages 14 and younger.
- Each year, 80,000-90,000 people go through the onset of long-term or lifelong disabilities
associated with TBI.
- Of all reported TBI accidents, males represent 78.8 percent, while females represent
21.2 percent.
- Among American adolescents and children, sports and recreational activities contribute
to nearly 21 percent of all TBIs.
- The mortality rate for TBI is 30 per 100,000, or nearly 50,000 deaths in the U.S
yearly. Fifty percent of these die within the first two hours of their injury.
- Of all traumatic deaths, those from head injuries account for 34 percent. Starting
at age 30, the mortality risk after head injury starts to increase. Persons
that
are 60 years old or more have the highest death rate after TBI, mainly
due to falls,
which have a rising incidence in this age category.
For more information, click here.
Talk to a Brain Injury Attorney in Boston
If you have been the victim of a brain injury caused by someone else, you need an
experienced attorney on your side to help you fight for the compensation you are
seeking.
Our attorneys at Crowe & Harris, LLP , may be able to help you pursue this compensation. Call us at (617) 404-3417today to learn more about our experience handling such cases.
