Head Injury FAQs – Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys in Honolulu

Compared to other common personal injuries, traumatic brain injuries stand apart as being particularly unique.  Unlike with a bone fracture or open wound, with a traumatic brain injury you may not see symptoms right away.  In many cases, brain injury victims do not realize that they have sustained an injury until someone else notices unusual behaviors or until an untreated minor injury degenerates into a major, or even fatal, injury.  This is why it is particularly important for accident victims and their families to be vigilant in noting even subtle changes in behavior, motor skills, mood, and cognition in the weeks and months after an accident.

At Leavitt Yamane & Soldner, we understand how devastating a brain injury can be for victims and their families.  Whether mild or severe, a brain injury is a life-altering event, drastically compromising the quality of life of both the injured and his or her loved ones for years, if not decades or even an entire lifetime.  As trusted traumatic brain and head injury lawyers, the attorneys at our Honolulu law firm, serving Oahu and all of Hawaii, have helped countless individuals whose lives have been interrupted by injury start down the path of recovery.  If you or someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury, we would welcome the opportunity to help you do the same.

Below you will find general answers to some of the questions we are most commonly asked about brain and head injuries.  For specific answers to questions regarding your particular case, please contact our traumatic brain and head injury attorneys in Honolulu, Hawaii today.

What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when brain tissue is damaged by either a severe whiplash motion or the head coming into contact with a hard object.  Common causes of traumatic brain injury include auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, sports injuries, and slip and fall accidents.  Traumatic brain injuries can also occur as a result of violent crimes, including physical domestic abuse.

There are two basic types of traumatic brain injury: open head injuries and closed head injuries.  Open head injuries, which occur when an object actually pierces the skull, are the more immediately evident type.  However, a closed head injury, in which the damage is mostly or exclusively internal, can be just as dangerous.  Indeed, closed head injuries can be even more dangerous, because there are often no noticeable symptoms.  As a result, many closed head injuries go untreated until the damage worsens and the injury becomes more pronounced.

If you or a loved one has been struck in the head, it is essential that you see a doctor immediately, whether you believe you have suffered an injury or not.  If your head injury occurred due to someone else’s negligent or deliberately wrongful actions, please contact the traumatic brain and head injury lawyers at our Honolulu, Hawaii law firm to schedule an evaluation of your case today.

What is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)?

First, “mild” does not mean “minor” in this context.  The effects of a mild traumatic brain injury can be as disruptive and emotionally devastating for victims and their families as an open head traumatic brain injury.  The primary difference between mild traumatic brain injuries and more severe traumatic brain injuries lies in the symptoms.  While severe TBI can manifest itself with dramatic symptoms – paralysis, amnesia, incomprehensible speech, inability to walk – the effects of MTBI tend to be more subtle and unfold over time.  In many cases, victims of MTBI appear to be perfectly “normal” to family, friends, and even medical professionals.

Some common symptoms of MTBI are mental slowness, poor concentration, irregular sleep patterns, temporary hearing loss, problems with vision, and fluctuations in mood.  Often, victims seem to be in a bad mood – cranky, difficult, and abrupt.  This can cause family members to become aggravated, which can result in both victims and family members falling into a downward emotional spiral.

Mild traumatic brain injuries should be treated as seriously as any other injury because their effects can be just as long-term and challenging for victims and family members alike.  If there’s even a possibility that you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury of any sort due to someone else’s negligence, it is important that you contact a qualified attorney right away.  The traumatic brain and head injury lawyers at our Oahu law firm can evaluate your case and advise you of your rights and legal options.

A member of my family was knocked unconscious and was discharged from the emergency room, but he or she still doesn’t seem “right” to me.  What should I do?

Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries are often subtle and only noticeable to those who know the victim well.  Someone who appears completely “normal” to an outsider may be acting out of character in small but significant ways that only a close friend or family member would recognize.  If you suspect that someone has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is essential that you talk to a qualified physician immediately.  Call your loved one’s primary care doctor who will advise you of what to do next.  If your loved one does not have a primary care doctor, call the local hospital.  You will probably be advised to return to the emergency room where your loved one will receive further testing or observation.

Whatever you do, do not assume that your conclusion is probably incorrect.  Take action and call a medical professional immediately.

If the symptoms of traumatic brain injury are often subtle and difficult to diagnose, what exactly should I be looking for?

In the days, weeks, and months following an accident, be aware of any changes in behavior, temperament, sensation, motor skills, and cognition, no matter how minor they may seem.  Changes in mood, appetite, personality, the ability to interact with others, the inability to think clearly or quickly, reading comprehension, attention span, concentration, vision, sleeping habits, ability to maintain balance or walk, and other mental and physical abilities should be taken very seriously.  Impairment of the senses – most commonly sight and hearing, but also touch, taste, and smell – is a tell-tale sign of brain injury, particularly after a blow to the head.  If you notice any of these changes in a member of your family, you should help your loved one get medical help immediately.  You should also keep a diary of these changes as you observe them.

What is post concussion syndrome?

Post concussion syndrome covers a group of symptoms that can occur after a severe blow to the head, sometimes immediately, but more commonly days or weeks later.  These symptoms can broadly be classified as physical (as in chronic headaches or light sensitivity), behavioral (as in moodiness and changes in personality and temperament), and mental (impairment of cognition or judgment).  These symptoms can last for weeks and even months and behavioral symptoms such as depression or anxiety can be extremely long-term, potentially affecting a person for years.

Why should I turn to Leavitt Yamane & Soldner for legal representation of my TBI case?

 

When selecting a law firm to handle a personal injury case, you must consider the firm’s track record in handling cases just like yours.  Experience can mean the difference between covering only part of your expenses and covering all of your expenses, both current and anticipated.  At the law firm of Leavitt Yamane & Soldner, our traumatic brain and head injury lawyers have been serving Honolulu and all of Oahu and Hawaii with exceptional legal representation for decades.  We care about our clients, treating each person with the personal attention, respect, and commitment he or she deserves.  Our extensive experience in helping victims and their families cope with the effects of traumatic brain injury while fighting for the compensation they need to afford their medical care truly sets us apart.

Contact Our Traumatic Brain and Head Injury Lawyers Serving Oahu and All of Hawaii

 

If you or someone you love has suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence or deliberate wrongful act, please contact our traumatic brain injury lawyers in Honolulu today.  Serving all of Oahu and Hawaii, our attorneys would be pleased to evaluate your case and advise you of your legal rights and options.

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