Let's face it, there is no type of injury that is more frightening and potentially life-altering than
a traumatic brain injury. The brain not only controls how we function, it makes us who we are.
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury it can change everything - how (and even if) we
communicate, how we learn and think, how we move, even our basic personality can change.
Traumatic brain injury can take away memories and alter our emotions. Relationships with
family and friends can be profoundly effected.
The effects of a traumatic brain injury (often referred to as "TBI") are sometimes profound and
clearly recognizable. Other times, however, the effects are subtle but can produce life-altering
changes. Someone who has sustained a TBI might seem perfectly "normal" to someone meeting
them for the first time or only distantly acquainted, but those closest to them know that they are
far from the person they were prior to their injury. Traumatic brain injuries are sustained in a
wide variety of ways, including automobile, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents, falls, blows to the
head and workplace injuries. Such injuries can even be caused by certain defective products and
repeated seemingly inconsequential concussions, like those being noticed now in former football
players, boxers, and other athletes.
A severe TBI can be present even though the victim has no outward sign of injury. It happens
when some force causes the brain to impact the harder structures of the skull around it, causing
bleeding, bruising, and/or contusions involving brain tissue. How the injury effects the victim
depends on which part of the brain is affected.
Another cause of brain injury is anoxia, or lack of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic brain injuries
are often seen in cases of near-drowning, birth trauma, surgical events and anesthesia errors.
Anoxic brain injuries occur whenever breathing is inhibited for a substantial period of time.
Proving the existence and extent of a brain injury caused by the negligent or wrongful act of
another requires attorneys with knowledge and experience with these type of injuries.
Neurologists and neuropsychologists are often brought in to perform the extensive testing and
evaluation required to prove the existence and extent of such an injury. Where activities of daily
living or motor function are affected, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and/or speech
and language therapists may be brought in to establish and explain those impacts on the victim
and his/her family. And where the victim's ability to work is destroyed or impaired, vocational
rehabilitation experts, life care planners and economists must also be brought to the team to
assure that the victim is fully compensated.
At Len Tillem and Associates, our team has extensive experience representing victims and
their families affected by traumatic brain injuries caused by the negligent or intentional conduct
of others. Recovering from or managing a brain injury can be long, complicated and extremely
difficult. Having the right lawyer in these circumstances is important both to assure that you are
appropriately compensated and that the claims process is as least disruptive to your life and
recovery as possible.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a traumatic brain injury, contact Len Tillem and
Associates for a free, no obligation consultation at our office, your home, or at another location
of your choosing.