Motor vehicle accidents, exposure to neuro-toxins like lead paint, defective products, oxygen deprivation from medical errors, falls and violent acts can all cause serious damage to the brain or spinal cord. An alarming number of individuals suffer traumatic brain injury each year. In fact, 14 million people in the United States experience some form of brain injury each year. Of the 1.4 million, there are 50,000 fatalities and 235,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also reports that 11,00 Americans sustain a spinal cord injury each year.
The repercussions of these injuries are extensive. There are currently over 5.3 million Americans living with a disability resulting from a brain injury, and that number is skyrocketing as our brave soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being called the signature injury of the Iraq War.
If you or a loved one has a serious brain or spinal cord injury,
contact Michael Phelan toll free to review your case.
Symptoms of a brain injury can be mild to severe, depending on the amount of damage. Some symptoms show up right away. Others may not appear until several days or weeks after the injury.
Immediate Signs of Concussion (Seen within seconds/minutes)
- Any loss of consciousness
- Impaired attention: vacant stare, delayed responses, inability to focus
- Slurred or incoherent speech
- Lack of coordination
- Disorientation
- Emotional reactions out of proportion
- Memory problems
Later Signs of Concussion (If the following symptoms occur, hours or even days or weeks later, consult a neurologist)
- Persistent headache
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Poor attention and concentration
- Memory problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue easily
- Irritability
- Intolerant of bright lights and/or loud noises
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Disturbed sleep
People with moderate to severe brain injury may have these same symptoms, as well as:
- Seizures
- Physical, cognitive or behavioral impairments that last for months or are permanent
- Prolonged unconscious state
- Coma
Information provided by the
American Academy of Neurology.
We represent auto accident and truck accident victims, and sufferers of brain injury due to accident throughout the country and the Commonwealth of Virginia, including, Richmond, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Newport News, Fredericksburg, Henrico, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Louisa, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Stafford, Williamsburg, New Kent, Charles City, Hanover, and Goochland.