Blunt force trauma is best defined as a
“relatively low-velocity impact over a relatively large surface area.”
In practice, it usually manifests itself as a blunt object impacting the body in a non-penetrating manner. Some real-world examples of blunt force trauma might include an ornament falling off a shelf and striking you in the skull, a fridge door closing on your hand, or a heavy object being dropped on your foot.
Where do blunt force trauma injuries most often occur?
Although blunt trauma accidents can happen pretty much anywhere, they most often occur during car accidents. The likelihood of sustaining a blunt trauma injury is also heightened while playing sports and carrying out manual labor. Of course, physical assault is also the source of a significant portion of the world's blunt force trauma injuries.
What are the effects of a blunt force trauma injury to the head?
The vast majority of blunt force traumas to the head result in either a concussion or contusion. A concussion is generally considered to be the less serious of the two, as it is caused by the shaking of the brain. A contusion, on the other hand, involves a direct injury to the brain. If the blunt force trauma is particularly serious, it may lead to a loss of consciousness – which can make matters even worse.
Although the effects of blunt force trauma often manifest themselves immediately, they can sometimes take days, weeks, or even years to appear. Depending on the exact nature of the injury, symptoms might be permanent or they may disappear again fairly quickly.
A short sampling of some of the most common brain injury symptoms would include:
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Nausea and throwing up
- Increased irritability
- Partial physical paralysis
- Chronic headaches
In severe cases, traumatic brain injury can leave the victim in a coma, in a vegetative state, brain dead, or in a minimally conscious state.
What should you do if you suffer a blunt force trauma injury to your head?
If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of a blunt force trauma injury, you should seek the help of a trained medical professional as quickly as possible. The quicker you can find medical help, the better your outcome will be.
Once you arrive, the doctor will be able to assess the extent of your injuries and make determinations about whether or not you need any further medical attention. If blurry vision, loss of balance, or any other symptoms are preventing you from safely getting to a physician on your own, you should ask someone for help or call an ambulance.
Can you seek compensation for a blunt force trauma injury to your head?
Generally speaking, if your brain injury was caused by the actions or negligence of another person or company, you will be able to seek compensation. However, the process can be complicated and time-consuming, so it is best to work with an experienced attorney who can handle the case on your behalf.
What will your blunt force head trauma compensation cover?
Many people believe that they are only eligible to receive enough compensation to cover the medical bills that they incurred in the immediate aftermath of their brain injury. However, this is not accurate. In reality, your final settlement can also cover the following:
Lost Wages
If you miss time in work as a result of your brain injury, your compensation will most likely cover it. Of course, it won't just be the days you miss immediately after your injury occurs. You may also receive compensation for future medical appointments.
Reduction in Future Earning Capacity
If your blunt force trauma injury has negatively impacted your future career prospects, the lost value should be included in your compensation. For example, if you are a music producer who now has permanent hearing loss and can no longer work in the industry, your settlement could cover the reduction in your future earnings.
Future Medical Treatment
Your legal compensation also covers the cost of any future medical treatments that you require. For instance, if you suffered from partial paralysis after your brain injury and need to attend physical therapy for the next few years to get your mobility back, your settlement should cover your bills.
Pain and Suffering
You should also receive some compensation for the pain and suffering that you have had to endure as a consequence of your injury. Since these factors can be tricky to quantify, damages awarded due to pain and suffering can vary quite a bit.
The Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman Can Help
Here at the Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman, we have been helping the victims of blunt force trauma recover the compensation they deserve for more than 50 years. If you have a case that you would like our assistance with, simply contact us at (866) 361-7546 to set up an initial consultation.
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