Ottawa Brain Injury Lawyer

Ottawa Brain Injury Lawyer

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

An estimated 456 Canadians per day, one person every 3 minutes, suffers a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is harm to the brain that can range from mild to severe.  Brain injuries can often be misdiagnosed and may go untreated.  People suffering from brain injuries may require expert medical attention, specialized rehabilitation, and potentially a lifetime of care. Over one million Canadians live with the effects of a brain injury.  Over half of the brain injuries suffered, were caused by falls and car accidents.

Typically, traumatic brain injuries are caused by blows to the head. Falls, car accidents, and workplace accidents are often to blame for traumatic brain injuries. In rare instances, a brain injury is caused by an object penetrating the skull, such as a metal fragment or bullet.

Mild traumatic brain injuries are sometimes referred to as concussions.  Someone suffering from a concussion may experience blurred vision, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.  Concussions can also impact one’s ability to think clearly.  Although concussions are typically not life threatening, there has been rising concern over the impact of multiple concussions.  You may be familiar with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (also known as CTE) and the increasing incidents of neurological changes amongst professional athletes such as football players and boxers.

A severe TBI can lead to a coma, amnesia, and paralysis.  As a result, someone suffering from a serious brain injury may require a lifetime of care.  The brain injury may impact their personality, and they may no longer be the loved one that you knew. A serious TBI can forever change the lives of the victim and their family

What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury?

Only a medical professional can determine whether someone has suffered a concussion or TBI.  If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident or had a blow to the head, there are warning signs that you can look for.  These warning signs differ between adults and children.

If an adult displays any of the following after a jolt to the head, car wreck, or workplace accident, get help immediately:

• Headaches that only gets worse,
• Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination,
• Repeated vomiting,
• Unable to wake from sleeping,
• If they are nonresponsive,
• One pupil that is larger than the other,
• Convulsions or seizures,
• Slurred speech, or
• Confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Children will display different signs and symptoms indicating a brain injury.  Seek medical care if your child:

• Is crying without stopping,
• Cannot be consoled,
• Won’t nurse or has lost their appetite,
• If they experience repeated vomiting, or
• Lose focus, appearing spaced out.

Anyone who may have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury needs to see a doctor right away. The doctor will assess their signs and symptoms to determine if there is cognitive impairment. The physician may also use CT scans or other tests to help diagnose and define the severity of the injury.

Life after a Brain Injury

The impact that a brain injury will have on a person depends on the gravity of the injury. Some people may be able to overcome a single concussion while others, who suffer more serious brain injuries may struggle to regain their lives.

Brain function can be disrupted when there is trauma to the brain. Someone suffering from a brain injury may suffer from:

• Paralysis, partial or full,
• Tiredness, sleeping a lot, or insomnia,
• Difficulty concentrating,
• Memory loss,
• Inability to pay attention,
• Irritability,
• Depression,
• Mood swings,
• Changes in personality,
• Problems with speech or language, or
• Persistent headaches.

A severe TBI can also result in permanent injury or even death. Many TBI victims require costly medical and psychological care. This may include consultations with experts, speech and occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and more. TBI victims may need medications and equipment to help them through everyday life. The financial burden of treating a traumatic brain injury, coupled with the emotional and familial toll, together with lost income, can be devastating.

When another party’s negligence causes a TBI, the negligent party could be held financially responsible for the victim’s injuries. A skilled TBI lawyer will help families recover while holding the negligent party accountable for the harm they caused.

Contact an Ottawa Brain Injury Lawyer

At Mullowneys we understand that a brain injury can have a profound and often life-changing impact on an injured person and their family. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers will fight for you and your financial future. It is important that the responsible parties be held accountable. The lawyers at Mullowneys understand this and will work tirelessly for you.

If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers in Ottawa for a free consultation today: (613) 670-5736 or [email protected]