Although brains only weigh about three pounds, they’re the most complicated organ in the human body. The brain’s relationship with the spine is a vital one.
Brain and spinal cord injuries are often life-altering medical conditions. They often lead to complex legal cases associated with serious injury law.
Why Are Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Sometimes Very Serious?
For starters, it’s essential to understand what brain and spinal cord injuries are, and how they can occur.
Types of Brain Injuries
There are two general types of brain injuries. This includes traumatic brain injuries and non-traumatic brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries most often come from outside the head. This can include a blow to the head, falls, or sports-related incidents. They can come with anything from a mild concussion to severe damage. The worst complications come with permanent disability or even death.
Non-traumatic brain injuries often come from within the head, and unlike traumatic brain injuries generally do not result from external force or trauma on the brain. They can take the form of strokes, tumors, or infections. While they may not involve external trauma, they can still have serious and long-lasting effects.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
As with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries can also be divided into categories. Each category is based on its severity and injury location.
Complete spinal cord injury happens when your spine becomes fully severed. This leads to complete sensation and motor function loss below the injury site.
Incomplete spinal cord injury happens when the spinal cord is partially damaged, and the degree of loss of function depends on the injury severity. It can lead to partial paralysis and sensory deficits.
Effects of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
The effects that come with these injuries can be profound and life-changing.
For instance, brain injuries can lead to memory problems, impaired reasoning, and difficulties with concentration. Patients often experience mood swings, depression, and anxiety as well.
There are other complications of brain injuries that can manifest. For example, one’s motor function can be severely affected, which can lead to paralysis or coordination problems. Brain injuries can also impact a person’s ability to communicate effectively.
The effects of spinal cord injuries are also varied and often major. For instance, depending on the level of the injury, it can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Spinal cord injuries may cause loss of sensation below the injury site, making individuals susceptible to pressure sores and other complications. Some affect the muscles responsible for breathing, requiring ventilatory support. Spinal damage often leads to issues with bowel and bladder control, too.
Why Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Are Sometimes Very Serious
The seriousness of these kinds of injuries is multi-faceted, and it often involves both medical and legal aspects.
Medical Factors Associated With Serious Injuries
Treating brain and spinal cord injuries is challenging and often involves extensive medical intervention, rehabilitation, and long-term care. This can be financially burdensome.
The outcomes of these injuries can vary widely. Individuals with partial recovery may also be left with permanent disabilities.
Brain and spinal cord injuries not only affect the individual but also their loved ones. Coping with the emotional strain of these injuries can be quite difficult.
Legal Factors
Serious injury cases often involve significant damages. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of ongoing care. Attorneys do their best to ensure their clients receive appropriate compensation.
It’s important to factor in the long-term impact of brain and spinal cord injuries. It sometimes means that victims may need financial support for the rest of their lives. Serious injury lawyers aim to secure this support through the legal process.
Serious injury cases are usually intricate and may involve many parties. This could include insurance companies, healthcare providers, and more. An experienced attorney can help to manage these complex legal matters.
It Can Help to Have a Lawyer for a Serious Injury in Louisiana
Have you or someone you know experienced a serious brain or spinal cord injury? Was it due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party?
If so, it’s essential to seek legal representation. An serious injury attorney can play a pivotal role in such cases.
Attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury to determine liability.
They organize and maintain evidence. This can include medical records, witness statements, and more.
Attorneys often negotiate with insurance companies and other responsible parties to secure a fair settlement for their clients.
Is a settlement unlikely? In this case, the attorney may represent the client in court, presenting the case to a judge or jury and pursuing justice.
Attorneys in serious injury cases work to ensure that their clients receive fair compensation with the goal of covering their immediate and long-term needs.
Now You Can Seek Justice for Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, you should reach out to an experienced attorney.
With their decades of experience, you can count on Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello to represent your best interests.
Time is of the essence, so reach out to Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello today.