Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, happens when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that happen to the brain. The damage can be confined to one area of the brain (focal) or in multiple areas of the brain (diffuse). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that results in a coma or even death. A traumatic brain injury can dramatically alter the lives and families of those affected. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in the Syracuse area that was not your fault, you deserve compensation for your injuries. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse brain injury lawyers are committed to helping clients and their families find the resolution they need in their cases. We know each case is unique, which is why we offer personalized representation every step of the way.

There are two broad types of head injuries, penetrating and non-penetrating. Penetrating TBI (also known as open TBI) happens when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue and typically damages only part of the brain. Non-penetrating TBI (also known as closed head injury or blunt TBI) is caused by an external force strong enough to move the brain within the skull. Serious injuries to the brain may be the result of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck collisions, falls, violence, and various other accidents.

Following a serious accident, a TBI may be overlooked only to have the signs surface later. Although fragile bones can mend, a TBI can leave a victim's life irrevocably changed, permanently damaging their relationships, work, mental capacity, and quality of life. Here are some signs that may let you know if you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury, and steps you can take to protect your rights to compensation. If you sustained a brain injury through the fault of another in Upstate New York, you should discuss your situation with the experienced Syracuse serious injury attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers.

Brain injuries fall into two categories mild and severe. A traumatic brain injury is considered mild if loss of consciousness lasts for less than 30 minutes. Although the majority of TBIs are considered mild, up to 15% of victims will experience symptoms for a year or more. Signs of a mild TBI include problems with coordination, excessive sleep or depression, changes in mood, violent outbursts, difficulty formulating thoughts or sentences, memory loss, sensory issues (loss of smell, bad taste in mouth, sensitivity to lights or sound), nausea, and seizures. Many of the victims of mild TBI will eventually regain a full quality of life.

Those who suffer from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury will often lose consciousness for longer than an hour and symptoms usually occur within days. Signs of a serious TBI that may begin to appear are clear fluid that drains from ears, dilated pupils (one or both eyes), depression, habitual bouts of nausea or vomiting, difficulty speaking or walking, confusion, irritability, combative behavior, and clear fluid that drains from either the nose or ears.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is the leading cause of death and disability among people aged 1 to 44. CDC data also reveals that almost 8 out of 10 TBIs among older adults are caused by a fall. A person who has suffered a TBI is more likely to die from seizures, unintentional drug poisoning, infections, and pneumonia. If someone else’s negligence was the cause of your TBI, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, and any other losses incurred due to the injury.

In choosing a lawyer, it’s important to consider trial experience, reviews, and a strong record of success. If you sustained a brain injury in Upstate New York, you should call the experienced personal injury lawyers DeFrancisco & Falgiatano. We have more than 3 decades of experience representing accident victims and have obtained more than $400 million in personal injury awards. Our lawyers are members of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. We represent clients with serious injuries in Rochester, Auburn, Watertown, Oswego, Lowville, Wampsville, Canandaigua, Lyons, Ithaca, Cooperstown, Oneida, Utica, Herkimer, Binghamton, and Elmira. Call us at 833-200-2000 or fill out our online form.