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Traumatic Brain Injuries

Kansas City Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

Brain Injury Claims in Missouri

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, range in severity, but there is no such thing as a “mild” TBI. Whether you have suffered a concussion in a sports-related accident or your loved one sustained a severe blow to the head in a car crash, it is imperative that you seek medical attention at the first sign of a brain injury.

Doctors often say that people who suffer a head injury aren’t typically the first ones to notice its effects. Often, it is the victim’s family members, friends, or co-workers who first notice the short-term memory loss, personality changes, and problems handling simple daily tasks that often accompany traumatic brain injuries.

In most cases, traumatic brain injuries are permanent. If you or a family member is exhibiting signs of cognitive disability, seek medical attention immediately. Then, talk to one of the personal injury trial lawyers at Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd. Our team can help you file a brain injury claim and seek fair compensation from the negligent person or party that caused the accident that led to your injury. To date, our Kansas City traumatic brain injury lawyers have secured more than $625 million for injured individuals and their families throughout Missouri and the Midwest.

Call our office at (816) 542-5999 or contact us online to request a free consultation. There are no attorneys’ fees unless we win your case.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of injury that occurs when there is a sudden and severe trauma to the head, resulting in damage to the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe, and they can have a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects. These injuries are typically categorized based on their severity and the specific areas of the brain that are affected.

Here are some common types of traumatic brain injuries:

  • Concussion: A concussion is a mild form of TBI that often occurs due to a blow to the head. It can happen during sports, falls, or car accidents. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, memory problems, and confusion.
  • Contusion: A contusion is a bruise on the brain that results from a direct impact to the head. It can cause localized brain damage and neurological deficits.
  • Coup-Contrecoup Injury: This injury occurs when there is a blow to one side of the head, causing the brain to strike the opposite side of the skull. It can result in multiple points of damage.
  • Penetrating Injury: This type of TBI occurs when a foreign object, such as a bullet or a piece of skull, penetrates the brain tissue. Penetrating injuries often cause severe damage.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury: In this type of TBI, the brain's long connecting fibers (axons) are damaged or torn. This can happen due to rapid deceleration or rotational forces, such as those experienced in high-speed car accidents or shaken baby syndrome.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome: Shaking an infant violently can result in TBI. It is a form of diffuse axonal injury and can lead to severe brain damage.
  • Second Impact Syndrome (SIS): SIS occurs when a person sustains a second TBI before recovering from the initial one. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to rapid brain swelling, disability, or even death.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a variety of causes, and the severity of the injury can vary widely. Some common causes of TBIs include:

  • Falls: Falls are a leading cause of TBIs, especially among young children and the elderly. Falls from stairs, ladders, or slippery surfaces can result in head injuries.
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents can lead to TBIs when there is a collision, sudden deceleration, or impact to the head. The use of seatbelts and helmets can reduce the risk.
  • Sports and Recreational Activities: Contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey, as well as activities like skiing and skateboarding, can result in head injuries due to collisions, falls, or direct impacts.
  • Assaults: Physical assaults, including punches, kicks, or blows to the head, are common causes of TBIs. These injuries can be severe, especially if they involve weapons or extreme force.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome: Shaking an infant or young child violently can lead to a form of TBI known as shaken baby syndrome, causing severe brain damage.
  • Workplace Injuries: Certain jobs, particularly in construction, mining, or manufacturing, involve a higher risk of head injuries from falling objects or machinery accidents.
  • Penetrating Injuries: Objects like bullets, knives, or debris from explosions can penetrate the skull and cause severe TBIs.
  • Explosions: Explosions, such as those in combat zones or industrial accidents, can generate shockwaves and debris that cause head injuries.
  • Sports-Related Concussions: Even without direct impacts, repetitive concussions in sports like American football or boxing can accumulate and lead to long-term brain damage, known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
  • Military Combat: Soldiers in combat zones may be exposed to blasts, shrapnel, and other hazards that can result in TBIs.
  • Domestic Accidents: Accidents within the home, such as falling down stairs, slipping in the bathtub, or hitting one's head on furniture, can also lead to TBIs.
  • Recreational Accidents: Activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, or water sports can result in head injuries if safety precautions are not taken.
  • Bicycle Accidents: Riding a bicycle without a helmet can lead to head injuries if the cyclist falls or is involved in a collision.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians struck by vehicles are at risk of head injuries, especially if they are not visible to drivers.

Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI symptoms take several forms, including physical signs, cognitive issues, and even emotional changes. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, as well as in the days and weeks that follow, be aware of any signs of a serious brain injury.

Physical TBI symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of taste
  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of feeling in fingers and hands
  • Reduced or loss of mobility

Some of the cognitive signs of a TBI include:

  • Short and long-term memory loss
  • Inability to complete simple tasks
  • Inability to recognize familiar surroundings and people

Emotional signs of a brain injury can include:

  • Wild mood swings
  • Depression
  • Permanent change in personality
  • Unusually quick to anger

The Effects of a Brain Injury

One of the worst possible injuries that a person could sustain is a brain injury. A brain injury is an incident of insult to the brain that causes damage that is sometimes immediate and sometimes delayed or gradual. Each type of brain injury is unique because the damage may affect different parts of the brain. For example, traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force causes brain trauma, while acquired brain injury may arise from a tumor or neurological illness. Nevertheless, any type of brain injury can dramatically change anybody’s life.

These changes arise from the various complications that may gradually occur in a brain injury victim. Some issues will happen immediately or soon after the brain is damaged, while others won’t appear until days, weeks, or even months later. This is one reason why some brain injuries go undetected for long periods of time until severe complications show up. For example, a person suffering a TBI may experience seizures within the first week, but with nerve damage, a person may suffer a gradual increase in loss of vision, loss of facial sensation, paralysis, and swallowing problems.

A brain injury may cause intellectual concerns, such as cognitive problems with learning, reasoning, judgment, and attention. A brain-injured patient could have trouble making decisions and beginning or completing tasks. Behavior and emotions are also often impacted.

For example, a brain injury victim may exhibit:

  • Depression
  • Risky behavior
  • Mood swings
  • Problems with self-control and anger

Severe brain injuries can result in the victim going into a coma or a vegetative state. Widespread damage in the brain might lead to brain death.

Aside from these complications, a brain injury patient may be slammed with expensive medical bills due to hospital stays, long-term medical care, medications, and other treatments. These expenses can be a huge burden on the victim and their family.

How Our Firm Can Help

Thousands of Americans are affected by traumatic brain injuries every year. Our Kansas City-based law firm is familiar with the many different brain injuries that can arise from all types of accidents including car crashes, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice. We understand the medical and emotional issues that often result from TBIs, as well as the needs of the patient to achieve full recovery.

Our firm has extensive experience with the complex issues associated with brain injuries. We will work to obtain a financial recovery so you can have the proper medical and rehabilitative care you need. Our Kansas City traumatic brain injury attorneys often work with experts to calculate the future economic loss and long-term care costs you face. We know that dealing with a brain injury is difficult, but the proper legal guidance may alleviate your hardships and struggle.

Why Choose Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd?

Simply put, we understand the medical and emotional issues of a brain injury.

Our firm has extensive experience helping families find the social and professional resources needed to deal with short- and long-term financial and medical needs. We’ll do everything we can to get you the resources you need while your case is progressing in the courts.

Our attorneys have been helping personal injury victims recover money from insurance companies for over 70 years. We understand the complex medical issues involved in proving a brain injury case and we have the professional and technical resources to stand and fight successfully against the largest insurance companies.

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Call (816) 542-5999 to schedule a free consultation. If you are unable to make it into our office, we will do our best to travel to you.

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We've Helped Thousands of People Just Like You
  • “I highly recommend this practice. Richard Budden was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and realistic with my expectations. He and his team were always quick to respond and handled all of my concerns ...”

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  • “Highly recommend this firm. They were professional and helped us understand the whole process while working with them. David was very down to Earth and excellent to work with.”

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What Makes Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman Different?

  • Highly Respected in Our Field

    Our attorneys are well-established in various areas of practice, including Attorney Lynn R. Johnson, who is a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates.

  • A Legacy of Excellence

    We have a longstanding history of exemplary legal representation dating back to 1949, but are committed to leveraging forward-thinking practices and technology for the benefit of our clients.

  • Trial-Ready Legal Advocacy

    While most of our cases result in successful settlements, our willingness to go to trial enables us to secure more favorable outcomes.

  • A Network of Support

    We work to ensure that you receive the resources you need after an injury, including medical care, access to experts, emotional and financial support.

  • Committed to Our Community

    Our advocacy does not stop in the courtroom - it extends into our support for various local organizations that benefit our community.

  • Personal, Hands-On Attention

    All members of our team, including partners, associates and paralegals, are committed to providing direct contact and clear communication.

Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman Bringing Dedication & Determination To Every Case

There are many very good reasons for choosing the attorneys of SJB to represent you. Law firms have different skills, different areas of expertise and different ways of approaching cases. Find out about our firm’s strengths, successes on behalf of our clients, and more importantly, the five reasons why you should hire us.

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