Among the many different kinds of injury cases we handle at Simeone & Miller, LLP, brain injuries tend to be the most serious. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can be life-changing, and the road to recovery can be a long one. If you’ve suffered a brain injury, you understand the financial impact it can have on your entire family. You may be angry and frustrated that the quality of your life, or that of a family member, has been irrevocably altered. It is important to know that in times like these, you can rely on the Washington, D.C., traumatic brain injury law firm of Simeone & Miller to help you seek justice.

Since 2002, Simeone & Miller has aggressively fought for the rights of accident victims in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, recovering numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.

Recovering Compensation After a Traumatic Brain Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), among people who have suffered a moderate to severe TBI, 57% are moderately or severely disabled five years after the injury. Victims of mild TBIs stand the greatest chance of a full recovery, while those who suffer more serious injuries face a difficult road ahead. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel that road alone.

Simeone & Miller advocates for the rights of TBI victims in the Metropolitan D.C. area. We fight to help our clients obtain the highest possible amount of compensation so that they can receive the quality medical treatment necessary to regain their quality of life.

Our team can help you prepare a claim to seek compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Loss of income

Contact our D.C. brain injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation of your case. Our firm is available 24/7 to take your phone call.  You can also submit a new case form on our webpage and we will respond immediately in most cases. 

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

More than 2.5 million people will sustain a traumatic brain injury in the U.S. each year, according to the Brain Trauma Foundation. These injuries typically occur from a sudden blow to the head, a shock to the brain from a strong outside force, or another form of serious trauma. One, several, or all areas of the brain can be permanently affected, depending on the type of injury. In many cases, these injuries are caused by the negligent actions of another.

There are several different types of brain injuries, including:

  • Cerebral contusions: A cerebral contusion is a bruise of the brain tissue. It is often the result of a direct blow to the head, which is common in motor vehicle collisions. Larger contusions may require surgical removal.
  • Concussion: A concussion is the most common type of brain injury. These can be caused by a direct blow to the head or a whiplash-type injury, where the body and head are jerked forward and then suddenly back. The sudden change in momentum can cause blood vessels to stretch and nerves to become damaged.
  • Coup-Contrecoup Injury: This injury describes contusions that impact opposite sides of the brain. It occurs when the force of an accident is strong enough to cause a contusion on impact and to slam the brain against the opposite side of the skull when the head travels back in the other direction.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury: Strong rotational forces can result in diffuse axonal injuries. When the brain lags behind the movement of the skull, brain structures and nerve tissue tear, disrupting the brain’s normal communication processes. It can result in temporary or permanent brain damage, functional impairments, coma, or death.
  • Penetration Injury: These injuries involve the penetration of a foreign object into the skull, such as a gunshot wound, which forces bone and other fragments into the brain and shears the brain tissue.

The severity of a brain injury depends on various factors, including the injury’s location, the individual’s age, how soon the individual receives treatment, whether or not the individual was conscious and for how long, and more. While some symptoms may be obvious immediately, others may not be apparent for days or weeks.

If you’ve suffered any of these types of brain injuries because of the negligence of another person, contact our traumatic brain injury lawyers in Washington, D.C.

Signs That You May Have Suffered a Brain Injury

Many times, accident victims will fail to realize they have suffered a brain injury until hours, days, weeks, or even months after the incident. Sometimes, the delayed symptoms of a brain injury are not readily apparent. Different types of traumatic brain injuries can affect different parts of the brain, and they range considerably in severity.

Some of the most common symptoms of a brain injury include:

  • Memory loss
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Confusion/disorientation
  • Persistent headaches
  • Body numbness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Change in personality
  • Slurred speech
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Seizures

If you have sustained a brain injury, you might not have any symptoms right away. Some brain injuries will have more serious symptoms long after the initial impact. For example, the brain may slam into the skull but only have internal damage. Without any external signs of damage, recognizing that a brain injury took place may be very difficult.

All brain injuries are unique, and the recovery process is different for everyone. That being said, victims with mild injuries often have the best chances for a full recovery, even though it can take time. The recovery process may be longer for those with more serious injuries and for victims who have experienced brain injuries in the past. A Washington, D.C., brain injury attorney from Simeone & Miller can help you get the medical treatment you need for a full recovery.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Despite the alarmingly high number of brain injuries, the causes of them are not as vast. Some of the most common causes of brain injuries include:

  • Falls: According to a report by the CDC, in 2017, falls accounted for 49.1% of TBI hospitalizations, particularly affecting older adults. Falls are most common among those over age 75, making them the most at-risk group. Falls often occur at home, in nursing facilities, or in public spaces, underscoring the importance of safety measures to prevent these injuries.
  • Vehicle-related collisions: The second most common cause of TBIs, impacting individuals across various age groups. In 2017, vehicle-related collisions accounted for 24.5% of TBI-related hospitalizations. These injuries often result from high-impact collisions and can have severe consequences, making road safety and defensive driving critical in preventing TBIs.
  • Being struck by an object: This cause of brain injuries includes objects falling from heights, sports injuries, or accidents in construction settings. These incidents can lead to significant head trauma, especially in environments where protective gear is not used or is inadequate.
  • Violent acts: Violent encounters, including assaults, domestic violence, and gunshot wounds, are another significant cause of brain injuries. These traumatic events can lead to severe TBIs with long-lasting physical and psychological effects. The unpredictability and severity of violence make it a particularly devastating cause of brain injuries.

Contact Our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in Washington, D.C.

Simeone & Miller, LLP is dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of service. With a proven track record of success that includes more than 1,000 satisfied clients, you can be confident in our ability to resolve your case fairly. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay for our services if we don’t win your case. You have nothing to lose – contact a Washington, D.C., brain injury lawyer from our firm for a free consultation.

Simeone & Miller, LLP is based in Washington, D.C., and also provides legal services across Maryland and Virginia. In Maryland, our services extend to Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County. In Virginia, we serve clients in Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.