In the last two years we have probably been retained to represent more injured workers with TBI or traumatic brain injuries than the first 15 years of our practice combined! Is it because more Minnesotan's are sustaining brain injuries on the job then previous years? Or perhaps we more litigious than in past years? The most likely reason is that we are all more in tune of the need to seek medical care after a head trauma or loss of consciousness due to news stories, media, the internet, or personal experiences. In addition family physicians and other health care providers are better able to understand and identify the early warning signs of TBIs. I have practiced law for nearly 25 year and in that time scientists and doctors have learned a great deal more about brain injuries. One thing is certain, the brain is more vulnerable to injury than anyone previously thought.
Most TBIs occur through direct impact or force to the head, resulting in damage to the brain. Fortunately every blow to the head does not always result in a TBI. Conversely, the severity of trauma does not always determine the severity of a TBI.
TBIs range in degree from severe to mild. In the most severe cases, the injured worker actually dies. However, most of our clients come to see us as the result of persistent problems related to their TBI. These problems include; memory problems, headaches, mood swings, depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and visual problems. Often the injured worker has a history of non work related concussions and then a single trauma to the brain due to a work injury causes the ultimate breakdown. Numerous studies demonstrate that multiple concussions increase the risk for long-term problems and have been linked to the development of delayed brain degeneration. Each brain injury or TBI is exponentially more damaging to the brain then the previous one.
TBIs affects the brain in two major ways. First, actual tearing and/or bruising of brain tissue and consequential bleeding within or surrounding the brain can occur resulting in brain swelling (think of the bruise you sustain after a twisted ankle). These injuries occur in more severe forms of TBI and are typically absent in mild TBIs. Second is injury to microscopic nerve fibers (axons), which make up the “wiring” that connects nerve cells in the brain (neurons) to each other and to the rest of the body. This microscopic injury leads to many of the persistent problems which our TBI clients experience.
If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury or TBI, the attorneys of Atkinson Law Office can assist you in obtaining the treatment and workers compensation benefits you deserve. Our lawyers currently represent many others with similar brain injuries. We have obtained over $1,000,000 in benefits to brain injured worker in the past year alone and Millions of dollars more in the past 5 years. There is never a fee unless we recover benefits for you. Contact Atkinson Law Office today. 651-333-3636 and visit our website www.mndisability.com
Most TBIs occur through direct impact or force to the head, resulting in damage to the brain. Fortunately every blow to the head does not always result in a TBI. Conversely, the severity of trauma does not always determine the severity of a TBI.
