Traumatic Brain Injuries

According to the New York Department of Health, nearly 400 people in the state suffer brain injuries that are serious enough to require an emergency room visit or hospitalization. In April of this year, a New York appellate court awarded a $20 million verdict to a man who had suffered a brain injury after falling at a construction site in 2013. Although the decision represented a significant reduction from the $85 million originally awarded by a Manhattan jury in 2013, the award was still the largest amount approved by an appellate court in New York. The original jury award, and the reduced amount approved on appeal, took into account the permanent and life-changing effects of brain injuries.

Causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

  • A blow to the head caused by an object or by falling
  • Contact with the victim’s skull after a collision or sudden stop (whiplash)
  • Shaking of the head

The symptoms of brain injury may appear immediately after an accident, attack, or other incident, and may include:

  • Nausea
  • Changes in vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness

In many cases, however, symptoms may not appear until days or even weeks after the injury. Symptoms may also initially improve, just to come back or worsen over time. It is important to seek medical care after any blow to the head, whiplash, or shaking, even if you do not have any symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent or lessen long-term or permanent damage. Early treatment is also important if it becomes necessary to prove the cause of a brain injury in a lawsuit or workmen’s compensation claim.

Serious brain injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disability, personality changes, loss of motor control, and/or impairment of one’s ability to work or maintain relationships.

Seek Legal Advice After a Brain Injury If you have suffered a concussion or other brain injury in a car accident, fall at a construction site, retail store, work environment, or other business, seek medical care immediately. Talk to a New York injury lawyer to learn your rights and options. Insurance companies often try to push for a quick settlement, but that could be disastrous for a victim of a brain injury. Once you accept a settlement, you will not be able to seek compensation later if your symptoms worsen or if new sy­­mptoms appear. Make sure you know your rights – call an injury lawyer at Mirman, Markovits and Landau, P.C. at 212-227-4000 for a free consultation. Click here to see how we help injury victims in New York and how we can help you.