Traumatic Brain Injury

     When you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in the workplace, you need an experienced attorney to fight for the benefits you deserve. At the law office of John F. Renner, we have built a reputation for excellence in representing injured workers and fighting for your rights. We understand the complex worker’s compensation system and will aggressively pursue your rights and get the benefits and treatment you are entitled to.

     Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe type of injury and not only affect the life of the injured worker, but also the lives of those close to the worker because the brain the most important organ in the human body. The brain controls and coordinates all the things that make us human, our actions and reactions, allows us to think and feel, and enables us to have memories and feelings. The fortunate worker will suffer only a minor concussion, headaches and will be able to return to work after recovering; while others will suffer permanent memory loss and impairment of higher level cognitive functioning which will impact on their ability to earn a living. Those with severe injuries to the brain can be left in an unresponsive state.

Concussions

     A concussion is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull. This type of injury is more severe than most people realize. Even a minor concussion can cause permanent impairment of the brain. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, visual impairment and loss of concentration. The brain takes longer to heal, and will need considerable time and energy to recover. The recovery time will depend not only on the severity of the blow, but also the number of previous concussions. Think of it like when a football player, most often a quarterback, suffers concussions. The first time, he may only miss a week. However, as he receives more concussions, he will miss multiple weeks and months before he can play again so that the brain has time to heal.

Strokes

     A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body either breaks or has a blood clot, which interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. Whenever one of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage can occur. The brain begins losing brain cells after only four minutes without oxygen. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities, such as speech, movement and memory, which were controlled by that area of the brain, are lost. A person who suffers a small stroke may experience only minor problems, such as the loss of strength in an arm or leg. People who suffer larger strokes may become paralyzed on one side of their body or lose the ability to speak. Recovery can vary, with some people recovering completely while others experience some form of permanent disability.

Closed and Open Head Injury

     Closed head injuries are usually caused by blows to the head and are common when a worker falls, is assaulted or is in a traffic accident. An open head injury occurs when an object fractures the skull and damages brain tissue or the surrounding membranes.

Traumatic Brain Injury

     Traumatic brain injury occurs when sudden physical damage to the brain is inflicted by an external force that disrupts or alters normal brain function. A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of a sudden blow to the head, which causes the brain to violently collide with the inside of the skull.

Additional Traumatic Brain Injury Resouces