Blunt Force Trauma to the Head: Causes and Effects
Blunt force trauma to the head is a frequent result of a car accident or slip and fall. People with these injuries need immediate medical treatment, and many require long-term care. Many lose pay over months and years. The more severe the injury, the higher the financial impact. The trusted team of brain injury attorneys at Cordisco & Saile, LLC are committed to pursuing the compensation our clients need to recover and thrive.
A sudden accident can change your life forever. If you have suffered blunt force trauma to the head, whether mild or severe, you understand the physical and emotional fallout — and the financial pinch that comes from unexpected medical bills.
Blunt force trauma to the head can lead to a concussion or traumatic brain injury. It may take a long time to fully recover, and many people end up with lifelong disabilities. If your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our trusted attorneys at Cordisco & Saile, LLC, pursue compensation for people in Bucks County and across Pennsylvania. We understand the frustrations of head injury recovery and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is blunt force trauma to the head?
Blunt force trauma often occurs by sudden impact involving the head. The impact may be a direct blow to the head or a blow to the body that causes brain movement inside the skull. Blunt force head trauma can cause mild to severe brain damage and can result in long-term loss of function.
Common Causes of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head
Blunt force trauma is possible with any injury involving impact to the head or violent movement of the neck and head. Common ways to experience blunt force trauma include:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports and recreational injuries
- Violent crime
Falls
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, falls are the leading cause of blunt head trauma in the United States. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430770 (SERP competitor)]
While slip-and-fall accidents are common, they are also particualrly dangerous because of the high risk of head injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that brain injuries such as those sustained in falls are a substantial cause of early death.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Truck, motorcycle and car accidents are the second most common cause of blunt force trauma to the head. Traumatic brain injuries often happen because of a whiplash-type event in which the head snaps forward and causes the brain to shift inside the skull.
Effects of Mild and Severe Blunt Force Trauma to the Head
Doctors refer to blunt force head injuries as mild, moderate or severe.
Mild brain injuries have the easiest symptoms to miss or attribute to another issue. These include:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood changes
Moderate and severe brain injuries cause similar symptoms but at a more intense level. These symptoms can be life-disrupting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that among individuals with moderate to severe brain injury:
- 57 percent have a moderate to severe disability.
- 55 percent have lost the ability or opportunity to work.
- 33 percent rely on others for daily living assistance.
- 12 percent reside in nursing homes or institutional housing.
People with the most severe injuries have the most serious outcomes and are most likely to need long-term care. In one study of 189 patients with severe traumatic injury due to blunt force trauma, 87 percent showed poor function levels six months later.
Such injuries commonly lead to high medical bills and years of lost wages. It’s also common to have blunt force trauma to the head causing death, especially in more severe cases.
Cordisco & Saile, LLC has helped many people with brain injuries in Bucks County and across Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has suffered a fatal or nonfatal blunt force head trauma, we can help you determine the next steps.
What types of compensation can I receive for blunt force head trauma?
Not all head injuries are simple accidents. Some are the result of negligence or malicious intent. You may qualify for compensation if you or a loved one suffered a head injury and someone else is at fault.
At Cordisco & Saile, LLC, our experienced attorneys understand the financial impact of blunt force trauma to the head. We pursue compensation for all related costs, including:
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation and recovery expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Each case is unique, and each person carries a unique burden. Let our skilled attorneys listen to your case and come up with a settlement designed to help you move on.
What To Do After Blunt Force Head Trauma
Your first step after a head trauma should be to seek medical attention. Brain injury symptoms can be easy to miss, especially if the injury is clinically mild. A doctor can identify those symptoms and determine whether you need follow-up care.
A medical examination is also important if you decide to pursue legal action. Your health records serve as documentation of your injury and the treatment you need to recover.
It is important to seek legal counsel even if you have mild or no symptoms. In one study of people who had suffered mild traumatic brain injuries, only one in 10 patients reported complaints immediately after the injury. However, 57 percent of symptom-free patients developed complaints months later.
Our skilled attorneys at Cordisco & Saile, LLC represent head trauma patients in the Philadelphia area and across Pennsylvania. We are here to fight for your rights and help you pursue compensation.
Why Hire an Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer
The costs of brain injury are high. Researchers found that in the first six months alone, a traumatic brain injury increases a person’s cost of care by nearly $23,000. Northwestern Now reported in 2015 that lifetime costs can range from $85,000 to $3 million, an amount likely to increase with inflation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a blunt head injury due to someone else’s negligence or malicious intent, it’s important to speak with our experienced attorneys. Our knowledgeable brain injury lawyers can estimate the costs of your trauma and help you build a case.
The lawyers at Cordisco & Saile, LLC have earned the trust of brain injury clients throughout Pennsylvania, including Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh Counties. Settlements we have won include:
- $700,000 for a Bucks County woman injured in a slip-and-fall accident
- $2.9 million for a client with a traumatic brain injury sustained in a motorcycle accident
- $1.37 million for a Bucks County car accident victim
- $10 million for a first responder injured in a truck accident
We have a five-star average on Google reviews and a long list of testimonials, which speak to the respectful and caring relationships we build with our clients. Our skilled attorneys have also appeared on multiple lists of high performers, including:
- The National Trial Lawyers – Brain Injury Top 25
- The Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List — John F. Cordisco for litigation
- The American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Lawyers — J. Cordisco
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — Michael L. Saile, Jr.
- An AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell — M. Saile
Get Representation and Pursue Your Settlement Today
Don’t face your brain injury recovery alone. Cordisco & Saile, LLC represents clients across Pennsylvania. We bring years of experience and an in-depth understanding of personal injury law.
Contact Cordisco & Saile, LLC today, and let us fight for your rights in your head injury case.
