Traumatic Brain Injury and Children
Traumatic brain injuries can impact all aspects of a person’s life, including their physical abilities, cognitive functioning, and emotional well-being. Because of their wide ranging effects, brain injuries are catastrophic at any age, but they are particularly devastating for children.
Traumatic brain injuries in children can impact development and lead to long-term or lifelong challenges. The brain injury lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., understand the unique damages of pediatric brain injuries. We are prepared to assist pediatric brain injury victims in the Brooklyn, NY, area in pursuing financial compensation for the full extent of brain injury damages.
Causes of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries stem from incidents in which the skull and brain are penetrated, or the head and neck are struck or snapped back and forth with such force that the brain shakes within the skull. In either case, the tissues of the brain can be damaged. There are many types of accidents that can lead to traumatic brain injuries. For children, the most common causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Falls
- Car accidents
- Abuse
- Sports injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system of the body. The brain plays a role in all of the body’s primary functions, including thought processes, emotions, vision, and motor skills. When a traumatic brain injury occurs, some or all of these functions can be compromised. The type and severity of traumatic brain injury symptoms depends largely on what part of the brain was damaged, and how extensive the brain tissues were injured. Common brain injury symptoms include:
- Difficulty processing or expressing thoughts
- Problems with short- or long-term memory
- Coordination and balance problems
- Headaches
- Change in sleep patterns
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Difficulties with fine motor skills
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in personality
The abovementioned symptoms are ones that are common among children and adults who suffer a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, when a child’s brain is injured, the impact can be even more severe. A child’s brain is still developing, so injuries can disrupt development and lead to cognitive impairments or other challenges that may not become apparent until further down the line.
Treatment
The effects of a traumatic brain injury are often permanent, but with early diagnosis and ongoing intervention it is usually possible to minimize brain injury symptoms. Depending on the extent of injuries, pediatric treatment for a traumatic brain injury may include:
- Medication
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation/physical therapy
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Speech therapy
- Counseling/psychological treatment
The Financial Impact of a Brain Injury
Children who suffer a traumatic brain injury often require extensive treatment and therapy, which can be extremely costly. Much of the treatment provided is needed long-term or lifelong, which makes the financial impact even greater. In addition, parents will likely need to take time off work to care for their child and bring them to necessary appointments, which has a direct effect on their income.
If another person or party is responsible for an accident that causes a traumatic brain injury, they should be held liable for the financial losses associated with the injury (as well as the non-economic damages). Our brain injury lawyers assist our Brooklyn clients in holding responsible parties accountable for the full extent of economic and non-economic damages of a traumatic brain injury.
Get In Touch
The brain injury lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., have helped numerous brain injury victims collect financial compensation for losses stemming from a brain injury, and they are prepared to do the same for you. To discuss your case with our legal team, send us a message online or call our Brooklyn law firm at (718) 624-1211.
